2009 Awards of Excellence Winners
Annual budget under $500,000
Education/Workforce: Arkansas WELCOME TO ARKANSAS TOOLKIT PRESENTATION: Set up partnerships in each local community and within each region; Begin initial hospitality training and certification programs; Set up effective employee incentive programs; Create a way to exchange knowledge between communities. Info: Contact: Montine McNulty, 501-376-2323, montine@arhospitality.org
Events/Fundraising: Massachusetts
Government Affairs: Michigan
Public Relations/Communications: Oregon
Annual budget over $500,000
Education/Workforce: Rhode Island Hospitality: The Third Language Info: Heather Singleton, 401-223-1120 x 10, heather@rihospitality.org
Government Affairs: Texas Passage of legislation that would match the state lodging per diem rate to the federal per diem rate, creating the largest increase in state per diem rates in Texas history. Info: Robin Clinker, 512-474-2996, rclinker@texaslodging.com
Membership: Ohio
Public Relations/Communications: Alberta Child Sexual Exploitation Awareness Project: The goal of the project was to help protect children and stop the sexual exploitation of children from happening in hotels and motels by educating AHLA members about this issue. Specific objectives were to help owners and general managers of hotels and motels:
Understand what child sexual exploitation is, and that it is a crime; Educate their staff about the issue of child sexual exploitation; Recognize signs of this activity to watch for at their property; Know what to do and who to call if they suspect that a child is being sexually exploited at their property. Info: Dave Kaiser, 888.436.6112, dkaiser@ahla.ca
2008 Awards of Excellence Winners
Annual budget under $500,000
Events/Fundraising: Hawaii The Visitor Industry Charity Walk (VICW) is one of the largest single day fundraisers in the State of Hawaii. The Charity Walk has the distinction of being the only walk where you gain weight afterwards because walkers are treated to a continental breakfast, cookies, sandwiches, and more along the way at each checkpoint, ending with a plate lunch. Charity Walk celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2008 and has raised a total of over $20 million over the years. The monies raised on each island (Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island and Maui which includes Lanai & Molokai) stays on that respective island to help benefit over 150 local charities". Info: Naomi Kanna, 808-923-0407, nkanna@hawaiihotels.org
Government Affairs: Michigan Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association spearheaded the initiative that successful passed legislation to provide Travel Michigan millions of dollars in promotion funding without new taxes, fees or assessments on hotel guests. The legislation included a total of $60 million in funding for tourism and business promotion.
Info: Steve Yencich, 517-267- 8989, stevey@michiganhotels.org
Membership: Arkansas We had a significant increase in attendance at our Central Arkansas Chapter Banquet (56%) and Chapter Meetings (48%), Garland County Chapter Banquet (17%), and the Stars of the Industry Banquet (39%). The increase began as we increased our advertising with mailings and email and fax blasts. Our renewed emphasis on the benefits of membership has proven to be helpful in our participation and recruiting efforts. Info: Montine McNulty, 501.376.2323, montine@arhospitality.org
Public Relations/Communications: Rhode Island RIH&TA formed a stakeholders group consisting of the RI Department of Environmental Management, the RI Division of Tourism, the Providence and Warwick Convention and Visitors Bureau, the Newport Convention and Visitors Bureau, T.F. Green Airport, and other industry partners to develop the RI Hospitality Green Certification Program. The new program charts a roadmap for hospitality and tourism businesses to employ green business practices with a focus on energy conservation, water conservation, and waste minimization and recycling, and sustainable operating and business practices. Info: Dale Venturini, 401-223-1120, dale@rihospitality.org
Annual budget over $500,000
Education/Workforce: Alberta The Employer of Choice program was designed to help businesses in Alberta’s hospitality industry accurately measure their HR practices, confirm strengths and identify opportunities for improvement with a view to creating a productive and motivated workforce. The AHLA has many exemplary members who can be recognized for their sound and innovative HR practices and their creativity in building healthy workplace cultures. Info: Dave Kaiser, 780-436-6112 , dkaiser@ahla.ca
Events/Fundraising: California The InnSpire Conference provides exceptional networking and educational opportunities for bed & breakfast inn owners and operators at the. This event was recognized for its significant educational program, increasing attendance by over 20% from the previous year, and selling out the exhibit space in record time. Info: Lynn Mohrfeld, 916.444.5780, lynn@calodging.com
Government Affairs: Wisconsin An example of industry successfully working with a governmental entity to ensure they have the information and key points necessary to assist them in looking ahead to protect the viability of their programs. More specifically, the results of this effort enable state employees traveling on business to access convenient, affordable, and appropriate lodging when and where they need it. Info: Trisha Pugal, 262-782-2851 , pugal@wisconsinlodging.info
