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EVENT CALENDAR
September 11
Tuckaway Golf Club
Crete
September 12-13
Washington, D.C.
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
November 1
Hyatt Regency O'Hare
Rosemont
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
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
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 Chairman
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President's Message - August 2018
August was a very busy and successful month for IHLA that began on August 7th with our August General Managers Breakfast Meeting aboard the Odyssey at Navy Pier. The meeting featured Mike Fullerton, Senior Director of Public Affairs for Brand USA. Mike spoke about what Brand USA is doing to promote tourism at the national level and the need to lobby Congress to renew the funding for national tourism promotion. Ted Mandigo and his son Ric also spoke and gave their annual hotel industry update and their 2019 forecast for the Chicagoland area. Our hotel members received a great deal of valuable information from Mike, Ted and Ric that will be helpful to them as they prepare 2019 budgets and business plans.
August was highlighted by our 30th Annual Super Golf Classic that took place August 21st at Harborside International Golf Center. More than 200 golfers enjoyed excellent food, unlimited beverages, great golf awards and raffle prizes, $100 gift cards to the TravisMathew Mobile Pro Shop, and a terrific day of golf. Thanks to everyone who contributed to and participated in this wonderful event.
We are looking forward to hosting our 9th Annual I.H.M.P.A.C. Chicago/Cook County Dedicated Fund Golf Fundraiser on September 11th at Tuckaway Golf Club in Crete. The event is spearheaded by Patrick Donelly from the Hyatt Regency Chicago and has raised over $1,000,000 during the past eight years. The event is sold out of foursomes, but we are still in need of sponsors and hotel package donations to be used as welcome gifts. If you wish to help our PAC fundraising event by donating a hotel package and/or participating in the event as a sponsor, please contact Brenda Jacob. We look forward to another incredibly successful event this year.
On October 18th, IHLA will host a Labor & Employment Law Seminar at Embassy Suites by Hilton Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile. Robert Bernstein, a Partner at Laner Muchin, will discuss new labor and employment laws and developments affecting the hotel industry and best HR practices to reduce employment claims. More details and registration materials for this highly valuable seminar program will be out shortly. Please save the date for you and your key team members to attend.
Finally, we are excited about the large number of 2018 Stars of the Industry nominations we have received from hotels throughout Illinois. These nominations will soon be forwarded to our judges, who will begin the difficult task of determining the regional finalists and winners in eleven categories. We look forward to seeing all of our members when we honor these terrific nominees, finalists, and winners at our two Regional Stars of the Industry Recognition Luncheons on October 24th in Bloomington and November 1st in Rosemont. To purchase your tables/tickets and congratulatory ads in the Stars of the Industry Program Book, please click HERE for Central Illinois and HERE for Chicagoland.
Best regards,
Marc
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News You Can Use
Chicagoland Hotel, Restaurant, & Tourism News
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Welcome New Hotel Members
Great Wolf Lodge Gurnee
1700 Nations Drive
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Holiday Inn Express Lake Zurich
197 South Rand Road
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
General Manager: David Ratzke
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Welcome New Allied Members
BEC Integrated Solutions
Housekeeping Panic Button Systems.
Contact: Joe Biondo
716-689-0871
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d + k Architects
Architectural and design services.
Contact: Paul Kozlowski
312-573-2490
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ComEd Energy Efficiency Program
The ComEd Energy Efficiency Program provides instant discounts, rebates, home and facility assessments, technical services and whole-building solutions to help customers reduce energy use. Residential, commercial, industrial and public sector customers have saved more than $2.95 billion since the program's inception in 2008. To learn how the ComEd Energy Efficiency Program can help you save money and energy, visit ComEd.com/WaysToSave.
Contact:
Jade Harris
630-480-3434 x74226
Gilchrist & Soames
Gilchrist & Soames is the leading provider of premium products for world-class hotels, exclusive resorts, and distinguished spas, inns and B&Bs. Specializing in servicing the luxury market, our cosmetic-grade toiletries, innovative room accessories, and fine bed & bath linens can be found in over 6,000 discerning properties in 90 countries. From the moment a property entrusts us with their business, we work diligently to provide a consistently outstanding level of customer service, fully committed to a partnership devoted to exceeding the expectations of the modern traveler. Gilchrist & Soames is based in Indianapolis and Peterborough, England.
Contact: Rebecca Klies
317-781-5753
Featured Members
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30th Annual IHLA Super Golf Classic
IHLA held its 30th Annual Super Golf Classic on August 21st at Harborside International Golf Center. 230 golfers enjoyed a great day of golfing on the two 18-hole links style courses along with TravisMathew Tour Bus Pro Shop, BBQ lunch and steak dinner, Bear & Jake acoustic duo, Windy City Massage chair massages, Pop-Up Oasis Bars, and top shelf beverages. Click here to view photo gallery.
