SAN FRANCISCO—The California Hotel & Lodging Association (CH&LA) announced the Stars of the Industry award winners at the Marriott Union Square in San Francisco. The Stars of the Industry awards, presented by USA Today, were given for employee, manager, and general manager of the year. Lodging property achievement awards were also given for community service, guest relations, and the environmental category of good Earthkeeping.
Good Earthkeeping awards recognize 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. Good Earthkeeping Awards were given to the Portola Hotel & Spa and Embassy Suites Lake Tahoe Hotel & Ski Resort.
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. The winners were Elizabeth Latham, housekeeper at San Clemente Inn; Miguel Cruz, guest services attendant at Four Seasons Residence Club; and Wade Heath, parking lead at the Disneyland Hotel.
Managers of the Year
The Outstanding Manager of the Year award recognizes exceptional performance by a supervisory employee to their subordinates, to guests, and to the community. The winners were Jake Cohen, manager of Rendezvous Bed & Breakfast; Jason Tracy, director of rooms at The Lodge at Pebble Beach; and Yuko Hara, sales manager at Hotel Nikko San Francisco.
Outstanding General Manager of the Year award winners were Stefan Mühle, general manager of Orchard Hotel; Marisa Schaffer, general manager of Hallmark Inn; and Anna Marie Presutti, vice president and general manager of Hotel Nikko, San Francisco.
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. The Community Service Award was given to the Hyatt Regency, San Francisco Airport.
Guest Relations, Special Event Awards
The Guest Relations Award and Special Event Award are 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. The Guest Relations Award winner was Glorietta Bay Inn and the Special Event Award winner was Chancellor Hotel on Union Square.
A special recognition award was also presented by Hotels that Help to Chip Conley, founder and CEO of Joie De Vivre Hospitality, for the highest percentage of guest participation in the Hotels that Help program.
“The California Hotel & Lodging Association is pleased to recognize the accomplishments of these individuals and properties,” said Lynn Mohrfeld, president & CEO of CH&LA. “Their commitment and dedication represents the highest quality of service the hospitality industry has to offer.”
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