The General Manager of the Year Award (formerly Hotelier of the Year) recognizes professionalism,
innovation, leadership and community involvement.
innovation, leadership and community involvement.
2018 General Manager of the Year:
Rick Bertram - Minneapolis Marriott City Center

Rick Bertram has spent most of his career with Marriott; his first job was as a potato peeler and he soon moved to the dishroom. Over the years, Rick’s positions have included banquet manager, beverage controller, director of sales and marketing, director of convention services and assistant general manager, to name just a few.
He made his mark at the Bloomington Airport Marriott and Minneapolis Marriott Southwest here in Minnesota as well as the Cleveland Airport Marriott and the Denver Marriott Tech Center. He has been the general manager of the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis since 2014.
Rick is involved in Marriott’s Business Council, which supports the Children’s Miracle Network and the Ronald McDonald House. He is currently president of the Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association, which raises funds for destination marketing and for hospitality scholarships. He is on the board for Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Downtown Council and is the co-founder of a career pathways program for hospitality with the Hennepin County Workforce Development. He is thrilled whenever he has the opportunity to participate in the hiring process, bringing someone new into the industry.
He made his mark at the Bloomington Airport Marriott and Minneapolis Marriott Southwest here in Minnesota as well as the Cleveland Airport Marriott and the Denver Marriott Tech Center. He has been the general manager of the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in downtown Minneapolis since 2014.
Rick is involved in Marriott’s Business Council, which supports the Children’s Miracle Network and the Ronald McDonald House. He is currently president of the Greater Minneapolis Hotel Association, which raises funds for destination marketing and for hospitality scholarships. He is on the board for Meet Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Downtown Council and is the co-founder of a career pathways program for hospitality with the Hennepin County Workforce Development. He is thrilled whenever he has the opportunity to participate in the hiring process, bringing someone new into the industry.
Past Recipients:
- Doreen Nelson - GrandStay Hotel & Suites Perham (2017)
- Sue Jung - Hampton Inn & Suites, Alexandria (2016)
- Perry Sloneker - Best Western Plus Chelsea Inn & Suites, Monticello (2015)
- John Luke - Minneapolis Hilton (2014)
- Jason Subbert - TPI Hospitality, Fairmont (2013)
- Mark Dunn - Treasure Island Resort & Casino, Welch (2012)
- Nancy Vaske - AmericInn Lodge & Suites, Worthington (2011)
- Robert Rivers - Millennium Hotel, Minneapolis (2010)
- David Brott - Hilton Garden Inn, Bloomington (2009)
- Bill Foussard - White Bear Country Inn, White Bear Lake (2008)
- Mike Woitas - Country Inn & Suites, Albert Lea (2007)
- Julie Fuller - Hampton Inn, Shoreview (2006)
- Jim Waldvogel - Crowne Plaza Northstar Minneapolis Hotel, Minneapolis (2005)