2016 Hampton Inn & Suites Springfield-Southwest received the Legendary Community Care Award and GM Darrin Thurman received the Legendary Hospitality Award

During National Travel and Tourism Week, the Springfield Convention & Visitors Bureau recognizes local Legends In Tourism at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum & Library. In 2016 our very talented Team Members at the Hampton Inn and Suites Springfield-Southwest received two highly honorable awards; The Legendary Hospitality Award – Awarded to a hospitality partner that goes the extra mile to create excellent guest experiences, and The Legendary Community Care Award – Awarded to an organization that gives back to the community.

Over the past year the team at Hampton Southwest has caught on fire with enthusiasm becoming a force in the hospitality community for giving back to this great city. It all started with an idea; one where the staff would complete 31 service projects in the 31 days of October. It was a hefty project for a month that the hotel experienced nearly an 85% occupancy. The team rallied and together brought this idea of “Hands on Hamptonality” to life.

The team sprang into action and completed other projects like delivering breakfast to our local fire department, serving dinner at the Ronald McDonald house, and baking fresh banana bread and giving to other service oriented industry workers. Hampton Southwest collected socks for local shelters and delivered old blankets to the APL to be used in their shelter space. The team even performed a concert at the Senior Services Center of Illinois while providing an afternoon dessert. Other ideas included a canned food drive, and delivering hygiene kits to a local shelter.

The best part is the team has continued their volunteer efforts ever since. The Ronald McDonald house has become a major focus, participating each month in the guest chef program. Our staff also makes baby blankets and even “premie” hats for the Ronald McDonald House to distribute to families when staying in the house. Hampton Southwest also continues to be very involved at the Senior Services Center. Last December, we performed a Christmas concert program while serving the seniors there a lunch and dessert, and another concert for Valentine’s Day.