DETROIT — Visit Detroit honored greatness in hospitality and service by hosting the 29th Annual Recognition of Service Excellence (ROSE) Awards on Thursday evening. Industry professionals and volunteers from Southeast Michigan were celebrated at the Sound Board at MotorCity Casino Hotel.

“The ROSE Awards is one of my favorite events of the year, because it celebrates the unsung heroes in our industry,” said Claude Molinari, President & CEO, Visit Detroit. “Oftentimes, these are the first people that guests of our hotels, restaurants, and attractions come in contact with, and they do so with smiles on their faces. They are the foundation of our industry.”  

The 148 ROSE Award nominations were submitted by clients, guests, supervisors, and the general public. One winner in each of the six categories was chosen. In addition, one overall service champion, selected by a panel of expert hospitality professionals, was also recognized.

The 2025 ROSE Awards category winners were:

• Volunteers: Maryetter Lindsey, Detroit Hives
• Attractions and Casinos: Darren Hawkins, Operations, St. Andrew's Hall, The
  Shelter & The Society Room
• Transportation: Jalen Wimberly, Red Coat Passenger Service Assistant, Delta Air Lines
• Restaurants: Greg Wright, Bartender, Detroit Marriott Southfield
• Behind the Scenes: Eddie Mallari, Laundry Attendant, Detroit Marriott Troy
• Hotels: Will Green, Front Desk Agent, Shinola Hotel

The 2025 Overall Service Champion was Aaron Parrott, a tour guide at the Motown Museum.

McLaughlin Award for Hospitality

Established in 2014, the William F. McLaughlin Award for Service Excellence celebrates best practices and innovation in customer service. This year's recipient was the Shinola Hotel, recognized for their outstanding accomplishments in delivering customer service excellence. Through their numerous community engagement partnerships and commitment to delivering true above and beyond service, they exemplify what this award represents.

Additional information on Award Winners

Overall Service Champion: Aaron Parrott – Aaron is a fantastic tour guide at the Motown Museum whose energy and talent make every tour unforgettable. Visitors describe him as entertaining, informative, and personable, often mentioning his deep passion and knowledge of Motown history combined with his own vocal talents. Aaron turns first-time visitors into lifelong fans, with an infectious energy and welcoming spirit.

Volunteers Category: Maryetter Lindsey – Maryetter is a passionate advocate and dedicated volunteer with Detroit Hives. She has contributed to transforming numerous vacant lots into beautiful green spaces, whether planting native pollinator-friendly flowers, mulching community garden beds, or mentoring youth volunteers. Maryetter's reliable presence and passion for environmental stewardship make her a strong winner and an embodiment of community-driven change.

Attractions and Casinos Category: Darren Hawkins – Darren is a part of the operations team at St Andrews Hall, The Shelter, and the Society Room. His coworkers recognize not only his outstanding work ethic, but his fierce dedication to the safety and wellbeing of his team. Darren has become certified as a CPR, Stop the Bleed, and Firearms instructor and when faced with a lost child on the property, made sure to take a calm and caring approach, turning what could have been a chaotic situation into one managed with skill and compassion.

Transportation Category: Jaylen Wimberly – Jaylen is an outstanding member of the Red Coat Passenger Service team at Delta, known for his adaptability, positive attitude, and willingness to step in wherever help is needed. Whether working in baggage service, at the ticket counter, at the gates, or helping with rebooking, he consistently leads with heart. An example of his extraordinary service is when he visited flight attendants following a crash in February, offering emotional support to ensure they felt seen, heard, and cared for.

Restaurants Category: Greg Wright – Greg is a bartender at Detroit Marriott Southfield who has cultivated a loyal following of guests who visit specifically to see him. He is known for his signature “Happy Wednesday!” greeting and his ability to remember guests' names and preferences, creating personalized moments that leave lasting impressions. Greg goes the extra mile with each and every guest, leaving them feeling valued.

Behind the Scenes: Eddie Mallari – Eddie is a cornerstone of the housekeeping and laundry departments at Detroit Marriott Troy with 23 years of dedicated service. His attention to detail is second to none and he treats every room with the utmost care so that it feels fresh, comfortable, and welcoming to each guest. Eddie's passion, pride, and consistency demonstrate true behind-the-scene excellence and how much of an impact it can make on the guest experience.

Hotels: Will Green – Will is a front desk agent at Shinola Hotel who makes an immediate impact on everyone who walks through the door. He has a unique ability to notice small details and transform them into meaningful, personalized moments. His willingness to grow, support for his teammates, and unwavering positivity ensure that impact extends beyond the front desk.

For more information about the ROSE Awards, go to theroseawards.com.