Chris Hales, general manager of the Radisson Hotel Toronto-Markham, was named the brand�s top general manager and awarded the 2001 Esprit Award.  

Jose Diaz, bellperson at the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg-Downtown was selected from over 47,000 Radisson employees to be named Employee of the Year for 2001. 

Jay Witzel, president and chief operating officer of Radisson Hotels & Resorts, presented both awards.

The Esprit Award is given to the general manager who establishes a high level of employee and guest engagement, is recognized for excellence in guest services, RevPAR and profit growth, and who is an active participant within the Brand - a general manager who is a leader, but who also serves.  As part of this award, a Voyaguer Scholarship has been established in Hale�s name at Johnson and Wales University, a respected hospitality school.

Hales, a 27-year veteran of the industry, joined Radisson as General Manager of the Markham hotel in 1997.   He was selected from more than 430 Radisson general managers in 60 countries to receive this honor.  
�Chris embodies the vision of Radisson to create valuable relationships with the guests we serve,� says Jay Witzel.  �It�s a role that takes not only confidence and competence, but a strong commitment to our goal of creating great places in great places.�

�I was as honoured as I was surprised to receive this award, and it is one that I share with our entire team at the Radisson Hotel Toronto-Markham,� says Chris Hales.  �It is their dedication, enthusiasm and �Yes I Can� spirit that adds the �shine and polish� to our hotel.�

The Employee of the Year is given to the employee who embodies and consistently displays four key characteristics that add to the success of any hotel:  An overwhelming �Yes I Can� attitude; an unwavering commitment to teamwork; a drive to contribute to the success of the hotel; and, an outstanding desire to contribute to the community.

�Our employees are at the heart of our business model, delivering the Radisson brand promise each day with professionalism and dedication,� says Jay Witzel. �In choosing this year�s Employee of the Year one individual stood out among the nominees as someone who always goes above and beyond to help others.�

In nominating Jose Diaz, a member of the Bellstand Department at the Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown, fellow staff members and guests alike gave him high praise.  �He has an �anything possible, you-name-it� guest service and satisfaction attitude.� �He really is the very first person every guest should meet upon arrival.� �His demeanor with guests reflects a genuine love of people.� 

Jose joined the hotel in 1995 in the Housekeeping Department and transferred to the position of Bellperson in 2000.  Jose acknowledges that he has two important influences in his life to which he can attribute his personal success - his team of fellow employees at the Radisson, and his mother, who Jose claims, �Taught me that it is nice to be important, but it�s more important to be nice.� 

Recognition for his hard work and dedication to guests is not new to Jose.  Jose was also given the �Associate of the Year� award by Chip Hospitality, a subsidiary of Canadian Hotel Income Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (�CHIP REIT�).  The Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown is owned by CHIP REIT and managed by Chip Hospitality.  Jose was selected from the employees at 37 hotels that are owned and/or managed by CHIP REIT.  And, last year he was chosen by the Mayor�s office as one of the �Stars of the City of Winnipeg� after being nominated by a number of hotel guests.  �Jose leaves a positive impression with every guest he interacts with.  From the corporate executive - to the leisure traveller, Jose treats everyone as a VIP,� says David Chizda, General Manager, Radisson Hotel Winnipeg Downtown.  �We know that Jose is always there, providing 100% guest satisfaction with all of our guests and with his fellow associates alike.�    

Radisson Hotels & Resorts currently has 430 locations in 60 countries. Radisson is a division of Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, a global leader in hospitality services encompassing more than 1,545 hotel, resort, restaurant and cruise ship operations in 80 countries.