The OH&LA held its annual Lodging Summit, including the Vendor Expo and Stars of the Industry Awards, on January 16 at the Embassy Suites Norman Hotel & Conference Center - and it was a great day by every measure. Close to 200 OH&LA members and guests registered for and took part in the day’s events and, thanks to the superb Embassy Suites team, the event was an outstanding success.
The OH&LA Annual Membership and Board of Directors meeting took place in the morning, and Bryan Davis of the Courtyard by Marriott Downtown OKC was elected as 2018 Chair. AH&LA's Senior Vice President of Operations, Kimberly Miles, CAE, CMP addressed attendees and outlined AH&LA’s identified initiatives for 2018.
Immediately following, attendees joined a host of OH&LA Allied members and guests for the Vendor Expo, highlighting the products and services of 23 suppliers to the industry. The Expo provided an opportunity for many to acquire new business, as well as mingle with current customers in support of the association's objectives. Buyers attending the Expo were eligible for prize drawings provided by exhibitors. This year's Vendor Expo participants included 2nd Wind Exercise; AES Lighting; Aromascapes, LLC ; Arrow Machinery Company; Auto-Chlor System; Ben E. Keith Company; Cash Management Systems LLC; Clearwater Enterprises; Cox Business Services; Edelman Lyon Company; HD Supply; Heartland Payment Systems; Hive Staffing; McGregor Insurance Group; Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Assn./Lodging Mgt. Program; OKWIL; Phoenix Restoration; Proctor and Gamble; Professional Insurers; STR; Total Beverage Services; United Linen; and US Foods.
Our Silent Auction had new and exciting items and raised nearly $2,400, proceeds which benefit OH&LA member educational programming. A huge thanks to all of our attendees that bid on our great auction packages, and special thanks to all of our Silent Auction donors: Colcord Hotel; Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown; Embassy Suites Oklahoma City Downtown; Grand Casino Hotel & Resort; Hampton Inn & Suites; Hyatt Regency Tulsa; Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association; OSU – HTM; PostOak Lodge & Retreat; Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center; Riverwind Hotel; Seaglass Fine Art Photography; Shangri-La Golf Club, Resort & Marina; The Skirvin Hilton; Tinker Federal Credit Union; Traditions Spirits; and Wyndham Garden Hotel OKC Airport.
Excitement was at an all time high during our Stars of the Industry Award presentations, emceed by board members Rebecca Eastham, Meridian Technology Center, and David Davis, OSU School of Hospitality & Tourism Management.
Ten Oklahoma lodging professionals were recognized for their outstanding contributions to Oklahoma’s lodging industry. You can read our special salute to the Stars of the Industry Award recipients
here.
It was a wonderful day, and we look forward to celebrating the Lodging Summit again in 2019.
