WLA 2011 Annual Convention - Great Success!

The Washington Lodging Association's 2011 Annual Convention, Trade Show & Casino Night, October 2-4 at Tulalip Resort Casino and Spa was a rousing success with a record number of attendees!

SUMMARY OF FEATURED SPEAKERS & WORKSHOPS WHO PRESENTED THIS YEAR:

Industry Updates
Introducing Suzanne Fletcher, executive director of the newly formed Washington Tourism Alliance; and featuring news and information from leaders of the Washington Lodging Association.  For Suzanne's PowerPoint presentation, click here.

State of the Industry: Benchmarks and Trends
Greg Duff, attorney with Cairncross Hempelmann, P.S., moderated a panel of pundits --Chris Kraus, MAI, with PKF Consulting, and industry demand-generators in leisure, group and corporate business including Amy Severson with Expedia, Kathy Gerke with CRG Events, Linda Broderick of HelmsBriscoe and Lisa Bliss of Boeing-- bringing understanding to past patterns and insights into future trends. For PowerPoint presentation, click here.

Worlds Collide: the Hospitality Industry's Evolution vs. the Expectations of a New Generation in the Workforce
Dynamics, demands, legal implications and innovative ideas for the future of our industry’s workforce in a discussion led by Peter Nohle with Jackson Lewis, LLP and Michael Hirschler, HR director at Four Seasons Hotel Seattle and president of the Hospitality Human Resource Association.

Using Web Analytics & Revenue Management to Build a Higher-Performing Online Revenue Model
Vikram Singh, Principal and CEO with Evision Worldwide, merges a decade of working in operations and revenue management with experience in international technology sales, giving him the finely honed ability to bridge the gap between technology and the hospitality industry.  Vikram demonstrated how to use website analytics to create a data-driven culture in your hotel marketing department.  Download Vikram's presentions by clicking here.

Detecting and Preventing Fraud in Your Lodging Establishment
Roy Cupler of Moss Adams LLP moderated a panel on policies and procedures to guide the fraud investigation process - and on establishing procedures and processes to avoid it.  With Howard Jacobs, Continuum Hotels; and Lori Richardson, CPA, CHAE and Gina St. George, CPA, CFE, both with Moss Adams.  Click here for PowerPoint presentation.  Also see the following documents for useful information: "Fraud Response Policy;" "HGG Hotel Lodging Services;" "Data Breaches;" "PCI Best Practices."

Mobile Marketing Essentials: Creating a Strategy for Hotels and Resorts to Grow their Mobile Marketing Exposure      
With hundreds of millions of consumers worldwide already researching and making travel decisions on the go, mobile marketing is a current reality that’s leaving many hotels behind. Vikram Singh, Principal and CEO with Evision Worldwide, showed hotel owners and managers how they can take immediate action to reach those millions of mobile users and capitalize on the new reality. His presentation addressed, step-by-step, all the critical elements of mobile marketing, from the basics to leading-edge topics like using location-based apps, mobile analytics & SMS marketing.

American Hotel & Lodging Association Regional Hospitality Forum
Return of Card Check and the ominous tax loophole online travel companies are exploiting. . .the whole story from AH&LA was told on how these issues and others will impact your property, employees and guests. Plus, with less than six months until the next ADA compliance deadline, and with many provisions already required, forum attendees learned compliance information to avoid being fined.  Click here for the information on the ADA rules.

These workshops are made possible by:

2011 Platinum Sponsor:

2011 Thirteenth Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Program

One of the highlights of WLA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show was the Stars of the Industry Awards Program, made possible this year by WLA allied member and 2011 Stars of the Industry sponsor Moss Adams LLP.

Each "Stars" nominee was recognized with an honorable mention at WLA’s Annual Convention at Tulalip Resort Casino and Spa on October 3 in front of their industry peers -- and winners were awarded a beautiful glass keepsake. All the eligible winners are also entered in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Stars Program.

AND THE WINNERS ARE.........

