ILRA presents awards for 2011

The Idaho Lodging and Restaurant Association has announced its annual Industry awards winners for 2011.

Doug Burnett, ILRA president, presented the awards at a conference in Boise. The event also raised over $2,000 for the Larry J. May Hospitality Scholarship Fund with a golf tournament at the Boise Ranch Golf Course.

"These individuals, through their participation and active involvement in the ILRA, are most deserving of the individual honors bestowed upon them" said Burnett, resident manager at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. "It's a pleasure to acknowledge their contributions to our organizations success."

The ILRA Hotelier of the Year is John May, owner and general manager of the Owyhee Plaza Hotel in Boise. He also currently serves on the Idaho Travel Council for the state of Idaho and is a past board member of the American Hotel and Motel Association.

ILRA Restaurateur of the Year is Kevin Settles, owner of Bardenay restaurants. He has opened two successful restaurant/distillery operations in southwest Idaho and a third in Coeur d'Alene. He and his businesses have been mentioned in the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Fortune, Forbes and Inc. Magazine.

ILRA Allied Member of the Year is Premier Insurance, the largest independent insurance agency in Idaho.

During the conference, the ILRA also elected its 2012 executive officers: President Diane Newman of the Best Western Burley Inn; Vice President Dan Todd of the Smokey Mountain Pizzeria Grill; Treasurer Steve Ball of Premier Insurance and Secretary Nancy DiGiammarco of Silverwood Theme Park. Burnett becomes immediate past president, with Settles named as liaison to the National Restaurant Association.