Caribbean Hotelier of the Year

Transcription

1 CARIBBEAN HOTEL AND TOURISM ASSOCIATION Caribbean Hotelier of the Year The Caribbean Hotelier of the Year Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association, recognizes excellence in Caribbean hotel operations by demonstrating superior achievement in: Resort Operations, Food & Beverage, Marketing and Sales, Resort Maintenance, Staff Training and Motivation, Innovative Management, Environmental Practices, Community Affairs, and Involvement with National and Regional (CHTA) lodging industry associations. We invite National Hotel Associations to submit their local nominee for this prestigious award. NOMINEE INFORMATION: (Please print clearly or type) Nominee s Name: Title: Hotel: National Hotel Association: SELECTION CRITERIA Must be an active and current CHTA member engaged in the day-to-day operation of a hotel/resort to be considered and rated in accord with the criteria listed below. Community Affairs Involvement including Innovation, Environmental Practices, Community Affairs, Involvement in respective National Hotel Association and Involvement in CHTA 60% Operations including Hotel Management, Food & Beverage Management, Sales & Marketing, Hotel Maintenance and Staff Training and Motivation I. NOMINATION SUPPORT MATERIAL Briefly explain why or how this candidate has excelled in the following areas. Attach to this application all supporting materials. Maximum allowed pages, including support material: 8 pages. 40% II. ACHIEVEMENTS IN COMMUNITY AFFAIRS INVOLVEMENT, BOTH ON A LOCAL AND REGIONAL LEVEL. A. A proven commitment to the promotion of hospitality and tourism on a regional level including participation in the mission of CHTA (to advance the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Industry). (Has the nominee Association projects and issues?) B. Level of involvement with the National Hotel Association shown leadership and involvement in C. A proven commitment to community affairs and the promotion of hospitality and tourism at a local level: (Does the nominee have good relations with civic, social, government and industry leaders? Has the nominee served on community organizations? Does the nominee project a positive image for the industry in the community at large?) III. ACHIEVEMENTS IN CARIBBEAN HOTEL OPERATIONS A. Operational Management (Front desk, reservations, housekeeping, repairs & maintenance, meeting services) B. Food & Beverage Management (Cost control, menu planning, use of Caribbean food products, restaurant décor, theme planning) C. Marketing and Sales (Sales promotion, advertising, public relations, printed materials, etc.) D. Hotel Maintenance (Building & Grounds, timely renovations, innovations and improving visual appeal of property) E. Staff Training and Motivation (Procedures programs undertaken to improve professional level of staff incentive programs, etc.) F. Innovation & Creative Management (Innovative ideas unique to the industry that have been adapted at the hotel e.g. building design, guest relations programs, themes, etc.) G. Environmental Practices (environmental management & stewardship, conservation of natural resources, environmental awareness, infrastructure & technology, energy conservation, health & safety, etc.) IV. BRIEFLY DESCRIBE WHY THIS CANDIDATE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR THE CARIBBEAN HOTELIER OF THE YEAR AWARD. Nomination Submitted By: Name: Title: Association/Property/Company: Tel: ( ) Fax: ( ) Address: Submission Information: Nominations must be received by the Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association no later than December 30, Attention: Martha Valdivia Supporting documentation can be received electronically and must be received by CHTA no later than January 15, For questions or additional information please contact us at: Tel: martha@caribbeanhotelandtourism.com Website: For more information, please visit our website at Page 1