Rising Star, Full Service
Judy Gabrio, Food & Beverage Server, Hilton Garden Inn, Seattle/Renton

Rising Star, Limited Service
Justin Kent, Front Office Manager, Quality Inn Valley Suites, Spokane

Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Full Service  - see photo
Polly Shanks, Housekeeping Room Attendant, Doubletree by Hilton, Spokane City Center

Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Limited Service - see photo
Farhood Siami, Houseman, Hampton Inn & Suites, Lynnwood

Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Full Service  - see photo#1 ,  see photo#2
Howard Cohen, CHA, Vice President & General Manager, Clise Properties

Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Limited Service  - see photo
Gina McCabe, CHA, General Manager, Quality Inn & Suites Hotel, Goldendale

Outstanding Manager of the Year, Full Service
Rod Lapasin, Director, Catering & Conference Services, The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle

Outstanding Manager of the Year, Limited Service - see photo
Cheryl Sieveke, Sales and Catering Manager, Quality Inn Valley Suites, Spokane

Outstanding Property of the Year, Full Service - see photo
Hotel Bellwether, Bellingham, Britton Braswell, Hotel Manager

Outstanding Property of the Year, Limited Service
Staybridge Suites Mukilteo, Fawn Bowles, General Manager

Special Events, One Time Only
Sheraton Seattle Urban Garden, Matt Van Der Peet, General Manager

Good Earthkeeping - see photo
The Davenport Hotel Collection, Spokane, Lynnelle Caudill, General Manager

Community Service, Full Service - see photo
Pan Earth Program, Pan Pacific Hotel, Seattle, Molly Phillips, Global Responsibility Manager

Community Service, Limited Service - see photo
Residence Inn by Marriott, Seattle Downtown Lake Union, Carl Anton, General Manager
 

connect collaborate create

WLA's 2011 Convention, Trade Show & Casino Night were made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors and exhibitors. To learn more about how their products and services can help you increase the success and profitability of your lodging establishment click the links below.

Put your company, products, services, name and logo in front of Washington's lodging industry by being a convention sponsor or exhibitor.

Platinum Sponsor: Regency Cleaners

Gold Sponsor: H.I.H.I.T.

Silver Sponsor: South Seattle Community College

Stars of the Industry Sponsor: Moss Adams LLP

Audio Visual Sponsor: PSAV Presentation Services

Media & Marketing Sponsor: 4th Avenue Media

   

Trade Show Sponsor:  WSU School of Hospitality Business Management

Auction Sponsor: Cairncross & Hempelmann

Program Sponsors: 

Registration Sponsor: The Seattle Times

Coffee Break Sponsors:

Breakout Program Sponsors:

Model Room Sponsor: Jeffrey Braun Furniture

Northland Furniture

Milliken Carpet

Special Sponsorships:

Clark Nuber, P.S.	Heartland Payment Systems	buuteeq
Tarmac 24

Entertainment/Master of Ceremonies Sponsor: Digital Alchemy

Water Sponsor: re:newal

Exhibitors:

Casino Night
Join WLA for the new Casino Night kick-off party.  This networking event held Sunday, October 2 will provide an exciting opportunity to collaborate and connect with both lodging and allied members.  Featuring a fun and interactive Texas Hold 'Em Fundraising Poker Tournament, as well as other casino style games, activities, food and beverages, this evening promises to kick off the Convention in style.

Casino Night Kick Off Party Sponsor: Travelocity

Casino Night Poker Tournament Title Sponsor: Clothier & Head, P.S.

Casino Night Hospitality VIP Fun-Pack Sponsor: Clark Nuber, P.S.

Poker Tournament Dealer Sponsor: Approach Management Services

Casino Night Poker Table Sponsors:

Casino Night Black Jack Table Sponsors:

Casino Night "All In" Sponsor: Baldwin Resource Group, a member company of The Partners Group

Casino Night Poker Final Table Sponsor: Precor Commericial Fitness

Casino Night Hotel Bingo Sponsor: buuteeq

Casino Night Paper Airplane Toss Sponsor: Tarmac 24

connect collaborate create

2011 Thirteenth Annual Stars of the Industry Program

One of the highlights of WLA’s Annual Convention and Trade Show was the Stars of the Industry Awards Program, made possible this year by WLA allied member and 2011 Stars of the Industry sponsor Moss Adams LLP.

The Stars of the Industry Program allows you to recognize the members of your team who truly make your business shine by nominated them for an award in one of eight categories. Each Stars nominee will be recognized with an honorable mention at WLA’s Annual Convention at Tulalip Resort on October 3 in front of their industry peers -- and winners will be awarded a beautiful glass keepsake. Winners will also be entered in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Stars Program.

