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EVENTS CALENDAR
Chicago Hotel PAC
Golf Event
Tuckaway Golf Club
September 15
IHLAEF Webinar
11:30am-12:00pm
September 29
Hilton Chicago
1:00pm-6:00pm
October 19
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Bloomington
October 25
Hyatt Regency O'Hare
December 15
Sheraton Grand Chicago
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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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IL-Women in Lodging
Not a member of I-WIL yet? Membership is
free
to any female employed by an IHLA member hotel.
To sign up, visit:
AHLA.com/WIL
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STAYGREEN
For questions about the StayGreen Program, contact: Karrie Teel.
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GUEST SERVICE GOLD
AHLEI Certified Guest Service Professional Designation (CGSP) Personalized Training
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IHLA 2016 OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN
Nabil Moubayed
VICE CHAIRMAN
Dean Lane
TREASURER
Tom Robertson
SECRETARY
Mark Lauer
PRESIDENT & CEO
Marc Gordon
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jenna Beyers
John Brooke, CHA
Mike Cassidy
Jerry Cataldo
*Mike Cohen
Brian Cooney, CHA
Kim Corrigan
Paul Daly
Darin Dame, CHA
Doug Dean
*Patrick Donelly
Mike Feigenbaum
Pierre-Louis Giacotto
Stefan Gruvberger
Kirsten Guill
*Bob Habeeb, CHA
Dan Hance
Chris Hansen
Rick Harmon
Patrick Hatton
Stacy Hinrichs
Greg Horeth
Steve Horve
Mark Huntley
Michelle Irvin, CHA, CFBE
David Jacobs
Fred Jones
Jerry Keyes
Tony Klok
Dean Lane
Mark Lauer
Damien McArdle
Dale McFarland
Michael McGilligan
Karen McGuigan
Ginny Morrison
Nabil Moubayed, CHA
Dan Naughton
Atul Patel, CPA, CHA
David Prentiss, CHA
Jeff Pritts
Tom Robertson
Jay Rosenthal
Peter Simoncelli
*Lisa Timbo
Tommie L. Van
Raymond Vermolen
*Ron Vlasic
Scott Warren
*John Wells
ALLIED DIRECTORS
Jim Buczek
Rich Cialabrini
Jim Donivan
Rick Simon
John Tomasiewicz
HONORARY DIRECTORS
*Dick Betty
*Ed Copeland
*Joan Geary
*Jim Gould
Arnie Karr
Mike Levy
*John Osmanski
*Rex Parker
*Gene Rupnik
Andy Schwebel, CHA
David Sowell
*Past Chairman
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August was a very busy and successful month for IHLA highlighted by our 28th Annual Super Golf Classic that took place on August 16th at Harborside International Golf Center. Over 200 golfers enjoyed spectacular weather, excellent food, unlimited beverages, $100 gift cards to shop at the expanded golf pro shop, and a great day of golf. Thanks to everyone who contributed to and participated in this wonderful event.
This afternoon, we will co-host the 6th Annual Hotel Symposium with Choose Chicago featuring several speakers from Choose Chicago and Vail Brown from STR. On August 2nd, we hosted our General Managers Breakfast Meeting aboard the Odyssey at Navy Pier. The meeting featured New Choose Chicago CEO, David Whitaker, and Ted Mandigo, who gave his annual hotel industry update and his 2017 forecast for the Chicagoland area. At both the Symposium and the GM meeting, our hotel members receive a great deal of valuable information to help them prepare their 2017 budgets and business plans.
We are looking forward to hosting our 6th Annual I.H.M.P.A.C. Chicago Dedicated Fund Golf Fundraiser on September 13th at Tuckaway Golf Club in Crete. The event is spearheaded by Patrick Donelly from the Hyatt Regency Chicago and has raised over $125,000 each of the last six years. We look forward to another incredibly successful event this year. 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
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Also in September, IHLAEF & Chicago HEaT will host the Risk Management & Security Symposium on September 29th, at the Hilton Chicago. The Symposium will feature several educational sessions and speakers discussing security, general liability, and HR issues that IHLA hotel members are currently facing. The afternoon will include speaker Q&A and networking breaks then wrap up with a reception where attendees can mingle and enjoy appetizers and cocktails. All event proceeds benefit the IHLAEF Scholarship Program. For more information and to register for this highly valuable program, please click HERE.
Finally, we are excited about the large number of 2016 Stars of the Industry nominations we have received from hotels all over 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 our members when we honor these terrific nominees, finalists, and winners at our two Regional Stars of the Industry Recognition Luncheons on October 19th in Bloomington and October 25th in Rosemont.
Best regards,
Marc
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Recent Articles of Interest
How to See Our Facebook Posts in Your Newsfeed
Want to make sure you're up-to-date on all of the important information that we share on our Facebook page? Here's how you can ensure that our posts pop up in your newsfeed so you'll have a front row seat to relevant industry articles, the latest info about upcoming IHLA events and programs, member news and accolades, and more!
