New York, NY (June 9, 2011) — Adele Gutman Milne, Vice President of Sales & Marketing for HKHotels, was named the "Sales & Marketing Executive of the Year" by the HSMAI Greater New York chapter during its 18th Annual Frank W. Berkman Tourism Achievement Award Black Tie Gala Dinner Dance last evening.

Ms. Gutman was selected as a result of her commitment to the hospitality industry, career accomplishments, and industry service.  In fact just last year, all four of the HKHotels properties in New York were ranked in the top four in New York City by the members of TripAdvisor — an achievement which Ms. Gutman and everyone at HKHotels has been working toward for over six years.  As a result, the hotels have enjoyed consistently high occupancy throughout the year and Ms. Gutman was a featured speaker at TripAdvisor's Master Class held in New York last year.

"I appreciate the recognition of this award all the more because I know it really was a team effort," notes Ms. Gutman.  "I had recognized years ago the power of social media and that if we truly exceeded a guest's expectations so they felt motivated to go on sites like TripAdvisor and post glowing reviews, those reviews would provide all of the publicity and promotion that we needed to make our hotels a financial success. But that understanding was not enough to achieve our goals. It was the very talented and dedicated staff at HKHotels who embraced those goals and wholeheartedly delivered so much loving care to every guest. The managers and staff actually made it happen. I am just the coach. This award would not have happened without their hard work," she concludes.

Ms. Gutman Milne oversees new hotel concept strategies and launches, sales, marketing, revenue management, and public relations at HKHotels including brand initiatives, online marketing efforts, social media, and electronic distribution.  She also pays very close attention to the HKHotels guest experience which, she believes, makes success in everything else possible.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management from the Conrad N. Hilton College at the University of Houston and during her career has worked for the Adolphus Hotel in Dallas, TX, the Ambassador Plaza Hotel in Dallas, Swissotel, and Fitzpatrick Hotels before joining HKHotels in 2000.

Ms. Gutman Milne is a regular commentator on New York City tourism for the "What's Cookin'" show on Cable Radio Network as well as the "Travel With Kal" program on WLIS and WMRD in Connecticut.

ABOUT HKHOTELS
The innovative and much acclaimed HKHotels collection includes the glamorous Hotel Giraffe on 26th and Park Avenue South; the book-lovers paradise, the Library Hotel on 41st and Madison Avenue; the country French style Hotel Elysée on East 54th and Madison Avenue; and the Moroccan motif Casablanca Hotel on 43rd, just off Broadway.  Each hotel's distinctive design flair, sophisticated elegance, top-notch service, and prime location offers an outstanding travel experience in New York City.  For information visit the website at www.hkhotels.com or call 212-201-1155.