Westgate Timeshare

The Westgate Smokehouse Grill, located on the property of Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa, has received the 2014 TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence.

For the past 4 years, TripAdvisor has distrusted the Certificate of Excellence to top-rated businesses around the world. This is the first award for the Smokehouse Grill.

For a restaurant to earn the Certificate of Excellence, they must meet TripAdvisor’s highest standards. To qualify, the restaurant must maintain a rating of 4-5 stars on TripAdvisor.com. Then, the website uses a formula to determine the restaurant’s popularity and tenure.

TripAdvisor provided the Certificate of Excellence to Westgate specifically for “consistently earning top ratings from TripAdvisor travelers”.

Food and Beverage Director for the Westgate Lakes Resort and Spa, Mike Lodge said, “We are extremely excited to be recognized by TripAdvisor. We pride ourselves on providing an unforgettable dining experience coupled with outstanding customer service. Our team members put their utmost effort in producing a mouthwatering menu of fantastic food, and it shows.”

Although this is their first TripAdvisor award, the Westgate Smokehouse Grill has received local recognition for their delicious BBQ. In 2014, the restaurant received 2nd place in the Orlando Sentinel Foodie Awards for Best Barbeque. In the past they have won a variety of contests including: 2013 Editor’s Choice Award for Orlando Eats Magazine, America Online’s Best Barbeque in Orlando, Best Barbeque at the Gatlinburg Ribfest (for their location in Gatlinburg), and Best Food Award for the Central Florida’s Chef’s Associates.

President of TripAdvisor’s business division, Marc Charron shared, “TripAdvisor is pleased to honor exceptional hospitality businesses for consistent excellence.”

In addition to their honor on TripAdvisor.com, Westgate Resorts will receive a plaque to display at the resort.

Lodge concluded, “We always knew that our barbeque was very special. Now, our guests will too.”

The popular timeshare group Westgate Resorts has received the honor of Most Valuable Employer for the military by Civilianjobs.com.

As mentioned previously on TheTimeshareAuthority.com, back in March Westgate was one of few companies named as a finalist for this award. By winning this award, Westgate is recognized by the U.S. military as a company that is committed to helping veterans transition into civilian life.

Westgate’s COO and Captain USAFR Mark Waltrip commented, “We are honored to receive this prestigious award. We deeply respect the immense sacrifice that our men and women in uniform give to our country. They understand the importance of service, honor, and integrity, and they bring a high level of leadership and technical skills that add tremendous value to our organization.”
All companies based in the U.S. were eligible for the Most Valuable Employer. Finalists were rated on a variety of categories including: recruiting, training plans, and retention.

CEO of Bradley-Morris, Inc.—parent company of Civilianjobs.com—Sandra Morris said, “There are winners on both sides of these awards. First, the employers who are being recognized as MVEs for employing such high-value, military-experience employees. Secondly, the military job seekers are also winners. Civilianjobs.com received a record number of applications for the MVE awards this year and I am very pleased to see the pool of career opportunities for our veterans continue to grow.”

This month, Westgate is featured in Civilianjob.com’s military newspaper, Military Transition News. Later this week, Westgate Resorts will also be recognized by Civilianjobs.com in an article for Armed Forces Day on May 17, 2014.
Check out Civilianjobs.com for more information.

President and CEO of Westgate Resorts, David Siegel and his business partner Jim Gissy have purchased the historic Cocoa Beach Pier.

Built in 1962 by Richard H. Stottler, Jr. the Cocoa Beach Pier has become an iconic landmark for the popular beachside town. Currently, the pier hosts over 800 feet of tourist-style restaurants and gift shops. Siegel and Gissy have plans to revamp the outdated pier into the premier spot for both traveling and local families.

David Siegel shares, “A large part of my family grew up in the Cocoa Beach area and we have many wonderful memories of the time spent here. We are honored to become the custodians of this magnificent landmark and we are fortunate to have the resources necessary to ensure that the legacy of the pier is protected and renovated in a first class manner”.

Members of the Siegel family have called Brevard County, Florida — where Cocoa Beach is located — home since 1972. In fact, one of David’s very first business ventures was the Mystery Fun House in Brevard County. In his current venture, Siegel plans to bring his children into the planning and development stages of the project.

Siegel’s business partner, Jim Gissy, is equally excited to join him on this new adventure.

Jim Gissy shares, “I’m very excited to partner with David Siegel on this amazing project. He is one of the most successful businessmen in the state of Florida and it was my lucky day when I started working for him over 30 years ago. I’m thankful to have the opportunity to work with him on this iconic Florida landmark.”

Westgate Resorts’ VP of Retail, Dining, and Spa Operations, Mark Mrozinski will manage the pier from Westgate’s corporate office in Orlando. VP of Risk Management, Brian Siegel will also oversee the pier’s business operations.

Lori Stottler, the daughter of the late Rick Stottler and founder of the Cocoa Beach Pier, stated, “My father always had a vision to elevate the pier to become an icon of the local tourism industry. Our family chose David and Jim because of David’s longstanding family ties to the local community and the vision that David and Jim shared with our late father. They are the ideal team to carry on the legacy of the world famous Cocoa Beach Pier.”

To learn more about the Cocoa Beach Pier, visit CocoaBeachPier.com.

Westgate Resorts has launched their latest contest, the Westgate Park City Adventure Sweepstakes. Grand prize winners will be awarded a three-day/two-night stay at the beautiful Westgate Park City Resort & Spa.

This award-winning Westgate timeshare resort is located at the base of Utah’s largest ski resort, The Canyons. Winners will stay in the Signature Suite, an elegant one-bedroom suite that sleeps up to 4 guests. Park City’s Signature suites underwent remodeling in 2013 and now feature hardwood floors, granite countertops and new furnishings.

The grand prize winner will also receive a $200 gift card to use at Westgate Park City’s Edge Steakhouse. In the past, Edge Steakhouse has won the Best of State Award for Best Fine Dining Chef and Best Steakhouse. They have also won Best of State Statue award for Best Restaurant.

Entering the Westgate Park City Adventures Sweepstakes is free to everyone 21 and older. All you have to do is “like” the Westgate Park City Facebook Page. Once you like the page, fill out your contact information (name, phone number, etc.) to officially enter the contest.

You can even gain additional entries by sharing the Westgate Park City Facebook Page through Facebook and Twitter for more chances to win.

To enter the Westgate Park City Adventure Sweepstakes, click here.

If you wish to enter by mail, you can send a request to Westgate Park City Adventure Sweepstakes, Sweepstakes Entry, P.O. Box 690669, Orlando, FL 32869 for a free entry form. The sweepstakes will remain open until April 1st, 2014.