12/04/2024
2024 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala
OHLA's Annual Conference was definitely one to remember as attendees helped us discover the possibilities for our industry's future!
We welcomed nearly 350 lodging professionals, Allied Members, speakers, students and industry partners from across the country to the Champion Mill Conference Center & Warehouse Hotel in Hamilton, Ohio. Only the second of its kind in the country, attendees got the chance to experience the full conference center, a Unique Lodging of Ohio hotel property, retail shops and sporting complex totaling over one million square feet.
Not to be outdone by the venue itself, the education was just as awe-inspiring, thought-provoking, and informative. Ready to kick off the conference was the personable & funny, Dr. Sherene McHenry as she taught our audience about Boosting Engagement & Leading the Five Types of People. Audiences appreciated her fresh perspective on leadership and how she connected with everyone in the room!
Returning this year on Monday was our series of exhibitor breaks complete with 25 booths representing OHLA Allied Members - both long-time partners and some new faces! Exhibitors definitely explored the possibilities this year by bringing the fun, with headshots, selfie stations, t-shirt making, games and more! If you did not get a chance to meet our vendors in this time-saving setting, be sure to check them out on here on our conference website.
Breakout sessions included education for every position in a property from front desk safety and the orientation process, to prospecting techniques and fair flexibility for associates.
Attendees got to hear from our Dynamic Duo of Lara Wilken & Tracy McGinely on our industry's role in the fight to end human trafficking and the importance taking an active approach at the property level. To close out on Tuesday the inspirational, Dustin Dale, took the 2024 OHLA Conference to completion by empowering attendees to THRIVE not survive & giving everyone a boost of adrenaline to start 2025 strong!
In saving the best for last, the unforgettable Ohio Stars of the Industry Dinner certainly made an impression as guests enjoyed the energetic performance of AW Duo: Amber Knicole & Walter K of MojoFlo. After some singing and dancing by the audience the tone was set for the reveal of our statewide Stars of the Industry award winners. All of the winning narratives can be found in the Stars of the Industry Awards booklet given out after the event. If you didn't get your copy, request one by emailing emily@ohla.org.
The OHLA professional staff would like to thank the host venue, sponsors, volunteers, and all who helped make the conference possible.
Congratulations to our 2024 Ohio Stars recipients!
| ★ JOSE MARIN Courtyard Columbus Easton Hotel Pro SEL Housekeeper of the Year |
★ MARY PETERSON Hilton Columbus at Easton Hotel Pro Full-Service Housekeeper of the Year |
| ★ KIMBERLY REID Courtyard Columbus Dublin Attendant/Host of the Year |
★ ALAN KENDRICKS Hyatt Regency Cincinnati F&B Team Member of the Year |
| ★ RUSSELL VORCE Courtyard Columbus Dublin SEL Front Desk Associate of the Year |
★ TIM GRIME Sauder Heritage Inn & Campground Full-Service Front Desk Associate of the Year |
| ★ CARLOS JOHNSON SpringHill Suites Cincinnati Midtown TransFORM Construction SEL Engineer of the Year |
★ ROB ORLOWSKI Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel TransFORM Construction Full-Service Engineer of the Year |
| ★ DEBORAH WIGGINS Aloft Cleveland Beachwood ServPro of NE Columbus Jack of All Trades Award |
★ TIMOTHY DIONISIO Hilton Columbus at Easton ServPro of NE Columbus Supervisor/Manager of the Year |
| ★ WENDY TYSON Hyatt Regency Columbus Sedgwick Service Superstar of the Year |
★ ANNA PLOGMAN Fairfield Inn & Suites Cincinnati Uptown/University Area HSMAI Ohio Sales Leader of the Year |
| ★ SHANE EWALD SpringHill Suites & TownePlace Suites Columbus Easton Area BMS CAT SEL General Manager of the Year |
★ BRIAN SHANLE Kalahari Resorts & Conventions - Sandusky BMS CAT Full-Service General Manager of the Year |
| ★ THE INTERCONTINENTAL CLEVELAND CLUSTER Charitable & Community Involvement Award |
★ IHG CLEVELAND CLUSTER IGS Energy Hospitality Leadership Team of the Year |
| ★ STANDARD TEXTILE Allied Member of the Year |
★ ALAN HARDWAY SJB Hotels Heart of Hospitality Volunteer of the Year |
| ★ INN OF CHAGRIN Unique Lodging of Ohio Property of the Year |