CURTAIN BLUFF ANTIGUA

The AHLA Resort Committee is an educational and deliberating body that assesses the impact of legislation and regulation directed to the resort community; fosters resort-directed economic and consumer research; encourages continuing education and environmentally responsible operational practices; and promotes resort destination travel and tourism as a means of contributing to the quality of life and the free enterprise system.

The 86th annual meeting was held at Curtain Bluff Resort in late October 2024. This was the very first time this meeting was held outside of the United States. During this meeting, two of the hotel’s outstanding team members received awards presented by AHLA Interim President &CEO, Kevin Carey and Resort Committee Chairman, Gary Thulander.

Howard Hulford and Rob Sherman both served on the Executive Committee for over 20 years.

AHLA Manager of the Year Award
The AHLA Resort Committee Manager of the Year recognizes an individual at the host property who displays consistent leadership, often going above their typical managerial duty. This person takes on each challenge as a new opportunity to positively work across departments and bring their team together to find a solution. They constantly raise the bar for themselves and their team, seeking to make their property and community a better place.

This awardee is selected by the Resort Committee Meeting Host – Winner (far right) Norma Holder

Norma Holder an amazing Caribbean woman is a Bajan by birth an Antiguan by choice, whose soul has been rooted in the hospitality industry for almost 50 years. She has worked throughout the Caribbean, from Barbados, St. Martin, Aruba and finally almost 25 years in her second home of Antigua, 12 of those years have been at Curtain Bluff as our Financial Controller. Norma is a certified Hospitality Financial & Technological Professional, Certified Accounts Executive, and has an Advanced Certification in Hospitality Management.

Norma possesses an in-depth knowledge of operational preventative maintenance, purchasing, stock control, food & beverage financial systems, policies, and procedures in hotels. She has a proven record of accomplishment in training and mentoring – particularly in the field of finance/accounting. She is committed to upholding a strong work ethic, and leading organizations and individuals to adopt a principled approach to doing business. She is a proactive & highly organized, accurate, analytical contributor with a reputation for delivering results through people. Norma’s commitment, professionalism, personality, and smile have earned her the greatest of respect in the hospitality industry she is also a priceless gem to all of us at Curtain Bluff.

AHLA Employee of the Year Award
The AHLA Resort Committee Employee of the Year recognizes an individual at the host property who goes above and beyond their daily tasks, makes guests feel special, and is always willing to give an extra hand. Their “get it done” attitude makes them an integral member of the team and critical to the success of the property. They have a passion for hospitality and regularly demonstrate their unwavering commitment to the property.

This awardee is selected by the Resort Committee Meeting Host – Winner (second from left) Andrew Buckley

Andrew Buckley a son of the soil is a born Antiguan by birth. Andrew works in the Accounts/Finance department as the Income Auditor and department supervisor. He started his accounting career as a Customer Service Representative at a local bank and then went on to earn his Bachelor of Commerce degree with a Major in Accounting and Finance in Halifax, Nova Scotia. He later returned home after earning his degree and became a staff accountant at a prestigious accounting firm.

While working at the firm he would come to Curtain Bluff to conduct annual audits and approximately two years after his first audit at Curtain Bluff there was a position opening for an Income Auditor Andrew applied, interviewed, and was successfully hired and a part of the Curtain Bluff team for the past 10 years. Andrew has proven to be a great communicator to our internal and external guests; has always provided guidance, and support and helps to manage the interdependent relationships between staff and the organization.

He is a supervisor who possesses a temperament, technical ability, and outright desire to see his coworkers strive within the organization and to ensure that he handles any guests' queries with patience and professionalism. Curtain Bluff and the Hospitality industry are indeed blessed to have a person on our team who embodies the sentiment from the standpoint of service to our guests and to each other.

Andrew was recently awarded the Supervisor of the Year award at Curtain Bluff and is also nominated for the Supervisor of the Year award with the Antigua and Barbuda Hotel and Tourism Association.

About AHLA: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80 percent of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward.