2014 GHLA Stars of the Lodging Industry Celebration
Georgia Hoteliers Honor the Industry's Finest at the 2014 GHLA Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards Celebration
On March 7, 2014 the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association (GHLA) welcomed more than 650 hoteliers to an industry-wide celebration at The Westin Peachtree Plaza to pay tribute to the finest employees and properties in Georgia's lodging industry. Representatives from the region's top hotels attended along with their honorees for this statewide awards recognition program. The purpose of this program is to provide the lodging industry with an outlet to bestow recognition to lodging industry employees from the front of the house to the heart of the house and to recognize outstanding property-wide programs and initiatives. The theme for this year's awards celebration was “Heroes Behind the Hits,” in honor of the men and women in all areas of hotel operations who work diligently to support exceptional service to ensure that guests receive world-class treatment. "Georgia is blessed with incredible men and women who truly represent the finest our industry has to offer and with amazing properties who are committed to excellence" says Jim Sprouse, Executive Director of GHLA. "It is an honor to pay tribute to these superstars and to share their amazing stories with industry peers." GHLA launched this program in 2007 as a means of providing recognition to top industry programs and personnel in all facets of the lodging industry. Hoteliers have embraced this program with enthusiasm by submitting nominations of their own staff, and then by joining with their peers to celebrate the accomplishments of the entire industry. GHLA received a total of 281 nominations submitted by 65 properties. The Association assembled a panel of esteemed judges with lodging and tourism expertise to evaluate all nominations and designate award recipients within each category. Entries were evaluated in six property award categories and eight employee award categories. During GHLA's March luncheon celebration, every nominee was recognized amid industry peers, and 45 award winners were named. These people and properties will now serve as Georgia's delegates for the nationwide Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards program managed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). National awards will be bestowed by AH&LA during the spring of 2014. GHLA extends our sincere appreciation to the generous Platinum Level Sponsors who made many of the elements of this event possible: BMI, PSAV, Shepard Exposition Services, and The Westin Peachtree Plaza. Our Event Sponsors were: EPIC Response, Heartland Payment Systems, and Martino-White Printing. Below is a list of the winners named in each award category. These people and properties will now serve as Georgia’s delegates for the nationwide Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards program managed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). National awards will be bestowed by AH&LA during the spring of 2014. To view a photo album of this event, click here. And the Winners Are: Below are the properties and individuals honored at GHLA’s Stars of the Lodging Industry Celebration March 7, 2014. These people were chosen from 251 nominations submitted. Property-Wide AwardsOutstanding Community Service Award - Presented by Gas South LLC Four Seasons Hotel Atlanta (Div. 2) Omni Hotel at CNN Center (Div. 3) Good Earthkeeping Award - presented by Integrated Waste Solutions The Westin Buckhead Atlanta (Div. 2) Grand Hyatt Atlanta (Div. 3) Outstanding Guest Relations Award - presented by Renue Systems (formerly National Appeal) Hampton Inn Savannah I 95 North (Div. 1) Sea Island (Div. 2) Omni Hotel at CNN Center (Div. 3) Outstanding Special Event Award for One-Time Only Event Regency Suites Hotel (Div. 1) Renaissance Concourse Hotel (Div. 2) Loews Atlanta Hotel (Div. 3) Outstanding Special Event Award for Recurring Events - presented by Belfor Property Restoration Mandarin Oriental Atlanta (Div. 1) The Westin Buckhead Atlanta (Div. 2) Hilton Atlanta (Div. 3) Outstanding Technology Innovation - presented by Postec Marriott Suites - Atlanta Midtown (Div. 2) Loews Atlanta Hotel (Div. 3) Personnel AwardsGeneral Manager of the Year Award – presented by Georgia Power Jeff Fouste, General Manager - Best Western PLUS Savannah Historic District (Div. 1) Mara Miller - Artmore Hotel (Div. 2) Robert Woolridge - Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort (Div. 3) Erica Qualls - Atlanta Marriott Marquis (Div. 4) Manager of the Year - presented by Parker Young Construction / FireStar Rudolph Warner, Chief Engineer - Best Western PLUS Savannah Historic District (Div. 1) Charles Barratta, Maintenance Department Manager - Hampton Inn Savannah I 95 North (Div. 2) Craig LaPonzina, Executive Chef - Augusta Marriott at the Convention Center (Div. 3) Marija Ramljak, Food and Beverage Manager - Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (Div. 4) Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year - presented by InterContinental Hotels Group Stacy Sprouse, Property Sales Coordinator - Residence Inn - Buckhead Atlanta (Div. 2) Drew Taylor, Senior Catering Manager - Marriott Atlanta Perimeter Center (Div. 3) Sheila Buciuman, Assistant Rooms Executive - The Ritz-Carlton Buckhead (Div. 4) Administrative Employee of the Year Maggie Harley, Director of Sales - Best Western PLUS Savannah Historic District (Div. 1) Caja Corley, Accounting Coordinator - Hilton Suites Atlanta Perimeter (Div. 2) Shawna Davis, Human Resources Coordinator - The Westin Buckhead Atlanta (Div. 3) Janna Ransby, Administrative Assistant - Engineering - Hyatt Regency Atlanta (Div. 4) Support Department Employee of the Year Kaylee Berrong, Residential Ambassador - St. Regis Atlanta (Div. 2) Darryl Jordan, Engineer - Crowne Plaza Atlanta Airport (Div. 3) Andre Allen, Security Officer - The Westin Peachtree Plaza (Div. 4) Food Services Employee of the Year – presented by Atlanta Foodservice Expo Laura Wanzel, Breakfast Attendant - Best Western PLUS Savannah Historic District (Div. 1) Ben O'Kelley, Server - Sea Island (Div. 2) Carolyn Roberson, Banquet Server - Wyndham Atlanta Galleria Hotel (Div. 3) Davann Walter, Beverage and Food Supervisor - Renaissance Waverly Hotel & Convention Center (Div. 4) Roomkeeper of the Year – presented by United Service Companies Pam Wrenn, Roomkeeper - Best Western Evans Hotel (Div. 1) Leticia Lemos-Lopez, Roomkeeper - Hampton Inn Savannah I 95 North (Div. 2) Meseret Abebe, Suitekeeper - Embassy Suites Atlanta - at Centennial Olympic Park (Div. 3) Demetras Steed, Housekeeper - Marriott Atlanta Marquis (Div. 4) Guest Services Employee of the Year – presented by PSAV Julie Jarrett, Front Desk Clerk - Reid Ridge Lodge (Div. 1) Donald Stewart, Bell Attendant and Driver - Hyatt Regency Suites Atlanta Northwest (Div. 2) Earth Billingslea, Guest Service Agent - Embassy Suites Atlanta - at Centennial Olympic Park (Div. 3) Warren Pennington, Bell Attendant - Marriott Atlanta Airport (Div. 4) |
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