09/08/2026
🏆 **THREE AWARDS. ONE INCREDIBLE TEAM. ONE APPLE VALLEY FAMILY.** 🏆
On August 20, the **2026 STARS of the Industry Awards Ceremony**, hosted by the Sevier County Hospitality & Tourism Alliance, was held in Pigeon Forge. We are incredibly proud to share that **The Inn at Apple Valley brought home THREE awards!**
⭐ **Aaron Wilson – Lodging Employee of the Year, Sevierville**
Aaron joined The Inn at Apple Valley in August 2023, bringing hospitality experience and a genuine passion for serving others. Since then, he has become a familiar and welcoming face to our guests at the Front Desk. Aaron regularly receives compliments from guests for his outstanding customer service and his willingness to go above and beyond. Just as importantly, he is always willing to step in and help his fellow team members whenever needed.
⭐ **Amy Banks – Lodging Manager of the Year, Sevierville**
This award comes during an especially meaningful year for Amy, who celebrated **20 years of service at The Inn at Apple Valley this past June!** Amy oversees our Breakfast and Housekeeping departments, managing a team of 17 employees and helping ensure that every morning begins with a hot breakfast and every guest arrives to a clean, spotless and welcoming room.
Over the past two decades, Amy has built relationships with guests from across the country and around the world. Many of our longtime guests don't simply consider Amy an employee of the hotel. **They consider her family.** That says more about her dedication to hospitality than any award ever could.
⭐ **Jarrod Wilson – Lodging General Manager of the Year, Sevierville**
Jarrod began his career at The Inn at Apple Valley in July 2016 and recently celebrated **10 years as General Manager.** During his tenure, he has worked to continue the award-winning legacy established by former General Manager Linda Russell while keeping The Inn at Apple Valley among the **top-performing properties within the Choice Hotels family**, including recognition among the top tier of the brand.
But Jarrod will be the first to tell you that **a hotel is only a building without the people inside it.**
And that is what makes these three awards so meaningful.
They may have Aaron's, Amy's and Jarrod's names engraved on them, but they represent something much bigger: **our entire Apple Valley family.**
Every room cleaned. Every bed made. Every breakfast prepared. Every maintenance issue repaired. Every phone answered. Every reservation made. Every guest greeted with a smile. Every extra step taken when nobody is watching.
**It takes every one of us.**
Some of our employees have been part of this family for decades, while others are just beginning their journey with us. Each person plays an integral role in keeping this well-oiled machine running and preserving what has made The Inn at Apple Valley such a special place in Sevier County.
We have been blessed with guests who have returned year after year, watched our families grow and, somewhere along the way, became part of our family too. At the same time, every day gives us an opportunity to welcome someone through our doors for the very first time.
Whether it is their first stay or their fiftieth, our goal remains the same: **don't simply meet their expectations. Exceed them.**
So today, we congratulate Aaron, Amy and Jarrod, but most importantly, **we celebrate ALL of our employees.**
These awards belong to you, too. ❤️
**Congratulations, Apple Valley Family! Three awards, one team, and countless reasons to be proud.** 🏆🏆🏆
