Visit Chicago Southland Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon Showcased Local Tourism

Matteson, Ill. – (October 9, 2025) Visit Chicago Southland's Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon, Storytelling in Motion, was a success.

The annual event, held Thursday, October 9 at Delta by Marriott (formerly Holiday Inn Chicago Matteson Conference Center), brought together local area elected officials and business leaders to review and celebrate the past year in Chicago Southland tourism.

Storytelling in Motion covered the foundation, transition, and transformation of storytelling for tourism. Speakers included Visit Chicago Southland CEO/President Mary Patchin, Visit Chicago Southland Board Chairman and General Manager of DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip Richard Brink, and DMOproz Chief Instigator Bill Geist (pictured).

“The growth of Chicago Southland tourism in fiscal year 2025 was strong, gatewaying a promising future,” lauded Visit Chicago Southland President/CEO Mary Patchin. “Highlighting how the Chicago Southland’s story is told past, present, and future allows us to both celebrate and strategize.”

Addressing the ever-changing landscape of the Chicago Southland and the tourism industry, attendees were privy to the new technology, projects, and initiatives by Visit Chicago Southland during fiscal year 2025 including its social media influencer campaign, 3D signage program, Passports to the Southland rewards, hotel developments, and AI enhancements.

Fourteen awards were presented across the Chicago Southland Stars of Industry and Chicago Southland Tourism Awards categories, including the inaugural Southland Shines Community Beautification Award going to the Village of Glenwood. All winners were:

Chicago Southland Stars of the Industry Award Winners:

Administrative Employee of the Year: Danielle Dickey, Area Sales Coordinator, Midway Hotel Center Bedford Park

Food & Beverage Employee of the Year: Guillermo Saavedra, Restaurant Bartender, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip

Guest Services Employee of the Year: Luanne Travid, Reservations Agent, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip

Housekeeping Employee of the Year: Margarita Salazar, Housekeeping Supervisor, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip

Maintenance Employee of the Year: Anthony Berg, Maintenance Manager, Quality Inn & Suites Orland Hills

Manager of the Year: Lashonda Turner, Assistant Manager, Hampton Inn & Suites Matteson

Sales & Marketing Manager of the Year: Mary Rogers, Catering Sales Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton Chicago-Alsip

Chicago Southland Annual Tourism Award Winners:

Award of Merit: Ed Nelson, President, Peotone Historical Society

Award of Merit: Moraine Valley Community College

Beautification Award: Village of Glenwood

Member of the Year: Governors State University

Municipal Leader of the Year: Village of Matteson

Senator Aldo DeAngelis Leadership Award: Mayor Don DeGraff, Village of South Holland

Spirit of Hospitality: Tom Shepherd, Local Historian

Visit Chicago Southland is the official destination management and marketing organization for Chicago’s south and southwest suburbs. Visit Chicago Southland nationally markets and sells the Chicago Southland region as a destination for meetings and conventions, group tours, sports events and leisure travel. For more information, go to VisitChicagoSouthland.com.