Membership: California Recognized for its integration of California Association of Bed & Breakfast Inns (CABBI) programs and services into existing operations, while keeping CABBI’s branding and image distinct. In partnering with CABBI, CH&LA was able to provide its member benefits as well as those of its national affiliate, the American Hotel & Lodging Association while continuing and expanding CABBI marketing programs. Ultimately, the combination of CH&LA and CABBI significantly enhanced association membership, solidifying both groups as the best in their respective areas. Info: Lynn Mohrfeld, 916.444.5780, lynn@calodging.com
Public Relations: Wisconsin Getting the general public excited about member properties – whether it’s promoting vacation packages or helping travelers find lodging during special events – is the key to making WisconsinLodging.info the go-to resource for travel planning in the state. It’s quite a thrill to hear members say they’ve sold out rooms or seen an increase in their Web site traffic since participating in our marketing efforts! Info: Trisha Pugal, 262-782-2851 , pugal@wisconsinlodging.info
2007 Awards of Excellence Winners
Public Relations/Communications: Arizona In 2007, AzHLA’s first-ever Discover Arizona Vacations on line auction promoted Arizona’s unsurpassed lodging opportunities and unlimited recreation activities, while raising more than $9,000 to benefit legislative efforts, public policy initiatives and community relations programs for the association. Info: Debbie Johnson, 602-604-0729, djohnson@azhla.com
Education/Workforce Development: Rhode Island Our Groundhog Job Shadow Day program provides hospitality students with a variety of hands-on learning experiences such as an interactive FAM tour as “mock meeting planners”; helping an entire hotel staff prepare for a VIP luncheon; and exposing construction trade students to building and renovating restaurants, hotels, and convention centers. Info: Dale Venturini, 401-223-1120, dale@rihospitality.org
Annual Budget over $500,000
Membership: Texas Group Membership proposal that enrolled all Best Western lodging properties in Texas into THLA membership. Info: Scott Joslove, 512-474-2996, sjoslove@texaslodging.com
Government Affairs: New York Research project that highlighted where current (state-funded) New York State tourism marketing and promotion efforts were lacking and what could be done to improve the State’s competitive position in the Northeast, by quantifying the status of the I Love NY brand and identify opportunities for revitalizing the brand’s positioning, identity and slogan through a large-scale consumer research. Info: Jan Chesterton, 518-465-2300, jan@nyshta.org
Public Relations/Communications: Ohio OhioLodging magazine is the 24 page, color, quarterly publication of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association that informs our members of important issues and of the benefits of being an OH&LA member. In 2007 OH&LA made modern updates to the magazine that made it easier to read, increased its value to our members, increased its distribution, and increased advertising revenue. Info: Matt MacLaren, 614-461-6462, matt@ohla.org
Education/Workforce Development: California Comprehensive Emergency Preparedness Manual for Lodging Industry. Info: Lynn Mohrfeld, 916.444.5780, lynn@calodging.com
2006 Awards of Excellence Winners
Annual Budget under $500,000
Membership: Hospitality Association of South Carolina - Myrtle Beach Area Partnership with local chamber of commerce and hospitality association resulted in significant new members for local, state, and national associations, including 294 properties (over 35,000 rooms) for HASC. Info: Tom Sponseller 803-765-9000, tom@schospitality.org
Government Affairs: Michigan Hotel, Motel & Resort Association - Grassroots organization effort led to passage of post-labor day school start date, significant increase in tourism promotion budget, and annual state tourism conference as well as Michigan State University conferences merging into MHM&RA annual conference. Info: Steve Yencich 517-267-8989, stevey@michiganhotels.org
PR/Communications: Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association - Annual Forks & Corks dinner attracted 730 attendees, coverage on all major radio and television stations, and raised over $15,000 for their foundation and educational scholarships. Info: Debbie Johnson, 602-604-0729, djohnson@azhla.com
Education/Workforce Development: Arkansas Hospitality Association - Provided customer service training to 1169 employees in 23 communities through state grant, with over 95% of participants rating it "Excellent." Info: Montine McNulty, 501-376-2323, montine@arhospitality.org
Annual Budget Over $500,000
Membership: Hotel Association of Washington DC - Security Listserv established network of over 100 security professionals in 60 hotels to exchange information and increase effectiveness of working with DC Metropolitan Police Department. Info: Liz DeBarros, 202-289-6016, liz@hawdc.com
Government Affairs: Wisconsin Innkeepers Association - Passage of Room Tax Clarification Bill resulted in standard definition of tourism promotion and development, and overturned court case, resulting in stricter guidelines for use of local hotel taxes. Info: Trisha Pugal, 262-782-2851, pugal@lodging-wi.com
PR/Communications: Hotel Association of Washington DC - DC Hospitality Alliance with local restaurant association and convention center authority provided such activities as taxicab appreciation day, tabletop exercise on pandemic flu, and reception to honor DC Council staff members. Info: Liz DeBarros, 202-289-6016, liz@hawdc.com
Education/Workforce Development: Texas Hotel & Lodging Association - Annual Short Course at University of Houston's College of Hotel & Restaurant Management provided week long orientation on all aspects of the lodging industry to over 200 employees, complete with graduation banquet. Info: Scott Joslove, 512-474-2996, sjoslove@texaslodging.com
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