Sandy Carouso, Sales Director, and GM Chuck Cuff with Chris Nassetta, CEO of Hilton Hotels,

following a private dinner with him and the leadership team from Homewood.

EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN PROBLEM RESOLUTION, MOST IMPROVED

2011 WINNERS

Rochester/Victor, NY GM: Corey Dooley

Toronto-Oakville, Ontario, Canada GM: Alexandru Matei DOS:Christina Anderson

AWARDS OF MERIT

Syracuse/Liverpool, NY GM: Missy Hughes Sales Manager: Becca Wheeler

Cincinnati, OH GM: Steve Fasig DOS: Shelly Dyer

Boulder, CO GM: Sue Dominick DOS: Lee VanLith

FRONT DESK TEAM OF THE YEAR

2011 WINNER

Wichita, KS GM: Shana Hill DOS: Meaghan McClure Guest Services Manager: Justine Ratcliffe

AWARDS OF MERIT

Charleston/Airport Convention Center, SC

Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico

Birmingham South-Inverness, AL

Macon-North, GA

RESERVATION CALL RESPONSE SYSTEM (RCRS)

CONSOLIDATED DESK 2011 WINNER

Denver Tech Center, CO GM: Todd Dickson DOS: Linda Aulisio

NON-CONSOLIDATED DESK 2011 WINNER

Phoenix/Chandler, AZ GM: Lorri Caulfield DOS: Kristen Freeman

SUITEKEEPING TEAM OF THE YEAR

2011 WINNER

Ft. Smith, AR GM: Pam Scheurer DOS: Becky Murphy Exec. Suitekeeper: Tabitha Parker

AWARDS OF MERIT

Dallas/Allen, TX

Mobile-East Bay/Daphne, AL

Wichita, KS

Minneapolis/St. Paul-New Brighton, MN

ENGINEERING TEAM OF THE YEAR

2011 WINNER

Mobile-East Bay/Daphne, AL GM:Chuck Cuff DOS:Sandy Caruso Chief Engineer: Jesse Farlow

AWARDS OF MERIT

Ft. Smith, AR

Port St. Lucie-Tradition, FL

Dallas-Frisco, TX

Wichita, KS

EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS IN PROBLEM RESOLUTION

2011 WINNER

Toronto-Oakville, Ontario, Canada GM:Alexandru Matei DOS:Christina Anderson

AWARDS OF MERIT

Syracuse/Liverpool, NY

Philadelphia/Great Valley, PA

Port St. Lucie-Tradition, FL

Cincinnati, OH

F&B TEAM OF THE YEAR

2011 WINNER

Dallas/Allen, TX GM: Vlad Gritsman DOS: Rebecca Rohwer Exec. Suitekeeper: Lorenza Yeverino AGM: Jeff Dillard

