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EVENT CALENDAR
November 27
Under 30 Gateway Off the Clock Happy Hour
Hotel Zachary
Swissotel Chicago
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STRATEGIC PARTNERS
GOLD SPONSOR
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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!
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I-WIL
Not a member of Illinois Women in Lodging yet? Membership is free
to any female employed by an IHLA member hotel.
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HCAREERS
AHLA Career Center
Powered by Hcareers
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.
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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.
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IHLA 2018 OFFICERS
CHAIR
Tom Robertson
VICE CHAIR
Mark Lauer
TREASURER
Jerry Cataldo
SECRETARY
Michelle McConnell, CHA
PRESIDENT & CEO
Michael Jacobson
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
Jay Rosenthal
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 Chair
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I cannot believe that it has already been nearly two months since joining the team at IHLA. It has been great to meet so many of you during my travels throughout the state. We've had a busy few weeks consisting of industry gatherings like our October GM Breakfast in Chicago to our fall Board of Directors meeting in Bloomington. One of my favorite parts of this job is spending time with our members, and there have been no shortage of opportunities to do just that.
October culminated with our two Stars of the Industry Regional Recognition Luncheons. Nearly 200 guests joined us in Bloomington to honor 88 nominees from 23 hotels from across the state. Our Chicagoland Regional Stars Luncheon attracted more than 1,000 guests who attended to honor 512 nominees from 84 hotels. IHLA salutes and congratulates all of our 2018 Illinois Stars of the Industry nominees and winners.
Many of our members have joined me in a series of fundraisers and meet and greets with some of IHLA's top champions among city, county and state governments. Over the past few weeks, I have had the chance to spend time with dozens of elected officials who have the ability to drastically change our industry, including leaders like House Speaker Michael Madigan, Senate President John Cullerton and several of the ever-growing list of Mayoral candidates in Chicago. Investments in IHLA's PAC helps us develop stronger relationships with our supporters and ensure they win re-election for years to come.
Legislatively, things are quiet in Springfield and we do not expect any issues directly relating to hotels to be considered during the veto session later this month. In the City of Chicago, we continue to engage on the proposed Fair Workweek Ordinance. IHLA is part of a business-coalition fighting this ordinance and educating the City Council about the ramifications if it were passed. I have met one-on-one with 25% of Chicago's Aldermen on this issue and will continue to ensure that hotels' voice is heard on this issue. Our Government Affairs Committee recently met to discuss legislative priorities for 2019 and we'll have more to share on those in the coming weeks.
I hope you will join us at our 30th Annual Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon on December 14th at Swissotel Chicago. In addition to our Annual Meeting in which members will vote on the 2019 Officers and Board of Directors, we will announce the 2018 statewide Stars of the Industry winners. For more information and to purchase tickets, click HERE.
Best wishes for a happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
Michael
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Congratulations to our Regional Stars of the Industry winners! IHLA salutes all of the nominees, finalists, and winners of the regional Stars competitions. These exceptional men and women are all winners and represent the best that our industry has to offer. They work incredibly hard every day and go above and beyond to serve our guests and make their stays outstanding at our hotels. Their dedication, attentiveness, and genuine kindness towards both guests and their fellow colleagues is truly an inspiration. State winners will be announced and presented with awards at the 30th Annual Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon on December 14th at Swissotel Chicago. The Community Service, Good EarthKeeping, and Allied Member of the Year Awards will also be presented. To learn more and purchase tickets, click
HERE
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Special thanks to:
- Host properties DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington & Hyatt Regency O'Hare & their dedicated teams
- Emcees: Kalee Dionne, NBC 5 Chicago Meteorologist & Cortney Hall, WGN-TV & CLTV Anchor
- Central Illinois AV & Décor: Absolute Light & Sound, Soundsations, Palace Events
- Chicagoland AV: PSAV, Fig Media
- Beverage Donors: Breakthru Beverage, E & J Gallo Winery, MillerCoors, PepsiCo
- Volunteers & Donors: Stars of the Industry Judges, Planning Committee, Committee Co-Chairs: Mike Feigenbaum & Michelle McConnell, Judge Co-Chairs: Dan Naughton & Sue Wasylik, hotel raffle prize donors
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Welcome New Hotel & Allied Members
416 S Main St | Rockford, IL 61101
 Opening April 1, 2020. Featuring: 160 spacious guest suites, restaurant and bar with outdoor patio along the Rock River,
12th floor cocktail lounge with seasonal rooftop deck, extensive event space.
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 ATD is the technology solutions provider specializing in Mitel PABX systems, Axis Security Cameras and Carrier Service solutions and implementation for the hospitality industry. ATD offers a specialized program called the ATD Advantage which trains property engineering and housekeeping staff level I troubleshooting to reduce annual maintenance costs.
