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The AwardsThe Stars of the Industry Waiting to be Taken HomeThe evening included the presentation of fifteen CH&LA Stars of the Industry awards and, of course, the CH&LA Hall of Fame induction award as well.
The Stage is SetEveryone was seeing StarsThe Stars of the Industry Awards, presented by USA Today, and the CH&LA Hall of Fame induction was graciously hosted and coordinated beautifully at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento Hotel.
CH&LA Chair Kicks Off the EveningOpening Remarks from Peggy Mosley of The Groveland HotelPeggy Mosley, President and CEO of The Groveland Hotel and this year's CH&LA Chairperson, kicks off the evening with her opening comments and a warm welcome to the guests and award winners of the evening.
CH&LA Vice President Emcees Award PresentationLynn Mohrfeld, Executive Vice President of CH&LA Greets AttendeesLynn Mohrfeld, CH&LA Executive Vice President emceed the evening's awards presentation which benefited the CH&LA Education Foundation. The evening's silent auction generated close to $5,000 for the CH&LA Education Foundation.
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Small Property
Tanvir Sheikh-Desk Clerk, Jose Cisneros-Maintenance Man & Maria Cardenas-Head HousekeeperThis 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. These three individuals were nominated by their General Manager, Bobby Bustamante of the Vagabond Inn in Los Angeles, after a life changing event and their quick actions would elevate them to be chosen to receive this award. These selfless employees acted without hesitation when they found a lifeless 14 year old girl in the pool. They called for emergency services, retrieved her from the pool, and administered CPR which saved the young girl's life. This group is not just an asset to their property but truly heroes of their community. Jose, Tanvir and Maria are photographed with their well-deserved Stars of the Industry Award.
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Medium PropertyMary Stone, PBX OperatorThis 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. Mary Stone of Doubletree Guest Suites, Anaheim, has continually gone above and beyond what her job responsibilities call for. She has been with the property since February of 2006, sits on the CARE committee and was a Semi-finalist for the Orange County Tourism Council's Service of Excellence Awards in April of 2007. She especially loves the events that are held throughout the year for the children of the community. Mary is photographed receiving her award from Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Large PropertyKevin Wong, Storeroom AssistantThis 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. After Kevin Wong of Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, showed hard work and dedication, he was promoted to the Purchasing department where his ingenuity led to a complete overhaul of the excess inventory of a 20 year old storage system. He liquidated the items by giving donations to many non-profit organizations within the San Francisco community, not only making a more efficient department but also helping his neighbors. Kevin is photographed receiving his award from Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
Outstanding Manager of the Year, Small PropertyPhilippe Striffeler, Director of Food & BeverageChef Philippe Striffeler of Hotel Nikko, San Francisco, leads by example as he is a role model in his industry as well as the community. He hosts a Sunday morning radio show, is the President of Chef's Table and a volunteer for the Marin County Women's Shelter. He has one of the highest hotel staff retention rates because of his dedication to groom and mentor his associates. Pictured with Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Medium Property
Wes Tyler, General ManagerWes Tyler of the Chancellor Hotel on Union Square, San Francisco is pictured with Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA accepting his much deserved award. Wes's career began in 1975 as a dishwasher while attending college. After several promotions he soon knew the hospitality industry would be his life. He joined the Chancellor in 1994 and 14 years later still walks through the doors as if it were his first time. Because he truly believes in the "Spirit of Hospitality", he has been personally named on TripAdvisor by many guests who have firsthand experience of Wes’ dedication to guest services.
Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Large Property
John Steinbach, General Manager John Steinbach of the Embassy Suites Resort, Lake Tahoe was nominated by his Executive Committee with three of his members present at the ceremonies (Lorraine Turner, Eve Moore and Bill Cottrill). His passion and commitment to service, operational effectiveness, profitability and owner relations is what contributed to his nomination. His strengths are many and his dedication and loyalty have developed over the years with his teams. Receiving his award with Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
Community Service Award, Small Property
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square – San FranciscoThe Chancellor has added to its extensive resume after receiving the award in 2006 by raising the bar of giving and serving. They implanted the program “Give change to make change” and matched funds for their local homeless shelter, conducted a Thanksgiving food drive generating hundreds of pounds of food for the San Francisco Food Bank, and the staff has donated their time, food and money to the Crab Festival in Union Square to benefit the kids in the city's poorest communities. Their General Manager, Wes Tyler has participated in many projects, serving meals at St. Anthony's Dining room, the “Great sweep program” to clean up San Francisco streets, and has received the Union Square Business Improvement District Service award for his ceaseless commitment to strengthening communities. Receiving the award from Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA, was Genevieve Herrera.
Community Service Award, Large Property
Courtyard Marriott - San Diego CentralOver the many years the team at the Courtyard Marriott has adopted a "Mission of kindness and charity" that has been demonstrated most recently with the devastating San Diego wildfires in 2007 when there were no accommodations for the many firefighters who bravely spent days at a time in the heat battling the blazes, to arrive tired, hungry and covered in smoke. The Courtyard provided guest rooms for the firefighters on a 24 hour basis for 10 days and was only too happy to give them a place of rest. Receiving the award was Christine Stonebraker, pictured with Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
Guest Relations Award, Small Property
Chancellor Hotel on Union Square – San FranciscoThe Chancellor Hotel is a champion of guest relations. They currently rank 5th of 237 on the TripAdvisor Popularity Index and are the only 3 star independently owned and operated hotel in the top 10. Everyone from the General Manager to the room cleaning staff has been recognized for their dedication to excellence. The General Manager, Wes Tyler has been a leader in working with the online review sites and managing guest relations in the arena of cyberspace. They offer everything from 12 kinds of pillows to a "Meet the Manager" function where the entire management staff hosts a reception for their guests. Receiving the award was Kevin Vossen with Jim Abrams, President & CEO of CH&LA.
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