SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (Smokies.LIVE Information Center) — The people and businesses helping shape Sevier County’s tourism industry were celebrated Thursday during the 19th annual Stars of the Industry Awards.
The Sevier County Hospitality & Tourism Alliance hosted the 2026 ceremony Aug. 20 at Country Tonite Theatre, recognizing hospitality professionals, attractions, businesses and community leaders for their contributions to Sevier County.
Among the awards presented was the One-Time Special Event Award, which went to Anakeesta for its Grand Reopening Celebration.
Organizers said the event demonstrated how a one-time celebration can bring an entire tourism community together while highlighting the future of the destination.
The celebration introduced two major new guest experiences, including what organizers described as the world’s only all-glass gondola system. The event brought together tourism partners, community leaders and guests to celebrate the additions.
The celebration also included conservation education, giving a regional nonprofit an opportunity to highlight the importance of protecting biodiversity in the Great Smoky Mountains.
Organizers said the combination of new attraction experiences, hospitality, community partnerships and environmental awareness made the event more than a reopening.
“It became a showcase of continued investment in Gatlinburg and a shared moment of pride for the broader destination,” organizers said.
SCHTA Attraction of the Year
The SCHTA Attraction of the Year award went to Gatlinburg SkyPark.
The attraction has been part of Gatlinburg’s tourism story for more than seven decades, growing alongside the city while continuing to give visitors new reasons to return.
In 2025, Gatlinburg SkyPark unveiled a major mountaintop expansion that added landscaped gathering spaces, additional seating and new food and beverage offerings.
The investment created new jobs, encouraged visitors to spend more time at the attraction and strengthened the connection between the attraction and downtown Gatlinburg, according to award organizers.
Gatlinburg SkyPark’s community involvement also was highlighted during the ceremony.
The attraction regularly works with local musicians, breweries, artisans and vendors, helping showcase businesses and talent from across Sevier County.
Each year, the attraction also designates a weekend to support the Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains, donating $1 from every ticket sold during the event to benefit local students and families.
Guest service was another reason cited for the recognition.
Organizers pointed to an example in which the attraction’s operations team arranged early access for a family with a child who uses a wheelchair. The team helped the child access the SkyBridge, allowing the entire family to share the experience.
Through continued investment, community partnerships and a focus on guest service, organizers said Gatlinburg SkyPark has helped strengthen Gatlinburg’s tourism economy while raising the bar for the Smoky Mountain visitor experience.
Celebrating the people behind tourism
The Stars of the Industry Awards recognize the people working throughout Sevier County’s hospitality industry, from front-line employees to managers, chefs, general managers and business leaders.
Other 2026 categories included Attraction Employee of the Year, Lodging Employee of the Year, Restaurant Employee of the Year, Lodging Manager of the Year, Restaurant Manager of the Year, Attraction Manager of the Year, general manager awards, Chef of the Year, Community Service Award, Guest Relations Award and Friend of Sevier County Hospitality.
Additional honors included SCHTA Vendor of the Year, Under 30 Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year, Women in Tourism and Hospitality Leader of the Year and the Hospitality Achievement Award for professionals with more than 30 years in the industry.
The awards serve as a reminder that Sevier County’s tourism industry extends well beyond its attractions and destinations.
It is powered by the employees, businesses and community partners who welcome visitors and help create the experiences that keep people coming back to the Smoky Mountains.
Congratulations to all of the 2026 Stars of the Industry winners and nominees for helping make Sevier County shine.
Stars of the Industry – 2026 Winners
Attraction of the Year Gatlinburg SkyPark
Vendor of the Year Laundry Systems of Tennessee
Women in Tourism Gatlinburg Sherri Webb – Margaritaville Resort Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge Laurie Taylor – Country Tonite Theatre
Sevierville Amanda Jensen – Sanctuary Treehouse Resort
TN Under 30 Emerging Leader
Gatlinburg Tyler Grandstaff – Gatlinburg Skypark
Pigeon Forge Noah Smith – The Old Mill
Sevierville Luke Fall – Sevierville Chamber of Commerce
Attraction Employee of the Year
Gatlinburg Anna Moore – Anakeesta
Pigeon Forge Chelsea Ankeny – Lost Mine Mountain Coaster
Sevierville Nathanael Fuller – NASCAR Speedpark
Attraction Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg Hunter Gibbs – Westgate Smoky Mountain Resort & Waterpark
Pigeon Forge Landrie McLeod – Crave Golf Club / Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay / Slick City Action Park
Sevierville Judd Kelley – Old MacDonalds Mini Golf
Attraction General Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg Wendy Newland – Montgomery Amusements
Pigeon Forge Michelle McCaslin – Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Sevierville David Andrews – Soaky Mountain Waterpark
Lodging Employee of the Year
Pigeon Forge Melvin De La Cruz – The Park Vista a DoubleTree by Hilton
Claritza Matos – Hampton Inn
Sevierville Aaron Wilson – The Inn at Apply Valley
Lodging Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg Katie Mullins – Embassy Suites Resort Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge Laura Lakins – Music Road Resort
Sevierville Amy Banks – The Inn at Apple Valley
Lodging General Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg Joe Cargo – Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort
Pigeon Forge Cynthia Thomas – Margaritaville Island Inn
Sevierville Jarrod Wilson – The Inn at Apple Valley
Restaurant Employee of the Year
Gatlinburg Lesbia Paz – The Park Vista a Double Tree by Hilton
Pigeon Forge Becca Eledge – Lumberjack Feud
Sevierville Tori Reynolds – Collier Restaurant Group
Restaurant Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg David Hansen – Calhoun’s Gatlinburg
Pigeon Forge Lauren Ott – Lumberjack Feud
Sevierville
Restaurant General Manager of the Year
Gatlinburg Jacob Wolpert – The Park Grill
Pigeon Forge Justin Koontz – Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
Sevierville Ethel Hollenbaugh – Apple Valley Creamery
Chef of the Year Patrick Swift – Paula Deen’s Family Kitchen
On-Going Special Event
Gatlinburg Deux Ron, Inc. – Gatlinburg Space Needle New Year’s Eve Ball Drop
Pigeon Forge Country Cascades Waterpark Resort – Red, White, & Bubbles
Sevierville The Resort at Governor’s Crossing – Red, White, & Speckle’s Spectacular Summer
One Time Special Event Anakeesta – Grand Reopening Celebration
Guest Relations – The Inn at Christmas Place
Community Service Gatlinburg – Holiday Inn Club Vacations Smoky Mountain Resort
Pigeon Forge Sky Pirates of Mermaid Bay
Sevierville Sevier County CARES
Good Earth Keeping
Friend of Sevier County Boys & Girls Club of the Smoky Mountains
Sande Weiss Award Jackelyn Schafer – The Park Vista a DoubleTree by Hilton
Kelly DeBord Award Jessica Ratcliff – The Thomas Group
Hospitality Achievement Award 30+ Years Jackelyn Schafer – Park Vista Double Tree by Hilton
No responses yet