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IN THIS ISSUE
Communications
Member News
Under 30 Gateway
I-WIL
Hospitality Gala
Governmental Affairs
StayGreen
Educational Foundation
EVENT CALENDAR

March 15
The Palmer House Hilton
9:00am-4:00pm

March 20
I-WIL Spring into
Summer Wellness
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile 
3:00-5:30pm
Swissotel Chicago
6:00pm

May 10 

May 15-16
Lobby Day Hosted By
IHLA, ICCVB, & IRA
Springfield 
     
May 19-22
McCormick Place

May 22
McCormick Place
11:00am

June 21
Spirit of Chicago, Navy Pier

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

July 19
Under 30 Gateway 2nd Annual Networking Cruise
Mystic Blue, Navy Pier

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 
Tod Chambers
*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
IHLA STAFF

Chicago Office
 
Marc Gordon
President & CEO
 
Jennifer Chase
Managing Director, Events
 
Event & Sales Coordinator

Director of Membership/ Strategic Partnerships

Mark Malayter
Controller

David Miller
Director of IT
 
Karrie Teel
Director of Education & Communications
 
Springfield Office
 
Scott Dahl
Regional Director of Membership
 
Brenda Jo Jacob
Director of Governmental Affairs
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
IHLA continues to have a very busy first quarter. On February 20th, IHLA hosted the Under 30 Gateway 8th Anniversary & GM Connect Event atThe Blackstone. Hotel General Managers and IHLA Board members joined our Under 30 Chapter members to hear our keynote speaker, Wayne Buckingham, SVP of Operations for North America for AccorHotels, and to enjoy networking and fun. More than 130 people attended this incredible event.
 
On March 1st, IHLA hosted our Sexual Harassment Seminar at Swissotel Chicago. Attorney Rob Bernstein from Laner Muchin, Ltd. was our seminar presenter. Rob spoke about hotels developing effective internal procedures and conducting proper management and employee training on this critical issue. He also talked about best practices and how to minimize risk.
 
On March 15th, IHLA will co-host with Choose Chicago, Chicago Loop Alliance, Illinois Restaurant Association, and The Magnificent Mile Association, our second annual Hospitality Hires Chicago event at The Palmer House Hilton. IHLA is once again spearheading this hiring event in partnership with the Chicago Cook Workforce Board to help our hotels gear up for our busy season after a long, slow winter. At last year's inaugural event, 26 hotel companies participated in this event that attracted 573 trained and prepared candidates ready to be hired. This year, 53 companies have signed up to participate. Hopefully, this event will help our hotels hire the employee positions needed at this time of the year.  

On April 6th, IHLA will host our Annual Hospitality Gala at Swissotel Chicago. Please plan on joining us for this special 30th anniversary edition of this wonderful hotel industry event. Fantastic food, beverages, music, and decor will make this a memorable and fun evening for everyone who attends. Click HERE for more information and to register.
 
Finally, IHLA will host our annual Lobby Day on May 15-16 in Springfield. Over 50 IHLA members are expected to help IHLA lobby our state legislators on issues that are critical to our industry in Illinois. The Illinois Restaurant Association and the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus will be joining IHLA's Lobby Day once again to give our hospitality industry a much stronger voice as we meet with legislators representing all parts of the state. Several keynote speakers will address our group, and meetings with the top leaders of the General Assembly will be scheduled. Click HERE to join us for our Lobby Day.
 
Thank you for your wonderful support and I look forward to seeing our members at all of these upcoming events.
 
Best regards,
 
Marc
COMMUNICATIONS
Recent Articles of Interest
Bloomberg: Airbnb Is Adding Hotels and a Loyalty Program

Chicagoland Hotel & Restaurant News 
Kimpton Hotel Allegro
The Alise Chicago
Virgin Hotels Chicago
Hampton Inn Chicago Downtown/N Loop/Michigan Ave
The Palmer House Hilton
Chicago Athletic Association

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MEMBER NEWS & EVENTS
Welcome New Hotel Members

5460 N. River Rd. | Rosemont, IL 60018
GM: Michael McGuigan

5500 N. River Rd. | Rosemont, IL 60018
GM: Michael McGuigan


230 N. Michigan Ave. | Chicago, IL 60601
GM: Robert Shelley


Welcome New Allied Members

Brian Herzog | 224-235-4801                            
Hotel Staffing Solutions can fill short-term positions, contract, or temp to full time work. Their process provides you with the best opportunity to find the right candidates the first time. Their strict screening process and ongoing training ensure that you get experienced and hard-working employees. Save time, money, and effort with Hotel Staffing Solutions. Serving Illinois and Florida.
Edward Westwood | 908-692-1370
McRoberts Security Technologies is one of the largest patient protection system integrators in the United States. They supply customized integrated solutions, including Active RFID tagging systems for tracking patients, and assets, CCTV surveillance, and access control systems. They are the creator of UrgenTag, a panic button security system.

Monica Watson | 815-933-8376
Midwest Integrated Solutions provides technology-based solutions for commercial and residential clients and works with a wide variety of products and systems to meet all of your security needs. They offer Integrated Security Systems, CCTV-Access Control, Burglar Alarm, Infant Security, and Personal Duress Systems.
Jim Memmesheimer  | 312-848-1153
Salient Systems offers network friendly, comprehensive IP, and analog video surveillance management systems (VMS) built on open architecture. By providing powerful, flexible video surveillance software combined with industry-leading affordability, Salient is transforming the way the world views security.

