Meet Michelle Cardamone, the Director of Sales at the Hampton Inn & Suites Tampa Riverview Brandon, who generously supports A Kid’s Place by providing meeting spaces and special items for our events!
What brought you to A Kid’s Place and when did you get involved?
I am friends with Terry Curry who is on the board at A Kid’s Place. Listening to her talk about A Kid’s Place and the passion for the organization made me want to get involved! Hampton Inn and Suites donate stays as auction items for AKP events as well as a room for the board meetings.
I am friends with Terry Curry who is on the board at A Kid’s Place. Listening to her talk about A Kid’s Place and the passion for the organization made me want to get involved! Hampton Inn and Suites donate stays as auction items for AKP events as well as a room for the board meetings.
What inspired you to become a supporter of AKP?
Terry had such a glow when she spoke about A Kid’s Place. The passion that she had really connected with my heart.
Terry had such a glow when she spoke about A Kid’s Place. The passion that she had really connected with my heart.
What part of your involvement has meant the most to you?
When I was in High School I had peers who were in group foster care and the experience that I had with them was that they wanted to break that negative cycle. All that you all do for the kids is wonderful to see, you all truly have a special staff of special humans who try to help children and heal their hurt and break their negative cycle.
What is your favorite activity?
Football! Bills Mafia!
Football! Bills Mafia!
What would you do (for a career) if you weren’t in your current position?
I would be a cruise planner! I love going on cruises and the dynamics of booking cruises and the logistics of it all is really intriguing to me.
I would be a cruise planner! I love going on cruises and the dynamics of booking cruises and the logistics of it all is really intriguing to me.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would you want it to be?
My dad. He was straight shooter that you always knew where you stood. Both of us loved the Buffalo Bills, we would chat after the games to get his version of the game.
My dad. He was straight shooter that you always knew where you stood. Both of us loved the Buffalo Bills, we would chat after the games to get his version of the game.
What three traits define you?
Passionate, Loyal and Kind. I shoot from the hips and I am very determined!
Passionate, Loyal and Kind. I shoot from the hips and I am very determined!
How do you define success?
Happiness!
Happiness!
Who inspires you?
My relationship with Margaret is very inspiring. We are a “Team of Fierce” and we work together very well. We have been with Hampton Inn for six years and two of them working together. We even finish each other’s sentences!
My relationship with Margaret is very inspiring. We are a “Team of Fierce” and we work together very well. We have been with Hampton Inn for six years and two of them working together. We even finish each other’s sentences!
What was the last movie you watched?
The Runner, it was really good! It was about a Mom’s dedication to saving her child.
The Runner, it was really good! It was about a Mom’s dedication to saving her child.
Guilty Pleasure Food?
Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips.
Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips.
Proudest Moment?
When I won Director of Sales of The Year in 2022 for Commonwealth Hotels! I was speechless!
When I won Director of Sales of The Year in 2022 for Commonwealth Hotels! I was speechless!
What is a secret talent that you wish you had?
I wish that I could do complicated math equations quickly in my head, or that I could be an artist and do something like painting.
I wish that I could do complicated math equations quickly in my head, or that I could be an artist and do something like painting.
What is your favorite family tradition?
Gathering for the holidays. I love getting to see everyone and doing things together that we don’t get to do all the time.
Gathering for the holidays. I love getting to see everyone and doing things together that we don’t get to do all the time.
What is your favorite thing about Tampa Bay?
I have been in Tampa for 25 years and I love Gasparilla! I enjoy the comradery and meeting new people. One year I met Chad Chronister and took a picture with him!
I have been in Tampa for 25 years and I love Gasparilla! I enjoy the comradery and meeting new people. One year I met Chad Chronister and took a picture with him!
If you could be a superhero what would your power be?
I was Batgirl one year for Halloween. I would like her powers of strength and intelligence. I like that she’s feisty!
I was Batgirl one year for Halloween. I would like her powers of strength and intelligence. I like that she’s feisty!
Do you have any words of advice or encouragement for our kids?
Don’t ever give up and follow your dreams!
Don’t ever give up and follow your dreams!
If you would like to donate and item or experience for an A Kid’s Place event, please contact Mags at [email protected]