BROOKFIELD, WI (November 5, 2012) – The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WH&LA) has honored hotelier Lola Roeh, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake, with its annual “Innkeeper of the Year” award for 2012. The award recognizes one individual each year for outstanding leadership in the Wisconsin lodging industry. Roeh was presented with the award at the 2012 Wisconsin Lodging Conference held at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells, on October 22.

Roeh has served as General Manager of The Osthoff Resort & Aspira Spa in Elkhart Lake for 15 years, playing a major role in the property’s achievement of many awards and recognition, including the AAA Four Diamond award every year since 1998, being voted No. 1 Best Resort in the Midwest in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and being named one of the 15 best lake resorts by Travel + Leisure magazine. The Aspira Spa was also named the No. 1 spa in Wisconsin and the Midwest in 2012 by Spas of America.

Roeh has served under two Wisconsin governors as Chairperson of the Governor’s Council on Tourism since 2010, and serving on Council committees since 2002. She also served as Chairman of the Board for WH&LA in 2006, after serving in all officer roles on the Board. On the local level, Roeh is a Past President of the Elkhart Lake Chamber of Commerce and a Past Chair of the Elkhart Lake Tourism Commission.

For her service to the lodging industry, Roeh also received a special commendation from Governor Scott Walker.

Associate of the Year
Also honored was local hospitality supplier Jenny Craig, Standard Textile, Fox Point, with the annual “Associate of the Year” award for 2012. The award recognizes one professional each year who services the Wisconsin lodging industry in an exemplary manner. Craig was presented with the award at the 2012 Wisconsin Lodging Conference held at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells on October 22.

Craig is the Hospitality Textile Consultant at Standard Textile, where she is responsible for providing cost-effective solutions to hotels while maintaining a high level of quality and guest satisfaction.

An active member of WH&LA since 2006, Craig has exhibited at every Wisconsin Lodging Trade Show since, and is an active participant at many WH&LA committee meetings around Wisconsin.

For her service to the lodging industry, Craig also received a special commendation from Governor Scott Walker.

2013 Officers and Board of Directors
Additionally, the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WH&LA) is proud to announce its newly elected 2013 Officers and Board of Directors, chosen on October 22, at the 2012 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show at the Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells.
 
Officers

• 2013 Chairman of the Board: Buck Drossart, The Pointe Hotel & Suites and Conference Center, Minocqua
• 2013 Chairman-Elect: Kevin Gallagher, Marcus Hotels & Resorts Inc., Milwaukee
• 2013 Vice-Chairman: John Chastan, Kalahari Resort Convention Center & Waterpark, Wisconsin Dells
• 2013 Secretary/Treasurer: Dan Schetter, Oshkosh Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center, Oshkosh
• 2013 Past-Chairman: Connie Barbian, Inn Development & Management, Madison

New 2013 Directors

• Justin Behling, Northernaire Resort & Spa, Three Lakes
• Carmen Brady, Mole Lake Casino Lodging & Conference Center, Crandon
• Eric Brey, University of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie
• Lisa Farrell, Hilton Garden Inn Milwaukee Downtown
• Kathy Oliver, K & S Hospitality, Mauston
• Steve Plenge, AmericInn Motel & Suites, West Salem
• Kris Willis, Hotel Metro, Milwaukee
• Sheryl Tharman, Red Crowne Lodge, Arbor Vitae

The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WH&LA) represents more than 750 hotels, motels, resorts, inns, hotel condos, and bed & breakfasts throughout Wisconsin. Established in 1896, WH&LA provides marketing, education, legislative and information services to Wisconsin’s lodging industry