2 March 14, 2014 The dictionary defines hospitality as the act of generously providing care and kindness to whomever is in need. At El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village, A Waldorf Astoria Resort, that definition is personified in Mr. Dermot Connolly, our Managing Director. From the early morning hours to burning the midnight oil, Mr. Connolly tirelessly devotes his day to customer service. His devotion is not only something that he preaches to the associates at the resort but instead exemplifies by his actions to both external and internal customers. Although his days may be filled with the normal duties of a Managing Director; Mr. Connolly is frequently seen throughout the resort performing tasks in various departments that guests confuse him for one of our associates until they realize he is the Managing Director. As a leader Mr. Connolly sets an example for all of us from helping to bus tables at our morning buffet restaurant, to quickly moving to the bell stand to assist with luggage for departing guests, and then off to a guestroom to ensure an engineering project was in full swing. These among many other examples give you a small sampling of how hands on Mr. Connolly is when it comes to providing outstanding service to all of our guests on a daily basis. A resort of this magnitude commands a large number of meeting and convention business. Mr. Connolly takes the time to not only personally greet arriving meeting planners on sites, but he joins them on their tour of the resort, proudly showcasing the expansive grounds, multiple activities and state of the art meeting facilities as if he were the actual Sales Manager handling the account. Dinner with the client is also part of his agenda he knows and understands that convention business represents the livelihood of the resort and our 1,500+ associates and concessionaires. A group of 500 corporate guests from the U.S. will generate multiple jobs both at the resort and for our supporting vendors throughout the island. Upon arriving to El Conquistador Resort, he asked our Sales Team on how we could add focus to business from Europe and Latin America and enhance our presence in these countries while also promoting Puerto Rico. In December 2011, Mr. Connolly helped our Sales team successfully secure a group from Nike European Operations, representing 2,460 room nights to the resort with guests traveling from all over the globe. This critical piece of conventions business allowed us to open additional doors for the resort with European tour operators and also helped increase exposure to the retail sector of business. An advocate for health and wellness, Mr. Connolly is an avid cyclist. His day starts before sunrise as he goes for his one hour short run (of 18 miles) and is back in time to lead our daily manager line-up meeting each morning. Mr. Connolly also participates in the annual La Vuelta Puerto Rico Bike run which is a

3 three day ride around Puerto Rico, covering over 375 miles. Our resort is one of the rest stops for this island wide event and we proudly sponsor a re-fuel and hydrate point for 600 cyclists before they continue on their journey around Puerto Rico. His passion for cycling has also lead to one of our sustainability initiatives which encourages our team member to ride to work in an effort to not only improve our impact on the environment but to also improve the health and conditioning of our team. During his leadership, the green initiatives at the resort have flourished as he has initiated an effort to increase our sustainability practices while creating revenue generating concepts and reducing waste. For example, the hotel has reduced the waste stream with cardboard recycling which in 2013 accounted for $75,000 in revenue. The fry oil recovery program and food composting also provided closed to $50,000 in additional revenues while increasing our waste water treatment efficiency. Under the Going Green by Staying in the Black concept, the hotel has embraced a 360 degree campaign and culture change in the organization. All associates are educated on the costs of energy and water. On the daily line-ups, the water and electricity consumption for the prior day is read and explain. Some of the conservation efforts and improvements include enhancing the proprietary waste treatment facilities used to irrigate the golf course and lawns; $11 million in HVAC and systems control to gain efficiencies and minimize electricity waste; promote sustainable and locally grown produce; reusable kitchen and serving utensils and wares; recycling at Palomino Island; wellness and Scoutabout children s program which encourages learning, recycling and exercise. The replacement of the boiler system has benefitted our gas and water consumption. Mr. Connolly has been able to create a culture of savings by installing more efficient systems, educating the employee base on the energy costs through a green initiative that also promotes the resorts sustainability platform and social responsibility. The immediate results have been a 50% savings of an estimated $650,000 in utilities. All these efforts have helped alleviate the increasing operational costs of the 984 room resort, while continuing to provide True Waldorf Service to our guests. All in all, the entire team at El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village agrees that Mr. Connolly possesses the 10 key traits of leadership: loyalty, bravery, strategic knowledge, diligence, trustworthiness, good health, responsibility, ingenuity, knowledge of the teachings of passion and service, gifted speech and the most special of all he shows up when you NEVER expect him to. Our team is truly honored to have him represent the El Conquistador Resort & Las Casitas Village family.

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9 Dermot is a board member of Meet Puerto Rico and it's Finance Committee; PRHTA (large hotels); the DMO and its Marketing Committee. He is an avid cyclist and tri-athlete devoting time and resources to promoting Puerto Rico as a destination for competitions. El Conquistador is a sponsor of La Vuelta, an annual cycling event. He encourages team members to include exercise in their activities and has teamed up with associates on many charity races in PR. Thanks to his efforts in the aftermath of hurricane Maria, several areas of Fajardo received running water and electricity including the local shelter for displaced citizens.