WATERFORD, CT (January 31, 2012) --- Waterford Hotel Group recently held an extensive 3-day conference for the company’s general managers, director of sales and other hotel management personnel. The Annual Leadership Conference and Awards Celebration, held at the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT allowed managers from each of the company’s 28 properties to gather and share ideas on leadership, best practices and the Waterford Hotel Group core values. An awards ceremony was also held to recognize the company’s top performers from 2011.

This year’s conference emphasized the importance of fostering enthusiasm, confidence and integrity among the associates at each property. “Thriving associates create sustainable performance,” commented Len Wolman, Chairman and CEO of Waterford Group.  “You provide the quality leadership to engage and empower your staff, which will translate into bottom-line success at your property.”

The conference also featured guest speaker Janie Wiltshire, a hospitality consultant and public speaker with more than 25 years of experience training hoteliers worldwide. Her workshop, Success Formulas for 2012, gave conference attendees the knowledge and key “how-to’s” for success in today’s competitive hospitality arena.

Conference award recipients included “Associate of the Year” Tara Capiello, Restaurant Supervisor from the Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa in Groton, CT, and “Hotel Team of the Year” Hilton Hartford in CT. Other awards presented during the conference include:

Whatever it Takes Courtyard by Marriott – Stuart, FL Charitable Excellence Connecticut Convention Center – Hartford, CT Housekeeping Team of the Year Courtyard by Marriott – Warwick, RI Food & Beverage Team of the Year  Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa – Groton, CT Maintenance Team of the Year Courtyard by Marriott – Stuart, FL Front Office Team of the Year Courtyard by Marriott & Grappone Conference Center – Concord, NH Most Improved RevPAR Holiday Inn Express – Southington, CT Manager of the Year Agnes Marynowska, Executive Housekeeper Residence Inn by Marriott – Southington, CT Associate of the Year Tara Cappiello, Restaurant Supervisor Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa – Groton, CT Director of Sales of the Year Mark Lombardi Residence Inn by Marriott – Southington, CT Holiday Inn Express – Southington, CT   General Manager of the Year Jacqueline Lewis Courtyard by Marriott – Stuart, FL Team of the Year Hilton Hartford – Hartford, CT

The Hilton Hartford team accepts the Hotel Team of the Year award during the Waterford Hotel Group Annual Leadership Conference and Awards Celebration. (L-R) Candy Fish, HR Director, Hilton Hartford; Len Wolman, Chairman & CEO, Waterford Group; John Loyacano, Rooms Director, Hilton Hartford; Duane Schroder, General Manager, Hilton Hartford; Lillian Southern, Controller, Hilton Hartford; Tom Cannizaro, F&B Director, Hilton Hartford; and Rob Winchester, President & COO, Waterford Hotel Group.

About Waterford Hotel Group
Waterford Hotel Group has experience operating virtually every type of hotel property, including select service properties, all-suite hotels, conference centers, and large full service and resort properties. The company's approach to hotel development and operations is hands-on, and features frequent site visits and constant communication with customers and partners. Additionally, Waterford Hotel Group offers centralized accounting, financial reporting, strategic marketing, human resources, and day-to-day operations management systems to increase market share and profitability at all properties. For more information, visit the company's website at www.waterfordhotelgroup.com.