Hard Work and Hospitality

Stacey Brady Wins 2024 Van Ness Butler, Jr. Hospitality Award

Story and photography courtesy of Walton County Tourism

As a tireless community advocate, Stacey Brady embodies the passion, drive, and dedication necessary to move the needle. So, it should be no surprise that she was honored as the 2024 Van Ness Butler Jr. Hospitality Award winner.

Established in 2003 and presented by the Walton County Tourism Department in Florida, the award recognizes individual excellence in hospitality service, travel and tourism marketing, advertising, promotion, and contributions to the local community.

And while this is an individual award, Brady is quick to point out that it takes an army to accomplish great things.

“Being acknowledged for my work for the twenty-five years I have worked in Walton County is truly an honor and humbling,” Brady says. “While I am very grateful for this award, I’m accepting on behalf of each of you. Because together, we are perfect in Walton County.”

Brady’s work in Walton County began when she became the director of marketing and public relations for the Seaside Community Development Corporation in 1999, right after the development gained fame from the success of the movie The Truman Show.

She began conversing with Seaside founder Robert Davis regarding the trajectory of the New Urbanist development. Davis shared that he had submitted entries twice to the Urban Land Institute’s Awards for Excellence competition but was unsuccessful in bringing home the recognition he sought.

Understanding the challenge, Brady took the reins, entering a submission to the Urban Land Institute organization, which recognizes the very best in development and building in the world. This resulted in Seaside being honored with the prestigious Urban Land Institute’s 2003 Award for Excellence.

“The award put Seaside on the map in a different way—among developers, builders, architects, placemakers, and educators from around the world who wanted to study it,” Brady says. “The award gave great credibility to a development that became the model for New Urbanism.”

After her time with Seaside, Brady was ready to start a new chapter. She was approached about a new mixed-use development, Grand Boulevard at Sandestin, where a hardhat was a daily accessory in the early stages.

She began with gusto, putting her talents to work and prioritizing the arts community. Brady took her concept of the Coastal Culture Arts & Entertainment series to creation, which has helped support the arts community while benefiting businesses in Grand Boulevard.

With Brady at the helm, her team was able to cultivate relationships and build a portfolio that embodies what everyone sees today.

Looking at her body of work and successes over the years, Brady is undoubtedly proud of the legacy she is building. She points to charitable events like the South Walton Beaches Wine & Food Festival and the Festival of Trees. These have helped put Grand Boulevard on the map, not only as a destination but as an organization that gives back.

“We put the work in, and the strong return back to our community is what really matters,” Brady shares. “Over the past decade, Grand Boulevard events have directly or indirectly contributed millions of dollars to nonprofit organizations in our community.”

She has also assisted in obtaining financial support for nonprofit organizations, including the 30A Songwriters Festival and ArtsQuest for Cultural Arts Alliance, the Children’s Volunteer Health Network Sounds of Soul event, the Best of the Emerald Coast benefiting the Emerald Coast Autism Center, and the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation benefiting seventeen area charities.

A successful tourism industry, or community for that matter, is like a clock where numerous intricate parts work together in harmony to keep it running smoothly. With endless energy and a commitment to supporting those around her, Brady understands the important mission everyone involved in the tourism industry shares.

“I realized what a responsibility we have to deliver on the promise of a great experience,” Brady says. And deliver, she did.

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Visit GrandBoulevard.com to learn more about Grand Boulevard Town Center, and head to WaltonCountyFLTourism.com and VisitSouthWalton.com to see more shopping destinations in Walton County.