Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association’s “Stars of the Industry” Recognized for Excellence; 1,000 Hotel Employees Attend, Sixteen Winners Announced

Rosemont, IL (November 2)—The Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA) hosted its annual “Stars of the Industry” Regional Recognition Luncheon on Thursday at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare Hotel.  Ms. Roz Varon of ABC Channel 7 News once again acted as emcee of the event, attended by 1,000 hotel employees from the Chicagoland area.  This event, celebrated for 9 years, recognizes 484 nominees from 99 Chicagoland hotel members of the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association for their contributions made during the past year to the success of their hotels.

“’The Stars of the Industry’ event is one of the proudest moments each year for our over 400 member hotels,” said Marc Gordon, President and CEO of the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association. “Our members would be the first to tell you that the success of their hotels is largely a reflection of the contributions made by their employees 24/7, 365 days a year.”

IHLA Hotel Member Employees were not only treated to an extra day off, but also recognized for their many contributions.  This year’s winners include:

• Area General Manger for Swissotel and Resorts of North and South America, Tom Klein, was recognized for a wide range of benevolent activities including providing housing for seniors who lost power during last summer’s heat wave; offering a home to an employee and her family who lost everything in a fire; and raising thousands of dollars for victims of Hurricane Katrina, the Pacific Tsunami, and 9/11 attacks. Through Mr. Klein’s efforts, the Swissotel donates food to Vital Bridges, helping AIDS patients.  He’s also responsible for the Chicago Swissotel’s active participation in the March of Dimes, the Miracle on State Street concert to benefit LaRibida Children’s Hospital, Team Shakespeare and the Magnificent Mile Charitable Foundation.

• Bellman of the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, Bob Balandis goes that extra mile for guests.  In 15 years of service to the Four Seasons, he is famous for remembering the names of guests, their children, their grandchildren—even their pets.  This past year when one guest left a bag in a taxi, he immediately reviewed security tapes and working through Chicago Consumer Affairs, identified the taxi and retrieved the bag all in less than an hour.

• Amalfi Hotel Chicago Concierge Jaymes Ballard, Jr. was recognized for paying special attention to even the smallest guests.  When a young girl arrived at the hotel crying, he quickly diagnosed the problem and after work, with his own money, bought the little girl a new pink and white teddy bear. Engaging guests in conversation, he learned that one guest would shortly be undergoing surgery.    He found out her favorite flower and gave her a bouquet of lilies and an inspirational card.

• Marrriott Chicago Food and Beverage Employee of the year Amir Pirbani, a 27- year veteran with the hotel, overheard a little girl who was obviously upset because she missed her grandmother on her birthday.  Despite having responsibility for a full lobby bar, Mr. Pirbani secured a chocolate cake complete with candles to wish her a “Happy Birthday.”

• Hyatt Lodge in Oakbrook General Manager, Julie Coker, named Suburban Hotelier of the Year didn’t just talk about helping Hurricane Katrina victims—she and her sisters adopted a family who moved from New Orleans to Dallas and supported them for a year.  Ms. Coker drove a Trinity Youth student that she mentors back to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, so the girl could graduate.  She’s also active in the Safer Foundation, mentoring released felons as they re-enter society. Working with a mother of three who had just been released from prison, she was able to find her a place to live and a job—the woman is now financially independent.

• Lincolnshire Marriott Resort Food and Beverage Employee of the Year Felipe Alverez, a 30-year employee and current Banquet Captain for the hotel oversees 140 weddings each year.  He faced a special challenge recently when moments before the reception was to start he learned that neither the band nor the emcee were present.  He quickly found the right equipment in the hotel to supply music and enlisted a guest as emcee.   

• Courtyard by Marriott in West Dundee Guest Services employee Joel C. Roman gave extra care to an elderly couple who had checked in four days earlier.  When they did not appear on their day of departure, he checked with them to find that the husband had been taken to the hospital during the night.  He brought food for the wife and extended their stay …they remained at the hotel for five weeks while the husband recovered.

“We’re delighted to provide recognition where it is due—to those employees who make staying in IHLA member hotels a wonderful experience,” Gordon added.   “Hotels are a major part of the tourism industry, the second largest industry in the state of Illinois—their success has direct bearing on the economic well-being of the state’s economy.”

There are eight categories of awards given, including housekeeping, maintenance, guest services, food & beverage, bell services, administrative services, manager of the year, and hotelier of the year. Winners were announced from Chicago Downtown and Chicago Suburban hotels in each of the eight categories, with sixteen winners in all.

The Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association comprises more than 400 hotels throughout the state of Illinois.  It represents hotels, motels, and inns, employing thousands of associates in properties throughout the state.  Hotels contribute $26 billion per year to the Illinois economy. IHLA hotels provide good-paying jobs with benefits to associates who are employed by member hotels, and IHLA has active programs to recognize the contributions of its employees and provide them with career advancement opportunities.  

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