CH&LA’s national affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Association created the Stars of the Industry awards program more than 40 years ago to recognize outstanding accomplishments in the lodging industry. Today, the concept remains the same — to honor lodging employees and properties that best symbolize the quality service of the industry.

CH&LA's Stars of the Industry Awards are presented by USA TODAY. This year, CH&LA Employee Awards and CH&LA Lodging Property Achievement Awards were presented on December 1st in San Diego at the Hilton Torrey Pines, in conjunction with CH&LA's Annual Luncheon.

To nominate an employee and/or property for a Stars of the Industry Award:
CH&LA & CABBI member properties are eligible to nominate one employee from their staff for Outstanding Lodging Employee, Manager of the Year, and General Manager of the Year. In addition, properties may enter their best public relations programs in five categories of CH&LA's Achievement Awards — enviro-management, guest services, community service, special events, and hotels of promise. You may submit one entry per category. All entrants must be from CH&LA/CABBI/AH&LA member properties in good standing.

The deadline for entries is October 20, 2010. Click here for an entry form.

Here are the details of the 2009 Stars of the Industry Award winners:

The Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year award recognizes an employee of a CH&LA member lodging property who goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominees are judged on outstanding and unusual service to the property, to the guests, and to the community. This year's winners are:

Medium Property
Marian Georgescu, Restaurant Supervisor
Hilton Sacramento Arden West - Sacramento

Large Property
Luis Mejia, Bell Attendant
Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa - Anaheim

The Outstanding Manager of the Year award recognizes exceptional performance by a supervisory employee to their subordinates, to guests, and to the community. This year's winner is:

Small Property
Carl Holmes, Housekeeping Manager
West Inn & Suites - Carlsbad

Medium Property
Macario Ramirez, Banquet Manager
Buena Park Holiday Inn Hotel & Conference Center - Buena Park

Large Property
Don Caulfield, Catering Manager
Hyatt Regency La Jolla - San Diego

Harold Harris, Director of Security
Hyatt Regency San Francisco Airport - Burlington

The Outstanding General Manager of the Year award honors a hotelier who has demonstrated superior professionalism in operating a CH&LA member property and taken a leadership role in the industry by actively participating in association, community, or industry programs

Small Property
Bill Phelps, General Manager
Hadsten House Inn & Spa - Solvang

Medium Property
Ann Marie Kimble, General Manager
Homewood Suites by Hilton San Diego/Del Mar - San Diego

Large Property
Jim Durbin, General Manager
San Diego Marriott Gaslamp Quarter - San Diego

CH&LA Lodging Property Achievement Awards
A Community Service Award is given for a program that demonstrates to residents that the individual property is responsive to the local community. Examples include campaigns to benefit local or national service organizations or charities, service to any part of the community through a special project, and joint undertakings with community groups for the benefit of the area.

Small Property
Glorietta Bay Inn, Coronado

Large Property
Barona Hotel- Lakeside

A Guest Relations Award is given for programs that develop a climate conducive to new or repeat business, create goodwill among guests, provide special services, reverse negative public relations situations, or effectively solve guest complaints.

Small Property
West Inn & Suites - Carlsbad

Large Property
Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort

Category Special Events-Ongoing
Ongoing special events awards are given for programs or campaigns that demonstrate a creative approach to scheduled events, anniversaries, charity events, holidays, or special publicity events.

Large Property
Loews Coronado Bay Resort – Coronado

Category Special Events-On time only

Large Property
Hilton Los Angeles Airport - Los Angeles

The Good Earthkeeping Award recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations and the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. The program must demonstrate success in one or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, effluents and emissions, water conservation, purchasing and business issues.

Small Property
Orchard Garden Hotel - San Francisco

Large Property
Barona Hotel - Lakeside
Hotel Carlton - San Francisco
W Hotel San Francisco - San Francisco

2008 Stars of the Industry Award Winners

2006 Stars of the Industry Award Winners

2005 Stars of the Industry Award Winners