This year, Days Inn & Suites in Winkler is the only location in Manitoba to receive an award from the hotel chain.
The honour goes to Jon Maclam — he won the 2024 General Manager of the Year Award.
For him, it’s a meaningful recognition.
“It means a lot. [There are] over 100 Days Inns in Canada, and there's only one award,” he says. “It's great ... to be recognized by the corporate level for the work you put into the hotel at the local level.”
What makes the difference?
Maclam says that his career strategy is to pay attention to guest feedback.
“Every guest has a survey that they complete at the end of their stay, and it's what you choose to do with that information that can make the difference,” he says.
“The excellence demonstrated by our award winners not only sets a benchmark for the industry but also solidifies Days Inns' position as a trusted leader in lodging. These properties embody the core values of our brand: exceptional service, cleanliness, and a personalized guest experience that keeps guests coming back time and time again.”
-The Days Inn press release on Maclam’s award and others.
“We made improvements to our breakfast — from a continental to a full hot breakfast. We changed amenities in the rooms, Keurig coffee machines, newer TVs, digital casting, and just updated amenities that the guests mentioned as deficient and out-of-date.”
An all-star staff
Maclam is also supported by staff who help “fulfill the vision” of the hotel.
“One person can only do so much. You need the entire team to buy in and group effort to provide that hospitality service to every guest that comes through the door,” he says.
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“I'm not here to greet every guest ... or clean every room, so it’s ... [the team’s] recognition as well.”
Maclam says that this award is hopefully “the first of many” as he looks to the future of Days Inn in Winkler.
With files from Robyn Wiebe