25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence

The Republican's advertising director Mark French, Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau's president Mary Kay Wydra, and Ed Pessolano, owner of Design & Advertising Associates, take a selfie together during the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Gary Rome Auto Group table celebrating at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalists dancing and having a good time while being recognized on stage at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalists and sisters-in-law Maria Lepage and Silvana Cardaropoli, a Howdy Award winner, at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Sabrina Brizzolari, director of events for MassMutual Center and a Howdy Award winner, with her parents Barbara and Mario Brizzolari at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Yates Greenhalgh, a cashier at Big Y who won in the retail category, with his wife Corrine Greenhalgh at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

A group of finalists and guests at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Steve Ferraro, of The Big E, all smiles while walking to the stage at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Carolyn Owens, who won the People’s Choice Howdy Award, and her husband Robbie Owens with Tysean Chatman and Howdy Award winner Latrina Haynie at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Baystate Health's vice president of government & community relations Michael Knapik, left, and James Watts of Baystate Medical Center, right, at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Pearl Wesley and Dante Wesley at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Mark French, advertising director at The Republican, and Michael Hurwitz, owner of Uno Chicago Grill restaurants in Springfield, Holyoke and Worcester and the chairman of the Howdy Awards Committee, at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau holds its 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalist Felicia Laurin, of Inn on Boltwood, walks to the stage with her son Daniel at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Finalists are being recognized on stage at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau holds its 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

Michael Hurwitz, owner of Uno Chicago Grill restaurants in Springfield, Holyoke and Worcester and the chairman of the Howdy Awards Committee, speaks at the 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence held at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo

The Greater Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureau holds its 25th annual Howdy Awards for Hospitality Excellence at the MassMutual Center Monday evening, May 16, 2022. (Hoang ‘Leon’ Nguyen / The Republican)Get Photo