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.
The award, which was established in 2003 and is presented by the Walton County Tourism Department, recognizes individual excellence in hospitality service, travel/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 25 years that I have worked in Walton County is truly an honor and humbling,” Brady said. “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.”
“I’m accepting on behalf of each of you. Because together,
we are perfect in Walton County.”
– Stacey Brady
Brady’s work in Walton County began as 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 having conversations 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 said. “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 days.
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 certainly 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 in itself, but as an organization that gives back.
“We put the work in, and the strong return back into our community is what really matters,” Brady said. “Over the past decade, Grand Boulevard events have directly or indirectly contributed millions of dollars to non-profit organizations in our community.”
She has also assisted in obtaining financial support for non-profit organizations, including 30A Songwriters Festival, ArtsQuest for Cultural Arts Alliance and Children’s Volunteer Health Network Sounds of Soul event, as well as Best of the Emerald Coast (benefiting the Emerald Coast Autism Center) and the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (benefiting 17 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 that everyone involved in the tourism industry shares.
“I realized what a responsibility we have to deliver on the promise of a great experience,” Brady said. And deliver, she did.