Honoring Oklahoma’s Leading Hospitality Professionals

2018 • 23nd Annual

OH&LA

Ja n u a r y 1 6 , 2 0 1 8E m b a s s y S u i t e s . N o r m a n

SYSTEM

Innovation Awardpresented by

Outstanding General Manager of the Year (Large Property)presented by

Outstanding General Manager of the Year (Small Property)presented by

Outstanding Lodging Employeeof the Year (Small Property)presented by

Outstanding Lodging Employeeof the Year (Large Property)presented by

Outstanding Roomkeeper of the Year presented by

Outstanding Food & Beverage Employee of the Year presented by

Outstanding Manager/Supervisor of the Year presented by

Outstanding Front Desk Employee of the Year presented by

Outstanding OKWIL Leader of the Year presented by

Partners

1.800.259.6808

The OH&LA presents this Annual Award Competition, which was created to honor the outstanding professionals in Oklahoma’s lodging industry. The awards are presented to individuals and properties that epitomize the service and spirit of our industry. This competition is open to all OH&LA member properties; independent or franchise, and their employees.

Who May SubMit ForMS?Official nomination forms are mailed to all OH&LA member owners, general managers and human resource managers. We urge each member property to nominate one employee in each of the eight individual categories, plus two property categories. Although, properties may submit only one employee nomination per category, a property may enter a different employee in each category if they wish. Candidates nominated in previous years are eligible for re-nomination. Please DO NOT have several members of your management team submit duplicate nominations for employees. All entries must include a quality head and shoulder color photo of the nominee (preferably electronic, .tif or .jpg.) All entries must be postmarked or received by the OH&LA office on or before November 9, 2017. Entries received after November 9th will not be considered. For more information, please call Linda Etherton at 405-942-6462. Do NOT send nominations directly to AH&LA.

LocaL aWard JudgingThe OH&LA receives nominations, including support materials, and verifies that all entries are in compliance with state entry rules and that the property’s member status is current. All categories will be judged and award recipients will be selected by an impartial panel of judges comprised of tourism and lodging industry professionals as well as hospitality industry academia. All judges are ineligible, as are their employees or properties.

aWard PreSentationS All award recipients will be kept confidential until they are announced at the Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon, which is held to honor all nominees and award recipients. Participating properties are encouraged to bring each of their nominees to the awards presentation for stage and certificate recognition. The award luncheon is scheduled for Tuesday, January 16, 2018 at the Embassy Suites, Norman. All nominees will be announced to the stage and will be presented a Certificate of Recognition and a Star of the Industry lapel pin recognizing their nomination. All award recipients will also receive a certificate and commemorative photo, as well as recognition in local and state trade publications.

nationaL recognitionNot only will award recipients receive state and local recognition, but each recipient's name will be submitted to the American Hotel & Lodging Association for consideration in the national "Stars of the Industry Awards" competition. You may submit nominees for additional AH&LA achievement awards not listed in OH&LA's competition by contacting Lauren Pravlik at lpravlik@ahla.com. National winners will be notified by the AH&LA, and will receive commemorative award during a major AH&LA event next year.

coMPLiance With oh&La and ah&La entry ruLeSSimply follow the rules and criteria. See “Tips for Submitting an Award-Winning Nomination.” Complete one official nomination form (enclosed) per employee or property. All award recipients are judged for outstanding accomplishments in calendar year 2017. For each category nominated, explain in at least three paragraphs, but not more than two pages, why this nomination should be considered. For the benefit of your nominee, please remember to provide details and specific examples that support the category’s criteria. Any support materials that substantiate the nomination, such as photos, guest comment cards or letters, news clippings, company newsletters, booklets and other examples must be submitted in an organized, easy-to-judge format. All entries must include a quality head and shoulder color photo of the nominee (preferably electronic, .tif or .jpg.). You can either upload them online or email digital photos to Linda@okrestaurants.com. Although we appreciate nominations that are professionally prepared and submitted, all judging is based solely on the merit of the nominee and not whether the nomination was prepared by a professional marketing firm. Do NOT send nominations directly to AH&LA. No binders please. All materials submitted become the property of OH&LA and will not be returned. Each property submitting nominations must be an OH&LA member in good standing. Properties may submit only one employee nomination per category, although a property may enter employees in each category if they wish. All entries must be received by the OH&LA office on or before November 9th, 2017. Entries received after November 9th will not be considered.

