Merrillville, IN. 9-27-2010 – More than 100 nominations for the annual ROSE (Recognition of Service Excellence) Awards were received by the ROSE selection committee this year. The exceptional front-line employees were whittled down to 31 finalists and one dozen will be named as winners at the awards dinner on Wednesday, September 29th at Avalon Manor in Merrillville.

Mark Maassel, President of the Northwest Indiana Forum will host the evening along with Speros Batistatos, President/CEO for the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. The two will honor the one dozen winners at the awards dinner at Avalon Manor which begins at 6pm.

The ROSE Awards were created to honor the front-line employees who go above and beyond the call of duty on a regular basis. Most often, the customer has more interaction with the front-desk employee than an owner or manager. These front-line service employees are those that can have a lasting impression on the visitor. The 31 finalists will also be pampered before the award ceremony at State of Mind Salon and Day Spa at the Pre-Party Event held in their honor. The Pre-Party Event at State of Mind begins at 3:45pm. Special thanks to State of Mind Spa for donating the spa services and White Hawk Country Club for sponsoring the shuttle service.

The ROSE Awards are presented annually by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. ROSE nominations for front-line employees are accepted year-round at www.rose-awards.com.