OKC hotel earns national recognition after fire

From left to right: Erik Frisbie, Director, Brand Operations, Autograph Collection & Tribute Portfolio; Matthew Cowden, General Manager, The Ellison, Oklahoma City, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel; Jennifer Connell, Vice President, Premium Distinctive Brands; and, Tony Nacci, Senior Director, Autograph Collection/Tribute Portfolio.

The general manager of The Ellison Hotel in Oklahoma City, Matt Cowden, has been recognized as General Manager of the Year 2022 by Marriott International.

The Ellison's guest survey responses lead the Tribute Portfolio in several key categories: intent to recommend, staff service, hotel cleanliness, and food and beverage.

Cowden said he accepted the recognition as a tribute to the team of associates he works with.

“When I received this award, it was just everything about what our team has done and I was just honored to accept that on their behalf because they are the reasons we’ve been successful, that we’ve been able to reopen and just continue our guest service,” he said.

He said The Ellison Hotel has one of the highest guest satisfaction survey scores in the Tribute Portfolio brand.

Cowden has worked with The Ellison Hotel for two years. Each year Marriott invites general managers and directors of sales and marketing from the autograph collection and tribute hotels to come together.

“It’s a great opportunity to visit and talk about the brand’s best practices, what’s happening, what the hotel and average rate of occupancy across the country,” he said. “Just a phenomenal event to see and learn about some other hotels especially with their own brand of tribute.”

This year’s event was held in El Paso, Texas.

The Ellison Hotel was forced to shut its doors in February due to a fire at a neighboring apartment complex that brought smoke remediation. The hotel reopened in May.

“We retained 85% of our original associates and team,” he added.