Many people think the success of the island is due to it's white sand and emerald water. While those are great assets, the main factor for the island's quality of life and successful business is due to the people who smile while they make everything the community a better place. One such person is the City of Gulf Shores Marketing & Communications Coordinator, Lauren Traywick.

Lauren truly has a hand in almost every communication from the city and it's numerous departments. She has a dozen officials who count on her to communicate with the residents, prepare data for upcoming meetings or to help assemble a ribbon cutting or ground breaking. You will see her behind the scene at many public events and she will always have a smile and positive attitude.

The Coastal Alabama Business Chamber recognizes those who contribute above and beyond their normal duties. This week they recognized Lauren Traywick with the Island Spirit Award.

In order to win the award a nomination was placed which stated  "Lauren is the kindest soul with nothing but love and good intentions for the city she lives, works and worships in. She is abundantly involved in extracurricular activities throughout the city, even when her job doesn't call for it. Her and her husband have a passion for protecting and maintaining the integrity of the city. I don't think there is another person who is such an advocate for our area and ensuring that locals and visitors have the best experience possible."

During this week's City Council meeting the Chamber and Council members surprised Lauren with the award presentation. Councilman Jones and other attendees spoke of her efforts within the community and how deserving she was of the recognition.

Attendees for the ceremony included Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft, all five City Council members, Chamber President & CEO Greg Alexander, and Lauren's husband Preston Traywick, who serves with Gulf Shores Fire & Rescue.

The Island Spirit Award has been around since the mid-1980's. The award was created to commemorate workers in Coastal Alabama who go above and beyond by showing hospitality to those that they serve. A variety of the Coastal faithful have won the award throughout the years, spanning from post office workers, waitstaff, receptionists, even caretakers who tend to local pets. 

The most important requirement (besides being a worker in the area), is that the nominee must be in a non-management role. Oftentimes management is the recipient of praises, the goal of the Island Spirit Award is to put the limelight on the hard workers of the frontlines.

A committee of about twenty locals, chaired by Chamber staff member Kimberly Ray, meet monthly to review all incoming nominations and choose a winner. Winners are surprised with a pop-in celebration during the work day & presented with a copy of their nomination letter, a personal plaque for them to keep, a perpetual plaque (which has been in use since the award’s founding) that travels to each winner's place of business, flowers courtesy of Rouses, and a cash prize of $100.

If you would like to nominate someone for the Island Spirit Award visit mygulfcoastchamber.com/islandspiritaward.