2024 VISIT CHICAGO SOUTHLAND ANNUAL MEETING AND AWARDS LUNCHEON BROUGH AREA LEADERS TOGETHER

Visit Chicago Southland held its 2024 Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon Wednesday afternoon to a packed crowd of business and community leaders at Georgios Banquets Quality Inn & Suites Conference Centre.

The annual meeting, titled “Changing the Odds: Playing a New Hand,” addressed the 2024 fiscal year’s news, achievements, and initiatives including the presidential transition from retired Jim Garrett to Mary Patchin, new official name and logo of Visit Chicago Southland, earning the industry’s top designation of Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP) with distinction, new Visitor Information Center, its award-winning website, myriads of sales and marketing benchmarks, and reporting of record high media metrics.

Garrett, Visit Chicago Southland President and CEO from 1996 to 2024, recorded a video message thanking legislators, business partners, and colleagues. Patchin, who effectively succeeded Garrett on July 1, helmed the program including presenting its eleven industry awards.

Keynote speaker, Bill Geist of DMOproz, spoke on the role that destination marketing organizations (DMOs) play in growing the economies of communities served. “Inspiring visitation to a community sets off a chain reaction that enhances economic development,” said Geist. “Indeed, a visit is the first date for community development.”

Other initiatives include signage program, the National Tourism Day Celebration and Hospitality Showcase on May 23, Passports to the Southland rewards program, and new leisure campaign titled “Where Boring Doesn’t Exist.” For more details on media metrics, economic impact, VisitChicagoSouthland.com, hotel occupancy, trade shows, Passports to the Southland, and DMAP accreditation, read the 2024 Annual Report.

Visit Chicago Southland Board Chairman, Richard Brink, was presented the Senator Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award for both his chairmanship contributions and work as general manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip. Award winners came from Alsip, Bedford Park, Bridgeview, Flossmoor, Lansing, Lynwood, Oak Forest, Orland Hills, and Orland Park.

The 2024 award winners are as follows:

Chicago Southland Stars of the Industry Award Winners

Administrative Employee of the Year: Janete Lopez, Sales Manager, Hampton Inn and Suites Bridgeview

Food & Beverage Employee of the Year: Saul Villa, Banquet Server, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip

Guest Services Employee of the Year: Colleen Flaherty, Front Desk Agent, Quality Inn & Suites-Orland Hills

Housekeeping Employee of the Year: Leticia Banuelos, Housekeeping Supervisor, Homewood Suites by Hilton Orland Park

Maintenance Employee of the Year: Gerardo Temores, Comfort Suites and Sleep Inn in Lansing

Manager of the Year: Caitlyn Maxwell, Area Director of Catering, Marriott Chicago Midway Airport in Bedford Park

Visit Chicago Southland Annual Tourism Award Winners

Award of Merit: Village of Flossmoor (Mayor Michelle Nelson accepted)

Spirit of Hospitality Award: Annie Byrne, General Manager, Southland Center in Lynwood

Municipal Leader of the Year: Village of Orland Park (Mayor Keith Pekau accepted)

Senator Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award: Richard Brink, General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip and Visit Chicago Southland Board Chairman

Member of the Year: Chicago Gaelic Park in Oak Forest (General Manager Michael Bennett accepted)

Visit Chicago Southland is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs. Visit Chicago Southland nationally markets and sells the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, groups tours, sports events and leisure travel.

Related Articles