MLA Selects Dave Brott as '2009 Hotelier of the Year'
Inducts Doug Anderson into the Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame
St. Paul, Minnesota - January, 2010 - The Minnesota Lodging Association (MLA) has honored Dave Brott (Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomington) with its "2009 Hotelier of the Year" Award. The award was presented during the association's holiday party in December by Bill Foussard of the White Bear Country Inn, last year's honoree. Also the Minnesota Lodging Association has inducted Doug Anderson of DDD Motel Corporation, Mankato, into the Minnesota Hospitality Hall of Fame.
Dave Brott, a native of St. Paul, began his hospitality career as a houseman at the Sheraton Airport and took his first position as a general manager in 1974 at the Sheraton St. Louis. Known for a team-oriented management style with a focus on service, he shared his talents with properties all over the Twin Cities, including: Thunderbird Hotel, Bloomington; the Radisson Plaza Hotel, St. Paul; Normandy Inn, Minneapolis; Holiday Inn, Burnsville; Fantasy Suites Hotel, Burnsville; Holiday Inn, St. Paul East; Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport Hilton; Country Inn & Suites Mall of America; and Hospitality Inn & Suites, Bloomington. Brott currently serves as general manager of the Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomington.
Brott earned a reputation as a turnaround specialist by taking several properties from the fringe of bankruptcy to the top ranks of their companies. Additionally, he has overseen the opening of five hotels, including his current property, which opened in 2002.
The state's lodging industry appreciates Brott's willingness to share his knowledge and expertise. For 10 years he taught Hotel Management for the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Education Institute. He has been an active participant in the Minnesota Lodging Association for 18 years, including serving as president, board member and chairman of numerous committees. He has also been a leader in the Bloomington Hotel Association and currently serves as its president.
Doug Anderson is a native of Willmar and a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus College. After a stint in the Navy reserves, he joined the management training program at Dayton's in downtown Minneapolis. His father, Don, was in the fuel oil business, but bought a small roadside motel with 12 units and later added 16 rooms. Don later moved to Rochester with a small ownership interest in the Holiday Inn which was under construction. The hotel opened in November, 1963. Doug joined his father and brother Dean in the management of the Holiday Inn South in Rochester less than a year later.
The family ultimately created DDD Motel Corporation in 1968, using the initials of Don, Doug and Dean. DDD Motel Corporation built the Holiday Inn North Mankato in 1969, (Later, the property converted to a Best Western.) Doug served as the general manager. He was also instrumental in the plans and construction of the Holiday Inn Downtown, Mankato, (now called the Mankato City Center Hotel) which opened in 1979. In 1987-88, he managed the Holiday Inn, Bemidji. Today, Doug Anderson is the remaining "D" in the DDD Motel Corporation, as his father and brother have passed away.
Anderson was instrumental in the success of the Minnesota Motel Association, which later became the Minnesota Association of Innkeepers and ultimately merged with the Minnesota Hotel & Lodging Association to become the Minnesota Lodging Association. He is a former member of the Explore Minnesota Tourism Council and was appointed to the Governor's Task Force to investigate Fire Marshal fees. He also served on the advisory board for the International Association of Holiday Inns.
About the "Hotelier of the Year" Award
This annual award recognizes an individual's professionalism, innovation, leadership and community involvement. In order to be considered for this award, the nominee must:
Be employed by a member property of the Minnesota Lodging Association
Demonstrate sustainability/longevity in the business
Contribute to the community and industry on a state and local level
Show passion for the industry
Demonstrate staff development/retention
Achieve business success
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