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IN THIS ISSUE
Hospitality Headlines
Member News
Hospitality Awards
I-WIL
Under 30 Gateway
Governmental Affairs
StayGreen
Educational Foundation
EVENT CALENDAR
Networking Cruise
Spirit of Chicago, Navy Pier
3:30-5:30pm 

July 12  
IHLAEF Pony Up
for the Kids XII
Arlington Racecourse
Arlington Heights 
12:30-5:30pm

August 21
30th Annual Super
Golf Classic
Harborside International Golf Center
 
September 11
Tuckaway Golf Club
Crete
 
September 12-13
Washington, D.C.
 
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
 
November 1
Hyatt Regency O'Hare
Rosemont
 
Chicago

STRATEGIC PARTNERS

SILVER SPONSORS


 

BRONZE SPONSORS
















REGIONAL PARTNERS




VIEW ALLIED MEMBERS HERE
UNDER 30 GATEWAY

Are you 21-29 years old and employed at an IHLA member hotel? Then you need to connect with other young professionals of the Gateway! Membership is free! 
Sign up at: AHLA.com/Gateway
I-WIL

Not a member of Illinois Women in Lodging yet? Membership is free  to any female employed by an IHLA member hotel.

Sign up at:  AHLA.com/WIL
STAYGREEN

Not recognized as a StayGreen Hotel or TripAdvisor GreenLeader? Complete the online Questionnaire today. 

 

Learn more about the benefits of becoming StayGreen
HCAREERS
AHLA Career Center
Powered by Hcareers

 

IHLA member properties can post their jobs on ahla.com/hcareers at a  20% discount , and those jobs will also be posted on hcareers.com .

 

With one million job seeker visits per month, Hcareers is the leading hospitality career resource for those seeking hospitality employment and those looking to hire top talent.

 

A portion of the revenue from Hcareers Illinois job posts goes directly to the IHLAEF Scholarship Program

CHICAGO HEAT

The Chicago HEaT (Hospitality, Entertainment, & Tourism) Security Association's mission is to share communications, alerts, & training that affect the Hospitality, Entertainment, & Tourism Industry with the assistance of law enforcement partners, reducing the impact of incidents on our industry, maximizing safety, & minimizing crime in our community.  
IHLA 2018 OFFICERS

CHAIRMAN
Tom Robertson

VICE CHAIRMAN  
Mark Lauer
 
TREASURER  
Jerry Cataldo
 
SECRETARY  
Michelle McConnell, CHA

PRESIDENT & CEO 
Marc Gordon
 
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Mark Aleman 
Jermaine Anderson 
Eric Bates
Jenna Beyers 
John Brooke, CHA
Jerry Cataldo 
Raymond Ceresa 
*Mike Cohen 
Brian Cooney, CHA  
Paul Daly
Darin Dame, CHA
Doug Dean
*Patrick Donelly
Konstantine (Gus) Drosos
Mike Feigenbaum
Pierre-Louis Giacotto 
Stefan Gruvberger 
Kirsten Guill 
*Bob Habeeb, CHA
Chris Hansen 
Patrick Hatton
Dieter Heigl 
Stacy Hinrichs
Steve Horve 
Fred Jones
George Jordan 
Dave Kimsey 
Tony Klok 
*Dean Lane
France Langan
Mark Lauer
Damien McArdle 
Michelle McConnell, CHA 
Karen McGuigan
Mike McGuigan 
Ginny Morrison
*Nabil Moubayed, CHA
Catherine Mrowiec 
Tim Obert
Tom Robertson 
Richard Romane
Charlie Shirk
Peter Simoncelli 
*Lisa Timbo
Tommie L. Van
*Ron Vlasic 
*John Wells

ALLIED DIRECTORS

Jim Buczek
Rich Cialabrini  
Jim Donivan
Rick Simon 
John Tomasiewicz

*Past Chairman
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
May was a very busy month highlighted by IHLA's Hospitality Awards Luncheon during the National Restaurant Show at McCormick Place in Chicago. John Belden, Shevket Dardovski, Lori Healey, Mark Lauer, and Jay Stieber were all honored at the event. Almost 400 hotel industry guests attended this wonderful event that recognized the many contributions to our industry by these worthy recipients. Just after the Awards Luncheon, IHLA hosted a very informative hotel industry leadership panel presentation at the NRA Show. Thanks to Panel Moderator Ron Vlasic and panelists Jerry Cataldo, Bob Habeeb, and Nabil Moubayed for sharing their industry insights with the NRA Show audience. 

