RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - Rancho Cordova Travel & Tourism (RCTT) has awarded its inaugural Tourism Champion of the Year award to Hillary Johnston. Johnston served as Sales and Operations Manager for the Fairfield Inn and Suites at the time she earned the award and has since taken a role as Area Sales Coordinator for Hyatt Place in Rancho Cordova. Her efforts during peak of the COVID-19 pandemic were instrumental in securing business for Fairfield Inn and Suites and several other Rancho Cordova-based hotels.

One person stood out as contributing to the success of the destination in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. Hillary Johnston not only led the charge for business to her hotel, but also assisted several other hotels in the Rancho Cordova remain profitable during Covid due to her relationship with the California Military Department. In fact, the day layoff discussions were taking place at her hotel, Johnston informed management that she had business for the hotel. She assisted National Guard to occupy rooms for long-term stays not only at her hotel, but she brought enough business to fill two other Rancho Cordova hotels as well. This move saved her hotel from having to layoff any employees at a time when some properties were laying off up to 80-percent of their staff. The lodging room blocks Johnston brought to the city delivered millions of dollars in revenue to Rancho Cordova hotels at a time when it was most needed.

“Hillary was an obvious choice for our nominating committee this year,” said Marc Sapoznik, president and CEO of Rancho Cordova Travel & Tourism.” Her Herculean efforts to bring business to the region, and her unwavering efforts to provide the best guest experience during an incredibly difficult time, truly set her apart. We’re very fortunate to have Hillary working in our hospitality community.”

Johnston is known as being a team player and leads by example. Throughout the pandemic, while navigating the everchanging state and local health department rules, she worked hard to ensure guests would leave her hotel with 100-percent satisfaction. She bolstered employee moral by hosting luncheons, potlucks, and offering root beer floats.  During the destructive Caldor Fire, she worked with Cal Fire teams to provide all the elements to make sure they had a restful night’s sleep while staying at her hotel. Also, importantly, she worked with numerous Caldor Fire evacuees by going above and beyond to assist them during their time of need. 

As if her efforts to secure business were not enough, Hillary also stepped up to help Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Rancho Cordova Police Department with a child trafficking sting operation that captured 20 predators. For this effort, she received several commendations.

Her Tourism Champion of the Year award also came with proclamations for her efforts from Congressmember Ami Bera, Assemblymember Ken Cooley, and Mayor Donald Terry for the City of Rancho Cordova.

Under the marketing name of Visit Rancho Cordova, RCTT serves as the tourism bureau for Rancho Cordova. With 17 lodging properties, and 18 by fall, offering economy to Four Diamond accommodations, Rancho Cordova is the ideal basecamp to explore the Capital Region, Gold Country and northern California. Locally, the Rancho Cordova Barrel District and the American River Parkway are a big draw for visitors. Sacramento International Airport is located 25 miles away. For more information on Rancho Cordova, visit www.visitranchocordova.com.