San Francisco Hotel Employees Honored

Business Wire, March 26, 2007

Hotel Council Announces Nominees; Winners to Be Announced on March 27

SAN FRANCISCO -- Tina Turner once sang "We Don't Need Another Hero;" but that was probably because Ms. Turner had not met the excellent employees who work in the San Francisco Hotel Industry, who are heroes every day.

On Tuesday, March 27, the Hotel Council of San Francisco will honor employees of its member hotels at the fourth annual "Hotel Hero" Awards Dinner. At the dinner, which will be held at the Palace Hotel, awards will be given for "Unsung Hero," "Rising Star" and "Beyond the Call of Duty," as well as the achievement awards for innovation and community service and three lifetime achievement awards.

"All the individuals that have been nominated are heroes for dedicating their lives to customer service," said Patricia Breslin, Executive Director of the Hotel Council of San Francisco. "As the second largest employer in San Francisco, we are recognizing the very people that are responsible for keeping San Francisco as America's favorite travel destination in the city's number one industry -- hospitality."

"Hospitality is the largest industry in San Francisco; it is so great that the 4th Annual Hotel Hero Awards celebrates this fact and honors the line-level employees who make this industry so successful," remarked Toni Knorr, Vice-President of the Hotel Council of San Francisco and General Manager of the W San Francisco. "Four years ago, Chip Conley, Founder & CEO of Joie de Vivre Hospitality determined that it was time for the industry to get together to celebrate our achievements and to recognize people who have made outstanding commitments to the industry."

"The Hotel Council is very proud of these hard working employees who are nominated for these awards," said Clem Esmail, President of the San Francisco Hotel Council and General Manager of the Palace Hotel. "Our congratulations go out to these employees and properties for their excellent contributions to the local San Francisco hotel industry."

The following are the awards that will be presented on March 27:

Beyond the Call of Duty Award: The Beyond the Call of Duty Award recognizes an employee who goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominees are judged on outstanding and unusual service to the property, to the guests, and to the community.

Unsung Hero Award: The Unsung Hero Award is given to the hotel workers who work in the "back of the house" who provide excellent customer service that add to the hotel guest experience.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Three lifetime achievement awards will recognize individuals who have shown a lifetime of dedication to the hotel industry. Awards will be in the following categories: Operations, Department Manager and Hotel Executive.

Community Spirit Award: Community Spirit Award is given to the hotel that demonstrates to residents, neighbors and community members that the individual hotel is responsive to the local community. Hotel Council members have made it a priority to be involved in the local San Francisco community.

In 2006, members donated goods, funds or volunteer hours to more than 75 different non-profit organizations, including GLIDE Memorial, San Francisco Food Bank, St. Mary's, Homeless Connect, St. Anthony Dining Room, and AIDS Walk-a-Thons. Hotels also donate rooms to non-profits, donate gift certificates and work with national organizations such as Special Olympics, American Heart Association, Toys for Tots, Salvation Army and the American Cancer Society.

Innovation Award: Innovation Award is given to the hotel that has used the most innovative approaches to improving the customer experience in a San Francisco based hotel.

The Hotel Hero Award is open to any employee at a San Francisco Hotel. The winners are selected by a five member panel made up of representatives in the hospitality industry. Winners will receive an original Hotel Hero Award Sculpture by local artist, Douglas Brett, and other prizes such as airline tickets, Giants tickets, dining certificates and weekend hotel stays.

The Hotel Council of San Francisco is a non-profit organization representing all segments of the lodging industry. It includes as its members major San Francisco hotel properties, large and small as well as allied members representing companies who work with the hotel industry. For more information on the Hotel Heroes please visit www.hotelheroes.com.

For a full list of awards, sponsors, and finalists please visit www.hotelheroes.com.