Lisa Landers, CMP, Director of Sales & Marketing, Herrington Inn & Spa, Chicago Hospitality Professional of the Month (August 2020)

September 1st, 2020 | hereschicago

Tell us your current position, company and describe what you do?

Lisa Landers, CMP-Director of Sales & Marketing for The Herrington Inn & Spa in Geneva IL-I have the wonderful privilege of marketing this lovely property to leisure travelers and working with corporate meeting planners on their retreats, training and leadership meetings

What aspects of hospitality do you incorporate in your business today? 

It really does go the origins of being hospitable, welcoming to strangers, making people feel welcomed and comfortable-having a light conversation over coffee with a guest in the morning.  This simple act is what makes the Inn what it is today. 

Where did your hospitality career begin and when was that “aha” moment when you knew you were supposed to be in hospitality as a career?

Ok I’m going way back now….my aha moment was receiving a pamphlet in the mail from Paul Smith’s College up in the Adirondacks in NY-where it said “are you friendly, love people, service, are you hard worker, team player…. etc….” and I said to my Mom that’s me!  My first job in hospitality was a hostess in a fine dining restaurant called Yesterday’s Royal.

How many years have you been in the hospitality business? 35 years since College

What type of events you plan? Corporate meetings and retreats

What qualities do you feel a person needs to have to be hospitality professional?  I would say now for what I have learned, to be a good listener and to be inquisitive- working with planners, we need to ask questions to help to create the map of their event.  That is how you identify stumbling blocks.

What do you love about planning events in Chicago?  Lots of great venues

What do you recommend for others who want to get into the hospitality profession?  Definitely get involved with MPI and other event planning organizations, these great folks will welcome you

Who has been the biggest influence in your life?  My sister Mindy Price-she is smart, compassionate, has successfully operated her own business Direct Effect Solutions for many years.

What kinds of things really make you laugh? Hanging out with my sister Mindy-she makes you laugh so hard you pee your pants!

What is your favorite movie of all time? Why so? On Golden Pond-big fan of Henry Fonda and Katherine Hepburn

Did you—or do you—have a nickname? What’s the story behind it?  LL Cool J-was given to me in the 90’s when he was big…at the time my last name started with a J…now with an L, so I have gone by LL or LL cool J….I even used this nickname when I attended a SPIN conference (senior planner industry network) where our name tags only gave our nickname….I was a hit, it was funny and then I even made a fun video when we hosted a SPIN conference in DuPage County at Oak Brook Hills Resort-I played “LL cool J” a female version, to introduce all the great things to do in DuPage.  Nathan Karstan, DOSM at the time, created this welcome video. It has stuck with me….

What is your favorite restaurant or bar (Personally)    I have always been a fan of Girl & the Goat, I watched Stephanie Izard on Top Chef and then met her one night when she was expediting the line.  Great thrill!

What’s on your bucket list?  To go to Tuscany

We would love to hear your thoughts about Hereschicago.com?  Great resource for venues and things to do in Chicago!