Hotel Online
News for the Hospitality Executive


advertisement


The Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston Honors
Hospitality Employees For Going Beyond Their Jobs

Douglas Horn Recipient of Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award

On Friday, Nov. 19th, Houston area hotels and lodging facilities came together to pay tribute to the men and women in its ranks who make the industry work and awarded eight outstanding individuals whose contributions have especially exemplified the meaning of hospitality.

Honored were not just those men and women who keep the lights on, the rooms clean, the food prepared and the services prompt but also eight individuals who have gone far beyond their job descriptions and made a special difference to hotel guests, the community and the industry.

The Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston (HLAGH) again hosted the sixth annual Hospitality on Parade Gala which drew more than 500 people. Chairing the event were Joe Palmieri, general manager of the Hilton Americas-Houston, and the event’s founding chair Douglas Horn, former Chairman of the Board of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitor’s Bureau as well as a lifetime member of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston.

One of the biggest surprises of the evening came when HLAGH President Stephanie Haynes announced the winner of the Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award - co-chair Douglas Horn.

In presenting the special award which is only given when individuals are nominated who meet the extensive criteria, it was noted that Horn began a career in hospitality at the historic Rice Hotel in 1966 as a bellman. Over the years, he worked his way to becoming a General Manager at a hotel in Galveston where he served on committees that created such Galveston landmarks as the Galveston Trolley, Dickens on the Strand, and the Grand Opera House restoration. In the ensuing years, he has been very active in both his career and related activities, including serving as Chairman of the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston in 2000, Chairman of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association in 2001, Chair of the Tourism Advisory Council for the Texas Economic Development Office of the Governor of the State of Texas, Vice Chair of Tourism of the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2004, and Chairman from 2005 to 2007. Among numerous organizations he is involved in is the Martin Luther King Grande Parade, where he was named Grand Marshall in 2008. He was recently elected as the Chairman of the High Rise Condominium Association for the City of Houston.

More than 30 individuals and companies were nominated for additional awards, divided by their job categories and activities within the industry. Candidates for the awards were nominated by their peers and employers, and the winners, announced at the gala,  were chosen by a panel of industry leaders outside Southeast Texas. The awards recognized men and women whose day-to-day contributions give hospitality its meaning as well as a sixth award going to a company or individual allied to the industry through its work and participation with the Association.

The awards gala was held at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Houston.

 
Lifetime Achievement Award
 
Douglas Horn


Allied Partner

This award is given to an allied member of HLAGH that has made a significant contribution to the Houston lodging industry and to their individual lodging customers.

Scott, Martin, Owner, Scott Equipment


Food & Beverage
Awarded to one individual from Food & Beverage including Kitchen, Restaurant, Room Service, and Banquets for an outstanding job service.

Audrey Sam, Pastry Chef, Hotel ICON


Guest Services

Awarded to one individual from the Front Office, Concierge, Bell Service, or Reservations who continually goes far beyond expectations in providing for hotel guests.

Omar Arizpe, Front Desk Manager, Jesse H. Jones Rotary House International


Houston Spirit


This award is given to a hotel, allied business, or individual in recognition for their acts of a charitable nature that have left a profound and recognizable mark on the community. 

Travis McIntire, Senior Sales & Catering Manager, JW Marriott


Operations
Awarded to one individual from Housekeeping, Engineering, Security/Loss Prevention, Human Resources, Administration, or Accounting whose job dedication is particularly meritorious. 

Donnie Rowell
, Maintenance Chief, Hilton at University of Houston


Sales / Marketing/ Convention Services / Catering Award (Tie)

This award is given to employees that show exceptional performance by making a notable contribution toward generating revenue for local facilities, attractions and/or hospitality industry businesses, while supporting the hospitality industry through active involvement in organizations that encourage professional development and collaboration between industry partners. 

Shea Ashley, Sr. Convention Services Manager, Hyatt Regency Houston
Gary Baumann, Director of Catering, InterContinental Houston Near The Galleria

For more information, please contact Stephanie Haynes with the Hotel & Lodging Association of Greater Houston at (713) 437-5266. Online reservations can be made at www.houstonhotels.org.
.
Contact: 

Mark G Hanna
Customer First
281-870-9994
 

.
.
 
Also See: The Hotel and Lodging Association of Greater Houston Honors Hospitality Employees For Going Beyond Their Jobs / November 2009
.

To search Hotel Online data base of News and Trends Go to Hotel.OnlineSearch
Home | Welcome| Hospitality News | Classifieds| One-on-One |
Viewpoint Forum | Industry Resources | Press Releases
Please contact Hotel.Onlinewith your comments and suggestions.