Travel & Tourism Celebrated At CSCVB Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon

Olympia Fields, Ill. – (October 5, 2023) For the first time in four years due to COVID-19, the Chicago Southland Convention & Visitors Bureau (CSCVB) brought the region “Together Again” at its Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon at the DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip. Over 300 local politicians, businesspeople and community partners celebrated the rebound of the travel and tourism industry in the Chicago Southland.

The event featured a video presentation from Governor J.B. Pritzker, who shared his excitement for the upcoming Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino as a regional asset. Deputy Director for the Illinois Office of Tourism Daniel Thomas was the keynote speaker and shared the new national “The Middle of Everything” commercials with former Dolton resident and actress Jane Lynch.

“I’m absolutely thrilled we were finally able to bring everyone ‘Together Again’ celebrating the significant progress the travel and tourism industry in the Southland has made since COVID-19,” said CSCVB President/CEO Jim Garrett.

The highlight of the event was the awards presentation, featuring hotel hospitality workers and outstanding community/business contributions to the Chicago Southland travel and tourism industry. Congratulations to the hospitality year end award winners, listed below:

Administrative: Rosa Garcia - Comfort Suites & Sleep Inn in Lansing
Food & Beverage: Pablo Navarrete - DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Guest Services: Stephanie Mateja - Quality Inn & Suites in Orland Hills
Housekeeping: Izahi Abarca - Hampton Inn & Suites in Bridgeview
Maintenance: Mark Zaret - DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip
Manager: Samanta Sokolovic - Weglarz Hotel Collection in Bedford Park
Spirit of Hospitality: Chuck Sabey - Village of Park Forest & Freedom Hall
Award of Merit: Thornton Distilling Company, Thornton
Municipal Leader of the Year: Village of Bedford Park
Senator Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award: Villages of East Hazel Crest & Homewood
Member of the Year: Windy City ThunderBolts, Crestwood

Sponsors for the event included Governors State University, Old National Bank, Wind Creek Chicago Southland Casino, ComEd and Prairie State College.