Employee recognition and retention are invaluable to the success of hotels and especially now more than ever, employees are the heart and soul of our industry. We salute ALL our Star employees who embody resilience, compassion and dedication to Illinois' hospitality community. The 2022 Stars Nomination Portal is NOW CLOSED.
JOIN US TO CELEBRATE: 2022 Illinois Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon Wednesday,December 14 Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center Hotel
CLICK HERE for photos from the December 2021 Stars Celebration, including the hotel group photos by fig Media.
Congratulations to our 2021 Stars of the Industry Winners!
Participating in Stars of the Industry IHLA's Stars of the Industry Awards Program was established in 1996 to honor IHLA member hotel employees for their outstanding accomplishments, service, and leadership in the hospitality and lodging industry. Illinois has thousands of exceptional hotel and lodging employees who help our millions of visitors enjoy their stay in our great state. The Stars Program recognizes the best of the best, those who truly go above and beyond and whose incredible hard work, dedication, attentiveness, and genuine kindness towards both guests and fellow colleagues is an inspiration to their peers.
We encourage all of our members to participate in this high profile employee recognition program; to nominate and show appreciation for their outstanding team members and give them the opportunity to be recognized by their peers at an entertaining celebration they will never forget. There is no cost to nominate an IHLA hotel member employee.
Recognition All nominees will be listed on our website and in the Stars Program and will receive an IHLA Stars of the Industry Recognition Certificate. New hotels that nominate employees for the first time will receive special recognition in the Stars Program. It is IHLA's privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees, finalists, and winners presented each year.
Nominations and Eligibility The nomination process begins in September and we've made it easy. Simply complete the online nominee application form and upload a one page document explaining why the nominee deserves the Star award in their category including supporting documents showcasing testimonial letters, guest comment cards or pictures of nominees in action. Resubmitting updated applications for previous year's nominees is encouraged. Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated again in the same category if they have won a star at the regional or state level within the past three years. Open to IHLA Member hotels only.
Individual Employee Awards
Hotelier of the Year Presented by Windy City Laundry
Department-Division Head Employee of the Year Presented by Atira Hotels
Manager of the Year Presented by First Hospitality
Administrative Employee of the Year
Bell Staff Employee of the Year
First-Level Supervisor Employee of the Year Presented by Kendall College at National Louis University
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Front of the House Presented by UnitedHealthcare
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Heart of the House Presented by Ecolab
Guest Service Employee of the Year Presented by Bright Sky Group of Services
Housekeeping Employee of the Year Presented by Ecolab
Maintenance Employee of the Year Presented by HD Supply
Paul R. Bauer Security Practitioner Award
Star Mixology Award Presented by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Illinois and Proximo Spirits Co.
Hotel Property Awards
Community Service Award Presented by Kendall College at National Louis University
