Event Recap: GMH&LA presents An Afternoon with the Wisconsin Women in Lodging

Last week, the Madison chapter, along with WHLA members from across the state, came together at The Edgewater - Madison for  a special event titled “GMH&LA presents an Afternoon with the Wisconsin Women”. The event served as a forum for learning, collaboration, and networking among the attendees.

​Throughout the afternoon, various speakers shared useful information on industry-related tips to guide success. The event was a collaborative effort between leaders of the Greater Madison Hotel & Lodging Association, the Wisconsin Women in Lodging Steering Committee and WHLA staff. The event was sponsored by The Edgewater Madison, Chula Vista Resort and Tandem HR.

The event began with a warm welcome from Monica Goeke, CAE, the Vice President of WHLA. She shared information about the history of Wisconsin Women in Lodging, the membership make-up, and ways to get involved. She also provided details about the upcoming events, such as the WWIL Luncheon and Panel at Lodging Innsights: Door County on May 22, Summer EmPOOLment: Employment Recruiting and Networking Lunch on May 29, and Nine and Wine: Wisconsin Women in Lodging's Golf Event on May 29.

​The next presentation was called "Cultivating Connections - Making the Most of Madison College’s Hospitality Program" and was led by Dr. LaVoy, an esteemed figure in the field of hospitality education. Dr. LaVoy shared valuable insights about the program at Madison College and provided tips on how to support student employees and foster an inclusive learning environment, where they feel empowered to participate, ask questions, and make a difference in the Wisconsin lodging industry.

Next, Jeb Brotz, the General Manager of Homewood Suites Madison, introduced the "Solutions Sharing" session. He shared his experience with using the solutions provided by Tandem HR. Karen Hoban, Tandem HR's Business Development Consultant, then discussed how hoteliers are utilizing the company's innovative solutions to streamline their human resources operations. The session concluded with a lucky winner being drawn and receiving a special prize from Tandem HR.

​Krissy Sigmund, who chaired the 2024 WWIL Steering Committee and VP of the Chula Vista Resort, provided an insightful overview of the leadership panel. The panel featured a group of accomplished female leaders, including Amy Supple, Senior VP and Chief Operating Officer at The Edgewater Madison, Maureen Martin, VP of Partnership and Community Engagement at Destination Madison, Heather Stetzer, Director of Development at Downtown Madison Inc., and Jen Yakimicki Guimond, VP of Commercial Strategy for NCG Hospitality. During the session, the panel shared their invaluable insights, experiences, and success strategies with the audience.

​The educational segment of the event closed with a presentation called "A Room Tax Lesson" delivered by WHLA President and CEO Bill Elliott, CAE. Attendees were given an overview of the history of room tax, including its origin and the factors that have influenced its current implementation and interpretation. The presentation also covered a breakdown of room tax regulations and their impact on Wisconsin lodging properties as well as on the state's tourism economy.

​After the closing session, the attendees gathered at the SkyBar to enjoy drinks and snacks while admiring the beautiful lakes of Madison. The afternoon was a great success, thanks to the insightful contributions of esteemed speakers, the dedication of attendees, and the support of sponsors. Participants left with valuable insights and a stronger network of connections that they can leverage to continue building their careers and make their mark in the hospitality industry.

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