July 2015 Business Briefs / Member News Part 4

Hilton Sandestin Wins ‘Best in Show’ and ‘Best Overall’ at 2015 National Internet Advertising Competition 
Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa and advertising agency, Miles, are the proud recipients of yet two more awards for excelling in online advertising. After winning the regional ‘Best of Industry’ award from the Internet Advertising Competition back in March, they were awarded the national Internet Advertising Competition ‘Best of Show’ award in the Hotel and Lodging Email Message category and ‘Best Overall’ in the Email Messaging Category in July. 
 
Hilton Sandestin Beach also received the national the ‘Best of Show’ for their integrated ad campaign in 2013 for the advertisement announcing the redesigned website. 
 
Preston Hood Employees Donate to Children in Crisis
Employee of the month Keith King and John Ross Summers, both of Preston Hood Chevrolet, donated their incentive checks totaling $200 to Children in Crisis (CIC). Long-time CIC supporter Preston Hood Chevrolet invited CIC to its monthly birthday celebration and announced the good news. Seen here, Taylor Hood of Preston Hood Chevrolet presents the donation to Ken Hair, CIC president and CEO, with employee Keith King. 

Heather Hayes Experience Performs Labor Day Weekend
Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation (MKAF) and Trustmark National Bank will present the Heather Hayes Experience in concert on Sunday, Sept. 6, at 7 p.m., at the Mattie Kelly Cultural Arts Village in Destin. Heather Hayes is the daughter of music legend Isaac Hayes. The concert is part of MKAF’s year long 20th anniversary celebration and is the 7th annual Labor Day concert MKAF has staged.Grab your favorite lawn chair and pack a picnic or purchase dinner prepared fresh onsite. For tickets, visit http://www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/destinfloridaeventsart.html. 

Tacos & Tequila Night Supports Arts & Education
Join the Mattie Kelly Arts Foundation on Thursday, Aug. 27, at 5:30 p.m., at the newly opened Rockin Tacos Grill & Tequila Bar at The Boardwalk on Okaloosa Island.  Restaurateur John Perry will host this fundraising event to support arts and education in a fun, casual Gulf front dining atmosphere. Executive Chef Sixto Martinez is preparing multiple culinary stations featuring authentic Mexican cuisine of fresh and local ingredients for one-of-a-kind dishes.  Premier Beverage will host a Tequila tasting, including interesting historical facts about its myths and popularity in today’s culture. The evening will include Latin, Salsa, and mariachi music from the Rockin Tacos DJ to compliment this Mexican-themed fundraising event. For more information and tickets, visit http://www.mattiekellyartsfoundation.org/destinfloridaeventsart.html.
 
Slotter Joins the Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Real Estate Sales Division 
Newman-Dailey Resort Properties Real Estate Division welcomes agent Sherry Slotter to its rapidly growing team. Slotter is an accredited short sale and foreclosure specialist and is adept at efficiently moving through and simplifying the foreclosure process for the benefit of all parties. Previously based in Atlanta, Ga., Slotter began investing in real estate along the Gulf Coast in 2000. During the past 15 years, she has grown her knowledge and expertise of the market and has relocated to the Emerald Coast. Slotter joins the team of licensed real estate agents specializing in buying and selling in South Walton and Destin. The Real Estate Division is consistently listed among the top 10 percent of real estate companies along the Emerald Coast for sales according to the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors (ECAR). For more information, visit www.DestinSales.com or call (850) 837-1071.
 
Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center back to school supplies drive
The Emerald Coast Children’s Advocacy Center (ECCAC) is doing its annual drive to collect back to school supplies for kids in grades K – 12. Any school items are needed, such as backpacks, paper, pencils, crayons, scissors, rulers, and spiral notebooks. Donations should be delivered to the Niceville Center, located at 401 McEwen Dr., by Aug. 10. For more information, contact Katie Crowell at (850) 833-9237 x256 or katie@eccac.org.
 
BBVA Compass Donates Back to School Items to CIC Kids
BBVA Compass Bank helped the kids living at Children in Crisis (CIC) get ready for back to school.  Thanks to the generous donations from the staff and supporters, all the kids living at the CIC Neighborhood received necessary supplies to get the new school year started. To learn more about Children in Crisis, call (850) 864-4242 or visit www.ChildrenInCrisisFL.org.
 
World Impact Agents Win FREE Cruise
Two World Impact Real Estate agents, Tracy Steely and Steve Bassham, won a free cruise for them and their spouses for winning a company-wide contest. Broker Rodney Elkins required contest participants to perform five hours of community service and provide a 200-word essay about their experience, have four new listings and three closings, and introduce new agents to WIRE and its way of doing business.