- Go to our "Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association" Facebook page
- Hover over the "Liked" button
- Click "See First"
Connect with us on Social Media!
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Welcome New Allied Members
3092 Stevenson Dr. |
Springfield, IL 62703
General Manager: Sam King
Swift Hospitality
85 E. Wacker Dr. |
Chicago, IL 60601
General Manager: Jermaine Anderson
1998 N. Roselle Rd. |
Schaumburg, IL 60195
General Manager: Earl Flowers
Swift Hospitality
Welcome New Allied Members
Leading manufacturer of U.S. made hospitality and food and beverage products. Includes housekeeping carts, bellman carts, mobile bars, dance floors, stages, podiums, and service carts. Custom capability.
Certified Destination Marketing Organization promoting the communities and counties along the historic Illinois and Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor. Inspiring visitors to Route 66, Starved Rock area, and Illinois & Michigan Canal Regions.
Enterprise-strength managed network security, Wi-Fi, and PCI compliance monitored 24/7/365 for merchants of any size and market. Minimize Risk, Monitor Threats, Manage Incidents. Netsurion is not only committed to making sure that your network is secure, but also to making sure that it operates in a manner that makes your business run better, faster, and smarter.
SkyTouch Technology provides premier cloud-based property management system (PMS) solution, developed and optimized to provide proven value, reliability, and mobility. By offering real hotel operations solutions, SkyTouch is helping today's hotel operators meet their most important strategic objectives: to achieve growth, advance operating performance, and improve the guest experience - all with changing customer needs. Accessible from anywhere with an internet connection, the SkyTouch PMS provides visibility and control of operations through real-time, impactful business analytics. With fully integrated property, rate, and distribution management, 24/7 tech support, plus over 100 interfaces, the SkyTouch PMS has been delighting customers for over 10 years, and currently serves more than 6,000 customers worldwide.
The Kimpton Gray Hotel Ceremonial Ringing of the Bell
On August 30th, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants officially opened its newest Chicago property, the 293 room Kimpton Gray Hotel, a gorgeous new addition to the Kimpton family at 122 W. Monroe Street, in the early 20th century New York Life Insurance Building. The property gets its name from the structure's original Georgia Gray marble, which was elegantly restored. The opening ceremony kicked off with a welcome from Kimpton Gray GM, Kimpton Midwest Director of Operations, & IHLA Chairman, Nabil Moubayed. Guests then heard from Kimpton CEO, Mike Defrino, KHP Capital Partners Managing General Partner, Mike Depatie, and Choose Chicago President & CEO, David Whitaker. After the bell ringing and confetti drop, guests were invited to enjoy a champagne toast and tours of the hotel. Congratulations to Nabil on all of his hard work leading up to the successful grand opening!
Illinois Restaurant Association City Club of Chicago Luncheon
Chicago Gourmet: Food Is Art! Use Your Palate
Tuesday, September 6, 2016
11:30am Reception | 12:00 - 1:00pm Luncheon
Maggiano's Banquets | 111 W. Grand Avenue, Chicago
Join our friends at the Illinois Restaurant Association (IRA) on September 6th for a special City Club of Chicago panel luncheon focused on Chicago Gourmet and the renowned culinary scene of Chicago. Chicago Gourmet Host Chef Rick Bayless, Master Sommelier Serafin Alvarado of Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, and Kevin Boehm of Boka Restaurant Group will lend their unique insights into the nation's premier food and wine festival, and what makes Chicago a culinary capital of the United States. IRA President & CEO Sam Toia will moderate the all-star panel.
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On August 2nd, 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 meeting. Attendees enjoyed a delicious breakfast spread and networking while taking in the gorgeous skyline view.
Featured speakers included Choose Chicago CEO, David Whitaker, and returning presenters, Ted and Ric Mandigo of TR Mandigo & Company. David discussed Choose Chicago's goals including continuing to bring more business to Chicago by enhancing international marketing efforts and wowing visitors with incredible service during their stay in the City. David looks forward to working closely with our hotel members and continuing to move us forward. The TR Mandigo forecast reports can be found on the MEMBER RESOURCES page of IllinoisHotels.org. To access: Click HERE, then enter your email & password: IHLA14 (Unless you've reset your password).
Next General Manager's Breakfast Meeting:
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
The Kimpton Gray Hotel
8:00am Breakfast & Networking | 8:30am Program Begins
Interested in sponsoring a bi-monthly GM Breakfast Meeting?
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28th Annual IHLA Super Golf Classic
IHLA held its 28th Annual Super Golf Classic on August 16th at Harborside International Golf Center. Over 200 golfers enjoyed a great day of perfect weather, BBQ lunch & steak dinner, beverages by MillerCoors & Pepsi, TaylorMade-Adidas mobile pro shop gift cards, over $5,000 in raffles, and a fun day of golfing on the two 18-hole links style golf courses. Congratulations winning foursomes: The Westin Michigan Avenue Chicago & Audio Visual Productions and shootout winner: Dave Kimsey at 7' 9" to pin!
