Hospitality
ANNIE
FITZGERALD
Defining The Westgate Experience
The Westgate Hotel is in for a
bright future with Annie Fitzgerald
at the helm as the new General
Manager. To learn more about her
experience and plans for what
is next for the iconic hotel through 2020 and
beyond, Giving Back Magazine sat down with her
for a one on one interview.
Giving Back Magazine: What drew you to the
hospitality industry?
Annie Fitzgerald: From a very young age, I
would visit local hotels with my father (who was
a health inspector) when he tested the chemicals
in the pools. I was intrigued by the ambiance and
how the front desk person was always standing
there smiling. I still love the nostalgic smell of the
coffee when you walk in and the chlorine at the
pool, as well as watching the guests come and
go. During college, I was a room attendant at
one hotel and a custodian and shuttle driver at
another. I juggled both jobs to learn the basics of
the business. Eventually, I got the opportunity to
be a front desk agent.
GB: What are the most important lessons you
have learned?
AF: The unique needs of guests are most
important. I learned to be flexible and enjoy the
puzzle of understanding what would make them
comfortable. I also learned that hospitality is
opening my home and treating my guest as I
would a family member.
12 GBSAN.COM | AUGUST 2020