The OH&LA held its annual Lodging Summit, including the Vendor Expo and Stars of the Industry Awards, on January 19 at the Embassy Suites OKC Downtown/Medical Center - and had record numbers all around. Close to 250 OH&LA members and guests registered for and took part in the day’s events and, thanks to the superb Embassy Suites team, the event was an outstanding success.

 

The OH&LA Annual Membership and Board of Directors meeting took place in the morning, and Dena Jones of Champion Hotels was elected as 2016 Chair. Vanessa Sinders, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs for the AH&LA addressed attendees and outlined AH&LA’s identified initiatives for 2016.

 

Immediately following, attendees joined a host of OH&LA Allied members and guests for the Vendor Expo, highlighting the products and services of 28 suppliers to the industry. The “best Vendor Expo yet," as it was described by several exhibitors, 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. This year's Vendor Expo participants included 2nd Wind Exercise; Aromascapes LLC; Arrow Machinery Company; Auto-Chlor System; Blackmon Mooring; Bedré Chocolates/Chickasaw Nation; Clearwater Enterprises; Cox Business Services; Ferguson Facilities Supply; HD Supply; Heartland; Hive Staffing; HUB/CFT Risk Management; McGregor Insurance Group; Metro Building Services LLC; Monscierge; Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association; Oklahoma State University; OK Women in Lodging; Parker Pest Control; Phoenix Restoration; Proctor & Gamble; Push, Pedal and Pull - Oklahoma; Red Carpet Charters; Response Team 1; Shake, Rattle & Roll; STR; Total Beverage Services; and US Foods.

 

Our Silent Auction had new and exciting items and raised over $2,000, 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: The Artesian Hotel; Renaissance Tulsa Hotel & Convention Center; Visit Enid; Wyndham Garden Hotel Oklahoma City Airport; Skirvin Hilton Hotel; Hotel Ambassador; Hyatt Regency Tulsa; Colcord Hotel; Embassy Suites Norman - Hotel & Conference Center; Springhill Suites by Marriott; Fairfield Inn & Suites Tulsa Downtown; PostOak Lodge & Retreat; Riverwind Hotel; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; Holiday Inn Express & Suites Bricktown - OKC; Tinker Federal Credit Union; Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association; Hard Rock Hotel & Casino; and Hilton Garden Inn - Lawton & Ft. Sill.
 

Excitement was at an all time high during our Stars of the Industry Award presentations, emceed by board members Rebecca Eastham, Meridian Technology Center, and Jeff Erwin, Ambassador Hotel, Oklahoma City. 

 

Nine Oklahoma lodging professionals and two Oklahoma lodging property award recipients 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.

 

It was a wonderful day, and we look forward to celebrating the Lodging Summit again in 2017.