HOTELIER OF THE YEAR This is the highest honor conferred on an Illinois hotel & lodging General Manager, Multi-Unit Manager, Corporate Executive, or Owner affiliated with IHLA. Nominees will be judged on their professionalism and service to the property, their employees, guests, and the community. The Hotelier of the Year is recognized by industry peers for his or her exemplary achievements, contributions, and leadership. DEPARTMENT - DIVISION HEAD OF THE YEAR This category recognizes salaried managers who are responsible for an entire department, division, or function, such as: Hotel Manager, Assistant General Manager, Director of Food and Beverage, Director of Rooms, Director of Housekeeping, Directors of Sales, Events or Catering, Director/Manager of Security, Controller, Executive Chef, Director/Manager of Human Resources, Director of Property Operations, Director/Manager of Food and Beverage, Manager of an outlet, Banquet Manager, and Beverage Manager or Director/Manager of the Front Office. Nominees will be judged on their leadership and professionalism when training, motivating, and developing their employees as well as the service they provide to the guests and the hotel. MANAGER OF THE YEAR This category recognizes salaried managers who assist in overseeing a department, an Assistant Manager or Manager that reports to a Division or Department Manager such as: Restaurant Manager or Assistant Restaurant Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Front Office Manager, Assistant Director of Finance, Sales, Human Resources, Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Executive Assistant Chef, Sous Chef, Front Office or Housekeeping Manager, and Assistant Beverage or Food and Beverage Manager. Nominees will be judged on their professionalism and the service they provide to their employees, guests, and the hotel. ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees who work in a clerical support capacity. This includes Administrative Assistants in Sales, Catering, Convention Services, Human Resources, Engineering, Rooms, Food and Beverage, MIS, Purchasing, Public Relations, Receptionists, and Accounting staff. BELLSTAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees who provide guest services other than those described in the Guest Service category. This includes employees such as: Bellpersons, Door Attendants, Parking Attendants, Valet Cashiers, and Courtesy Van Drivers. FIRST-LEVEL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees who provide direction, assign work, and are responsible for a group of team members. This includes employees such as: Convention Service Leads, Front Office Supervisors, Floor Supervisors, Housekeeping Supervisors, PBX Leads, Reservation Leads, Restaurant Supervisors, and Stewarding Supervisors. FOOD & BEVERAGE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – FRONT OF THE HOUSE Nominees in this category are employees who deal directly with guests or perform their duties in front of the guests of the hotel. This category includes employees such as: Host, Cashier, Servers (Restaurant, Room Service, Cocktail, or Banquet), Bus Person, Convention House Person, Bar Porter, Bartenders, Refreshment Center Attendants, and Coffee Attendants. FOOD & BEVERAGE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – HEART OF THE HOUSE Nominees in this category are employees who perform their duties behind the scenes and not in front of the guests of the hotel. This category includes employees such as Room Service Ordertaker, Cook, Steward, Cafeteria Worker, Pot-Washer, Storeroom, and Receiving Clerk. GUEST SERVICE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees who provide guest services in areas such as: Front Office, Reservations, Security Officers, Concierges, Communications, Health Club Facilities, Business Center, and Meeting Facilities Housepersons.
HOUSEKEEPING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees who work in the Housekeeping or Laundry departments. This includes employees such as: Room Attendants, Housepersons, Night Cleaners, Shampoo Persons, Laundry Persons, Linen Room Attendants, Chute Attendants, and Sewing Attendants. MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Nominees in this category are employees working in engineering and maintenance departments. This includes employees such as: Engineers, Electricians, Painters, and Carpenters. GOOD EARTHKEEPING AWARD This award recognizes lodging properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations at the bottom line, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. The program must demonstrate success in one or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, effluents and emissions, water conservation, purchasing, and business issues (e.g. guest demands, community issues, land use and development, training, and policy). Good Earthkeeping will be awarded at the state level only and the winner will be announced at the IHLA Annual Membership Luncheon. COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD This award will be given for programs that provide service or demonstrate that the property is responsive to the local community. Examples include campaigns to benefit local or national service organizations or charities, service to the community through a special project, and joint undertakings with community groups. Community Service will be awarded at the state level only and the winner will be announced at the IHLA Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon. ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR An Allied Member will be selected based on special support to the Association's activities and exceptional services to the lodging industry in Illinois. Nominees will be judged on outstanding service to their particular company, to IHLA, as well as to the industry. Hotels are encouraged to nominate Allied Members. Allied Member of the Year will be awarded at the state level only and the winner will be announced at the IHLA Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon. PAUL R. BAUER SECURITY PRACTITIONER AWARD This top honor will recognize the outstanding commitment, leadership and mentorship of one’s team and their property as well as their impact on the community in honor of such inspirational efforts led by the late Paul R. Bauer, Commander, 18th District, Chicago Police Department. Employees in a hotel safety and security/loss prevention role that have been employed at an IHLA member hotel for a minimum of one year are eligible. The top three finalists and deserving honoree will be awarded at the state level only and the winner will be announced at the IHLA Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon.
