This year, Downtown Vision spun off the #DTJax Awards into its own event: the Annual #DTJax Awards Breakfast. Held in the stunning Jacksonville River Club atop Wells Fargo Tower, awardees, guests and Downtown Vision staff gathered for an exclusive event to celebrate the people and projects that make Downtown Jacksonville a better place to live, work, visit and invest.
The Downtown Ambassador of the Year Award honors a Downtown Ambassador who continually goes above and beyond in their work to advance the mission of the Downtown Ambassador Program — to keep Downtown clean, safe, and hospitable. At the inaugural 2018 #DTJax Awards Breakfast, the Downtown Vision Board of Directors selected Downtown Ambassador Michael Ryan to receive the award for his outstanding service to Downtown Jacksonville.
Michael reached his 10-year work anniversary with DVI in May 2018, and is one of the most enthusiastic and involved Ambassadors; always available to provide directions, answer questions, locate lost vehicles. He once even helped retrieve a set of keys that had been dropped into a storm drain! Whenever a new task, duty, or challenge presents itself, he’s the first to volunteer. This is his second time receiving this award, the first being presented at the 2017 #DTJax Awards for his efforts in 2016.
Michael plays a key role in supporting and implementing each of Downtown Vision’s special initiatives including: setup and support for the monthly First Wednesday Art Walk, assisting with the design and implementation of a management plan for The Corkscrew — which provides dedicated staffing to the new outdoor public gym area on the Northbank Riverwalk — and installing approximately 80,000 LED lights for the annual “Lights on Laura” installation.
Michael’s positive impact on Downtown can be seen in his work assisting with the execution of many Downtown community events, including Theatreworks at the Florida Theatre, the Coffee Series at the Times-Union Center for the Performing Arts, as well as programming at the Main Library focused on children and special needs individuals.
Michael consistently generates positive community feedback for the Downtown Ambassador Program and has received multiple awards for his service in Downtown Jacksonville, including a 2016 Recognition of Service Excellence “ROSE” Award, which recognizes Northeast Florida frontline hospitality employees who demonstrate excellent customer service.
Michael, on behalf of Downtown Vision and all stakeholders of Downtown Jacksonville, thank you for all your hard work and congratulations on being selected as the 2018 Downtown Ambassador of the Year.
Learn more about the Downtown Ambassadors here.