Thomas Bacino | 847-306-6390
STS Security Inc. is dedicated to providing best-in-class security services built upon a culture focused on integrity-based core values, teamwork and communication, and dedication to their clients. They provide physical security assessments, roving patrols, security consulting, crisis management and investigations.

Sophia Tarlas | 312-802-2561
The New York Times is an American newspaper based in New York City with worldwide influence and readership. Founded in 1851, the paper has won 122 Pulitzer Prizes, more than any other newspaper.Find breaking news, multimedia, reviews & opinion on Washington, business, sports, movies, travel, books, jobs, education, real estate, cars & more at nytimes.com.
Featured Member

 
 
Palmer House Dedicates President Lincoln Bust
On February 8th, The Palmer House Hilton held a ceremony dedicating the quarter ton bronze bust of President Abraham Lincoln created by the late famed sculptor, Emil Seletz, and donated to the hotel by his son, James Seletz. The event kicked off with the Lincoln Park High School Chorale singing the National Anthem and Illinois State Anthem, then guests heard from Palmer House GM, Dean Lane, who spoke about the hotel's long term commitment to diversity. Illinois State Tourism Director, Cory Jobe, took the stage to announce activities planned for the Illinois Bicentennial year with the state celebrating its 200th birthday on 12/3/18 and the anniversary of President Lincoln's 209th birthday. Several dignitaries were in attendance including Deputy Governor of Illinois, Leslie Unger, and the Honorable Jesse White, Illinois Secretary of State.  


Thank You 2017 IHLA Chairman, Dean Lane
During our Board of Directors meeting on February 20th, IHLA President & CEO, Marc Gordon, and IHLA Incoming Chairman, Tom Robertson, recognized IHLA Outgoing Chairman, Dean Lane, for his leadership and dedication in 2017 and presented him with a recognition plaque. As Chairman, Dean contributed a great deal to our industry and the Association, and we thank him for his support.


UNDER 30 GATEWAY
Under 30 Gateway 8th Anniversary & GM Connect Event
On February 20th, the Under 30 Chapter kicked off the year with its Under 30 Gateway 8th Anniversary & GM Connect Event. Over 130 hoteliers, emerging leaders, and industry professionals networked over beverages and delicious hors d'oeuvres as local singer/songwriter, Marlon Longid, entertained with acoustic covers and originals. This signature event offers a leadership-driven message, this time led by Wayne Buckingham SVP of Operations U.S., North & Central America of AccorHotels. Special thanks to The Blackstone for hosting an incredibly successful event and to our sponsors: Minibar Systems and TriMark Marlinn, all of our raffle prize donors, and all who attended.


Meet Our Under 30 Leadership Committee 
ILLINOIS WOMEN IN LODGING
Spring into Summer Wellness with I-WIL
Tuesday, March 20, 2018
InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile

Network with female hospitality leaders and join I-WIL as they celebrate Women's History Month and kick off spring with this refreshing health, fitness, and beauty event. Event features include a health and fitness presentation from Kay Yasin, makeup application demo to achieve a perfect and professional look, healthy food preparation demo with Executive Chef Randy and take home goodie bag, mini yoga class with tips and tricks for a healthy mind and body, mini chair massages, light bites and beverages, and more. Here's to strong women: May we know them, may we be them, may we mentor them!


Annual Hospitality Gala, Celebrating 30 Years
Friday, April 6, 2018
Swissotel Chicago
The Hospitality Gala is IHLA's premier social event! Celebrate the achievements of our industry with an evening featuring exciting entertainment over spectacular food and libations. The affair begins with a lively reception and networking followed by dinner, sweet stations by Chicago's finest confectioneries, music and dancing, Grand Travel Raffle, and more. This year's event will be a totally rad throwback kicking off in 1989 and traveling through the decades into the future! 


GOVERNMENTAL AFFAIRS
Recent Governmental Affairs Updates
If you missed our recent emails detailing the latest updates on legislative, regulatory, and political issues, you can find them below. These updates discuss  the work of the Illinois General Assembly, Chicago City Council, and the Cook County Board. 


2018 Lobby Day Hosted By IHLA, ICCVB, & IRA
Tuesday, May 15 - Wednesday May 16, 2018
Springfield, IL 
IHLA is once again partnering with the Illinois Council of Convention & Visitor Bureaus (ICCVB) and the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) on 2018 LOBBY DAY. Help us show the strength, breadth, and unity of the hospitality and tourism industry to Members of the 100th Illinois General Assembly and continue educating our elected officials on the importance of our industry. 


STAYGREEN
Recent #StayGreenSpotlight Article
EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

2018 Scholarship Applications 
IHLAEF 2018 Scholarship Applications are now available on our website at illinoishotels.org/Scholarships . Please encourage eligible family, friends, and colleagues to apply. 
 
Why Apply for an IHLAEF Scholarship?
  • Scholarship awards are excellent for enhancing resumes, and an IHLAEF Scholarship shows you have earned recognition from the industry.
  • IHLAEF Scholarship recipients are better positioned to network, gain visibility, and advance in the hospitality industry. Recipients receive complimentary tickets to IHLA's Under 30 Gateway events and Annual Hospitality Awards Luncheon with admission to the NRA Show.
  • Our scholarships are renewable, providing an opportunity to receive a minimum of $7,000 over four years.  
  • Unlike a loan, scholarship money never needs to be paid back
The deadline to apply is May 10, 2018.   
 
Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
P: 312-346-3135 | F: 312-346-6036

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