Denver, Colo. (March 27, 2012) - Sage Hospitality held its annual Leadership Conference at The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel from March 4 to 6, honoring properties and employees whose performances over the past year have made them models of excellence within the national hospitality leader's portfolio.  Representatives from each of Sage Hospitality's 45 hotels across the country were in attendance for a weekend of strategy sessions, awards and volunteering.

Noteworthy honors handed out at the 1920's-themed awards ceremony were Hotel of the Year for The Oxford Hotel in Denver; Leader of the Year to Kim Corrigan of The Curtis, A DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in Denver and David Marsh of Departure/Urban Farmer at the Nines in Portland, Oregon; and Manager of the Year to Renee Turner of Hilton Hotel College Station in Texas and Ryan Bleibtrey of The Original in Portland, OR.  Bernard Berry of The Glenn Hotel in Atlanta took home Associate of the Year.

Following tradition, the 2012 Leadership Conference wasn't all business.  Attendees spent a day lending their time and enthusiasm to local Chicago organizations including the Ronald McDonald House, the Cara Project, Lincoln Park Community Shelter, and Mission of Our Lady of the Angeles.  They also got decked out in 1920's-era garb for the awards ceremony - suitable dress for a destination with a storied conference history like The Renaissance Blackstone Chicago Hotel, where Charles "Lucky" Luciano once gathered gangsters for the first-ever "Crime Convention."

"The Sage Hospitality Leadership conference is always hotly anticipated as an opportunity to recognize some of our outstanding associates in the Sage family, and 2012 was no different," said Walter Isenberg, CEO of Sage Hospitality. "This year's event proved as exciting as ever, offering our sharpest performers time to interact, volunteer and enjoy themselves together."

A partial list of honorees at the 2012 Leadership Conference includes:

• Property of the Year: The Oxford Hotel
• Leader of the Year: Kim Corrigan, The Curtis, A DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton; David Marsh, Departure/Urban Farmer at the Nines
• Manager of the Year: Renee Turner, Hilton Hotel College Station; Ryan Bleibtrey, The Original
• Associate of the Year: Bernard Berry, The Glenn Hotel
• Sage Passion Award: Matt Doucette, CoCo Key Boston North Shore
• Rookie of the Year: Dana Faulk, The Corner Office; Kim Greene, Renaissance Baronette
• Mentor of the Year: Scott Sloan, Hilton Hotel Del Mar
• Sales Team of the Year - TownePlace Suites Portfolio
• Spirit of Innovation: Barbara McMahon, Renaissance Pittsburgh

Community Service Award: Courtyard by Marriott Portland City Center & The Original

About Sage Hospitality
Founded in 1984, Sage Hospitality has strategically grown into one of the largest privately held hotel management and ownership companies in the nation operating a variety of large, full-service hotels as well as extended stay and select-service properties. Sage Hospitality's comprehensive portfolio includes major international brands such as Marriott, Sheraton, Renaissance, Hilton and Westin, and as well as independent boutique hotels. Sage Hospitality has further differentiated with the creation of the Sage Restaurant Group, which has created and is managing 10 unique restaurant concepts including the acclaimed Mercat a la Planxa in Chicago.
For more information, please visit http://www.sagehospitality.com/.