The Above and Beyond Foundation Honors Hospitality Heroes

June 26, 2024

Above and Beyond Honorees accepted $2,500 grants at the IRF Invitational . — Above and Beyond Hospitality Heroes awarded $2,500 grants at the IRF Invitational.

Front-line hospitality workers are critical to meeting success. Here’s how The Above and Beyond Foundation recognizes and rewards them.

Since awarding its first grant in 2017, The Above and Beyond Foundation (TAABF) charity has granted $935,000 to front-line hospitality workers in recognition of their exceptional service.

“We’re the only public charity in our industry that awards these hardworking industry colleagues with much-needed generous cash grants recognizing them and thanking them for their outstanding performance,” says Founder Mary Jo Blythe, President of Masterplan, Inc. “The success of the meeting planner’s events and ultimately their career is greatly dependent on the commitment to service from the front-line workers.” Blythe hopes to hit $1 million in grants by early 2025.

TAABF grant recipients reflect core values of being hard working, dedicated, passionate, ethical, customer-centric, and a team player. There are three categories of awards: Helping Hospitality to aid individuals with a specific financial need; Heroes of Hospitality to honor a singular or consistent heroic act; and Heart of Hospitality to award career commitment to the hospitality industry and consistent outstanding performance.

Most recently, during the Incentive Research Foundation’s 2024 Invitational at Baha Mar in The Bahamas, IRF partnered with The Above and Beyond Foundation to identify four hospitality professionals who went “above and beyond” during the conference. They were announced as Hospitality Heroes, and greeted with robust cheers, during the closing general session when each received a $2,500 grant. The honorees were Marcia Severe, Pool Attendant, recreation department/front office Grand Hyatt Baha Mar; Shervin “Fluffy” Johnson, Bartender, food and beverage department, Rosewood Baha Mar; Tamika Glinton-Wallace, Concierge Agent, front office department, SLS Baha Mar; and George Gray, Security Officer, security department, Baha Mar Resort & Casino.

Prevue Editor Barbara Scofidio named to TAABF Advisory Council

Prevue Editor Barbara Scofidio has just been named to the charity’s Advisory Council.

“I am honored to be a part of this wonderful organization,” says Scofidio. “I have watched them in action for years, and seen the smiles on the faces of the recipients at various industry events when they’ve been awarded grants. I’m grateful to be able to help continue this practice of honoring the front-line workers who make our meetings so successful.”

“We are thrilled to have Barbara join our Advisory Council,” says Blythe. “Her passion for our industry and the mission of TAABF is contagious!”