The 2016 ROSE Awards marks the 25th time the city has gathered to shine a light on the waiters, cab drivers, service associates, and other hospitality employees that make every visitor in our city feel special. ROSE is an acronym for Recognition Of Service Excellence, and by going beyond the expectations of their job descriptions these service champions leave lasting impressions that bring true meaning to the phrase “Hoosier Hospitality.”

Each spring we come together to honor these goodwill ambassadors at a gala event in celebration of an industry and the people who roll up their sleeves to do their jobs every day with pride in both their companies and their city.

Without further ado, we would like to introduce this years’ ROSE Award winners and thank them for their outstanding service and dedication to hospitality in Indianapolis. 


Jeffrey Bobbitt

Jeff epitomizes impeccable customer care but not just because it’s his job, it’s in his DNA. Jeff has been with Indianapolis Marriott East, as their front desk front man for the past two years, and has worked eight years in the industry.

Bruce Abseshaus

Indianapolis Indians Usher Extraordinaire of Section 108, Bruce has been escorting guests to their seats and creating smiles on their faces since Victory Field’s first pitch 20 years ago.

Lisa Turner

Lisa serves at the front desk of Cambria Hotel & Suites Noblesville and has been with the company for four outstanding years and in the hospitality industry for ten years. Lisa goes over-and-beyond in all she does, as no task is too small and no task is too big to conquer.

Mr. Lorris Brown and Mr. David Slipher

Both Mr. Brown and Mr. Slipher are employed as head ushers by Pacers Sports and Entertainment. Lorris has served in his role for 30 years while David has worked for 42 years, dating back to both the Market Square Arena and even State Fairgrounds Coliseum Days. These two men are truly dedicated to their service of Hoosier Hospitality.

Linda Price

Linda has served as the Customer Service Representative at Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the past 42 years. With over 300,000 race fans coming to the Indianapolis 500 each year, we have no doubt that she has just as many fans of her own. Linda has a remarkable way of connecting and maintaining relationships with each fan she encounters, leaving an impact never to be forgotten.

Hafedh Khemir

Mr. Khemir has been in the hospitality industry for eight years and has served as the shuttle driver with the contagious smile for two years now with the Indianapolis Airport Authority. For the fourth year in a row, the Indianapolis Airport was named the #1 Airport in North America, and it is obvious that people like Hafedh allow our city and its airport to outshine the rest.

Sarah Wright

Sarah has been delighting guests and serving customers since Harry & Izzy’s opened on the northside in November of 2011. She serves as the Guest Relations and Event Coordinator and has worked a total of 13 years in the hospitality industry. Sarah keeps everyone on their toes and consistently over-delivers and exceeds expectations for each and every event.

Brittany VanHook

Brittany has worked on the events team for Accent Indy, a DMC Network Company for the past eight years and has served in the hospitality industry for the past 12 years. She has been a part of more major events than you could count, from the Kentucky Derby to the NCAA Final Four, she’s helped put her hospitality touch on hundreds of events.

Crystal Rose

Crystal has been at the Renaissance Hotel for the past four years as Grille 39’s bartender. She has worked seventeen years in the industry, brightening the days of everyone she comes across and giving her absolute best regardless of the situation at hand.

Kati O’Brien

Kati has been with the 500 Festival as their Customer Experience Coordinator for almost two years now and has worked in the industry for the past three. Kati is always looking for that extra angle to make a customer’s experience extra special.

Abrehet Debas

Abrehet has been a Room Attendant at the Conrad Indianapolis for the past two and a half years, providing a caring touch and a delightful demeanor to one and all. Abrehet is one of the industry’s best, loving people, loving life, and loving her work—thank you for being a light for us all.

Congratulations to all of the nominees and winners of the 2016 ROSE Awards. You are the reason Indianapolis keeps working, and you are the reason people return to our city. Hoosier Hospitality in the Circle City is more alive than ever, and for that, we thank you.