On February 14, 2018, the 500 Festival surprised its Volunteer of the Year, Rhonda Smith, with a ROSE Award (Recognition of Service Excellence) from Visit Indy. Rhonda's dedication to serving others as a 500 Festival volunteer for well over a decade has been unmatched. An employee of OneAmerica, Rhonda has led the OneAmerica Pit Station at the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon for 12 years, and she's even been involved with the Spirit of America walking flag in the IPL 500 Festival Parade.

Rhonda was thrilled to receive the award. Members of the 500 Festival and OneAmerica staffs gathered in the lobby of the OneAmerica tower before delivering the Valentine's Day surprise, thanking Rhonda for her positivity and impeccable attitude toward service.

The 27th Annual ROSE Awards, presented by Citizens Energy Group, will be held at the Indiana Roof Ballroom on March 13, 2018. This marquee event recognizes the contributions of hospitality industry workers and volunteers throughout the city. Honorees are people who exemplify service excellence in the category of Accommodations, Attractions, Restaurants, Retail, and Transportation. The mission of the ROSE Awards is to honor non-managerial hospitality employees or volunteers who provide excellent customer service. These industry champions, through one-on-one or behind-the-scenes contact, positively influence a visitor's experience in Indianapolis.

Read about Rhonda Smith, 2017 Volunteer of the Year