MCLEAN, Va., July 15, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI)
is recognizing hospitality professionals who have taken a
leadership position, championed a cause, or created a program that
has directly benefited industry workers, medical personnel, first
responders, or communities that have been impacted by the
coronavirus pandemic with the first-ever HSMAI Hospitality Heroes
Adrian Award honor.
"It is truly incredible how hospitality professionals have
stepped up during a time of crisis," said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHBA, president and CEO
of HSMAI. "It's true that hospitality is founded on a community of
individuals who serve others before themselves. It is evident in
their response to COVID-19, both personally and professionally – I
could not be prouder. It is an honor to recognize these hospitality
heroes and give them the standing ovation they deserve. "
HSMAI will continue to accept nominations for Hospitality Heroes
leading up to the 64th Annual Adrian Awards. Below are the first
heroes that we have recognized.
Meet our first Hospitality Heroes:
- Mary Parks, director of sales,
Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis Downtown
From the beginning of the pandemic, Mary
Parks used the Hilton Garden Inn's kitchen to bake
chocolate-chip cookies for medical personnel, firefighters, and
other first responders as well as make hundreds of masks. She
created #Masks4Annapolis, a Hilton Garden Inn Annapolis
Downtown–sponsored contest to encourage clients and partners to
make masks for donation, with the hotel awarding prizes for the
best ones. Parks enlisted Annapolis's government officials to help
publicize the contest and got members of Waldorf, Maryland–based
rock band Good Charlotte to serve as judges. Within the first two
weeks, #Masks4Annapolis was on pace to exceed 2,000 masks.
- Jill Flynn, director of sales,
events, and marketing, Hyatt Regency Dulles in Herndon, Virginia
With the Hyatt Regency Dulles staying open through COVID-19 but
reducing its staff, Flynn has thrown herself into long workdays and
weeks, all while covering tasks that are normally performed by an
11-member team. Despite the challenges, she set her needs aside to
be there for her colleagues, even providing coverage for their
mental-health breaks. Flynn has continued to bring in business for
the Hyatt Regency Dulles. During the first weeks of COVID-19, she
wore personal protective equipment and greeted federal employees at
the airport who had been ordered to return home and booked many of
them rooms at the hotel when they had nowhere else to stay.
- Jonathan DiFonzo, district sales
representative, Cheney Brothers Inc. in Boynton Beach, Florida
Restaurant workers in Delray Beach,
Florida, found themselves out of work because of the
coronavirus lockdown. Johnathan
DiFonzo stepped up by arranging to supply them with meals.
He organized a GoFundMe campaign called "Service Industry Relief
Fund" that raised more than $4,700
and secured matching produce donations from Boy's Fresh Market.
DiFonzo arranged for three dozen volunteers to pack and distribute
200 meal boxes to members of the restaurant community.
- Sheela Martinez, recent front
office manager, The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills in West Hollywood, California
The COVID-19 lockdown prevented artisans in her hometown of
Santa Maria, Isabela, in
the Philippines, from creating and
selling their pottery which was the community's primary source of
income. Sheila Martinez put out a
call on Facebook to raise money for relief bags. Costing
$6, each relief bag can feed a family
of four. Martinez's goal was to raise enough money to feed 200
families. Within two days, she had enough for nearly 500 relief
bags.
- Ava Espano, guest services
agent, Accor
When Ava Espano received Accor's
Heartist of the Year employee-recognition honor in 2019. When her
flight was canceled because of COVID-19, she decided that she still
wanted the money to get there. Espano then sent the prize money
that was worth several thousand dollars to her family in
the Philippines, who used it to
put together care packages for those in need.
Nominate the industry professionals who have exemplified
qualities of creativity and perseverance that make them Hospitality
Heroes. Incoming nominations will be reviewed each week by a panel
of Adrian judges and selected heroes will be honored weekly online
leading up to the Adrian entry period, as well as at the 2021
Adrian Awards celebration. To submit a nomination, please visit
HSMAI Hospitality Heroes.
The Adrian Awards spotlight excellence in hospitality
advertising, digital marketing, and public relations. The 64th
Annual Adrian Awards competition opens October 1st, 2020. To learn more about the 64th
Annual Adrian Awards, visit http://www.adrianawards.com.
About HSMAI
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International
(HSMAI) is committed to growing business for hotels and their
partners and is the industry's leading advocate for intelligent,
sustainable hotel revenue growth. The association provides hotel
professionals and their partners with tools, insights, and
expertise to fuel sales, inspire marketing, and optimize revenue
through programs such as the Adrian Awards, HSMAI ROC, Marketing
Strategy Conference, and Sales Leader Forum. Founded in 1927, HSMAI
is a membership organization comprising more than 5,000 members
worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. Connect with
HSMAI at hsmai.org, HSMAI Facebook, HSMAI Twitter, and HSMAI
YouTube.
SOURCE HSMAI