On May 15-16th, IHLA hosted our annual Lobby Day in Springfield. A total of 113 attendees participated in our Lobby Day including 46 IHLA members. Members of the Illinois Restaurant Association and the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus once again joined IHLA's Lobby Day, giving our hospitality industry a much stronger voice in meeting with legislators representing all parts of the state. Several keynote speakers including House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, State Senator Kwame Raoul, and Illinois Tourism Director Cory Jobe addressed our group during the afternoon session, and Governor Rauner spoke at our legislative reception in the evening. State Representative Tim Butler spoke at our breakfast on the second day, followed by appointments with more than 50 legislators in their offices with Lobby Day participants. Thanks to all of our IHLA members who participated and helped make Lobby Day very successful in educating members of the General Assembly about issues that are critical to the hospitality industry in Illinois. 

Also in May, IHLA's Educational Foundation Scholarship Committee began the process of evaluating all those who have applied for 2018-2019 academic scholarships. Committee members participated in a conference call on May 31st to review all 40 applicants. The process will conclude with personal interviews of the final candidates on June 19th in IHLA's office. We look forward to awarding approximately $54,000 in 2018-2019 scholarships to deserving students from Illinois who are pursuing hospitality management degrees.

June will be another eventful month which kicked off this morning with our General Managers Breakfast Meeting hosted by General Manager Michael Ditterline at The Gwen. Our featured speaker during the breakfast was Brian Hopkins, Chicago Alderman of the 2nd Ward that includes several of our Mag Mile Hotels. 

Finally, IHLA is looking forward to hosting our annual scholarship fundraiser, Pony Up for the Kids XII, on July 12th at Arlington International Racecourse. Click HERE for more information and to register. This event will be a lot of fun and help raise money for IHLA's Educational Foundation Scholarship Program.
Thanks to all of our members for their continued support.
 
Marc 
HOSPITALITY HEADLINES
News You Can Use
U.S. Travel Association: National Travel and Tourism Week

Chicagoland Hotel & Restaurant News 
MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
Welcome New Hotel Member

3630 N Clark St | Chicago, IL 60613
GM: Anna Anderson 


Welcome New Allied Members

ATU Corp
Ted Sojda | 630-479-6367
ATU Corporation represents ABAT Builders, Inc. in the hospitality field. ABAT Builders is a general contractor specializing in hotel and resort renovations. It has been an expert in the industry for over 20 years and completed a few hundred projects throughout the country. Brands ATU has worked with include Hyatt, Marriott, Wyndham, Holiday Inn, Accor Hotels, and Red Roof as well as independent hotel and resort owners.

Phil Kuhn | 312-665-0381
In a rapidly changing world, HUB advise businesses and individuals on how to prepare for the unexpected. When you partner with them, you're at the center of a vast network of experts who will help you reach your goals through risk services, claims management, compliance support, human capital consulting, and employee benefits consulting. This gives you the peace of mind that what matters most to you will be protected - through unrelenting advocacy and tailored insurance solutions that put you in control.

Dennis Noble | 630-579-9550
Noble & Associates is a Naperville based general practice law firm specializing in the representation and defense of workers' compensation matters in the State of Illinois. The firm also handles subrogation for lien recovery and defense of third party litigation. Noble & Associates is committed to providing clients with superior quality legal representation in a cost-effective manner.

Deanna Luzzo |  800-858-6565 x121
Snowhite Hospitality is an industry leader in Interior Design, Procurement and Project Management, and FF&E Services. Located in Bloomingdale, IL and founded in 1985, Snowhite is trusted by the leading hotel brands and is approved for Procurement and Design. Their Portfolio consists of: Tapestry Collection by Hilton, Embassy Suites, Home2 Suites, Hampton Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, Springhill Suites by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, Delta, Country Inn & Suites, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, Terrace Brook Lodge, and more. Snowhite understands their clients' objectives, vision, timeline, and budget to bring their hotel project to life by providing comprehensive solutions.
Featured Members




HOSPITALITY AWARDS
23rd Annual Hospitality Awards Luncheon
On May 22nd, IHLA hosted the 23rd Annual Hospitality Awards Luncheon in conjunction with the 99th Annual National Restaurant Association, Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show at McCormick Place. Catherine De Orio, Former Host of the Emmy-Award Winning "Check, Please!", WTTW-TV and Executive Director, Kendall College Trust served as the Master of Ceremonies. 