AWARDS OF MERIT

Lubbock, TX

Mobile-East Bay/Daphne, AL

Wichita, KS

Albany, NY

IAMSALES

2011 WINNER

Wichita, KS GM: Shana Hill DOS: Meaghan McClure

AWARDS OF MERIT

Birmingham South-Inverness, AL

Dallas-Market Center, TX

Fort Worth at Fossil Creek, TX

Knoxville-West at Turkey Creek, TN

OVERALL EXPERIENCE, MOST IMPROVED

2011 WINNER

Silver Spring, MD GM:Daniel Jasinski DOS:Chris Colvin

AWARDS OF MERIT

Edgewater (NYC Area), NJ

Orland Park, IL

San Francisco Airport-North, CA

Philadelphia/Great Valley, PA

TOP NEW HOTEL PERFORMANCE

2011 WINNER

Dallas/Allen, TX GM: Vlad Gritsman DOS: Rebecca Rohwer

AWARDS OF MERIT

Minneapolis/St. Paul-New Brighton, MN

Slidell, LA

Rochester/Greece, NY

Rockville-Gaithersburg, MD

EXTENDED STAY PERCENTAGE, MOST IMPROVED

2011 WINNER

Baltimore-BWI Airport, MD GM:Barbara Sery DOS:Lauri Reynolds

AWARDS OF MERIT

Beaumont, TX

Fort Collins, CO

Williamsburg, VA

Cincinnati/Milford, OH

Springfield-North/Holyoke, MA

McAllen, TX

Albany, NY

Birmingham-SW/Riverchase-Galleria, AL

Houston-Woodlands (Shenandoah), TX

Harrisburg-East, PA

Austin/Round Rock, TX

Albuquerque-Airport, NM

Grand Rapids, MI

Kansas City/Overland Park, KS

2 0 1 1 AWA R D S

NewsWireNews for Inn Serve Corp. Associates & ReadersJanuary/February • 2012

Murphy Receives WOW Award A letter was recently received from Phil Cordell, Global Head of the Hampton brand, recognizing Ed Murphy, General Manger of the Hampton Inn Tillman’s Corner with the coveted WOW Award for his work with the Stephen Siller Foundation, his work with the New York Fire Department (NYFD) and the Gift for Kids as well as his work with the Tillman’s Chamber of Commerce. This award is given at the discretion of PhilCordell to individuals who exceed the Brand’s expectation. It is indeed an honor for Ed toreceive it. Great Job, Ed!!! Scott Lovett and Chuck Cuff present

Ed Murphy with his WOW Award.

The Daphne Homewood Won AGAIN -- Hotel of the Year, GM of the Year, Sales of the Year, and Housekeeping, Food & Bever-age and Engineering Department of the Year. Congratulations. They are now working on making it THREE years in a row!!! “It certainly was an Honor to be awarded the Connie Award for the second year in a row,” commented Homewood GM Chuck

Comments on winning the Connie Awards

Every year, each hotel takes a day to honor its Associates with a luncheon and service award recognition. Inn Serve Board of Directors and Inn Serve staff travel to each hotel (usually one program every month) and are on hand to personally thank each Associate for the loyal service and dedication to their hotel. Awards are given to fulltime Associates with five years of service will receive with a check for $250. Ten year full-time Associates receive a check for $500. Fifteen year full-time Associ-ates receive a gold Inn Serve watch. At twenty years, a full time Associate may select an expense paid trip to Disney or a 3 day Bahama cruise. Twenty-five year full-time Associates may select $800 cash or a $1000 gift certificate. And at thirty years, the Associate will receive a trip for two anywhere in the USA, plus $1000. Each program recognizes its Associate and Safety Commitees, and names the Associate of the Year, as elected by their peers. Throughout the program, there are $50, $75 and $200 cash drawings. All in all, a fun day for all.

Annual Awards Days Highlighted

Cuff. “Without taking away anything from last year’s award, this one was very special because of how our staff worked to maintain the high standards of excellence. “Everyone knows how hard it is to keep an Outstanding QA, this is a bit harder. After you receive a special honor such as we did last year, it can become very easy to be complacent and just expect our guests to

love us. After all, we are number one. However, our whole staff worked even harder than they did in 2010 tocontinued page 7 . . .

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 22

Part-time and full-time Associates from both the HGI and the Hampton.

Hampton Inn GM Courtney Kirkman presented Johnie Mae Malone with a trophy and check for Associate of the Year.

Elijah Alford (27 yrs); Barbara Randle (23 yrs); Andrew Thomas (16 yrs); and Elizabeth Ramsey (19 yrs).

Thirty year Associate Cathyrine Boyd chose not to take the trip for two, but accept the $1000. Offering congratulations are Board Members Richard Wilbourn III, Jim Wilbourn, Will Vise and Inn Serve President and CEO Scott Lovett.

Drawings for cash are fun -especially when you win. Keitta Fowler won $75.

Wow, $200 cash! Arnetra Overstreet was the winner.

Ten year full-time Associate

Janie Anthony received $500.

Janie is with Rosalinda Terrell, a

part-time 10 year Associate.

Associate Committee: Ashley Neal, Elijah Alford and Holly Giles.

Safety Committee: Elijah Alford, Ashley Neal, Ruby Alexander and Courtney Kirkman.

Congratulations to HGI Associate of the Year Ruby Alexander, announced by GM Steve Anderson.

Members of the Housekeeping Team get together for a picture at the Banquet.

2012 Meridian Awards Day

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 23

Thanks, Linda Washing-ton, Elyce Curry, and Janett Rainey for your service on the Associate Committee last year.

What happeneds when all the meeting rooms are booked on Awards Day? Answer from Susanne Papa, “We have it in the Continental Breakfast area.”

Michael Hudson presents Deborah Austin with the Hampton Inn Associate of the Year award.

Marcie Cole, a fifteen year Associate, shows off her gold Inn Serve watch.

The “OVER THIRTY” Associates received a gift certificate to Rocco’s Restaurant. l-r: Phyllis Anthony, 32 years; Mary Allen, 36 years; Wilson Hargrove; 31 years; and Rosie Lee, 35 yrs.

Brittany Oliver had the lucky number for $50 cash.