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 When you need full-service mechanical systems & services in the Chicago area, you need Edwards Engineering. Since 1979, they have been providing Chicago and Northwest Indiana with fast service, absolute reliability and 100% guaranteed satisfaction. Their commercial HVAC services include low-temp refrigeration, piping, plumbing and more. And because they keep their expertise in-house, they are a true one-stop shop, able to take any project from the design phase to construction and installation, with maintenance and service thereafter.
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 Hireology's integrated hiring and talent management platform empowers multi-location, owner-operated, and independently owned businesses to build their best teams with confidence. The company equips teams with the skills and technology needed to manage the full employee lifecycle - from hire to retire - in one seamless platform. With focused expertise across several industries, more than 5,00 businesses today trust Hireology to help build great teams, lift customer service and drive profitability.
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 HFD is an award-winning FF&E Design and procurement company that delivers innovative and inspired hotel interiors. HFD's 30+ Interior Designers interpret the client's vision to create designs that meet brand standards and exceed client expectations.
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 Offering a variety of solutions and beloved brands tailored to your business, each brand in their portfolio was built through caring and craft, dedication and innovation, all with a singular commitment to excellence.
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 SafeMobile offers team communication and safety solutions that include panic buttons, lone worker and man down security, two-way push-to-talk, GPS personnel and asset tracking with zoning and history reports, alarms and alerts, file sharing, instant messaging, PC dispatching and much more!
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 Turn existing TVs into digital signage, for free. Dramatically improve communication to your audience. Permit others to advertise on your screen and get paid for it! Promote yourself on other screens in your area. The community wants to know! theBulletin.io is here to help improve communication, build and strengthen local community, and make you money - all for free.
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Congratulations, Ken Price!
Congratulations to Ken Price, Palmer House Historian & PR Director, on receiving a Historic Hotels of America Lifetime Achievement Award - Well done, Ken!
Featured Members
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Thank You
Congratulations to Marc Gordon, our outgoing President & CEO! On November 12th, our members, partners and industry leaders came together to wish Marc a happy retirement as we celebrated his 21 years leading our Association. We thank you for all you've done for IHLA and the Illinois hotel industry. And special thanks to Hilton Chicago Hotel for hosting a lovely evening in their stunning Grand Ballroom.
Marc J. Gordon Scholarship Fund
Education has always been important to Marc as he was on the faculty at Michigan State University and worked for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation as well as the American Hotel & Motel Association Educational Institute. In lieu of a retirement gift, it is fitting that Marc would appreciate your support as a scholarship is being created in his honor to assist the next generation of hoteliers. Please consider contributing to the Marc J. Gordon Scholarship Fund to support deserving Illinois college students pursuing Hospitality Management degrees throughout the country.
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News You Can Use
Hyatt Hotels Corp, Two Roads Hospitality, Holiday Inn Chicago Mart Plaza River North, Swissotel Chicago, Proven IT
Editorials
Chicagoland Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism News
Check Out: Ace Hotel, Chicago Athletic Association, Hotel Lincoln, Kimpton Gray, The Godfrey
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I-WIL 7th Annual Children's Halloween Party
 On October 30th, I-WIL celebrated Halloween with another successful Children's Halloween Party & Costume Closet in partnership with the Domestic Violence Division of the Chicago Police Department. What a wonderful Spooktacular event for all of our princesses, super heroes, witches, and lil' goblins. Support from our Chicago area hotels made the event a huge success with hundreds of donated costumes, pumpkin painting, cookie frosting, craft mania, bingo bonanza, face painting, and escorting the groups on the trick or treat trail.
Special thanks to donors & volunteers:
Embassy Suites Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile, Hilton Chicago, Kimpton Hotel Allegro, Kimpton Hotel Palomar, St. Jane Chicago, The Drake, The James Chicago, Waldorf Astoria |
Teri Archam, Aileen Robinson, GO Airport Express, Commander O'Shea & his team at CPD-18th District, CPD Mounted Patrol & Canine Patrol
HHRA Toy Drive
 On November 15th, the Hotel Human Resources Association (HHRA) hosted their Annual Holiday Meeting and Toy Drive benefitting the children of the Domestic Violence Division of the Chicago Police Department. Over 40 IHLA member hotels supported the initiative, bringing over 300 unwrapped toys for the children and filling two squad cars. Additionally, Breakthru Beverage Illinois presented on the latest wine, beer and cheese pairing trends while Chicagoland HR professionals networked and reviewed accomplishments over the past 12 months. Thank you to our hotels for coming together during the holidays to give back to our communities in need and supporting our private-public partnership with CPD. Special thanks to host The Westin Chicago Michigan Avenue GM, Richard Romane, and his entire team.
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Annual Holiday Online Auction
As we continue working to grow the IHLAEF Scholarship Program, we will be running our Annual Holiday Online Auction November 26 (Cyber Monday) - December 3 on BiddingforGood.com. Be on the lookout for announcements once the auction goes live on 11/26, and don't miss your chance to bid on fantastic packages and get started on your holiday shopping!
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