The Tennessee Hospitality Association honored two Chattanooga hotels at its annual ‘Stars of the Industry’ awards banquet, held this month in Murfreesboro.

The “Stars of the Industry” awards is an annual ceremony held by the Tennessee Hospitality Association to honor the industry’s best hotels, restaurants and employees. This year’s ceremony honored 23 winners chosen from among several hundred award entries.

“It is important to recognize the ‘best of the best’ in the Tennessee hospitality industry and get that information out to other industry peers and the general public,” Greg Adkins, CEO of the Tennessee Hospitality Association, said. “It is a way to pay them back for all the hard work they have accomplished. It is really an outstanding honor.”

The Chattanoogan Conference Center and Hotel was given the Community Service Award – Medium Property for its work with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation of Chattanooga. The hotel hosted an “Evening Under the Stars” to raise money for the organization. The event was such as success that it was adopted by 12 other Benchmark Hospitality International properties across the country.

“We are very excited about winning the Community Service Award for our work with breast cancer awareness,” Tom Cupo, general manager of The Chattanoogan Conference Center and Hotel, said. “The city of Chattanooga and Benchmark Hospitality International provide us with great support in our efforts to be involved with our local community in these types of projects.”

The Doubletree Hotel Chattanooga received the Good Earthkeeping Award – Medium Property. The Doubletree has implemented numerous Earth-friendly policies, including using only rechargeable battery-operated audiovisual equipment, donating empty bottles from its bar and restaurant to a company that makes art from old glassware, and donating leftover soap from guest rooms to a refinery that processes it into new bars and then ships the soap to Third World countries. The hotel received the “Chattanooga Green Certification – Certificate of Achievement in Environmental Lodge Practices.” The certification has become a statewide model for both hotels and restaurants.

“The team members of the Doubletree Hotel Chattanooga have embraced our sustainability goals with a spirit of pride and a passion that is overwhelming,” said Bill Mish, general manager of the Doubletree Hotel Chattanooga and president of the Tennessee Hospitality Association. “I am thrilled that their efforts are being recognized with this award and that they have been allowed to tell their wonderful story in an effort to inspire others.”