OH&LA Lodging Summit a Huge Success - Highlights from Event

   
The OH&LA held its annual Lodging Summit, including the Vendor Expo and Stars of the Industry Awards, on January 15 at the Hilton Garden Inn Edmond - and it was a great day by every measure. Over 225 OH&LA members and guests registered for and took part in the day’s events which offered much in the way of activities.  

The OH&LA Annual Membership and Board of Directors meeting took place in the morning, and Ryan Parker of the Riverwind Hotel/Traditions Spirits was elected as 2019 Chair. Attendees of the meeting were personally introduced to OH&LA's new total compensation (wage and benefits) survey specially designed for the hospitality industry by LobbyLights, LLC. Kevin Conway, Manager Participation Development demonstrated how OH&LA members, at no cost can access the in-depth compensation data which will assists hotels in benchmarking to competitors, budgeting, hiring, lowering turnover and improving retention rates. 
 
Immediately following, attendees joined a host of OH&LA Allied members and guests for the Vendor Expo, highlighting the products and services of 26 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 including the Oklahoma Chapter of Women In Lodging's 50/25/25 Raffle! This year's Vendor Expo was the most successful yet as exhibitors included Aromascapes, LLC; Arrow Machinery Company; Auto-Chlor System; Blackmon Mooring; Cash Management Systems LLC; Clearwater Enterprises; Coryell Roofing & Construction; Cox Business Services; Greater Texas Commercial Insurance Agency; HD Supply; Heartland; LobbyLights; McGregor Insurance Group; Megasys Hospitality Solutions; Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association; OKWIL; Proctor and Gamble; Push, Pedal and Pull-Oklahoma; ServiceMASTER Restoration; Shake, Rattle & Roll; STR;  Supply Works; Total Beverage Services; Travis Voice & Data; United Linen & Uniform Services; and US Foods.

Our Silent Auction had new and exciting items and raised over $4,500, 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: Aloft OKC Downtown-Bricktown & New Century Hotels; Atrium Hospitality - Embassy Suites Norman; Courtyard Oklahoma City Downtown; Coury Hospitality; Love’s Travel Stop; OSU-HTM; POSTOAK Lodge & Retreat; River Spirit Casino; Shangri-La; Skirvin Hilton Hotel; Springhill Suites Del City; The Embassy Suites Downtown/Medical Center; Tinker Federal Credit Union; Traditions Spirits; and Wyndham Garden Oklahoma City Airport.
 
Prior to the exciting Stars of the Industry Award presentations, Lt. Governor Matt Pinnell made his first keynote after being inaugurated just one day prior. "You are my people" Pinnell stated as he reiterated how important tourism is to the state's economy.  Jennifer Burgess-Wright, OKWIL Chair, named Mike Farney of Champion Hotels and Tia Shaw of the Hilton Garden Inn Lawton-Ft. Sill as the winners of the OKWIL 50/25/25 raffle drawing, and announced Bea Silva of the Skirvin Hilton Hotel the recipient of the OKWIL LAS Scholarship. Bea will attend the event with the Oklahoma delegation in September. 
 
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.
 
OH&LA would like to thank the superb team of the Hilton Garden Inn for the outstanding hospitality. Members were very impressed by this new facility managed by Jesse Krewell, GM.

It was a wonderful day, and we look forward to celebrating the Lodging Summit again in 2020 - tentatively planned for the Hyatt Regency Tulsa on January 14th.