Island Hospitality Management

Congratulations to Brenda Joy Gray, our Director of Sales at the Hilton Garden Inn Destin/Miramar Beach, for being named Walton County Chamber Person of the Year! ?? We are incredibly proud of Brenda for her outstanding contributions to her community and her commitment to making a positive impact. Her dedication and hard work have not only elevated our hotel but have also strengthened the community in Destin. Thank you, Brenda, for your passion, leadership, and the difference you make in the lives of those around you. This well-deserved honor is a testament to your relentless efforts and the positive influence you have!

We are still buzzing from the excitement of the GM Conference 2025, our first since 2018! Last week, our general managers from across our entire portfolio gathered for three days of events & engaging sessions with department leaders + industry partners including Lighthouse, Amadeus Hospitality, and AHLA Foundation. ??Christine Trippi also spoke about the true spirit of great hospitality, being fearless, and how our greatest successes often stem from our worst failures. The conference featured our Annual Awards, with winners to be announced soon, a pickleball tournament, a tradeshow with our sponsors and partners, and a high stakes Casino Night! We hope everyone created meaningful connections and left with great memories with colleagues. A huge thank you to all of our GMs for traveling to Dallas, our host hotel the Courtyard Dallas Downtown & their incredible team for their hard work in making the week a success, and our talent team who organized the entire event. We couldn’t have done it without each and every one of you! ?

Today, we honor the incredible women who lead and inspire us every day. Their dedication and passion not only create a positive workplace culture but also make a difference in our lives. At Island Hospitality, we are truly fortunate to have such remarkable women who embody intelligence, strength, and compassion. Today, we celebrate women from all walks of life, across various roles and departments, who tirelessly contribute to making our world a better place each day. Your efforts, both big and small, are the foundation of Island Hospitality. Wishing you all a very Happy International Women's Day!

As Black History Month comes to a close, we are proud to highlight Harris McBride, whose exceptional dedication and strategic thinking have significantly contributed to the success of all his hotels. As a Regional Director of Sales with hotels in multiple cities, Harris's ability to identify opportunities, negotiate effectively, and collaborate with various departments has directly contributed to our competitive edge in the markets he works in. Mark George mentions Harris's results-driven approach and professionalism. Beyond his impressive sales performance, Harris embodies leadership by mentoring team members and fostering a culture of excellence. His enthusiasm, problem-solving skills, and unwavering commitment to Island make him an invaluable asset to our team. Harris's dedication goes beyond numbers and metrics; he is a true leader who inspires those around him. His ability to turn challenges into opportunities and his relentless pursuit of excellence set him apart. Harris's impact is felt not only in the success of his hotels but also in the positive culture he helps cultivate within the team. Thank you, Harris, for your outstanding contributions to our company and for being a shining example of excellence and leadership.?

We are honored to highlight Jamie Warren, the Front Desk Manager at the Springhill Suites Savannah, as part of Black History Month. Jamie's journey is a remarkable testament to resilience, dedication, and the power of hard work. As a single mother of six, Jamie began her career at the hotel as a Housekeeper. Through determination and an unwavering commitment to excellence, she worked her way to the front desk within a year and now holds the position of Front Office Manager. Jamie is known for her exceptional guest service, always going above and beyond to ensure every guest feels valued and welcomed. Her reliability is unmatched; she never misses a shift and is the first to volunteer to cover for colleagues in any department when needed. Jamie's ability to handle multiple responsibilities with grace and a positive attitude sets her apart as a true leader. Her General Manager Crystal Smith praises her for being excellent with guests and consistently exceeding expectations. Jamie's dedication to her role and her team is evident in everything she does. She embodies the spirit of teamwork and is a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Thank you, Jamie, for your outstanding contributions to our company and for inspiring us all with your incredible journey!

We are thrilled to highlight Arman Persaud a Front Desk Associate at the Residence Inn Austin/Domain Center, as we continue to highlight outstanding associates for Black History Month. Arman is an all-star front desk agent, embodying exceptional customer service and a true team-first attitude. General Manager, Melissa, shared that Arman consistently goes above and beyond, always offering his help with a big smile—whether assisting with breakfast service, covering night audit shifts, working doubles, or supporting back-office tasks. His calm demeanor, even in high-pressure situations, sets him apart, allowing him to turn challenges into positive experiences that leave guests not only satisfied but raving about his service at checkout and in surveys. Arman’s dedication, professionalism, and genuine care make every guest feel valued and welcomed. His impact extends beyond customer service—he is an incredible team player who uplifts his colleagues with his positivity and willingness to help. His hard work has earned him multiple accolades, including Associate of the Month, Associate of the Quarter for Q3 2024 from Island Hospitality, and the prestigious Associate of the Year for 2024, selected by his leadership team. Arman’s unwavering commitment to excellence makes him an irreplaceable part of our team. We deeply appreciate Arman's outstanding contributions to our company and culture!

Christina Trauthwein, VP of Content partnerships at Hotel Business, recently sat down with Gregg Forde, president/COO, to talk about our company’s performance in 2024, his outlook for 2025, talent retention and more.

We are excited to kick off Black History Month by highlighting one of our leaders, Sue McCormick who lives by the philosophy: "In order to do something you've never done, you have to become someone you've never been." Her journey in hospitality exemplifies dedication, passion, and continuous growth. Sue began her career as a Front Desk Agent at a Residence Inn in Las Vegas, quickly advancing into sales where she won numerous awards for revenue growth and successfully opened several hotels. Her deep understanding of operations, sales, and service facilitated her seamless transition to General Manager. Sue's career with Island Hospitality started early as a General Manager. After gaining experience with other management companies, she returned to Island in her current role as Regional Vice President. Sue continues to motivate, mentor, and drive success across multiple properties with a leadership style that fosters collaboration, accountability, and innovation. Included is a photo of Sue as a 24-year-old Sales Coordinator with her mentor, Steve Hymans, who taught her the importance of leading by example and supporting the team. Steve would often come in early to wash dishes and assist the breakfast staff, demonstrating true leadership. Thank you, Sue, for your invaluable contributions to our company and culture. We will continue to highlight other team members throughout the month!

Today, we celebrate the legacy of a visionary leader who not only dreamed of a better world but also inspired countless others to join him in making that dream a reality. Let's continue to carry forward his message of hope, unity, and action. #MLKDay #Leadership #IslandHospitality

Join us at the Americas Lodging Investment Summit in LA at the end of the month! We will have representation for both Island Hospitality and IHM Outdoors by our leaders including Gregg Forde, Samantha Fisher, and Drew Allison! Our team is ready to connect with industry leaders and unearth exciting new opportunities. Drop a comment below if we’ll see you there!