IHLA begins a new year, led by an excellent group of officers, Executive Committee Members, and Board of Directors. At the Annual Membership Meeting on December 10th, 2008, we were thrilled that Bob Habeeb, President, First Hospitality Group, was elected for a second term as IHLA Chairman of the Board of Directors.
I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for all of Bob's extraordinary efforts on behalf of the industry and our Association. Under Bob's leadership, IHLA enjoyed a very successful year in 2008. I look forward to working with Bob in facing the many challenges that 2009 will bring for IHLA and its members.
In 2009, IHLA will host many important events. Don't miss IHLA's 21st Annual Dinner Gala at the Chicago Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile on February 20th, 2009. Contact Daniella at (312) 346.3135 x222 for Gala tickets and/or sponsorship details.
I would like to congratulate the 2008 Stars of the Industry State Winners and all of our 2008 Stars nominees for your exemplary efforts and teamwork that make Illinois hotels the best in the world. Thank you for your excellence every day.
Finally, I would like to wish all of our members and their families a wonderful holiday season. May you all have safe and joyous celebrations and a very happy and healthy new year. The IHLA staff and I wish you all the best! IHLA will continue to aggressively work to promote, protect, and educate our industry and provide even more benefits for our members in 2009.
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IHLA 20th Annual Membership Meeting and 2008 Illinois State Winners of the Stars of the Industry Program
On Wednesday, December 10th, 2008, IHLA held its 2008 Annual Membership Meeting and State Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon at the Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza. Almost 300 members attended the event, and the State Winners for the Stars of the Industry were revealed. Along with their awards, winners received gift certificates courtesy of American Express Travel Related Services, gift checks courtesy of IHLA, and gift certificates courtesy of area hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
IHLA wishes a heartfelt CONGRATULATIONS to all Illinois State Stars of the Industry Winners!
IHLA once again sincerely thanks our Strategic Partners and the entire 2008 Stars of the Industry Planning Committee and Judges Panel for their hard work and dedication, as well as Special Guest Star/Emcee, Steve Baskerville, Weather Anchor, Channel 2 News. The success of this event would not be possible without your help! Additionally, IHLA thanks American Express and all of the hotels who contributed gift certificates for the winners and nominees.
IHLA wishes to extend special thanks to the following: Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza; Steve Baskerville, Channel 2 News; American Express Travel Related Services;Franczek Radelet & Rose P.C.; Hospitality Acadmeny at McCormick Place; Winegardner & Hammons, Inc.; Diageo; Dr. Pepper Snapple Group; Pepsi Americas; MillerCoors; Chicago Beverage Systems, LLC; The Sutton Place Hotel; Hotel Monaco Chicago; Eden Entertainment; Flowers with Feeling; A-AAA Trophy River North Awards; Where Publications; Photography by Stanley; and MNI.
2008 Illinois State Winners - Stars of the Industry:
- State Maintenance Employee of the Year - Mike Szura, Chief Engineer, The Tremont Hotel
- State Housekeeping Employee of the Year - Antonio Estrada, Carpet Care Specialist, W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
- State Guest Service Employee of the Year - Mary Gutierrez, Guest Service Representative, Courtyard by Marriott Arlington Heights North
- State Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Christie Tate, Cashier, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza
- State First-Level Supervisor of the Year - Sam Guiragossian, Westin Workout Supervisor, Westin Chicago River North
- State Bell Staff Employee of the Year - Chris Vodden, Concierge/Houseman, Mark Twain Hotel, Peoria
- State Administrative Employee of the Year - Betty Fregoso, Event Management Administrative Assistant, Chicago Marriott Downtown
- State Community Service Award - Hampton Inn East Peoria
- Allied Member of the Year - Sharon Young, Senior Account Manager, Entertainment Cruises
- State Manager of the Year - Angelo Canchola, Audio Visual Sales Manager, Hilton Chicago O'Hare
- State Hotelier of the Year - Heather Steenge-Hart, General Manager, W Chicago Lakeshore Hotel
Photo Caption (below): 2008 Stars of the Industry State of Illinois Winners & Stars' Program Emcee Steve Baskerville of CBS Channel 2 Weather.
Photo Caption (below): (from left to right): Sean Leahy, American Hotel Register Company; Marc Gordon, IHLA; 2008 J. Patrick Leahy Connosieur $5,000 Scholarship Winner, Stephanie Stephens; and Jennifer Chase, IHLA Educational Foundation.
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Council of Chicago General Managers Holiday Meeting
On Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008, IHLA held its Council of Chicago Hotel General Managers meeting at The Sutton Place Hotel Chicago. The featured guest speaker was Illinois State Senator and House Minority Leader Christine Radogno.
Senator Radogno discussed the current atmosphere in Springfield with the Illinois General Assembly and the issues surrounding the state budget. She also discussed several potential approaches for improving Illinois' economic crisis, as well as answered questions from attendees about current and upcoming issues in state government.