Congratulations J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award Winner: 
John Belden, President & CEO, Davidson Hotels & Resorts
 
Congratulations 2018 Ambassador of Hospitality Award Winners: 
Shevket Dardovski, Vice President, SP+
Lori Healey, CEO, Metropolitan Pier & Exposition Authority (MPEA/McPier)
Mark Lauer, General Manager, Sheraton Grand Chicago
Jay Stieber, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises




Special Thanks To: 
  • McCormick Place: David Causton, GM | Dorcas Santiago, Senior Event Manager 
  • SAVOR...Chicago: Steve Tamborello, GM | Michael Kingsley, Executive Chef | Brandon Romines, Catering Sales Manager 
  • Beverages: Breakthru Beverage Illinois, E. & J. Gallo Winery/La Marca Prosecco, MillerCoors, PepsiCo
  • Enhancements: David Epstein, HMR Designs | Fig Media 
  • Event Committee: Jerry Cataldo, Patrick Donelly, Mike Feigenbaum, Bob Habeeb, Arnie Karr, Nabil Moubayed, Dean Lane, Peter Simoncelli, Lisa Timbo, Tom Robertson, Ron Vlasic, John Wells 
  • NRA Show Hotel Industry Panelists: Jerry Cataldo, Bob Habeeb, Nabil Moubayed, Ron Vlasic 
Thank You Event Sponsors 


ILLINOIS WOMEN IN LODGING
I-WIL Mother's Day Basket Giveaway
In honor of Mother's Day, I-WIL worked in conjunction with the Chicago Police Department Division of Domestic Violence to assemble baskets of essential items for women and children who are in transitional housing. Special thanks to those who donated toiletries and other essentials: Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, Hilton Chicago/Magnificent Mile Suites, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North, Le Méridien Chicago - Oakbrook Center, Loews Chicago Hotel, Swissotel Chicago, and The James Chicago Magnificent Mile. And a very special thanks to Teri Archam and Nancy Lally (Hilton Hotels) for organizing the baskets and carrying on the annual tradition.



I-WIL 6th Annual Mentorship & Networking Cruise
Thursday, June 21, 2018
Spirit of Chicago, Docked at Navy Pier
Join I-WIL and Hospitality Leaders aboard Entertainment Cruises' Spirit of Chicago docked at Navy Pier and enjoy an afternoon of networking and incredible views on Lake Michigan with entertainment, hors d'oeuvres, and wine and bubbly!
 

UNDER 30 GATEWAY
U30 Spring Networking Event
On May 15th, our Under 30 Gateway kicked off spring with a rooftop networking event at Raffaello Hotel's Drumbar where the group of young professionals enjoyed cocktails, light bites, and fun. 
 


U30 2nd Annual Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge Cruise
Thursday, July 19, 2018
Mystic Blue, Docked at Navy Pier
Join the Illinois Chapter of Under 30 Gateway on a Lake-Breeze Dinner Lounge Cruise aboard Entertainment Cruises' Mystic Blue docked at Navy Pier and enjoy an evening of networking, fun, and incredible views on Lake Michigan. Tickets include dinner, cocktails, live entertainment, dancing, and games.

 
GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Recent Governmental Affairs Updates

2018 Lobby Day 
IHLA, in partnership with Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (ICCVB) and the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA), hosted 2018 LOBBY DAY on May 15th and 16th in Springfield. Over 100 attendees heard from dynamite speakers including Governor Rauner, House Republican Leader Jim Durkin, Senator Kwame Raoul, Representative Tim Butler, and Illinois Office of Tourism Director, Cory Jobe. Over 50 meetings were scheduled with members of the Illinois General Assembly to discuss three main issues: continued investment in tourism, support for reducing hold back to local tourism bureaus by DCEO from 10% to 3%, and opposing bills that have been introduced at the state level for mandated fair scheduling.




STAYGREEN
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

Pony Up for the Kids XII
Thursday July 12, 2018
Arlington International Racecourse | Beverly D. Suite

 
Exacta? Trifecta? Superfecta? You Betcha!  Get ready for an exciting day at the races in the classy yet comfortable Beverly D. Suite of Arlington Racecourse. Guests will mingle in the private room and covered walkout terrace with stunning bird's eye views of the track, indulge in the delicious fare and premium cocktails, and enjoy the benefit of a horseracing professional on hand to offer winning selections and betting strategies. All event proceeds benefit the IHLAEF Scholarship Program
 
 
Thank You Event Sponsors 

Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
P: 312-346-3135 | F: 312-346-6036

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