On March 7, Atlanta Marriott Marquis General Manager Erica Qualls and Housekeeper Demetras Steed were awarded General Manager of the Year and Roomkeeper of the Year, respectively, at the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association (GHLA) Stars of the Lodging Industry awards. The annual event pays tribute to the finest employees and properties in Georgia'slodging industry.

Qualls began her career with Marriott International in 1993. She has received numerous awards internally, such as Marriott International General Manager of the Year, and within the community, including the Atlanta Business League's prestigious Leadership Award for outstanding volunteerism and one of Atlanta's Top 100 Black Women of Influence.

Steed began her Marriott career in 1994. In addition to being named 2013 Roomkeeper of the Year in 2013, she was also named an Associate of the Month for the property in 2012 and 2013.

This year's Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards theme was "Heroes Behind the Hits," in honor of the employees in all areas of hotel operations who work to support exceptional service and ensure guests receive world-class treatment. A total of 281 nominations were submitted by 65 properties, with 45 winners across six property award categories and eight employee award categories. Qualls and Steed, along with the other winners, will now serve as Georgia's delegates for the nationwide Stars of the Lodging Industry Awards program managed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) this spring.