CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS – March 17, 2022 – Visit Corpus Christi today announced the finalists of this year's HOSPiS Gala and Awards Ceremony to be held on April 14, 2022 at The American Bank Center. Every year, the HOSPiS celebrates and honors the excellence in tourism and hospitality by allowing the community to nominate hospitality and tourism industry employees for a well-deserved award. The HOSPiS not only celebrates the excellence in the hospitality industry but is also held in conjunction with Visit Corpus Christi's Annual Meeting.

“The HOSPiS is our way of showing appreciation to the amazing individuals within our community doing great things in their line of work in tourism and hospitality.” said Erica Bhakta, Executive Vice President of Visit Corpus Christi. “It’s our job at Visit Corpus Christi to market the city to visitors but it’s our hospitality and industry professionals who keep them happy and make them feel welcome in our city. They deserve to be recognized and the HOSPiS is the perfect platform for us to be able to honor them.”  

This year's finalists include:

House Keeper of the Year (HOUSi):
Connie Luna Texas State Aquarium 
Diana Moya - Staybridge Suites
Vanessa Grijalva - Hilton Garden Inn

Tourism Extraordinaire (FRIENDLi):
DeAnna Richarte - American Bank Center
Jericho Dyogi - Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
Elaine Motl - Barefoot Mardi Gras

Heart of the House (HEARTi):
Tye West - Port Royal Ocean Resort 
Sabrina Grubbs - Port Royal Ocean Resort
Johnny De La Rosa - Omni Corpus Christi Hotel

Bartender of the Year (BOOZi):
Charlie Adkins - Brewster Street 
Cleveland Miller - Water Street Oyster Bar 
Tristina Lindsey - The Texan

Front of House (HAPPi):
Myrtle Hattan: Omni Corpus Christi Hotel
Veronica Rocha - Home 2Suites by Hilton
Trinatee Duhart - Bien Merite 

Under 35 Leadership Award (SPARKi):
Richard Wright - MCR 
Sarah Perez - Port Royal Ocean Resort
Melanie Granado - American Bank Center

Restaurant of the Year (FOODi):
Dragon Fly 
The Republic of Texas 
Restaurant 361 at Port Royal

Hotel of the Year (COMFi):
Hilton Garden Inn
Port Royal Ocean Resort
Residence Inn Downtown

Attraction of the Year (HATTi):
Islander Athletics
USS Lexington Museum on the Bay
Corpus Christi Symphony Orchestra

Visit Corpus Christi would also like to recognize event sponsors who have helped make this event possible, including: Gold Sponsors – King Ranch, ZJZ Hospitality Inc, Del Mar College, The City of Corpus Christi City Manager’s Office, and MMGY Global.

For sponsorships or table information please visit www.thehospis.com