MHLA Celebrates the Industry’s Best at the 2024 "Stars of the Industry" Awards Luncheon

April 30, 2024

in Association Updates,

Group Photo: 2024 MHLA "Stars of the Industry" Awards Winners

26 winners announced at 34th annual event honoring exceptional hotel properties and frontline employees from across Maryland.

Annapolis, Md. – On April 25, 2024, the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) hosted more than 500 guests – including owners, managers, employees, and partners from Maryland’s statewide lodging industry – at its 34th annual "Stars of the Industry" Awards Luncheon at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel. The celebration recognized deserving hotels and team members who have gone above and beyond this past year to provide excellent service to their guests and communities.

“Every day, you lend a helping hand, and an open ear to our visitors, our workers and our state,” said Governor Wes Moore in a pre-recorded video message played for attendees of the event. “Whether you work at the front desk, or kitchen, or for culinary teams and housekeeping, for security, or other departments within your hotel, your contributions matter, and our entire state sees you.”

Nominations were submitted by MHLA members, and 26 winners were announced in 9 categories celebrating the contributions of every hotel department, including managers, general managers, and staff. A full list of Stars of the Industry winners is included below.

“Our annual awards program shines a spotlight on the stars of the MHLA member hotels,” said Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO. “These remarkable individuals have consistently exceeded expectations, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their properties, colleagues, and guests. We take pride in honoring the achievements of all nominees and extend heartfelt congratulations to our award recipients.”

2024 MHLA Stars of the Industry Winners

(NOTE: Division 1 = Select Service properties; Division 2 = Full-Service properties with 275 rooms or less; Division 3 = Full-Service properties with more than 276 rooms.)

Individual Awards:

Back of House Star of the Year
- Division 2: Dail Smith, Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
- Division 3: Jason Maggio, Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina
Culinary & Kitchen Star of the Year
- Division 1: Norma Lopez, Home2 Suites by Hilton Baltimore Owings Mills
- Division 2: Antonetta Flood, Maritime Conference Center
- Division 3: Pamela Peters Gordon, Hilton Baltimore Inner Harbor
Food & Beverage Star of the Year
- Division 1: Samantha Star Cherry, Courtyard Hagerstown
- Division 2: Belinda Tebid, College Park Marriott
- Division 3: Emanuel Jones, Baltimore Marriott Waterfront
Front Office & Guest Services Star of the Year
- Division 1: Amy Vanhoose, Fairfield Inn and Suites by Marriott Ocean City
- Division 2: Zachery Quarles, Marriott Owings Mills Metro Centre
- Division 3: Moe Azmi, Gaylord National
Housekeeping Star of the Year
- Division 1: Maria Portillo Portillo, TownePlace Suites Gaithersburg
- Division 2: Charles Bell, Merriweather Lakehouse
- Division 3: Milagro Sorto, Hyatt Regency Bethesda
Events & Sales Professional of the Year
- Division 1: Jabahri Seymore, Hyatt Place Baltimore Inner Harbor
- Division 2: Irene Rosen, Royal Sonesta Harbor Court Baltimore
- Division 3: Marina Tumashova-Gray, Marriott Gaithersburg Washingtonian Center
Manager of the Year
- Division 1: Jasmin Bubalo, Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Inner Harbor
- Division 2: Bozhidar Ayala, Hilton Suites Ocean City Oceanfront
- Division 3: Sanna Cham, The Hotel at The University of Maryland
General Manager of the Year
- Division 1: Gretchen Smith, Comfort Inn Cambridge
- Division 2: Ernesto Carrero, Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Bethesda
- Division 3: Donnie Sutton, BWI Airport Marriott

Property Awards:

Outstanding Property of the Year
- Division 1: Residence Inn Fulton at Maple Lawn
- Division 2: Four Seasons Hotel Baltimore
- Division 3: Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel

Attendees watch message from Governor Wes Moore to Nominees.

Bil Terry, Regional VP of Sales, Buckhead Meat & Seafood, the 2024 Presenting Sponsor

(L-R) Stars Committee Members- Donnie Sutton, BWI Airport Marriott; Kat Burns, Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ; Doug Klein, Sheraton Baltimore Inner Harbor; Dan McKeon, Gaylord National; Veronica Whitley, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group; Kathy Konopik, HotelPro; Patrick Miner, Courtyard by Marriott Baltimore Inner Harbor; Dionne Pratt Butler, Hilton Baltimore; (Not pictured Shannon Harcum, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County & Tariq Islam, Anne Arundel County Workforce Development Corporation)