Line Chef at Heritage Hotel in Southbury, CT Becomes Sign Language Interpreter for Deaf Conference

Dec. 2, 2010 - PRLog -- “Above and beyond” was the description of the services the staff at the Heritage Hotel Resort and Conference Center in Southbury, Connecticut provided to the 80 attendees to the Deaf Women of New England Conference held at the resort November 5, 6 and 7. Heritage Hotel General Manager Scott Robinson reported that one of their culinary staff members, Ms. Rena Hobbs of Wolcott, Connecticut, whose parents are deaf, ‘signed’ the entire weekend for their conference guests. A talented line chef for the hotel, Ms. Hobbs stepped out of her culinary role to become the constant point person representing the Heritage Hotel for the entire conference. Robinson explained, “Rena acted as the conference’s interpreter communicating every request and need of conference attendees to every department of the hotel. It was an exceptional experience for the attendees, Rena, and our entire staff.” Hobbs added, “It was a wonderful experience, especially when I learned several of the women actually know my parents. The whole weekend was a lot of fun, and I was very happy to assist all of them.”

Rena Hobbs’ sign language capabilities became involved in the November conference in September when Cassandra Boryslawskyj, coordinator of the Deaf Women of New England Conference, contacted the Heritage Hotel to schedule the conference and rooms for the 80 attendees. Rena’s life-long skills were immediately employed, and gratefully welcomed from the moment attendees began to arrive at the hotel, and ended when the last attendees departed. Robinson commented, “You could see the relief in the women’s eyes and body language when they arrived and realized they would be heard and attended to throughout their entire stay at the Heritage Hotel. We learned that having a hotel employee sign their entire conference was an exceptional conference experience for them all.”

Throughout the conference which included private banquet meals, meeting room activities, entertainment, exercises programs in the hotel’s indoor pool, and guest rooms, Ms. Hobbs worked with Kathleen Waldman, Heritage Hotel Director of Sales & Marketing. “Rena was there at every step,” stated Waldman, “providing confidence and assurance to Cassandra Boryslawskyj that at any point throughout the weekend full communication would carry forward from the group to the hotel and the same would apply in return. Rena’s natural charming demeanor and customer service came to the surface throughout the entire weekend. Her continued kindness and smile really did say a thousand words and the group left very happy with their experience and very appreciative of her efforts and hospitality.”

Heritage Hotel’s Robinson added, “It was very evident that Rena’s performance throughout the entire weekend directly contributed to the success of the conference and laid a solid foundation for a fulfilling relationship between the Heritage Hotel and The Deaf Women of New England. During their Sunday morning breakfast meeting, their keynote speaker, Dr. Suzette Garay, educational consultant and national professional motivational speaker, spoke about the strength of women, especially deaf women. At the end of her remarks, the group recognized and thanked Rena Hobbs for her dedicated, notably positive support throughout their entire conference.” Cassandra Boryslawskyj added, “It was not easy for Rena having not been trained as an interpreter however we appreciated her help very much to help us work very close and in good relationship with the hotel staff.”

The Deaf Women of New England organization was established in 1994 during a gathering of 20 to share their experiences as deaf and hard-of-hearing women around leadership, sexuality, mental power and women’s health. The organization became the Connecticut Chapter as an affiliate of Deaf Women United. In 1999, they hosted the second biennial Deaf Women New England conference, called the Northeast Deaf Women’s Conference, with the theme, “Woman’s Passage to Wisdom”. In 2004, the Connecticut Chapter of Deaf Women United was renamed as Deaf Women of Connecticut (DWC). The goal of the organization is to encourage deaf, hard-of-hearing, late-deafened and deaf-blind members to network and provide social opportunities for continued personal growth. They “aim to communicate and support each other through social gatherings, email, and the DWC website www.dwconline.org.”
The Heritage Hotel is uniquely positioned in Connecticut’s beautiful Litchfield Hills on Heritage Road in Southbury. Tucked away in the rolling hillsides, the hotel, resort and conference center is open year-round for conferences, seminars, galas, private events and celebrations including weddings and parties. They offer custom, in-house catering, professional audio-visual support, plus complete meeting planner and secretarial support. The Heritage Hotel houses 163 spacious guest rooms and suites, 2 ballrooms, and 25 meeting rooms that accommodate up to 225 attendees. All meeting rooms are fully-equipped with multi-media equipment and technical support provided by the hotel. They also feature ergonomic chairs, natural sun lighting, state-of-the-art sound systems, free wireless Internet access, and video conferencing. The beautiful resort features a heated indoor pool, outdoor pool, two public restaurants, golf course, spa center, physical fitness center, pool tables, walking, running and bike trails.

For information on Heritage Hotel Resort and Conference Center, contact Kathleen Waldman, Sales Director at 203-267-2655, email Ms. Waldman at Kathleen.waldman@heritagesouthbury.com, or visit www.heritagesouthbury.com

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The Heritage Hotel Resort and Conference Center's accommodations have earned accolades from both corporate guests and leisure guests alike. The hotel recently renovated each of the guest rooms and suites with meticulous attention to detail and more amenities.

Available room types include rooms with king beds, two double beds, double queen rooms and junior suites. Heritage Hotel also offers suites featuring a private jacuzzi and a hospitality parlor overlooking the river and golf course.

The Heritage Hotel is offering a wonderful Holiday Dinner from December 24-26. Starting at 189.00 plus tax for two guests with access to dinner, guest room, and all hotel amenities, including indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness center, arcade, and complementary wireless internet connection. Space and seating are limited.

Heritage Hotel offers special packages for all occasions throughout each year. Visit www.heritagesouthbury.com for more information.