HTM Annual Awards Dinner Features Industry Luminaries

On Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at the Omni Boston at the Seaport, the Isenberg School of Management's Hospitality & Tourism Management (HTM) Department held its much-anticipated Annual Awards Dinner, commemorating excellence, dedication, and the vibrant legacy within the industry. The event, which brought together alumni, faculty, industry leaders, and students, was a testament to the department's commitment to nurturing talent and shaping the future of hospitality and tourism.

Traci Hess, senior associate dean, reflected on the department's distinguished history, saying, "I worked as a faculty member for Isenberg for 15 years. During that time, I have come to know the HTM department for its long tradition of outstanding students and dedicated faculty and alumni. The department is a leader in HTM education, whether it's empowering workforces, integrating technology, or creating an innovative customer experience."

Melissa Baker, department chair, emphasized the theme of the year: #HTMPossibilities. She explained that the phrase underscores the vast array of career opportunities within the field. "There are so many amazing careers within this industry," Baker noted. "If we take a look around this room, you'll notice there are a lot of different possibilities. This room represents 85 years of legacy and hospitality leadership of the past, current, and future of the industry."

Among the honorees was Stephanie Krawczyk '15, who received the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. Krawczyk expressed gratitude for her formative years at UMass, stating, "I could not be more grateful for the tenacity I have, whose foundation was built during my years at UMass.” She continued, “The community at UMass is so welcoming, so diverse and inclusive, and I will forever be grateful for the years I spent there." Krawczyk is the beverage operations manager at the Marriott International Global US & Canada, IMI Agency.

Vera Manoukian, recipient of the Distinguished Industry Leader Award, shared her inspiring journey from arriving at Logan Airport with nothing but a passport and a suitcase full of dreams to being recognized for her accomplishments in a room filled with industry experts and leaders. "Who knew that teenager that didn't speak the language would be standing 3.6 miles away from where she landed to be recognized for her accomplishments," Manoukian reflected. Manoukian is the chief operating officer at Sonesta International Hotels. Denise Coll ’75, who presented the award to Manoukian, is one of the five original founding members of the HTM Alumni Advisory Board. All founding members attended the event except for the late Stephen Elmont, whose wife Linda Schwab attended in his honor.

Ilse Harley '88, recipient of the Stephen Elmont Award, reflected on the support of her family in navigating the hospitality industry. "For a family with a mom as a GM... people say it takes a village to raise a child, I say it takes a village to navigate the hospitality industry," Harley said, acknowledging the integral role her husband and son played in her journey.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented jointly to Will Guidara, acclaimed author and restaurateur, and his father, Frank Guidara '68. Prior to the event, the father-son duo engaged in an enlightening fireside chat with HTM students. Each student was given a personally signed copy of Will Guidara’s book Unreasonable Hospitality. Expressing gratitude for the award, Will Guidara shared his aspiration to carry forward his father's legacy. "I am now a dad to a three- and a one-year-old, and now my greatest challenge I have left of me is to be as good a father to them as he was to me."

Frank Guidara '68, in his acceptance speech, highlighted the importance of family. "When I think about the life that I'll look back on with pride, it all boils down to one word: legacy," Guidara reflected. "But the greatest legacy a person can leave behind is that of their child." Read more about the Guidara family.

The HTM Annual Awards Dinner served not only as a celebration of individual achievements but also as a reminder of the enduring impact of mentorship, community, and dedication within the hospitality and tourism industry. As the evening concluded, attendees left inspired—igniting their dedication to Isenberg and its mission to shape the future of hospitality and tourism management.