“I’d Like To Thank The Academy…”

Award shows are not really my thing. I don’t watch the Oscars, Emmys, or GRAMMYs anymore. However, I do watch the Golden Globes, but only when hosted by Ricky Gervais. He turns the show into a roast of the audience. “I’d like to thank the academy…five, six, seven, eight…” #cuethemusic #eyeroll #sithereandsmile

I have joked that I am the “Susan Lucci” of local award shows. I’ve been nominated for dozens of awards through the years – but lost numerous times. I was a finalist in so many Chamber of Commerce awards and various other ad biz awards that it became a running joke. I’d spend time writing a perfectly perky, playful, and pithy acceptance speech…and then lose. The speech I worked on would never get delivered, usually ending up crushed into a ball and deposited in a lobby waste basket at the end of the night. So since I’m always “a bridesmaid and never a bride,” I stopped writing acceptance speeches. 

Then came Tuesday night. I wandered into the Richmond Marriott, surrounded by hospitality industry professionals, who were very hospitable. I’m an ad guy, but here I was in the middle of hotel, restaurant, and travel professionals at their annual Ordinary Awards, presented by the VRLTA (Va Restaurant, Lodging, and Travel Association.)

I’m kinda new to all this…having only been in the hospitality “biz” for five years – since buying the Texas Inn locations. I was nominated for Restaurateur Of The Year. A great honor. I didn’t write a speech, because I didn’t think I’d win…

Surprise. I actually won. Special thanks to my good friend and colleague Kent Brockwell for nominating me and to the VRLTA for this awesome recognition.

Instead of a speech, I told a story about why the Texas Inn has meant so much to me over the years.