Stephen Szczygiel, CHIA

Senior Associate

Stephen Szczygiel, CHIA
14805 Detroit Ave, Suite 420, Cleveland, Ohio 44107
Phone: 216-810-5801
Fax: 216-810-4100

Education

Bachelor of Science in Hotel and Restaurant Management, with focus on Casino Operations; Minor in Business Administration, Drexel University

Professional Certifications

Registered Real Estate Appraiser Assistant in Ohio

Certified Kaizen Facilitator

Certified Hotel Industry Analyst (CHIA), American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and STR

Professional Affiliations

  • Drexel Alumni Association
  • Ohio Travel Association
  • National Restaurant Association
  • National Golf Foundation
  • International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions
  • World Waterpark Association
  • National Association of RV Parks and Campgrounds
  • Surf Park Central

Experience

  • Senior Associate, Hotel & Leisure Advisors, Cleveland, Ohio, 2018 – Present
  • Director of Food & Beverage, Hilton Garden Inn, Harrisburg/Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Director of Food & Beverage, DoubleTree Hotel, Princeton, New Jersey
  • Director of Food & Beverage, Embassy Suites, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Assistant General Manager, XfinityLive!, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Manager of Food & Beverage, Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course, Grantville, Pennsylvania

Stephen brings his expertise in process improvement, financial analysis, competitive benchmarking, market analysis, and operations. He prepares appraisals, market feasibility studies, economic impact studies, and impact studies throughout the United States. Prior to joining Hotel & Leisure Advisors, Stephen was Director of Food & Beverage with several Hilton branded properties, Assistant General Manager for XfinityLive! and spent many years in the casino industry as Manager of Food & Beverage for Hollywood Casino at Penn National Race Course. Stephen has had direct P&L accountability for operations exceeding $10M+ and has facilitated Kaizen Process Improvement Seminars throughout the country during his tenure in casinos. In addition to Steve’s operational experience, he studied Culinary Arts at The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College in Philadelphia. Steve is a registered real estate appraiser assistant in Ohio.

Speaking Engagements

“Utilizing Digital Signage to bring F&B Outlets to Life,” Info Comm Annual Conference, 2019

Published Articles

“Methodology for Feasibility Studies for Waterparks and Hotels,” World Waterpark Association annual convention, 2023
“As Surfing Popularity Rises, Plans for Surf Parks Surge,” Surf Park Central, January 2023
“Top Concerns and Trends for Hoteliers in 2021,” Hotel News Now, January 2022
“Indian Casino Amenities in a Post COVID-19 Era,” Indian Gaming Magazine, July 2020
“Immersive Entertainment a New Opportunity for Hotels,” Hotel News Now, September 2019