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Former Hampton Inn Dirksen to Become A Wingate Hotel

Johnson Development Company, the owners and operators of the Hampton Inn Dirksen of Springfield IL, today announced that the former Hampton Inn at 3185 South Dirksen Parkway, Springfield IL undergo an estimated $ 1.5 million renovation to become the newest member of the Wingate hotel chain, by Wyndham International.

The Hampton is scheduled to transition to Wingate June, 1st 2017, the four-story, the 124-room hotel will feature some notable upgrades, including enhanced and re-designed commercial space, meeting rooms and guest rooms. Guest rooms will feature new 40-inch flat screen televisions, microwaves and refrigerators, and individual guest room safes. We’re excited to be joining the Wingate by Wyndham family and are looking forward to providing our guests with the high-quality accommodations that the brand is known for, at a price that is affordable.

2017 Hampton Inn & Suites-Southwest received a 2017 Travel With Purpose Action Grant from Hilton

Recently, our team at Hampton Southwest has had the opportunity to apply for a 2017 Travel With Purpose Action Grant from Hilton and, upon their recent approval, is to be able to provide more to their local community. While serving a meal each month to the guests of the house they have had the opportunity to interact with many RMH guests. Each story involves a precious child who is receiving medical care at a nearby hospital. RMH believes families are stronger when they are together and the house provides a caring, home-like atmosphere that helps reduce the stress load these families are bearing. RMH doesn’t ask for any monetary contribution from the families who stay with them, allowing families to focus on what is most important – their child’s health.

Through the time they’ve spent with these families, they’ve identified a need that they’d love to be able to fulfill. While their local Ronald McDonald House provides a warm, inviting atmosphere, the team would love the opportunity to extend that feeling beyond the walls of the House with a Healing Garden. The Garden would offer itself as a welcome to everyone who steps outside and walks along the winding path. It’s envisioned as a place to provide some therapeutic needs of the families during their stay at the House – offering ample opportunities for gatherings, moments of quiet reflection, and of course relaxation.

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.

Darrin Thurman, General Manager of the Hampton Inn and Suites-Springfield-Southwest

Darrin Thurman, General Manager of the Hampton Inn and Suites-Springfield-Southwest, has been selected to participate in the Hilton Ambassador University Program. The purpose of Ambassador U is to build passionate Brans Ambassadors equipped with the tools, training and structure to “pay it’ forward and actively inspire personalities to shine. This select program, sponsored by Hilton, recognizes the BEST of the BEST, and then by extension fuels their ability to “fill the earth with the light and warmth of Hamptonality”.

Hampton Inn – East Peoria General Manager Earns CHA Designation

Cindy Harris, general manager of the Hampton Inn - East Peoria, Illinois was recognized by the American Hotel and Lodging Association with the designation of Certified Hotel Administrator (CHA). The CHA designation, recognized worldwide, is the premier symbol of professional achievement for lodging executives. It’s an honor awarded to professionals whose leadership and managerial abilities are exemplary; professionals who, by combining education and experience with dedication to the industry, have achieved a high level of expertise.


Today’s successful general managers and top hospitality professionals must have effective human resources and property management expertise, sound judgment, and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve knowledge, and share their experience with others. Johnson Development Company congratulates Mrs. Harris for exhibiting her knowledge in all areas required of a CHA; financial management, sales and marketing, leadership and management, human resource management, rooms management and, food and beverage management.

Rachelle Matthiesen earns PHR designation

Johnson Development is pleased to announce that Rachelle Matthiesen, human resource coordinator, has earned her Professional in Human Resources (PHR) certification from the HR Certification Institute. This industry certification signifies that individuals possess the theoretical knowledge and practical experience in human resource management necessary to pass a rigorous examination demonstrating a mastery of the body of knowledge in the field.

Ms. Matthiesen was able to accomplish this while also studying and passing her Certified Human Resource Executive designation through the American Hotel & Lodging Institute. These two designations are recognized worldwide as high acknowledgment of professionalism for Human Resource Professionals both within and outside of the hotel industry.

To pass these exams required not only her formal education and job experience requirements, but also over a year of studying and testing culminating in her final examination in Peoria, IL. Her commitment to the education and training standards within Johnson Development are greatly appreciated.

Hampton Inn – East Peoria Guest Service Agent Earns CFDM

Curtis Colburn, guest service agent at the Hampton Inn - East Peoria, was recognized by the American Hotel and Lodging Association with the designation of Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM).

Today's successful front desk managers must have effective human resource skills and rooms management expertise as well as sound judgment and practical skills. They must keep pace with change, improve their knowledge, and share their experience with others. 

The Certified Front Desk Manager (CFDM) designation provides recognition for these skills. Recognized worldwide, the CFDM designation is the lodging industry's highest acknowledgment of professionalism for front desk managers in the hospitality industry. Johnson Development Company congratulates Mr. Colburn for exhibiting his knowledge in all areas required of a CFDM.

Rachelle Matthiesen receives Certified Human Resources Executive designation from AH&LA

Rachelle has been awarded the Certified Human Resources Executive (CHRE) designation by the Educational Institute of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. The CHRE designation is one of the highest achievements awarded by the Education Institute. To qualify for this distinction, hospitality professionals must demonstrate their skills and abilities through academic achievement and industry experience. The program requires each candidate to complete a comprehensive examination which tests skills in the areas of hotel operations, financial management, human relations, human resources management, and administrative skills.