20 North Bay Business Journal MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2023

Emily Glick
is the owner
and general
JOIN THE IN CELEBRATING managerand
of The
Stavrand
Hotel Russian
River Valley.
The property,
formerly The
Applewood
Inn, was
IN BUSINESS renovated
and opened
in November
2021.
CHRISTOPHER CHUNG
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

HOTELIERS
The North Bay Business Journal is hosting a new continued from page 12

awards event to recognize businesses that resulted in articles that have appeared
in regional, national and international
demonstrate a commitment to opportunity for publications.
But Claudia Vecchio, president and
employees of any demographic; as well as CEO of Sonoma County Tourism, said
exceptional individual leaders from diverse she applauds what the Russian River
hoteliers are doing.
backgrounds whether based upon culture, race, “I think it's a great idea,” Vecchio
said. “For so long, properties have tried
sexual orientation, age, ability, or gender. to create their own brands and do their
own marketing and do their own PR.
And when you have an area like the
Nominate an exemplary Russian River, while those brands are
somewhat different, they do convey an
North Bay business or alignment around that region. I think it
makes a lot of sense.”
diverse leader who is Catherine Bartolomei, who for 22
years has co-owned Farmhouse Inn
making a difference in with her brother, Joe Bartolomei, said
she welcomes the group’s energy and
the business world today! drive to elevate the region.
“It's just more eyes on this part of the
world, and I love that,” she said.
Over the years, other than some-
SCAN TO NOMINATE times referring visitors to Guerneville
Nominations are open now - August 31st.
For more information, visit nbbj.news/events
or email lonnie.hayes@busjrnl.com
Presenting Partners Gold Partners
Silver Partner Venue Partner
A junior suite at Farmhouse Inn.
AUTOCAMP
A room inside an Airstream at AutoCamp, a
luxury glamping site in Guerneville.
properties like boon hotel + spa, Farm-
house Inn hasn’t generally worked
in tandem with its neighboring city,
Bartolomei said.
“Guerneville is at the table now,” she
said. “They were always so separate.”
That’s partly because the definition of
luxury has changed from historically
being about fancy amenities to more
authentic experiences, she added.
Glick noted that because
Russian River Boutique
Hotels and its public
relations effort is new, it
may be a while before the
group has a sense of the
initiative’s effectiveness.
“We’ll see, but we
know that we're enjoying
working together and
that there is strength in
numbers,” she said.
Cheryl Sarfaty covers tour-
ism, hospitality, health care
and employment. Reach her
JAY GRAHAM at cheryl.sarfaty@busjrnl.
com or 707-521-4259.