Special thanks to all who attended & helped make the day a success, particularly:
Golf Committee & Volunteers | Auction Item & Hole Contest Prize Donors | Harborside International Golf Center Team | Accel Entertainment | Ambius | American Hotel Register | Audio Visual Productions | Baker Tilly | Chicago Athletic Association Hotel & Cindy's | Chicago Helicopter Experience | Cintas | Constellation Energy | CTM Media Group | Ecolab | Entertainment Cruises | Gibsons Restaurant Group | Global Experience Specialists | GO Airport Express | Heartland Payment Systems | HD Supply | Hyatt Chicago Magnificent Mile | Hyatt Regency Chicago | Laner Muchin | Local 399, International Union of Operating Engineers | MillerCoors | Palmer House | Peerless-AV | PepsiCo | Pinstripes | Proven Business Systems | PSAV | Royal Cup Coffee & Tea | Rivers Casino | Serta Mattress Company | SONIFI Solutions | SP+ | Tito's Vodka & Uncle Dougie's Mixers | United Service Companies | United Healthcare
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STARS OF THE INDUSTRY 2016
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19th 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'll never forget. The stories of incredible hard work, dedication, and genuine kindness towards both guests and fellow colleagues are truly an inspiration!
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New Federal Per Diem Rates Announced For FY2017
The General Services Administration (GSA) released federal per diem rates for FY2017 that will go into effect on October 1, 2016. Federal per diem rates, used by government travelers to obtain hotel rooms at a standard discount, are established each year based on actual market data compiled and provided by Smith Travel Research.
IHLA is pleased to note that there is an increase to the standard continental United States (CONUS) rate from $89 per night for lodging in FY2016 to the new rate in FY2017 of $91 per night. CONUS is applicable to all areas that aren't specifically designated. For those designated areas in Illinois: Bolingbrook, Romeoville/Lemont, Chicago/Cook County, O'Fallon/Fairview, and Oak Brook Terrace, IHLA is pleased to note that the rates stayed the same and/or increased, with the exception of Chicago where in a few months there was a slight decrease. Click
HERE to find rates for specific locations in Illinois.
GSA also announced that they are going to review certain elements of the per diem methodology, including the determination of the geographic boundaries for "non-standard areas" that receive higher rates.
AH&LA and IHLA continue to work with governmental officials to assure that the rates reflect accurate market and economic conditions.
Update on State Per Diem Rates
Despite on-going efforts by IHLA, the State of Illinois has not increased per diem rates for lodging for state employees traveling on Governmental business for over 10 years. This is in large part due to the uncertain economic conditions facing the State of Illinois. IHLA will continue its efforts to work with state elected leaders to achieve a rate that is more reflective of actual market conditions in Illinois.
On a positive note for IHLA and member hotels in Illinois, the State recently issued a Travel Update from the Governor's Travel Control Board. The update stipulates that "use of Airbnb is not allowed for official State of Illinois business travel and state employees choosing to utilize Airbnb will not be reimbursed for their lodging."
If you have any questions and/or need more information on federal or state per diem rates, please contact
Brenda Jo Jacob.
Crowne Plaza Springfield Heart of the House Tour, Congressman Davis
Earlier this month, General Manager, Alan Filer, along with his team hosted a Heart of the House tour at the Crowne Plaza in Springfield for Congressman Rodney Davis, from Illinois' 13th District. Featured left to right in top photo: GM Alan Filer, DOS Kim Egizii, Congressman Davis, IHLA Regional Membership Director Scott Dahl.
Heart of the House Tours are a great way to "showcase" a property and have elected officials meet and visit employees and learn more about the important economic and social contributions of the hotel industry to the community and to the State.
Interested in hosting a Back of the House Tour at your property?
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Recent #StayGreenSpotlight Articles
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Meet Our 2016 IHLAEF Scholarship Recipients
Read more about our 2016 scholarship recipients HERE then make sure to Like our Facebook page and watch for #IHLAEFScholarSpotlight videos of our winners, featured weekly! Also check out the video below highlighting thank you messages from our scholars!
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| IHLAEF Scholarship Recipients 2016 Thank You Reel |
Complimentary IHLAEF Webinar
Refund Recovery Process for Illinois LCD Flat Panel Antitrust Settlement
Thursday, September 15, 2016 | 11:30am - 12:00pm CST
IHLAEF & Chicago HEat Risk Management & Security Symposium
Thursday, September 29, 2016
Hilton Chicago | 720 S. Michigan Ave.
1:00pm Registration | 1:30pm Program | 5:00pm Reception
The 2016 Risk Management & Security Symposium will feature several educational sessions and speakers discussing
security,
general liability, and
HR issues that IHLA hotel members are currently facing. The afternoon will include
speaker Q&A and
networking breaks then wrap up with a reception where attendees can mingle and enjoy appetizers and cocktails.
All event proceeds benefit the IHLAEF Scholarship Program.
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