Congratulations to the day's winners:
-Lowest Gross Foursomes/Captains: Minibar Systems/Michael Phocas (Port) & HD Supply/John Ball (Starboard)
-Most Honest Foursomes/Captains: Chicago Athletic Association hotel/Patrick Hatton & Kimpton Hotel Monaco/Erica Strombeck
-50/50 Cash Prize winner: Mike Cohen, Articon
-Grand Raffle Travel Prize winner: Tony DeGrado III, USW Local 17
Special thanks to all who attended & helped make the day a success, particularly:
- Golf Committee & Volunteers, Auction Items & Hole Contest Prize Donors, featuring MPD Custom Golf & Sport Bags and The Grand Wailea, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, Hawaii
- Harborside International Golf Center Team, PSAV, Gibson's Restaurant Group
- Beverage Sponsors: Breakthru Beverage of Illinois/Pinnacle Wines, Diageo, MillerCoors, PepsiCo, Royal Cup Coffee & Tea, Tito's Handmade Vodka, Private Spring Water
- Oasis Sponsors: Cintas, Encore Event Technologies, Fairmont Chicago Millennium Park/Swissotel Chicago, Midwest Laundries, ServiceMaster Recovery Management and TraknProtect
- Hole Sponsors: American Hotel Register Company, Amlings Interior Landscape, Baker Tilly, Bukiety Floral, Constellation, Entertainment Cruises, GO Airport Express, Heartland Payment Systems, Hyatt Centric Chicago Magnificent Mile, Innvision Hospitality, International Union of Operating Engineers, Isabelli Media Relations, Laner Muchin, Ltd., Proven IT, PSAV, Serta, SEXTON Complete Care, SP+, The Stone Group, Tim Hennessey Lobbyist, United Service Companies
- Award Sponsor: HD Supply
- Reception & Music Sponsor: Serta
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21st Annual Stars Regional Luncheons Registration Open
Join us for our biggest events of the year: #IHLAStarsoftheIndustry! Don't miss the chance to celebrate the best of the best employees in the hospitality industry here in Illinois at our Stars Employee Recognition Luncheons. Show your appreciation for your outstanding team members and give them the opportunity to be recognized by their peers at an entertaining celebration they will never forget. The stories of incredible hard work, dedication, and genuine kindness towards both guests and fellow colleagues are truly an inspiration. It is IHLA's privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees, finalists, and winners presented each year.
#IHLAStarsoftheIndustry
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| Chicagoland Council of Hotel General Managers |
Chicagoland Council of Hotel General Managers Breakfast Meeting
On August 7th, Entertainment Cruises General Manager, Dan Russell, hosted IHLA's bi-monthly Chicagoland Council of Hotel General Managers Breakfast Meeting aboard Entertainment Cruises' Odyssey ship at Navy Pier. Our Hotel Sales & Marketing Directors and Allied Members were also invited to join the exclusive annual event. Attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast spread and networking while taking in the morning skyline view.
 Featured speakers included Mike Fullerton, senior director of public affairs at Brand USA, and returning presenters, Ted and Ric Mandigo of TR Mandigo & Company. Mike discussed Brand USA's role and marketing efforts sharing the new campaigns aimed at growing our international visitor market. Ted and Ric presented exclusive 2019 hotel industry forecasting information for the Chicagoland area. IHLA members may view Brand USA's campaigns and receive a copy of the TR Mandigo presentation in the members section of our website: www.illinoishotels.org/members-only-resources or by emailing David Miller.
Next Chicagoland Council of Hotel General Manager's Breakfast Meeting:
Tuesday, October 2, 2018
8:00am Breakfast & Networking | 8:30am Program Begins
Kimpton Hotel Allegro Chicago
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Representative Ann Williams Tours Sheraton Grand Chicago
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L to R: Mr. Mark Lauer, GM | Heather Lamberson, Director of HR Operations | Emily Miller, Director of Event Planning | Hollis Brown, Sr. Event Mgr. | Representative Ann Williams | Carter Harms, Chief of Staff for Representative Ann Williams | Jillian Korey, Intern for Representative Ann Williams
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Illinois House of Representative Member Ann Williams (D-11) toured the Sheraton Grand Chicago on Tuesday, August 28th, 2018.
The tour is part of IHLA's "Heart of the House" program to connect Members of the Illinois General Assembly with local hoteliers and employees in their legislative districts. The tours provide legislative leaders a venue to meet the constituents from their district who are employed in the hospitality business.
The tour also provided an opportunity for General Manager Mark Lauer, who hosted and led the tour, to highlight the hotel industry's economic impact to the State and to the City of Chicago. Mr. Lauer also showcased the Sheraton Grand Chicago's impact in creation of employment and long-term careers, and dedication to quality customer service and community involvement.
"It was an honor to welcome Representative Ann Williams to the Sheraton Grand Chicago," said GM Mark Lauer. "Her in-depth knowledge and understanding of Illinois hoteliers' contribution to the economy and local job market is important to the continued success of our industry."
Representative Ann Williams serves as Chair of the House Tourism, Hospitality & Craft Industries Committee. Representative Williams has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since January 2011.
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Meet Our 2018 IHLAEF Scholarship Recipients
Read more about our 2018 scholarship recipients and check out these featured scholar videos!
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