NATIONAL REPORT—Whether it’s celebrating an anniversary, receiving an award, earning a certification, debuting a new product or expanding the business, hotel companies and vendors achieve new milestones on a daily basis. Here’s a look at recent accomplishments:
Best Western’s Dorothy Dowling Wins Stevie Award
Best Western Hotels & Resorts’ SVP and CMO Dorothy Dowling has been named the winner of a Bronze Stevie Award in the Woman of the Year—Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations Category in the 16th annual Stevie Awards for Women in Business.
The Stevie Awards for Women in Business honor women executives, entrepreneurs, employees, and the companies they run—worldwide. The Stevie Awards have been hailed as the world’s premier business awards.
“It is an incredible honor to be recognized with this award,” said Dowling. “I truly believe that by hiring the right boss and cultivating the right team, anything is possible in a career. I am fortunate to have the strength of my team at Best Western Hotels & Resorts behind me and am excited to see what the future holds.”
Dowling is a seasoned hospitality industry executive who is a leader, change-maker, innovator and trusted colleague in the marketing landscape. Leading all marketing and sales strategies for Best Western Hotels & Resorts, Dowling oversees the brand’s loyalty program, consumer and field marketing activities, advertising, public relations and e-commerce. Since joining Best Western Hotels & Resorts in 2004, Dowling has implemented a number of measures to increase market share and contemporize the iconic brand.
“It has been a privilege to work alongside Dorothy over the last 15 years,” said David Kong, President and Chief Executive Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts. “With an innovative and strategic mind, Dorothy has played an integral role in increasing market share and contemporizing the iconic Best Western brand.”
The accolade comes on the heels of Dowling being named a “Top 40 Women in Travel” in 2019 by WINiT by GBTA, a network focused on the advancement of women professionals in the industry.
Daniel Yip of JLL Receives ISHC Rising Star Award Asia
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) awarded Daniel Yip, SVP of strategic advisory and asset management, Asia of JLL Hotels & Hospitality the Rising Star Award during the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) at the Kerry Hotel Hong Kong.
ISHC launched the Rising Star Award Asia in 2014 in partnership with HICAP to recognize young, emerging leaders in the Asia hospitality community. Nomination criteria requires an individual be 35 years or younger, currently working and living in Asia and working in the hospitality development and/or investment field. Past Rising Star Award Asia recipients include Kieran Bestall (2018), Peter Harper (2017), Kiichi Mashita (2016), Nihat Ercan (2015) and Christopher Hur (2014).
Yip is focused on operator selections, asset management and hotel strategic advice throughout the Asia Pacific region. He also assists with the publication of several hotel industry research reports across Asia. Yip has successfully led numerous hotel management and hotel lease operator selection assignments across a wide range of markets. In addition, Yip is involved in the pre-opening and ongoing asset management and operational spot reviews for a number of hotels and resorts across Asia.
California Faucets’ National Sales Manager Named Professional of the Year
California Faucets revealed that National Sales Manager Steven Weinberg has been named 2019 Professional of the Year by the Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association (DPHA).
Joining the industry over two decades ago, Weinberg has held positions in nearly every aspect of the industry. His career has spanned the industry trifecta, including experience as a decorative showroom owner, independent sales representative, and manufacturer. The annual peer-nominated award recognizes professionals whose outstanding contributions have helped advance the decorative plumbing and hardware industry.
“Steven’s invaluable perspective and ability to strategize and build relationships make him one-of-a-kind. He has been an indispensable resource, contributing to virtually every aspect of our business,” says Jeff Silverstein, president/CEO, California Faucets. “It’s no surprise to us that his peers nominated him for this honor.”
Maestro Offers Guests Mobile Convenience
Mobile operations and environmental sustainability are two of today’s top hospitality trends. Guests want to control as much of their hotel experience as possible on their mobile device. They also want to support hotels and businesses that demonstrate environmental sustainability. Maestro PMS’ integrated Tablet eFolio Display and Mobile Check-out hotel software applications give guests the mobile control they want while reducing the property’s wasteful paper consumption.
“Maestro’s Mobile Check-Out allows guests to conveniently review their folio on their mobile device from wherever they are. For guests who visit the front desk to checkout, Maestro’s Tablet eFolio Review feature lets guests review their folio on a tablet at the front desk. This greatly reduces paper waste,” said Maestro PMS President Warren Dehan.
Hotel Equities’ HQ Emphasizes Connectivity
Atlanta-based Hotel Equities (HE) revealed details of its new corporate headquarters located in the popular Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, GA. HE purchased the 75,305 sq. ft. office building in late October, through its strategic partnership with Phoenix, AZ-based global private equity group, Virtua Partners. The new headquarters will accommodate HE’s expanded corporate leadership team following a tremendous season of growth for the hotel ownership, management and development company. With renovations underway, they expect to be relocated by year’s end.
HE’s corporate team, along with several team members who oversee Virtua Partner’s hospitality arm, will occupy one quarter of the multi-tenant office building, anchored by a large A+ credit rated tenant. With 140-plus properties in its portfolio of hotels, HE’s leadership team is more focused than ever on ensuring they have the critical support needed to continue delivering optimal results and maintaining the company’s culture through growth phases.
