PLYMOUTH TWP., Mich., April 16, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Paul Wegert, CHA, Managing Director/Area Manager at The Inn at St. John's, received the RD Musser Hotelier of the Year award at the 2019 Pure Michigan Governor's Conference on Tourism. Wegert was recognized at the Stars of the Industry dinner on March 6, 2019 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa.
The RD Musser Hotelier of the Year award is presented annually to the Michigan hotelier who is "a visionary owner or general manager who has maintained the highest standard of inn-keeping over the expanse of their career." The award recognizes "an innovator who has continually sought to surpass expectations by mentoring rising associate stars and developing new practices which positively impact guest experience." In 2013, the Hotelier of the Year award was renamed after the late RD Musser, a lodging and tourism visionary who was the face of the Grand Hotel in Mackinac Island for more than 60 years. Musser, Grand Hotel Chairman Emeritus, and his family have owned and operated the Grand Hotel for more than three generations and have set a standard for gracious hospitality in the industry.
Wegert credits his passion for exceeding expectations and creating memorable guest experiences for guiding him throughout his career. In his acceptance speech, Wegert shared that as a hotelier, "the job is simple: work in the most beautiful buildings in the world, make all guests feel like a million dollars, make all associates feel like a million dollars, make the investors/owners millions of dollars and take care of the local community." Wegert attributes his success as a hotelier to his ability to build and retain strong teams and manage expectations. During his speech, Wegert proudly acknowledged his team as the best in the State of Michigan, but quickly corrected himself to declare them the best team in the world.
Wegert has been in the hospitality industry for more than 30 years. He began his career at the age of 15 at the Grenelefe Golf and Tennis Resort located in Florida. Wegert has held many roles as he rose the ranks in the industry, including General Manager, Director of Food & Beverage, and Corporate Office Internal Auditor with Richfield Hospitality; Corporate Director of Support Systems, Area Manager and General Manager with Sunburst Hospitality Corporation; and General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Convention Hotel in Detroit. In 2002, Wegert joined The Inn at St. John's as Managing Director/Area Manager. During this time, he also has served as Area Manager of Hotel Investment Services, Inc. working with IHG Hotels, Hilton and independent properties. While serving as Managing Director/Area Manager at The Inn at St. John's, the property has been awarded the Four Diamond AAA Award (2012 – present) and is the "home" of the Concours d'Elegance of America (2011 – present).
The Inn at St. John's is one of the top luxury hotels in the Midwest. It has held the four diamond AAA designation for the past nine consecutive years; Michigan Meetings & Events Best of Awards in multiple categories since opening; The Knot Best of Weddings since 2010; Michigan Society of Association Executives (MSAE) Best Hotel in Detroit Area since 2017, Crain's Detroit Business Largest Meeting Space in Metro Detroit List; and has proudly hosted the prestigious Concours d'Elegance since 2011 in addition to being the venue of choice for more than 200 weddings annually.