The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association held its Stars of the Industry Awards Lunch on 23 September 2026, in the Empire Ballroom at the Hilton Milwaukee. WHLA published its recap of the lunch on 24 September 2026. The programme honoured frontline staff, public officials and industry pioneers.
Spirit of Hospitality Awards Name Eight Property Staff
The Spirit of Hospitality Awards go to frontline and key property team members at lodging properties across Wisconsin. The eight 2026 honorees work at eight separate properties.
Erika Baltutis, Front Desk Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Milwaukee/Franklin. WHLA cites her work as Hilton Honors Champion, her leadership of the property Safety Committee, and her service on the boards of Habitat for Humanity and Engage Franklin.
Jaclyn Duell, Guest Services Representative, Hampton Inn & Suites Madison West. The association credits her with building connections with guests and colleagues. She is also pursuing CNA coursework. Alex Hammon accepted the award on her behalf.
Dawn Evans, Hilton Garden Inn Brookfield Conference Center. WHLA marked her 30-year milestone in guest service and mentorship. Ranette Mauher accepted on her behalf.
Dan Kube, Director of Waterparks, Chula Vista Resort. The association recognised 15 years of leadership at the resort, with guest safety as the stated priority.
America Martinez, Home2 Suites Madison Central. WHLA notes she was named in more than 60 guest surveys, that she bridges language barriers for Spanish-speaking associates, and that she supports the Ronald McDonald House. Tovi Rubio accepted on her behalf.
Sarah Pekarek, Restaurant Supervisor, Holiday Inn & Convention Center Stevens Point. She was honoured for seven years of service on the early morning shift.
Jerica Shiu, Assistant General Manager, Tru by Hilton Madison West. WHLA ties her behind-the-scenes support for her team to a 100 percent guest satisfaction score. Alex Hammond accepted on her behalf.
Susana Victoriano, AC Hotel Downtown Madison. She was recognised for a decade of service. WHLA reports her department ranked in the top 25 percent of all AC Hotels nationwide in the first quarter of 2026.
Key to Hospitality Awards Honour Three Public Officials
Bill Elliott, CAE, WHLA President & CEO, presented the Key to Hospitality Awards. The award recognises public officials who show leadership and support for Wisconsin's lodging and tourism economy.
Representative David Armstrong, Wisconsin State Assembly. WHLA names him lead sponsor of the Tourism Promotion Improvement District legislation. The association also cites his work on workforce housing and childcare.
Representative Chanz Green, chair of the Assembly Committee on Tourism. He was honoured for advocacy on state tourism promotion funding and for bipartisan work across the state.
Secretary Anne Sayers, Wisconsin Department of Tourism. WHLA credits her leadership since 2020, hotel pandemic relief grants, the establishment of the state film office, permanent status for the Office of Outdoor Recreation, and tourism marketing investment.
Three Inductees Enter the Wisconsin Lodging Hall of Fame
Amy Boston, WHLA Board Chair, led the induction ceremony. The Wisconsin Lodging Hall of Fame was established in 2021.
Ron McCord (In Memoriam). WHLA records 50 years in hotel brokerage and property ownership, his term as President of the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association, a decade on the AHLA Board, and his co-founding of the AHLA Council of Inns & Suites. His daughter, Jennifer Church, accepted the award.
Gerda Safer (In Memoriam). She built the A1 Gypsy Villa Resort in Eagle River into a 20-cabin property on Cranberry Lake across seven decades. She chaired the Wisconsin Innkeepers Association in 1997.
Daniel Schetter. Schetter is general manager at the CopperLeaf Boutique Hotel & Spa and the Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center. He is a former WHLA Board Chair and the 2013 Innkeeper of the Year. WHLA notes he hosted Wisconsin's first regional anti-human trafficking task force meeting.
Who Ran the Programme
Bill Elliott opened the lunch with welcoming remarks. He thanked the Hilton Milwaukee hosting team and the 2026 WHLA Awards Committee, chaired by Larry Robe, the 2024 Innkeeper of the Year. The committee draws its members from leadership award winners of the past three years.
Victor Ravago served as master of ceremonies. Ravago is a principal at Bravo Hospitality Group and WHLA's incoming chair.
Amy Boston is general manager of the Holiday Inn & Conference Center Stevens Point. She recognised leadership across the association.
The lunch also recognised retired WHLA President & CEO Trisha Pugal, CAE, for more than two decades of leadership in Wisconsin lodging.
WHLA acknowledged eight past Board Chairs in attendance: Denise Stillman (1999), John Chastan (2015), Dan Schetter (2016), Aaron Wolf (2018), Greg Stillman (2020), Brandon McConnell (2022), Jon Jossart (2023) and Rory Madsen (2025).
Next: the 2026 Conference and Trade Show
WHLA directs members to the 2026 WHLA Annual Conference & Trade Show, scheduled for 1 to 3 November 2026 at the Kalahari Resort in Wisconsin Dells. The conference will carry further Stars of the Industry honours: Innkeeper of the Year, Corporate Champion, Associate of the Year and Development Excellence Awards.