Carmen Smalley, MATC-Milwaukee, receives 2022 Associate of the Year Award

​WHLA has honored Carmen Smalley, CMP, CHE,  Instructor and Lead Faculty of the Hospitality and Events Management program at the Milwaukee Area Technical College, with its Associate of the Year award for 2022. The award recognizes one professional each year who services the Wisconsin lodging industry in an exemplary manner. Smalley was presented with the award during the awards dinner at the 2022 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show on November 7 at The Osthoff Resort.

Carmen has been an instructor at MATC since 2014. In her role she provides oversight to MATC’s Event Management program and the Hospitality Management program and teaches courses  in person and online.  A hotel sales veteran, Carmen’s unique combination of real industry experience and her encouraging educational style has enabled her to strengthen the school to career pipeline for her students and Milwaukee area hoteliers. 

Carmen currently serves as an Associate Board Director for the Greater Milwaukee Hotel & Lodging Association, and was a member of WHLA’s 2022 Strategic Planning Task Force. She served as President of HSMAI’s Wisconsin chapter from 2018-2019, and President of the Wisconsin chapter of Meeting Professionals International from 2014-2015.

“WHLA's Associate of the Year award is meant to honor individuals who show a high degree of industry dedication & knowledge, which makes Carmen the perfect recipient for this year's recognition," said Bill Elliott, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association. He continued, "Carmen’s service to WHLA, commitment to hospitality education and  broad experience as a hotel operator and executive make her a truly remarkable and respected member of Wisconsin's lodging industry."

In honor of her service and commitment to the hospitality industry, Carmen was presented the  2022 Innkeeper of the Year by 2021 Associate of the Year Jay Jones, University of Wisconsin-Stout.

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