Dave Sekeres, Lake Lawn Resort honored with 2022 Innkeeper of the Year Award

WHLA recently honored Dave Sekeres, General Manager of Lake Lawn Resort with its annual Innkeeper of the Year Award. The Innkeeper of the Year Award is a time-honored tradition that recognizes an outstanding individual who exemplifies the hospitality industry in our state. He was presented with the award during the awards dinner at the 2022 Wisconsin Lodging Conference on November 7 at The Osthoff Resort.

Dave has been the General Manager of Lake Lawn Resort, one of the largest resorts in the state, since 2011. With over 30 years of hospitality experience, including that from other resorts & hotels through several management companies, he was responsible, over the last decade, for the reopening, redeveloping, and reimagining of Lake Lawn Resort. Additionally, he also holds the Secretary position for the board of directors of the Lodges of Lake Lawn Resort Condominium. In 2020, Dave was responsible for expanding the Lake Lawn brand and management to include the Delavan Lake Resort under the company’s portfolio.

Locally, he is involved in many community events including the development of the Sky Circus on Ice Winter Festival in Delavan, for which he is the chairperson. Dave has been the chairperson for the city of Delavan’s Tourism Commission since its establishment in 2016. He is an Executive Committee Board Member of Visit Lake Geneva and appointed as Chairperson of the organization since 2019. Previously Dave was a member of the board of directors for the Walworth County Visitors Bureau and Vice President for the Delavan-Delavan Lake Area Chamber of Commerce. 

On the state level he is an active director for the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association Board, and the chairperson for the legislative action committee. Nationally, Dave is a previous award recipient from the American Hotel & Lodging Association and on behalf of the industry speaks on various advocacy topics currently facing hotels & tourism in general. Previously, Dave taught various hospitality and tourism classes at Gateway Technical College in Elkhorn, WI as an adjunct professor, and currently is committee chair for the school’s Hospitality Management Advisory Committee. Dave is the DD Tech Governance Board President for the local high school, and a founding member of this new charter school. In 2022 he was selected to the Board of Directors for WCEDA (Walworth County Economic Development Alliance). He was a high school graduate of Burlington Wisconsin High School and attended the University of Wisconsin Parkside for Business Management.

​​​“Dave’s dedication and commitment to Wisconsin’s lodging industry and to his local community make him a very deserving recipient of the WHLA Innkeeper of the Year Award,” said Bill Elliott, President & CEO of the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association. He continued, “He has a solid track record of building a great team culture and environment where employees are eager to deliver a true Wisconsin hospitality experience to Lake Lawn guests.“

In honor of his industry excellence and spirit of service, Dave Sekeres was presented the  2022 Innkeeper of the Year by 2021 Innkeeper of the Year Cory Latourell, Hotel Marshfield.
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Learn more about the Wisconsin Lodging Stars of the Industry Awards.

About WHLA

​​​​​WHLA is a nonprofit trade association representing hotel and lodging properties in the state of Wisconsin. Established in 1896, WHLA represents all sizes and types of lodging properties throughout the state, providing valued industry services that include marketing, legislative representation, industry education and resources in addition to a legal assistance program. At the federal level, WHLA is proud to partner with the American Hotel & Lodging Association. 

About Lake Lawn Resort

​​Lake Lawn Resort occupies two miles of Delavan Lake’s shoreline, and is the ultimate year-round destination for leisure travel, meetings, retreats, weddings, and events. Part of the Lake Geneva region, just 90 minutes from Chicago, and a short trip from Milwaukee, Madison and Rockford, Lake Lawn Resort is set on over 250-acres of natural lakeside beauty. Property features include Majestic Oaks Golf Course, an 18-hole championship golf course, three on-site restaurants including the brand new 1878 on the Lake, 165-slip full-service marina, a 76’ tour boat, The Lake Lawn Queen, boat and water sports rentals, three pools, a retail outlet, fitness center, Calladora Spa, and 32,000 square feet of adaptable and flexible meeting space in 22 meeting rooms, along with 271 spacious, well-appointed guest rooms. Guests can visit www.lakelawnresort.com or call 262-728-7950 for more information. Delavan Lake Resort, situated across the lake on Delavan Lake, is also managed by Lake Lawn Resort.

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