| October 2000 - Dixie Eng, general manager of the Hilton Washington
(D.C.) Embassy Row, has been selected by the Network of Executive Women
in Hospitality (NEWH) as Woman of the Year 2000. She will be honored at
NEWH�s Los Angeles Founding Chapter Gala to benefit the NEWH scholarship
and education fund on December 2, 2000, at the Regent Beverly Wilshire
Hotel, Los Angeles.
The NEWH Woman of the Year Award is the organization�s highest honor,
recognizing exceptional achievement and contributions in some facet of
the hospitality industry. This marks the 16th consecutive year NEWH has
presented the award.
| Eng, a 22-year veteran of the hotel business, began her career as a
front-desk clerk and concierge, eventually gaining the prestigious designation
of Les Clefs d�Or Gold Key concierge. As general manager of the Hilton
Washington Embassy Row property, Eng now oversees the 193-room full-service
hotel where she started as a desk clerk.
Eng joined MeriStar Hotels & Resorts in 1991 as general manager
of the Best |
Dixie Eng, GM
Hilton Washington (D.C.) Embassy Row
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Western New Hampshire Suites where she led her team to win the Paul W.
Whetsell Exceeding Expectations Award in 1994 (named for MeriStar�s chairman
and CEO). She moved to the Latham Hotel as general manager in 1996, adding
responsibilities for the Georgetown Inn in 1999, representing combined
revenues of $17.4 million. She was named general manager of MeriStar�s
Hilton Washington Embassy Row in December, 1999.
A consistent top performer at MeriStar, which leases or manages 221
North American and Caribbean lodging properties, Eng credits her success
to her early front-of-house experience. �This business is really quite
simple,� says Eng. �Satisfy the guest. Give them more than they expect
and be up front if there are issues.�
| Eng was nominated for NEWH Woman of the Year
for both professional accomplishments and personal dedication to mentoring
in hospitality. She assisted in the chartering of the first hospitality-oriented
high school in the U.S., Marriott Hospitality High School in Washington,
D.C., and is currently featured in �Be,� the American Hotel & Motel
Association chairman�s educational and career awareness video. She is the
first woman chairperson of the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C., and
a participant in its �Check In To the Hotel Industry� career opportunities
video. She serves on the executive committees and boards of the Washington
Convention and Visitors Association and the DC Committee to Promote Washington
and is an executive advisor and board member of the NEWH Washington D.C.
Metro Chapter.
Eng was selected from NEWH Women of the Year 2000 nominees. Finalists
included Theodora �Teddy� Edelman, co-founder of Edelman Leather, New York,
and Alexandra Champalimaud, principal designer, Alexandra Champalimaud
& Associates, New York.
NEWH brings together professionals from all facets of the hospitality
industry by providing opportunities for education, professional development,
and networking. A non-profit organization founded in Los Angeles in 1984,
NEWH has 14 chapters plus three in formation nationwide, as well as a growing
international membership. NEWH has awarded more than $750,000
in higher education scholarships to women pursuing careers in the hospitality
industry.
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| Each year the NEWH presents its highest award, Woman
of the Year, to an outstanding woman who has made significant contributions
to some facet of the hospitality industry. The Woman of the Year award
is open to all women in the industry, not just members, and is not intended
as a reward for work done on behalf of the organization. The recipient
of this prestigious award serves as a role model to all members, as well
as to young women entering the industry.
Candidates for the award are judged on the following criteria:
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How long has the candidate been professionally involved in
the industry (a minimum of ten years is required);
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Has the candidate made a significant professional contribution
to the Hospitality Industry or a related field;
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What has the candidate done to promote the professional advancement
of other women within the Industry;
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Does she meet the standards set forth in the NEWH, INC. Code
of Ethics;
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Is she above reproach in all areas of her life;
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Does she have the respect of her peers
Any member of NEWH may submit the names of potential candidates
to their local Chapter Board of Directors or to the National Woman of the
Year Chair. Each Chapter may then nominate up to three candidates for consideration
by the Woman of the Year Committee and the National Board of Directors.
1999 Patricia Durkan
1998 Barbara Barrett
1997 Lynda P. Sullivan
1996 Tanya M. Scott
1995 Nikki M. Jones
1994 Elsie U. Dahlin
1993 Valerie Ferguson
1992 Helen Marcus & Lynn Wilson
1991Trisha Wilson
1990 Elaine Grossinger Etess
1989 Sarah Tomerlin Lee
1988 Carol Soucek King
1987 Edith Sewelson
1986 Patricia Stoner-Barnett
1985 Dorrit St. John |
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The NEWH Woman of the Year is not limited to members of the organization
nor based on contributions to NEWH. |
