Visit Chicago Southland's Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon on Thursday, October 8, 2026 at Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino & Resort joined legislators, village leaders, business owners, and hospitality leaders to celebrate the VCS 40-year anniversary and discuss the prior year's tourism achievements.
Cheers to 40 Years: Celebrating Four Decades of Progress reflected on the history of Visit Chicago Southland and its sales and marketing evolution through a more digital age. Speakers included Visit Chicago Southland President & CEO Mary Patchin, Village of East Hazel Crest Mayor Thomas Brown, Village of Homewood Mayor Rich Hofeld, Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino & Resort Executive Vice President & General Manager Jahnae Erpenbach, and Visit Chicago Southland Board Chair and La Banque Hotel Chief Financial Officer Jodi Kennedy.
The keynote speaker was Illinois Humanities Executive Director Gabrielle Lyon who addressed the programs and effects of America Illinois 250 which she led.
"Bringing together so many people responsible for the continued success and growth of Chicago Southland tourism and hospitality was awe-inspiring," praised Visit Chicago Southland President & CEO Mary Patchin. "This annual meeting reinforced the value of tourism in our region and recognized countless individuals who have and continue to be instrumental."
Patchin addressed the new Visit Chicago Southland website, podcast series, social media influencer campaigns, interactive destination video, sales tradeshow metrics, Passports to the Southland rewards program, 3D signage community program, and America Illinois 250.
Sixteen awards were presented across the Chicago Southland Stars of Industry and Chicago Southland Tourism Awards categories, including two new awards: Community Tourism Champion Award (Kamilah Paden of the Village of Matteson) and Community Tourism Excellence Team Award (Village of Orland Park). All winners were:
Chicago Southland Stars of the Industry Award Winners
| AWARD | WINNER | AFFILIATION |
| Administrative Employee of the Year | Kalpana Sharma | Sales Administration Coordinator Holiday Inn Express & Suites: Chicago South-Lansing |
| Food & Beverage Employee of the Year | Phil Bustamante | Server-Bartender DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip |
| Guest Services Employee of the Year | Fela Cornwell | Hotel Front Desk Agent Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino & Resort |
| Housekeeping Employee of the Year | Elena Castaneda | Housekeeping Inspector/Supervisor DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip |
| Maintenance Employee of the Year | Chris Bobek | Chief Engineer Quality Inn & Suites Orland Hills |
| Manager of the Year | Jeffrey Mabilangan | General Manager Hampton Inn & Suites Bridgeview |
| Sales & Marketing Manager of the Year | Darryl Thomas | Director of Sales Homewood Suites by Hilton Orland Park |
Chicago Southland Annual Tourism Award Winners
| AWARD | WINNER | AFFILIATION |
| Award of Merit | Village of Dolton | |
| Community Tourism Champion Award | Kamilah Paden | Village of Matteson |
| Community Tourism Excellence Team Award | Village of Orland Park | |
| Municipal Leader of the Year | Village of Crestwood | |
| Partner of the Year | Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino & Resort | East Hazel Crest and Homewood |
| Partner of the Year | Slick City Action Park | Village of Orland Park |
| Senator Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award | Vicky Smith | Southwest Conference of Mayors |
| Southland Shines Community Beautification Award | Village of Frankfort | |
| Spirit of Hospitality | Paul Ruane | City of Oak Forest |
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, group tours, sports events and leisure travel. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.
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