Levy Restaurant’s Director of Operations, Martin Durbin is selected as a finalist for PRLA’s Spirit of Hospitality Rising Star Award

Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., October 29, 2024 – ArtsQuest is thrilled to announce that culinary partner Levy Restaurants’ Martin Durbin has been chosen as a finalist for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association Spirit of Hospitality Rising Star Award! This award honors an emerging leader in the hospitality and tourism industry; one who demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth, displays notable industry involvement and strong leadership potential.

“Martin is an incredibly passionate restaurateur and leader, who always balances the experience and needs of his team, guests and business partners,” says Daniel Palawasta, Levy Restaurants Regional Vice President. “I’m proud to join ArtsQuest and the PRLA in thanking and celebrating Martin.”

Martin’s trajectory within Levy has been swift. His excitement and ethical nature are very much appreciated; he wants good for the customer and the account and runs the business successfully from the client management perspective. He’s truly a team player (we – not I) who’s not afraid to be in the trenches – whether it’s helping to linen tables or delivering hot boxes of food, Martin is the kind of manager that anyone in the restaurant industry would want to have as a mentor.  He is rarely standing (or sitting) still. Simultaneously, with Martin at the helm, ArtsQuest dining has enjoyed continued and sustained growth, improving return to our non-profit organization (while working as a Levy employee) and driving record business. Ask any of the six full-time staff or fifty plus part-time staff that Martin manages, and each will share glowing remarks of working for him.

“Martin embodies the very spirit of hospitality every day at SteelStacks in Bethlehem,” said ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer and Manager of the ArtsQuest Center, Patrick Brogan. “In addition to the sharp mind and strong leadership he demonstrates, his authentic warm smile is the leading edge of his customer service focus. The level of trust he cultivates in his relationship with ArtsQuest as the client and all of our guests is second to none.”

All finalists were honored at the PRLA Awards Gala Reception & Dinner held yesterday Monday, October 28 at the Kalahari Resort.

“I am so honored that the teams at ArtsQuest and Levy nominated me for this award,” said Durbin. “Everyone in our industry works so hard, and to have our company and our partners recognize us is one of the reasons we do the crazy things we do. I really want to thank my wife, Valerie, for allowing me to keep such strange hours. I am so excited for more great events to come!”

About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences using arts and culture as key elements of economic development for our urban communities. ArtsQuest™ supports this mission via the presentation of performing and visual arts, film, arts education classes and outreach, youth programming and cultural events. Through festivals such as its flagship event, Musikfest; the Banana Factory Arts Center; and the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks arts and cultural campus, ArtsQuest’s programming reaches more than 1.9 million people annually. The organization’s programs and events, of which nearly 50% are free to attend, have a combined economic impact of more than $136 million annually in the region.

 

Information and image provided to TVL by:
Bryn Keeney
Public Relations Coordinator