Employee recognition and retention are invaluable elements to the success of hotels. 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 visitors enjoy their stay, and 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. To honor the talent and performance of employees who go that extra mile to provide extraordinary service to their hotel guests, each year, awards are presented to individuals in 11 categories from IHLA member hotels in 3 regions:
Chicago
Suburban Chicago
Central Illinois
IHLA hosts 3 annual Stars of the Industry events: Stars of the Industry Central Illinois Regional Luncheon Stars of the Industry Chicagoland Regional Luncheon Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon Each year, a dedicated team of judges review hundreds of nominations to select the Regional then State winners of the award categories listed below. Our members then gather as an industry to recognize these exceptional individuals who best represent the service and spirit of the lodging industry. The Regional Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons take place in the fall. At the Central Illinois Regional Luncheon, one set of winners is selected from nominees in Central, Northern, Southern, and Western Illinois. At the Chicagoland Regional Luncheon, two sets of winners are selected: Chicago and Suburban Chicago. Those who win at the Regional level then compete for the State level awards that are announced at the Membership & State Stars of the Industry Holiday Luncheon in December. During the State Luncheon, in addition to the 11 hotel employee categories, awards are presented for Allied Member of the Year, Community Service, and Good Earthkeeping.
Participating in Stars of the Industry 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 IHLA website and in the Regional Stars Program Book and will receive an IHLA Stars of the Industry Recognition Certificate. New Hotels that nominate employees for the first time will receive recognition in the Regional Stars Program Book and at the Regional Luncheons. It is IHLA's privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees, finalists, and winners presented each year.
To submit nominations, complete the online application AND submit completed 2019 Stars PDF Nomination along with one additional page explaining why the nominee deserves the award. Additional supporting materials may include two individual documents such as testimonial letters, guest comment cards, or digital pictures of nominees in action. Please upload supporting materials as ONE PDF. Nominees must have worked a minimum of one year in the hotel or lodging industry. Resubmitting updated applications for previous year's nominees is encouraged. Regional winners are not eligible to be nominated again in the same category if they have won within the past three years. Regional Level Awards
Hotelier of the Year
Department-Division Head Employee of the Year
Manager of the Year
Administrative Employee of the Year
Bell Staff Employee of the Year
First-Level Supervisor Employee of the Year
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Front of the House
Food & Beverage Employee of the Year - Heart of the House