Deborah Claiborne won $75 cash.

Kimberly Branch took home $200 cash in the drawing.

Joe Liddell (26 years), Linda Washington, (22 years) and Janett Rainey (20 years). Janett will be taking her 20-year trip to Disney this fall.

Welcome to the Vicksburg Team Associates with less than one year of service at the hotels.

Thanks, Safety Committee, for all you did last year: l-r: Mary Allen, Phyllis Anthony, Elyce Curry, Susanne Papa and Marcie Cole.

2012 Vicksburg Awards Day

Quality Inn Associate of the Year is Liz Conner. Liz receives congratulations from Managers Charles Heard and Joe Liddell.

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 24

Chet Farlow looks over the new coat of plaster on the Daphne HGI pool. Finished just in time for Spring Break.

New to the Food and Beverage Department at the Daphne HGI is Chef Jeremy Waltman. According to Chuck Cuff, “Jer-emy is the Master of the Grilled Triggerfish and all other wonder-ful things to eat.” New to the front desk is Samuel Davis. As Chuck says: “Mas-ter of all that he needs to have done at night.” Congratulations to Billy Meadows who recently returned from Hilton GM School and is now officially an HGI AGM. “Three cheers for Billy as he moves up his career path! Billy started with us in 2003 as Chief Engineer of the Daphne hotels and now he has officially moved from maintenance to adminis-trative responsibilities. He is committed to providing excellence in Guest Service,” commented Chuck Cuff.

Alfred Bilbro

Welcome and CongratulationsGuESt CoMMEntS on the Daphne Hilton Garden Inn We stayed at the hotel next door and didn't have a good night there. So we checked out and liked the Hilton Garden Inn so well, we stayed 3 nights The Happy Hour was SO nice. Amanda and the young man - who also served at the front desk - were wonderful. The man-ager showed us a room before check-in. He was very helpful. We were cautious since we were recovering from our negative experience next door. What a clean, friendly, reasonable place to stay!! We traveled for weeks through the South staying at many, many hotels. We've chosen to comment on only this one in Daphne, AL, since it was such a fabulous experience.I wish we could have stayed longer.

GuESt CoMMEntS on the Meridian Hilton Garden Inn The staff at this hotel is extremely friendly and professional. Antoinette at the front desk is wonderful. I ate dinner in the hotel and was surprised at how delicious it was...and both waitresses were just great. Only hotel I stay when in Meridian.

GuESt CoMMEntS on the Daphne Hilton Garden Inn Bill Meadows was great! We had car problems and Mr. Meadows not only recommended a shop but called and alerted them that we were coming and offered to bring us back to the hotel to wait for the repairs.Nothing is worse than having a car break down on the road in a strange city. The auto shop fixed the car at a super rea-sonable price and had us back on the road after a couple of hours. The auto shop personnel as well as Mr. Meadows were professional, friendly and top notch. We are coming back - see you in a week!

GuESt CoMMEntS on the Daphne Homewood Suites My wife and I had an outstanding stay at your hotel in December, and I want you and all of your staff to know how much we appreciate all the special anniversary touches.I was hoping for a nice room—and got much more. The roses, champagne and chocolates were all wonderful—y’all made this Virginia boy look good in the eyes of his ‘Bama gal wife of 28 years. But the special card, signed by all your staff—well, she has that in her keepsake box—that really touched her heart! So a very heartfelt “Thank-you” to all of the folks at your hotel!

GuESt CoMMEntS on the Vicksburg Hampton Inn &Suites I was booked to stay at a different hotel but when I saw my room, I was not happy. Hampton Inn was next door so I walked over to see if they had rooms available. I proceeded to leave the original hotel and stay with Hampton. I’M GLAD I DID!!! LOVE IT!!

Congratulations, Alfred Alfred Bibro, a key member of the Meridian HGI Team, recently attended GM School in Memphis and is now officially a Hilton AGM. According to Alfred, “I had a great time, ate a lot, and learned A LOT.” Alfred joined the Meridian HGI five years ago as Executive House- keeper and is continuing on his career path in hospitality and hotel operations.

