We're proud and honored that our teammates at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport earned the top spot in the giant category in the Orlando Business Journal's 2012 Best Places to Work awards.

Rewards are always fun to receive, but this one is particularly special to us. First of all, it comes just days before the hotel's 20th anniversary celebration this Saturday! Plus, it was great that the hotel was selected from 88 nominees. But what makes it even better is that it is our own associates who voted for us - the winners were determined by an anonymous online employee engagement survey with more than 30 questions on topics such as trust, feeling valued and recognition in their workplace environment.  

We're glad our teammates in Orlando shared their thoughts and perspectives about working for Hyatt. In the Orlando Business Journal's story, Holy Pate, senior business and leisure travel sales manager at Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport, said the team puts in the extra mile every day.

 "The managers take turns greeting guests in the lobby and we help the front desk when they need it," said Pate, 50, who has been with the company for 28 years. "We really are one team."

Pate, who landed the job after graduating from college, said her first impression of the hotel was the family environment.

When Pate underwent treatment for breast cancer, she said the company was "so amazing through the whole ordeal. They were mentally and physically supportive, letting me cut back my work hours so I had quality of life. They were with me the whole way."

Hyatt Regency Orlando International Airport joins Hyatt's growing list of Best Places to Work honors and recognition this year, including properties from San Francisco to Baltimore.