Bed sheets flew through the air, and luggage carts whizzed down the hallways last week at the 2005 Hospitality Games, a competition for hotel staff.
The H-Games, as the competitors call the event, are produced by the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association to test and reward workers for their job skills. More than 1,000 employees from 42 Chicago and suburban hotels competed in four main events.
“People do these jobs day in and day out and don’t get a lot of recognition,” said Marc Gordon, the president of the association. “These games allow them to show their stuff.”
In Sealy Bednastics, teams of two tried to strip and make beds in record time. Bell men and bell women raced luggage carts through an obstacle course in the Bell Cart Wheelie. Hotel maintenance men tested engineering skills with the use of a red wagon. And in Ready, Table, Set, Go, banquet staffs were rated on their table setup speed.
Hyatt Lodge Oak Brook was this year’s overall winner, its third straight championship. Employees from the Hilton Garden Inn on Grand Avenue and Sofitel Hotels at O’Hare and Water Tower came in second and third, respectively. Kimpton Hotels, which runs the Allegro, Monaco and Burnham Hotels, received the spirit award for dedication and sportsmanship. Winners received prizes including luggage, queen-sized beds, home appliances and gift certificates.
