New Haven, CT – October 15, 2015 – The Connecticut Lodging Association (CLA) held their 111th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on September 29th at the Hartford Windsor Marriott. Matthew MacLaren, Senior Vice President of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), served as keynote speaker and emphasized the importance of Connecticut's national role in advocating lodging related legislation.
The evening events included Board of Director elections with Farouk Rajab retiring as President to pass the gavel to Victor Antico Jr. of Antico Management. Victor's father, Victor Antico Sr. held the role as CLA President in term 1988, which marks the only known CLA Presidents, since 1904, to carry this role in a family tradition.
Connecticut Lodging Industry Economic Overview
AH&LA reports in the 2015 Connecticut Lodging Economic Overview that 4.8% of all jobs in CT are directly or indirectly related to the lodging industry, as a part of the greater travel sector, with hotels, motels, resorts, or lodges helping to generate $812 million in tax revenue for the state and local governments. To view full overview CLICK HERE.
Stars of the Industry Awards
The CLA's "Stars of the Industry" awards were created to recognize outstanding achievements in Connecticut's Lodging community. Nominated by members of the CLA, the winners on the state level automatically compete at the national level in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AH&LA) "Stars of the Industry" awards in spring, 2016.
2015 Employee of the Year Awards:
Front Desk Associate of the Year – Justin Tarr, Residence Inn Mystic
Housekeeping Associate of the Year – Nelly Gonzalez, Sheraton Hotel at Bradley Airport
Sales Associate of the Year – Win Smith III, Winvian Farm
Food & Beverage Associate of the Year – Juan Gil, Hilton Hartford Hotel
2015 Manager of the Year Awards:
Manager of the Year – Leigh-Ann Wilson, Marriott Hartford Downtown
General Manager of the Year – 150 rooms or less – Lisa Crinella, Homewood Suites By Hilton/Windsor Locks
General Manager of the Year – 151 rooms or more – Ron Wichowski, Hilton Hartford Hotel
* Images of awards are available upon request. info@ctlodging.org
Announcing Term 2016 CLA Board of Directors
President Victor Antico Jr., Holiday Inn Express Vernon
Vice President Jeff Muthersbaugh, Nehemiah Brainerd B&B
Treasurer Jon Norton, Omar Coffee Company
Secretary Peter Mason, Konover Hotel Corporation
Immediate Past President Farouk Rajab, Waterford Hotel Group
Terri Almond, Hilton Mystic
Bill Brown, Groton Inn & Suites, Groton
Gerry Chase, New Castle Hotels & Resorts
Lynn Dell, Double Tree, Bristol
Justin Fazio, Super 8 Hotel, Rocky Hill
Michael Ferguson, Courtyard by Marriott, Orange
John Fraher, Marriott Hartford Downtown
Mark Graham, Residence Inn Hartford
Traci LaShomb, Microtel Inn & Suites, Uncasville
John Loyacano, Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley Airport
Paul Medawar, Crowne Plaza, Danbury
Dinu Patel, Rodeway Inn & Suites, Branford
Win Smith III, Winvian, Morris
Scott Robinson, Heritage Resort & Conf. Center, Southbury
Michael Trosin, Hartford Windsor Marriott, PP
Ron Wichowski, Hilton Hartford Hotel
2016 Non-Voting Board of Directors
Bob Forcier, Mitchell College -Education Representative
Bud O'Donnell, Siegel, O'Conner, O'Donnell & Beck, PC -Allied Representative
Scott Phelps, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau -CVB Representative
Tom Phillips, Capital Workforce Partners -Education Representative
