ShareAs part of the 2020 Adrian Awards, HSMAI Hospitality Heroes is honoring hospitality professionals for their efforts to take a leadership position, champion a cause, or create a program that has directly benefited industry workers, medical personnel, first responders, or communities impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. Nominations are open.
HOSPITALITY HERO: Sheela Martinez, most recently front office assistant and manager at The London West Hollywood at Beverly Hills in West Hollywood, California
CONTRIBUTION: For her birthday in May, Martinez decided to do something for the community of ceramic potters in Santa Maria, Isabela, in the Philippines, where she was born and where her grandparents still live. With the COVID-19 lockdown preventing the artisans from creating and selling their pottery — the community’s primary source of income — Martinez put out a call on Facebook to raise money for relief bags. Costing $6, each relief bag can feed a family of four.
RESULTS: Martinez’s goal was to raise enough money to feed 200 families. Within two days, she had enough for nearly 500 relief bags.
NOMINATED BY: Kenan Tekin, dual opening general manager for Hyatt House/Hyatt Place Los Angeles International Airport — “She rallied a lot us to donate and reach out to people who can donate. For a young individual at her age to help hundreds of families in need is commendable.”
The HSMAI Adrian Awards have been honoring excellence in travel marketing for 64 years. Entry information for the 2020 Adrian Awards will be available soon. For more information, visit www.adrianawards.com.