Women are key players in new Hilton Garden Inn

Toledo Business Journal, Sep 2008

Seven women played key roles in building The Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons, which opened last month. Dillin Corp., master developer of Levis Commons and part owner of the new hotel; Gateway Hospitality Group, developer and operator of the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons; Kaczmar Architects Inc.; and Rudolph/Libbe Inc. all have women in what may be considered a "non-traditional role" in the construction industry.

* Robin Whitney: owner's representative, senior vice president of development, Dillin Corp. Project lead for the ownership team, managing all design and construction related issues.

* Margaret Hill: director of purchasing, Gateway Hospitality Group. Responsible for acquisition, budgeting, scheduling, and installation of all furniture, and equipment.

* Tari DeWille: director of design, Gateway Hospitality Group. Responsible for all of the interior design for the project.

* Betsy Gavin: director of sales, Gateway Hospitality Group. Responsible for the sales and marketing of the hotel and the conference center.

* Christine Raymond, AlA architect: Kaczmar Architects Inc. in Cleveland. Lead architect for the project

* Tammy Euler: superintendent, Rudolph/Libbe Inc. Overseeing on-site construction.

* Cheryl Hardy: marketing consultant, Hardy Communications. Creation and implementation of the marketing strategy and the public relations efforts.

"We're very lucky and pleased to have such dynamic and experienced women on our team in an industry that is thought to be very male oriented," stated Larry Dillin, president of Dillin Corp. "Robin [Whitney] has been with our company for many years and leads the delivery of design and construction services for our projects."

The Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons is an upscale, mid-priced hotel featuring 184 guestrooms, including 10 suites. According to the hotel, it caters to business travelers by offering business necessities including complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access, remote printing to the hotel's 24-hour complimentary business center, as well as flexible meeting space with high-tech capabilities.

Business-oriented features of the guest rooms also include an ergonomic Mirra(R) chair by Herman Miller, a large work desk with desk-level outlets, adjustable lighting, and two speaker telephones equipped with data ports and voice mail.

"This is such a magnificent hotel for this area as we're located in the entertainment district of Levis Commons," stated Izzet Sozeri, hotel general manager. "For planners and groups looking to book meetings, the Hilton Garden Inn Toledo / Perrysburg features 18,000 square feet of flexible meeting space for any type of function as well as an event center and 10,000 square foot ballroom that can accommodate up to 800 people."

For the other travelers just passing through or as part of a conference or special event, the Hilton Garden Inn at Levis Commons offers the Garden Sleep SystemTM bed, a high-definition flat screen television, and a clock that allows guests to play their MP3s or hook up a portable CD player.

Additional amenities at the hotel include an indoor swimming pool and whirlpool, an onsite guest laundry facility, and the Great American Grill restaurant / cafe, which serves a full breakfast. There is also a workout facility, and guests can receive a reduced daily rate across the street at St. Julian's Fitness.

Gateway Hospitality Group of Twinsburg, Ohio manages the hotel. The facility is its third hotel property in Ohio and its 15th in the United States.

"I can not say enough about the women we have on our staff," added Bob Voelker, CEO of Gateway Hospitality Group. "In addition to those working on the construction site, we have a wonderful group of employees, many of whom are women and we simply couldn't do what we do without them."

The design of the seven-story hotel, including the atrium lobby and suspended glass porte-cochere arrival, is customized for Levis Commons.

"The architectural character of the Hilton reflects the high level of design and construction standards already established at Levis Commons," stated Christine Raymond, lead architect for the Hilton Garden Inn. "We re-worked the basic concept to create a more urban streetscape arrival and added some substantial architectural elements that [gives] it a distinctive look. It is also a very functional hotel for both the guests and operations."

Kaczmar Architects, Inc. of Cleveland and Paresi Design/Studio of California collaborated to create the design.

"We have been anticipating the hotel and conference center for some time," Dillin stated. "It's an exciting addition to Levis Commons and [offers] amenities that complement the lifestyle created here."