Member Spotlight

Deann Patena, Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa

In my time with ISAE I have had the opportunity to work with some extraordinary people. Among this group is Deann Patena, Director of Sales for the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa. It seemed appropriate to spotlight Deann in July because the ISAE Annual Convention will be hosted by the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa. But, this isn’t the only reason! I selected Deann for the July Member Spotlight based on her dedication to ISAE and to ISAE members. Over the years, Deann and the properties she has represented have sponsored programs and events for ISAE. In 2009, the Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa became an ISAE Annual Silver Sponsor and has continued that support in 2010.

The Blue Chip Casino Hotel & Spa is northern Indiana’s leading regional entertainment destination. An expansion completed in 2009 added 302 upscale hotel rooms, the Stardust Event Center, a 10,000 square foot spa, and two Vegas themed restaurants – The Game and It’s Vegas, Baby!. In addition, Blue Chip offers a 65,000 square foot casino with nearly 2,000 slot machines and 50 table games. Each experience at the Blue Chip is unique. It takes a team of 1,100+ to make this happen day after day. Not many northern Indiana properties can compete with Blue Chip’s entertainment, restaurants, event space, guest rooms, spa and casino. Blue Chip is one of the 16 properties in the Boyd Gaming family. Founded more than 30 years ago, Las Vegas based Boyd Gaming Corporation is a leading casino entertainment company. It isn’t difficult to see why Deann has landed at the Blue Chip. She has a great new property to sell and gets to do so while working with an awesome team of people.

After getting to know Deann, I couldn’t imagine her doing anything else! So, it was a shock to learn she graduated from Ball State University with a journalism degree and only entered into the hotel business as a front desk clerk until she “found her career”. Apparently, it found her. She has been in the hotel industry since 1987, working in positions such as Senior Sales Manager at the Radisson Hotel Star Plaza, and General Manager at the Hampton Inn northwest Indianapolis. As the Director of Sales at the Blue Chip since March 2008, Deann works with the association market and oversees the sales department an all day-to-day tasks to ensure the team members meet their goals.

Even the best position comes with challenges and Deann’s is no exception. Deann shared with me that the economy and the effect it has had on travel remains their biggest challenge. In addition, she constantly is looking for new ways to encourage people to travel to Michigan City for their meetings. Through the challenges of the tourism industry, Deann has learned that the most important rule is to stay true to your word. And, providing great customer service is what this industry is all about.

The interview ended with a few questions about Deann the person and her successes:

Q: What is your current professional goal?
A: To continue her career growing with Boyd Gaming.

Q: What is your most recent accomplishment?
A: Recently being elected the President of IMPI (Indiana Chapter of Meeting Professionals International)

Q: Why are you an ISAE member?
A: To expand my knowledge in the association world so that I can better understand the needs and wants of my guests.

Q: What do you look for in your ISAE membership?
A: Creating a relationship with other members. My involvement has allowed me to make a lot of great contacts and friends.

Q: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
A: I really enjoy hanging out with my husband Tim and my 6 year old daughter Clair. The three of us have a great time together. We are always on the move and make the most out of our time together. Our most recent trip was to Holiday World in which I am pretty sure my fear of enclosed spaces was cured after riding all of the water slides!

Q: Do you have any hobbies?
A: Golf or any activity outside in the summer and shopping…is shopping a hobby?