Orla Seery, Wedding & Events Co-Ordinator at the Sligo Park Hotel has been announced as the 2024/2025 Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) Sligo, Leitrim, North Roscommon Branch ‘Employee of the Year’. The announcement was made at an awards lunch at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Sligo where guests gathered to celebrate and recognise seven nominees from hotels and guesthouses across the region who have made an outstanding contribution to their workplace.

Congratulating Orla on the award, local IHF Branch Representative Daniel Cross said that when selecting her as the winner, the judges highlighted her ability to add a unique personal touch and understanding for what couples need to create a reflection of their journey together.

At the event, IHF Director of People Services, Deirdre Fitzsimons highlighted the importance of recognising excellence within the sector noting that people are our most important asset and ‘Shaping Brighter Futures’ for people in the sector by supporting future leaders in career progression and development.

Orla earned her undergraduate degree in Business Studies from the then GMIT in 2004 before going on to work in sales and marketing in the hospitality industry and regional radio where she focused on advertising sales. With a 20-year background in corporate and conference events, Orla took over the running of weddings and events at the Sligo Park Hotel almost four years ago. With her customary kindness and easy manner, she is skilled at developing a connection with couples, building a rapport that persists beyond the wedding day and honeymoon, bringing them back for anniversaries, christenings, and other major family milestones.

Other presentations on the day included a ‘Highly Commended Award’ for Malgorzata Gelus, Breakfast Supervisor at the Diamond Coast Hotel, Sligo.

The IHF Sligo, Leitrim, North Roscommon Branch extends its gratitude to the expert judging panel of Mary McGuckin, Department of Marketing, Tourism & Sport in Atlantic Technological University (ATU) Sligo and Joe Corcoran, Sligo Airport and former Chair of Sligo Tourism who had the difficult job of selecting a winner from the nominees.

The members of the local IHF Branch now wish Orla the very best of luck as she goes on to represent them at the upcoming National IHF Employee of the Year Awards which will be held during the IHF’s Annual Conference which will take place at the Gleneagle Hotel, Killarney in late February 2025.