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 25A S S O C I A T E S O F T H E

4th Q u A R T E R

Rosa VasquezBrooksville

Quality Inn & Suites

Molly MillerDaphne

Hampton Inn

Andrea WoodsBrooksville

Hampton Inn

Margie WatersMobile West/Tillman's

Hampton Inn

Fannie MorganMeridian

Hampton Inn

Betty WilliamsVicksburg

Hampton Inn & Suites

Liz ConnerVicksburg Quality

Inn & Suites

Genease SellersDaphne

Homewood Suites

Ashley RuggsDaphne

Hilton Garden Inn

Ruby AlexanderMeridian

Hilton Garden Inn

GuESt CoMMEntS on the Daphne Hampton Inn

I have had the pleasure of staying at the Hampton Inn in Daphne, AL on several occasions. The staff has always been so very helpful and friendly. Good hospitality is contagious. The staff's attitude spreads to each guest who in turn shares it with others who are staying at the hotel. There have been two different situations that this particular hotel was so very helpful. I had reservations at a local 4-star hotel that is part of my retirement system. It is very popular; however, I am highly al-lergic to feathers and had requested weeks prior to my visit for all feather pillows, etc. to be removed. When I arrived during the Christmas holidays I discovered that my room had many items with feathers. Unfortunately, I had assumed that the ho-tel staff could be trusted to meet my request. Long story short, I got very sick....had to leave 4-star at 4:00 am. After lunch that same day, I “dragged” myself into the Hamp-ton Inn. They treated me like family, immediately found me a suitable room, and double-checked to make sure that I would be able to get some much-needed sleep.

I was also at this same Hampton Inn in Daphne when I had to take care of some personal business which required faxing three different sources. The staff was very congenial, helping me get everything sent ASAP. When I was checking out later that day, I did not realize that I needed a rolling cart to get all of my items to my car in one trip. A lady in housekeeping, Beverly, saw my dilemma as I was trying to get on the eleva-tor. She got her own cart and helped me carry my items all the way to my car. Now, where would a traveler find such wonder-ful people that treat you like family? Upon arriving earlier that day, I mentioned my allergy to feathers. The manager (very nice man whose name I can't remember) personally checked my room to make sure that all was perfect. And what did the famous 4-star hotel do the month before? Threw me into a room which resulted in a hor-rible night for me. I will always remember and share with others the wonderful visits that I have had at the Hampton Inn in Daphne, AL.

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 26

Alfred Bilbro, AGM at the Meridian Hilton Garden Inn, also travels to the sister properties to conduct At Your Service Training. Last month, Alfred was at the Mobile West Hampton Inn at TIllmans Corner to train their Housekeeping Staff.

Forward Focus traveled to Daphne Hampton Inn to meet with their Housekeeping Team.

Housekkeeping is truly a team effort. The Housekeeping Teams from each hotel are in the process of choosing mascots and colors that represent their area.

HOUSEKEEPING

Executive Housekeeper Fannie Lee with leader Alfred Bilbro get into the At Your Service Training.

NewsWire J A N U A R Y / F E B R U A R Y • 2 0 1 27

Each Brooksville hotel, the Hampton Inn and the Quality Inn, has a small staff of Associates who work diligently taking care of their guests and their hotel. This issue we feature the core/full-time Associates and thank them for all they do. Next issue, we will include more of the Brooksvile Team with THANKS as we celebrate theirAnnual Awards Day on April 19th.

Quality Inn & Suites

Core Associates

Joel HernandezGeneral Manager

Judy StricklandAdministrative

Assistant

Rosa VasquezSales Director

Maria RogeroExecutive

Housekeeper

Maria ChavezHousekeeping

News from Brooksville

Donna RitenourGeneral Manager

Brittany WoodsGSR

Susanna GonzalezGSR

Brian MarcellMaintenance

Ruth MooreBreakfast Hostess

Alma MartinezRoom Attendant

The Teams at the Meridian HGI and Hampton Inn suggested changing the name of one of the meeting rooms at the NECC as a Tribute to Ms Jewell. Having worked at the Meridian Holiday Inn (now NECC) for 47 years, Ms Jewell Allison continues to be missed by the Associates. On a recent visit to the property, it was not unusual to hear an Associate say, “How did Ms Jewell do it?” or “This is how Ms Jewell would have done it.” With fond memories and kind thoughts, it is a pleasure to name one of the meeting rooms “The Jewell Room.”

Tribute to Ms Jewell. . . . continued from page 1

maintain that ‘Duck’ Spirit that sets you apart from the rest. “However. the most important thing is we do not do what we do to get awards; the awards are only a consequence of what we do. We must always give our guests the best service pos-sible, maintain our hotel and facilities as best as possible and treat our Associates with the respect and consideration they deserve. If you do this, good things will happen.”

Hampton Inn Core

AssociatesJoe Marecki

Auditor

Homewood Comments