(Myrtle Beach, S.C.) September 20, 2017- Strand Hospitality Services recently concluded their 2017 annual General Manager and Director of Sales conference in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

The three-day event brought together over 70 individuals including; General Managers, Director of Sales and the company’s corporate staff. While at the conference, attendees were able to network and discuss strategies for the upcoming year and celebrate a successful past year. Informative breakout sessions and workshops highlighted the event. A keynote address was given by Clay Staires. As a former high school teacher and coach for 15 years he has received awards like Teacher of the Year and the Missouri State Coach of the Year. Clay has also started six successful businesses in 5 years and is ranked the number one motivational speaker in Oklahoma. His messages promote personal and professional growth.

During the awards banquet, Strand Hospitality Services recognized the top performing teams and individuals from the past year. The recognitions included; the Hampton Inn Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the Hampton Inn Charlotte/Belmont at Montcross in Belmont, N.C. (tie) as the two Hotels of the Year, General Manager of the Year went to Margie Rainey, who is a Task Force General Manager for Strand Hospitality., Amanda Eargle from the La Quinta Inn & Suites in Florence, S.C. and the Days Inn Florence, S.C. was named Director of Sales of the Year, Allen Gingrich, the General Manager of the Hampton Inn Greenville/Travelers Rest, S.C. was named Strand’s Rising Star of the Year. Other recognitions included; the TownePlace Suites Rock Hill, S.C., the Hampton Inn Broadway at the Beach and the Hampton Inn & Suites Fort Mill S.C. (three-way tie) for the Highest Percentage of Positive Online Reviews, the Flow-Through award went to the Hampton Inn Charlotte/Belmont at Montcross., the Hope Hotel & Conference Center in Dayton Ohio received the RevPAR award, the Inn at the Crossroads in Lake City, S.C. took home the House Profit award as well as the Score Card award. Megan Previc, Stand Hospitality’s Senior Staff Accountant was named Strand’s MVP for the year.

Also, for the fifth straight year during the conference, Strand Hospitality Services teamed up with St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital to raise money in order to help find cures for children with cancer and other life threatening diseases through the hospitals advanced research and treatment at no cost to the family. This year Strand raised $14,701. Congratulations to the Fairfield Inn in Orangeburg, S.C., the Hampton Inn Broadway at the Beach in Myrtle Beach, S.C. and the TownePlace Suites Rock Hill, S.C. for being the top fundraising properties.