Nomination Rules, Judging and AwardsSTARSSTARS of the Industry Awards Nomination Form

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InnovatIon award - Our industry thrives on innovation. It’s what elevates the guest experience and propels us forward. This NEW award honors a property, company or individual that drives fresh thinking and inspires a culture of innovation. To nominate a person, property or a company, tell us how they’ve initiated innovative practices and helped create a climate that encourages others to do the same.

outstandIng general Manager of the Year - sMall and large ProPertYFor the sake of this competition, Small property is defined as any property with 150 or less rooms. Large property is defined as any property with 151 rooms or more.

The Outstanding General Manager of the Year award provides properties with an opportunity to recognize a general manager who has demonstrated outstanding contributions of leadership, service, and community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on:

-Leadership & Employee Relations -Exceeds/Meets Management Objectives -Consideration of Guest Needs -Industry & Community Involvement -Certification & Continued Education Certification designations such as Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA) will be given additional consideration, but are not mandatory.

outstandIng lodgIng eMPloYee of the Year - sMall and large ProPertYFor the sake of this competition, Small property is defined as any property with 150 or less rooms. Large property is defined as any property 151 rooms or more.

This category is open to management and non-management positions and gives OH&LA member lodging properties the chance to recognize an employee from any department who goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominees are judged on:

-Professionalism & Teamwork -Performance Above & Beyond -Unusual Contributions to Service -Meeting Guest Needs -Community Involvement -Certifications & Continued Education

Certification designations will be given additional consideration, but are not mandatory.

outstandIng Manager/suPervIsor of the YearThis management only nominee may come from any area of the hotel. The Outstanding Manager/Supervisor of the Year award recognizes exceptional performance by any salaried manager or hourly supervisor (e.g., convention services, food & beverage, front desk, sales, accounting, housekeeping and chefs or kitchens, etc). Nominees are judged on:

-Outstanding and Unusual Service to Guests -Meets Management Objectives -Respected by Co-Workers -Community Involvement -Unique contributions to property management -Certifications & Continued Education (new strategies, initiatives, etc.)

Certification designations will be given additional consideration, but are not mandatory. Owners and General Managers are not eligible for this category.

outstandIng food & Beverage eMPloYee of the YearoutstandIng front desk eMPloYee of the YearoutstandIng rooMkeePer of the YearThe above mentioned categories provide properties with an opportunity to recognize exemplary professionalism and exceptional service by an employee in a non-management position. Nominees are judged on:

-Outstanding Service to Property -Outstanding Service to Guest Needs -Performance Above & Beyond -Initiative -Certifications & Continued Education

Certification designations will be given additional consideration, but are not mandatory.

outstandIng okwIl leader of the YearThis award is given to a female hospitality professional who serves as a leader and role model within the hotel community. This nominee MUST be a member of AH&LA and OKWIL. This award is not about your amount of experience or your title, but rather how you've spent your time in the industry. Candidates should describe noteworthy accomplishments, leadership roles, volunteer positions and personal initiative. Nominees can be either self or peer-nominated. Nominees are judged on:

-Outstanding Service to Property -Outstanding Volunteer Service to Community -Leadership Roles in the Hotel Industry -Service as a Role Model or Mentor to others in industry -Accomplishments -Examples of being a Community/Industry "Difference-Maker"

Category Criteria Provide specific examples that support the following criteria.

