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FORT MYERS — Ten tourism workers and two residents in Southwest Florida have received “E” awards.

The “E” awards, short for the Elaine McLaughlin Outstanding Hospitality Service Awards, were handed out in Fort Myers on Wednesday.

The program, sponsored by the Lee County Visitor & Convention Bureau, recognizes employees who work in the hospitality and related industries and positively influence a visitor or resident’s experience. It’s meant to encourage exceptional service in the county.

From 352 nominations, the following workers were selected for awards:

• Denise Desire, Sundial Beach & Golf Resort, Sanibel Island

• Terry and Keith Felder, SeaRocket USA, Fort Myers Beach

• Cheryl Zubrycky, HMS Host Marriott

• Daisy Villanueva, Miromar Outlets, Estero

• Carol Marshall, Pine Island Taxi, Pine Island

• Todd Smith, Colonial Bank, Bonita Springs

• Todd DeVries, Ron Seals, and Tim Wilton, Realmark Management Services, Cape Coral

For summaries on the individual stories of the above mentioned award recipients, go to http://www.eawards.org/2008_winners.htm.

The Honor of Distinction award for best overall representative of outstanding service went to Mitch and Myrna Howard of Alva. Although they don’t work in the hospitality industry, they were recognized because of the help they offered to Lauren Beougher after she was critically injured in a wreck that killed her husband, Army Sgt. Daniel Beougher, 23, an Iraq War Veteran that received 11 awards and medals, including a Purple Heart.

The Howards drove their 40-foot RV to the hospital to pick up Lauren and took her to Delaware, where she had family that could help her heal _ physically and emotionally. Her punctured lung prevented her from being transported by air and transportation costs were a serious financial hurdle.

“We’re happy the Lord chose us,” the Howards said.

The awards are named for the Lee County tourism bureau’s former executive director Elaine McLaughlin. Nomination categories include accommodations, attractions, restaurants, retail, transportation, and Good Samaritan. A steering committee of business representatives chose the winners.

“High level customer service is essential to repeat business,” said Suya Davenport, the bureau’s executive director in a statement. “Whether they are visitors or local residents, the degree of service a business provides its customers is critical to the business’s success or failure. The recognition these people earned is very well deserved.”

Sponsors of this year’s “E” Awards included The News-Press, Geraci Travel – Ports of Call Cruises & Tours, SunStream Hotels & Resorts, Getaway Marina, Key West Express, and The Veranda restaurant.