by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 1:10 AM ET, Thu May 11, 2023
In a ceremony filled with the glitz and glamor of the Oscars, Playa Hotels & Resorts honored the top sellers for its hotels in Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic last night at the 2023 AllStars awards, which took place at the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya.
One of the biggest winners at the annual gala was Kim Cook of Kansas City-based Love to Travel, who received the 2023 Playa Ambassador award for the U.S. market. The Ambassador award, which capped an evening that included awards in numerous categories, is presented each year to a recipient who demonstrates outstanding partnership with Playa.
"We have had the luxury of having so many great partners throughout the
years and certainly over this past year. So it's not always easy to pick
one ambassador," said Andrea Wright, Playa’s vice president of travel industry sales, as she prepared to announce the award.
"However, there has been one really consistent partner that's always there, always offering support, always asking how we are
doing," continued Wright. "This particular person, for many years, has always asked 'What can I do to actually help you, Playa, to grow your business?' And when there 's been problems, she has always said 'Well, I might have some solutions
for you."
Cook, who was on hand for the event, has worked with Playa for the past eight years. Since her first exposure to Playa years ago, Cook has been a big fan of the brand and her clients rave about it as well. All of which, made last night's award particularly meaningful for Cook.
Kim Cook of Love to Travel receives the 2023 Playa Ambassador award (Photo Credit: By Mia Taylor)
“I just feel so humbled by this award. I really do,” said Cook after the ceremony wrapped up. “These have been my friends for a long time and I love the brand and we’ve always supported it. It just makes me feel so special that they have chosen me.”
The Ambassador award capped an evening that saw a long list of travel agents from around the country honored by Playa. The awards recognize sales from 2022 and to fete the top performers, Playa staged a Hollywood-worthy Oscar-themed ceremony. The Playa team pulled out all the stops for the event, which took months of planning and involved contributions from Playa team members at all levels.
The festivities took place in the Jade ballroom at the Hyatt Zilara, where the entrance was decorated with life-size golden Oscar-style statues, a red carpet and a custom-made Hollywood walk of fame. Inside the ballroom, attendees were treated to entertainment from singers, dancers and even acrobats, before the awards were announced.
Oscar statues at the Playa 2023 AllStars awards ceremony (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)
“This awards show is incredibly special to us because it gives us the opportunity to really celebrate and show how our partners how much we appreciate them. And to celebrate all of the work they've done and the success that we have had together,” said Wright.
Awards were given out in such categories as top wedding bookings, top agents by U.S. territory, and top direct bookings.
"We provide a lot of opportunity for everybody to shine with these awards,” continued Wright. "We want to make sure the agents feel special and honored, because without their partnership, we wouldn’t have had the great year we had in 2022. So it’s a huge celebration for us.”
The last event of this kind, the Spotlight Awards, took place in 2020 at the Hyatt Zilara Cap Cana and brought together more than a hundred agents.
Week of AllStar events
The awards ceremony was the culmination of a week-long gathering at the Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya for 2023's AllStars. The festivities kicked off Monday during which some 60 travel advisors from Canada and the United States arrived.
The week also included a trade show with representatives from Playa’s Mexico resorts and the Celebrations, AgentCash+, and wedding departments. Later in the week, there were site visits to additional Playa-managed properties in the region including the Hyatt Ziva Riviera Cancun, Hilton Playa del Carmen, The Yucatan Resort, and Wyndham Alltra.
A wing of Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya has swim-up accommodations. (Photo courtesy of Playa Hotels & Resorts)
Agents also spent the week getting an immersive look at Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya property, which opened its doors last December. The luxe adults-only, all-inclusive resort is located about 20 minutes from Playa del Carmen and 45 minutes from Cancun's airport. The week's visit included a dine-around, which allowed agents to experience Hyatt Zilara Riviera Maya's outstanding culinary offerings and a sports-themed night at the property's Legends Sports Bar.
U.S. winners of the 2023 Playa AllStars awards
2023 Playa Ambassador
Winner: Kim Cook, Love to Travel
Top Social Groups/Wedding Agency USA
Winner: Destify
Top Direct Booking Agent USA
Winner: Hillary Nollau, Destify
Top Producing Agent USA
Winner: Hillary Nollau, Destify
Top Producing Agency USA
Winner: Cruises and Tours Unlimited OSA
Top Producing Agent Midwest USA
Winner: Hillary Nollau, Destify
Top Producing Agent, National Account USA
Winner: Laura Zulaga
Top Producing Agent Northeast USA
Winner: Sue Allen
Playa's 2023 Top Producing Agent Southeast USA Kellie Davis (Photo Credit: Photo by Mia Taylor)
Top Producing Agent Southeast USA
Winner: Kellie Davis
Top Producing Agent TOLA, USA
Winner: Milan Raj
Top Producing Agent West Coast USA
Winner: Krista Hull
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