Please join us in taking this opportunity to showcase the accomplishments of your team by nominating them in the 13th Annual Stars of the Industry Awards Program. 

Find the nomination form here.  The deadline for nominations is August 31.

2010 Twelfth Annual Stars of the Industry Program Award Winners:
With special thanks to our allied member and 2010 Stars of the Industry sponsor Moss Adams LLP.

Special Events, On Going, Full Service
Willows Lodge Iron Vintner Challenge 2010 

Special Events, One Time Only, Full Service
Farmers Life 100th Anniversary Celebration
Bell Harbor International Conference Center

Special Event, One Time Only, Limited Service
Sweet 16 Celebration
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Pullman 

Rising Star, Full Service
Elyse Burgart, Front Desk Agent
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center 

Rising Star, Limited Service
Andrea Dauber, Assistant Housekeeper
Phoenix Inn Suites, Vancouver 

Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Full Service
Robert Schnaitman, Restaurant Server
Renaissance Hotel, Seattle 

Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Limited Service
Brandon Peterson, Guest Services Representative
Holiday Inn Express, Spokane Valley 

Outstanding Manager of the Year, Full Service
Lee Kaufman, SPHR, Director of Human Resources
Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport & Hilton Hotel & Conference Center 

Outstanding Manager of the Year, Limited Service
Ernesto Mendez, Director of Sales
Hilton Garden Inn Seattle, Issaquah 

Outstanding General Manager of the Year
Sam Askew
Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort

Outstanding Property of the Year, Full Service
Hilton Seattle Airport & Conference Center

Outstanding Property of the Year, Limited Service
Best Western Bainbridge Island Suites

Prism (Diversity)
The Davenport Hotel & Tower, Spokane

Good Earthkeeping, Full Service
The Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Seattle 

Community Service, Full Service
Embassy Suites Seattle-Tacoma International Airport

Community Service, Limited Service
Holiday Inn Express, Spokane Valley

connect collaborate create

WLA's 2011 Convention, Trade Show & Casino Night were made possible by the generous support and investment of our sponsors and exhibitors. To learn more about how their products and services can help you increase the success and profitability of your lodging establishment click the links below.

Put your company, products, services, name and logo in front of Washington's lodging industry by being a convention sponsor or exhibitor.

Platinum Sponsor: Regency Cleaners

Gold Sponsor: H.I.H.I.T.

Silver Sponsor: South Seattle Community College

Stars of the Industry Sponsor: Moss Adams LLP

Audio Visual Sponsor: PSAV Presentation Services

Media & Marketing Sponsor: 4th Avenue Media

   

Trade Show Sponsor:  WSU School of Hospitality Business Management

Auction Sponsor: Cairncross & Hempelmann

Program Sponsors: 

Registration Sponsor: The Seattle Times

Coffee Break Sponsors:

Breakout Program Sponsors:

Model Room Sponsor: Jeffrey Braun Furniture

Northland Furniture

Milliken Carpet

Special Sponsorships:

Clark Nuber, P.S.	Heartland Payment Systems	buuteeq
Tarmac 24

Entertainment/Master of Ceremonies Sponsor: Digital Alchemy

Water Sponsor: re:newal

Exhibitors:

Casino Night
Join WLA for the new Casino Night kick-off party.  This networking event held Sunday, October 2 will provide an exciting opportunity to collaborate and connect with both lodging and allied members.  Featuring a fun and interactive Texas Hold 'Em Fundraising Poker Tournament, as well as other casino style games, activities, food and beverages, this evening promises to kick off the Convention in style.

Casino Night Kick Off Party Sponsor: Travelocity

Casino Night Poker Tournament Title Sponsor: Clothier & Head, P.S.

Casino Night Hospitality VIP Fun-Pack Sponsor: Clark Nuber, P.S.

Poker Tournament Dealer Sponsor: Approach Management Services

Casino Night Poker Table Sponsors:

Casino Night Black Jack Table Sponsors:

Casino Night "All In" Sponsor: Baldwin Resource Group, a member company of The Partners Group

Casino Night Poker Final Table Sponsor: Precor Commericial Fitness

Casino Night Hotel Bingo Sponsor: buuteeq

Casino Night Paper Airplane Toss Sponsor: Tarmac 24