New Haven, CT – October 2, 2017 – The Connecticut Lodging Association (CLA) held their 113th Annual Meeting and Awards Dinner on September 28th at the Hilton Mystic, with record breaking numbers in attendance. Anne S. Evans, Director of the US Department of Commerce International Trade Administration, Connecticut, served as keynote speaker emphasizing the importance of international inbound tourism highlighting the new airline partnerships as a vital part of Connecticut's economy.

2017 Stars of the Industry Awards

The CLA's "Stars of the Industry" awards were created to recognize outstanding achievements in Connecticut's lodging community. Nominated by members of the CLA, the winners on the state level automatically compete at the national level in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AH&LA) Stars of the Industry Awards in spring, 2018.

2017 Employee of the Year Awards:

  • Outstanding Front Desk Associate Awards:
    • Elizabeth Clemons, Microtel Inn & Suites Uncasville
    • Minerva Salgado, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Milford
  • Outstanding Housekeeping Associate Awards:
    • Angel Garcia, Marriott Hartford Downtown
    • Juan Rodriguez, Mystic Marriott Hotel & Spa
  • Sales Associate of the Year Award – Susie DeRoy, Courtyard by Marriott New Haven at Yale
  • Food & Beverage Associate of the Year Award- Therese-Quarrie-Gourlay, Hartford/Windsor Marriott

2017 Manager of the Year Awards:

  • Manager of the Year Award – Brittney Davis, Hilton Mystic
  • General Manager of the Year Award – Nick Lorusso, Hilton Hartford Hotel

Announcing 2018 CLA Officers & Directors

Jeff Muthersbaugh, Nehemiah Brainerd Bed & Breakfast, Haddam – President Steve Matiatos, Courtyard by Marriott at Yale – Vice President Peter H. Mason, Konover Hotel Corporation – Secretary Jon Norton, Omar Coffee Company – Treasurer Victor Antico, Holiday Inn Express, Vernon – Immediate Past President

Term Ending 2018

Terri Almond, Hilton Mystic Lynn Dell, Doubletree Bristol Traci LaShomb, CHA, Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham, Uncasville John Loyacano, Sheraton Hartford Hotel at Bradley International Airport Dinu Patel, Rodeway Inn & Suites Branford Michael Trosin, Marriott Hartford/Windsor, Past President

Term Ending 2019

Mike Ferguson, Courtyard by Marriott, Orange John Lombardo, Saybrook Point Inn, Marina and Spa Michael Marques, Hampton Inn Shelton Duane Schroder, Hartford Marriott Downtown

Term Ending 2020 Brian Hunt, Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa Rick Richardson, Dolce Norwalk Center Juan Salas-Romer, New Haven Village Suites Brian Summers, Heritage Hotel and Conference Center, Southbury

Non-Voting

Scott Phelps, Connecticut Convention & Sports Bureau – CVB Representative Win Smith III, Tooher-Ferraris Insurance Group – Allied Representative Bud O'Donnell, Siegel, O'Connor, O'Donnell & Beck, PC – Allied Representative Bob Forcier, Mitchell College – Education Representative