The Best Western Australasia Convention, held last week at BEST WESTERN Hobart in Tasmania, created a rousing reception with the announcement of its 2014 Awards for Excellence winners.

Attended by 180 hoteliers, Best Western staff and suppliers, the five-day convention featured keynote presentations, social events and a day of sightseeing at Bruny Island and Port Arthur. It was also the first convention held at a Best Western Australasia member hotel.

Rob Anderson, Best Western Australasia's Chief Executive said after a strong 2013/14 financial year with the group increasing overall revenue by 24% and opening 14 new properties, the calibre of this year's award finalists was extremely high.

“I'm proud of our members' commitment to delivering the very best hospitality experiences. Our hoteliers work hard and I'm honoured each year to see those who have performed above and beyond be recognised for their contribution not only to the industry, but to the Best Western brand,” Mr Anderson said.

Presented by sponsors including Telstra and Best Western Australasia's President Phil Hateley at a gala dinner on the final night, the 2014 Awards for Excellence winners were:

Best Property Staff Member: Elaine Millman - BEST WESTERN Hospitality Inn Kalgoorlie (Kalgoorlie, WA)

Best Western Rewards Champion: BEST WESTERN Hospitality Inn Esperance (Esperance, WA)

Highest Quality Assurance Score: BEST WESTERN PREMIER Terrace Hotel (Perth, WA)

Best Apartment Style Property: BEST WESTERN Torbay Seaview Holiday Apartments (Torbay, WA)

Sales & Marketing Champion: BEST WESTERN PLUS Garden City Hotel (Canberra, ACT)

Highest Customer Care Score: BEST WESTERN Werribee Park Motor Inn (Werribee, VIC) and BEST WESTERN Beechworth Motor Inn (Beechworth, VIC)

Best PLUS Property: BEST WESTERN PLUS The Carrington (Shepparton, VIC) and BEST WESTERN PLUS Charles Sturt Suites & Apartments (Wagga Wagga, NSW)

Most Improvements and Upgrades: BEST WESTERN The Stirling Rockhampton (Rockhampton, QLD)

Best 3.5 Star Property: BEST WESTERN Kennedy Drive Motel (Tweed Heads, NSW)

Best 4 Star Property: BEST WESTERN Heritage Motor Inn (Corowa, NSW) and BEST WESTERN PLUS Ambassador on Ruthven Motor Inn (Toowoomba, QLD)

Best 4.5-5 Star Property: BEST WESTERN PREMIER Terrace Hotel (Perth, WA)

President's Award: Michael Matulick, Concept Amenities

On the night, a silent auction raised almost $11,000 for Best Western's World Vision Sponsorship Fund in Laos. Paul Hodda, owner of BEST WESTERN Ascot Lodge Motor Inn in Goondiwindi Queensland, also produced a video from his trip to Laos in March, showing how Best Western's charitable donations are making a difference to the quality of life for 50 children living in the rural Xaybuathong district.

Several keynote speakers appeared at this year's convention including Antarctic adventurers James Castrission and Justin Jones, Best Western International representative Wes McKeage and Travel Daily's Bruce Piper led a panel discussion with representatives from Tourism Australia, TripAdvisor and Hooroo.com.

The convention ran from 23 – 27 August in Hobart, Tasmania.

About Best Western Australasia
Best Western Australasia is part of Best Western International, the World's Biggest Hotel Family, with over 4,000 hotels in 100 countries worldwide. There are almost 180 independently owned and managed Best Western hotels across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji with three hotel types: BEST WESTERN, BEST WESTERN PLUS and BEST WESTERN PREMIER. Find out more at www.bestwestern.com.au

Media contact
Lauren Bremner
Media & Communications Manager | Best Western Australasia
lbremner@bestwesternaustralia.com.au
(02) 8913 3346