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Tips for submiTTing an award-winning nominaTion• Refer to the www.oklahomahotels.org for information. Download the "How to Develop and Submit an Award-Winning Nomination" tutorial. • READ the Nomination Brochure & Rules in its entirety.• Complete the nomination form online at www.oklahomahotels.org.• Contact the OH&LA if you’re unclear on any portion of the instructions.• Identify your nominee(s) proper category.• Submit nominee information for accomplishments realized in the required year (2017) and based on the category’s specific criteria and judging elements.• READ THE CRITERIA AND USE SPECIFICS WHEN ANSWERING ALL THE POINTS OF CRITERIA! It is not enough just to state that the employee is “outstanding.”• List any hotel or community awards that the employee has earned and currently retains.• Include industry certifications the employee has earned and currently retains, plus how they have dedicated the last year to continuing their industry education. • Submit support materials to further substantiate your nominees qualifications.• Remember, it takes more than a simple paragraph to sum up the traits and accomplishments of a Star of the Industry! Unsubstantiated nominations have less chance of being selected as the most outstanding nominee.• Don't forget to submit a quality head and shoulder color photo of the nominee (preferably electronic, .tif or .jpg. Photos become the property of the OH&LA and cannot be returned. • Before mailing your nomination, READ the category’s criteria and judging elements once more to make sure you have compiled a complete nomination.

SYSTEM

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sponsored by

Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association

1.800.259.6808

1. NOMINEE INFORMATION:

Name of Nominee ____________________________________________________________________

Nominee Position/Title _________________________________________________________________

Nominee Number of Years Experience in Lodging Industry ____________________________________

Nominee Property ____________________________________________________________________

Number of Rooms Number of Employees ____________________________

Address ____________________________________________________________________________

City, State, Zip _________________________________________________________________

Continued on next page...

Official Nomination Form

SUBMITTED BY: Name (Owner, GM, or HR Mgr.)

Company _______________________________________

Phone Ext. FAX

E-mail

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ALL ENTRIES BECOME THE PROPERTY OF THEOklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association - Attn: Linda Etherton

3800 North Portland Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 Phone 405.942.6462

Check items as they are completed. Numbered items correspond to required items listed below –

q 1. Nominee Information q 2. Select Category q 3. Develop & type nomination based on chosen category criteria outlined on page 3 of nomination bookletq 4. Send MANDATORY photo (e-mail to linda@okrestaurants.com or submit by mail) q 5. Send Supporting Material (if any, e-mail to linda@okrestaurants.com or submit by mail)

OKLAHOMA HOTEL & LODGING ASSOCIATION

Only one nomination per form. Photocopy as needed for additional nominations. Each nomination MUST have a completed Nomination Page plus specific category information.

All nominations must be received in the OH&LA office on or before November 9th, 2017

SUBMIT ALL ENTRIES & PHOTOS TO LINDA ETHERTON c/o OH&LA:3800 N. Portland • Oklahoma City, OK 73112 • (405) 942-6462 x 224

linda@okrestaurants.com

All nominations must be received in the OH&LA office on or before November 9th. Nominations received after November 9th will not be considered.

Please DO NOT FAX nominations or support materials!

3. Develop & type nomination based on chosen category criteria outlined on page 3 of this Nomination Booklet: For each nomination, explain on a separate sheet of paper in at least one page, but not more than two typed pages, why this nominee should be considered based on the category’s specific criteria and judging elements listed on PAGE 3. Submit nominee information for accomplishments realized in the required year (2016). Do not submit nominations in a binder. Although we appreciate nominations that are professionally prepared and submitted, all judging is based solely on the merit of the nominee and not the appearance of the presentation.

4. Send MANDATORY photo (upload online with nomination or e-mail to linda@okrestaurants.com)

5. Send Supporting Material (if any, e-mail to linda@okrestaurants.com or submit by mail with nomination) Include any support materials that substantiate the nomination, such as photos, guest comment cards and letters, news clippings and other evidence (e.g., company newsletters, advertisements, booklets, videos) for consideration by the judges. Support materials may be uploaded online, mailed or e-mailed to linda@okrestaurants.com

STARSSTARS of the Industry Awards Nomination Form Continued...

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2. Select Category (only check one category per nomination):q Outstanding Food & Beverage Employee of the Year (non-management category)q Outstanding Front Desk Employee of the Year (non-management category) q Outstanding Roomkeeper of the Year (non-management category)q Outstanding Manager/Supervisor of the Yearq Outstanding General Manager of the Year - (Large Property)q Outstanding General Manager of the Year - (Small Property)q Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year - (Large Property)q Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year - (Small Property)q Innovation Award- (this is a new property or individual category) q Outstanding OKWIL Leader of the Year (MUST be a member of AH&LA and OKWIL)