Marc Gordon encouraged members to attend upcoming IHLA events, including February 20th, 2009's 21st Annual Dinner Gala. He also gave an update on IHLA's StayGreen environmental programs, encouraging more hotels to participate. Marc closed the meeting with an update on current legislative issues affecting the hotel industry.
The next GM Meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2009, at the dana hotel & spa at 2 E. Erie (Erie & State).
Photo Caption (below): Illinois Senator and House Minority Leader, Christine Radogno, Speaker at IHLA's December 1st, 2008, Council of Chicago General Managers Holiday Meeting at The Sutton Place Hotel.
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Calendar of Events
February 3, 2009 - Chicago Council of General Managers Breakfast Meeting, 8am, dana hotel & spa, 2 E. Erie
February 20, 2008 - SAVE THE DATE!!!
IHLA 21st Annual Dinner Gala, Marriott Downtown Magnificent Mile, Chicago
March 3, 2009 - IHLA Executive Committee & Board of Directors Meetings, Omni Hotel Chicago, 676 N. Michigan Avenue
March 4-5, 2009 - Governor's Conference on Tourism, Fairmont Chicago
March 16-17, 2009 - AH&LA Legislative Action Summit, Washington, D.C.
April 7, 2009 - Chicago Council of General Managers Meeting, 8am, Hotel Monaco
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Goodwill Industries of Metropolitan Chicago, Inc.
Ms. Rosie Ballard, Manager, Training & Placement
Provides training, employment, and supportive services for people with disabilities or disadvantages who seek greater independence. Goodwill provides customer service/retail industry training.
Lato Supply Corporation
Ms. Jenny Erwine, Midwest Sales Manager
Nationwide distributor of hospitality supplies: housekeeping, guest room, bedding, design and complete FF&E, amenities, towels, linens, and disposable items stocked locally for next day shipping and free Chicagoland delivery.
Meeting Tomorrow Audio Visual
Mr. Mark Aistrope, President
Provides audio visual equipment and services for meetings and events nationwide. Supply projectors, sound systems, screens, camcorders, podiums, and computers for groups from 10 to 1,000. Meeting Tomorrow Audio Visual is unique in that they offer customers a "one-stop shop" for all audiovisual needs. In addition to rental service, they also offer custom-designed audiovisual solutions for events of all shapes and sizes.
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New Hotel Members
Arthur's Country Inn
General Manager, T.B.D.
Comfort Inn & Suites Geneva
Ms. Cindy Meeks, Director of Sales
Courtyard Chicago Midway
Mr. Brian Augustine, General Manager
Fairfield Inn Chicago
Ms. Manda Marben, General Manager
Hampton Inn Chicago Midway
Mr. Charles Stricker, General Manager
Hampton Inn, Macomb
General Manager T.B.D.
Hilton Garden Inn Chicago Midway, Bedford Park
Ms. Margaret McDermott, General Manager
Holiday Inn Express Chicago Midway
Mr. Emmett Downes, General Manager
McGrady Inn, Charleston
General Manager, T.B.D.
Ramada Limited, Urbana
Ms. Ruthanna Jackson, General Manager
Residence Inn Bloomington
Ms. Angela Mann, General Manager
Sleep Inn & Suites
Mr. Adam Franklin, General Manager
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IHLA Educational Foundation News
Exclusive Holiday Offer!
Save 40% on all DVD's, including AH&LA Educational Institute's latest titles such as : World Trainer: Guestroom & Bathroom Cleaning; Housekeeping; Quality Guestroom Cleaning; 10-Minute Trainer: Housekeeping; World Trainer: Laundry; Housekeeping; Laundry Operations; Lodging SafetyWorks; and 10-Minute Trainer: Safety
Hurry! Offer ends December 31st, 2008!!
Use Reference Code: DVD4S
In-SPA-rational Products from the Educational Institute and ISPA!
If your property is like many others, it either has an on-site spa, or is thinking about adding one. Spas are one of the hottest hotel amenities today-both business and leisure guest expect a spa as part of their travel experience.
Whether you're a hotel manager or supervisor who wants to better understand the role of spas in hospitality or you want to prepare yourself to take a role in the exciting spa industry, the Educational Institute has several new spa training products developed in collaboration with the International SPA Association (ISPA). To help reduce your training stress, please contact Jennifer at IHLA at jchase@ihlaef.org for a list of available training products or visit www.ahlei.org/spa!
2008 Hotel Fire Safety DVD Available
As debuted at the December 2007 GM Meeting, the Chicago Fire Department has updated the Hotel Fire Safety DVD for in-room channels and for use in employee training to help ensure the safety of all of our guests and employees at Chicago hotels. To received your complimentary DVD, please contact Jennifer at IHLA at (312) 346-3135 x233 or jchase@ihlaef.org. Thank you!
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