HSMAI Members Relive the Eighties
A 2007 Holiday Event Recap by Melanie Volkers
The 1980's are back! Well, not exactly-but they were back for one night only as HSMAI Arizona celebrated it's annual holiday party and awards gala 80's style! On November 29, 2007, over 120 hospitality professionals gathered at The Venue of Scottsdale to celebrate our 2007 accomplishments and install the 2008 board of directors.
I grew up in the 80's and love the music from that decade, so as outgoing president, I chose the 80's as the theme for the holiday party. People truly embraced this theme in a way that I would have never imagined. From the neon centerpieces, spandex linens, and the 80's backdrop behind the stage to Cheryl Street dressed as a Rubik's Cube and Karen May dressed as Rocky Balboa... we were in the 1980's!
While we celebrated the theme of the evening and awarded prizes for the best costumes, the purpose of the evening was to celebrate all of the amazing people who help make our chapter one of the most successful in the country.
Along with guest emcee HSMAI Chapter Relations Director Margie Sheffer, CHME, CHA, I had the privilege of presenting our annual chapter awards of excellence. Congratulations to the following recipients:
Hospitality Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year
Cheryl Street, CHSP, CHME
Hampton Inn & Suites Surprise/Road to Success Marketing
Member of the Year:
Karen Davis, Mesa Convention Center
Host Property of the Year:
Carefree Resort & Villas
General Manager of the Year:
Greg Carrish
Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino
Committee of the Year:
Chinese Auction
Lynne Casebere, Chair and
Kelly Murphy, CHME, Board Liaison
Sponsor of the Year:
Sacco & Associates
Rising Star Award:
Kate Nestler, Discovery Maps & Guides
Board Member of the Year: (tie)
Janet Hof, CMP, LES, CTA
Hyatt Regency Scottsdale Resort & Spa and
Pam Patterson, CMP
Orange Tree Golf Resort
Student of the Year:
Jeni Wilson, NAU
President's Award:
David Rosenbaum, CHME
Radisson Fort McDowell Resort & Casino
A special award presentation was made to Kathi Overkamp and US Airways in appreciation of their continued partnership and support of our chapter. Without them, we would not have been able to raise the funds that allowed us to make a $3000 check presentation to Staci Glass and the Children's Angel Foundation that night.
The 2007 board of directors was recognized and thanked for their dedication and service over the past year. Special thanks went out to Cheryl Street and Bob Holman whose terms of office were up.
Following all of the 2007 awards and recognition, Margie Sheffer led the installation of the 2008 board of directors led by incoming President Pam Patterson, CMP. New board members, Deliah Rose, CHSC, Sarah Bailey, and Corissa Kopp were welcomed to the team.
It was truly a special evening, and one that I won't forget any time soon. Special thanks to Karen May, TBA Global Events, Groove Heads Entertainment, Neon Now Inc., Pacific Event Productions, Ray the DJ, The Venue of Scottsdale, Wish You Were Here Photography, Brede Exposition Services, Road to Success Marketing, US Airways, JetBlue Airways, and Joanne Winter for all that you contributed to the event!
