On Dec. 22, Questex Hospitality lost a treasured member of our team when Art Director Amy Witek, who oversaw the layout of numerous Hotel Management magazine issues (and multiple redesigns of both the magazine and the website), died of cancer in Avon, Ohio.
Amy joined the Hotel Management team in June 1989, and remained with the publication as it moved to different companies. As publishing transitioned from purely print to incorporate digital elements, Amy kept up with emerging technologies and became adept at creating artwork and elegant designs for online platforms. When Hotel Management began publishing ebooks and whitepapers, Amy knew how to make them look as good as the paper version of the magazine. When we needed original images for a news story on HotelManagement.net, she knew how to create the perfect picture—all without using AI.
Several members of the extended Hotel Management family shared their thoughts and memories of a talented colleague, invaluable team member and cherished friend.
Amy Vaxman
Vice president, brand leader, Questex Hospitality
“My first experience with HM was also in the Cleveland office, in 1996—that’s where I met Amy. Even after I left for New Jersey, we stayed in touch. I then spent eight years at Reed before eventually returning to Questex and Hotel Management.
“Amy was a true talent. She created some of our most memorable covers and led multiple logo redesigns during her tenure. Beyond her creative gifts, she was one of the most thoughtful people I’ve known.
“One moment that always stayed with me: Amy and Elaine surprised me by coming to one of my son’s college lacrosse games when his team was playing at Cleveland State. That kindness meant more than she probably knew.
“She will be so deeply missed.”
Elaine Simon
Former senior managing editor, Hotel Management
“After working with and more importantly, being friends with, Amy for more than 20 years, I have countless memories of pushing hard to meet deadlines, frustrated days when nothing went right, elation when pages worked out perfectly, inside jokes, gossip sessions and lunches at Vincenzo’s and Panera.
“It’s hard to imagine Hotel Management—and life—without her. ‘Ask Amy, she’ll know’ was a constant refrain around Hotel Management, and her knowledge and immense skill and creativity will be sorely missed. Personally, those of us who were lucky enough to count her among our friends will feel her loss always.”
Stephanie Ricca
Former editor-in-chief, Hotel Management
“Amy was the glue that held the Hotel Management brand and its history together. Her title was art director, but Amy was so much more than that; she was a quiet and strong leader. She knew this brand backwards and forwards, better than the reporters and editors, better than publishers and production managers, better than anyone.
“Amy’s tenure with Hotel Management began when the brand was known as Hotel & Motel Management and published tabloid-sized print issues twice a month, plus printed show dailies, related monthly print magazines and more. Whenever we had a question about how we had covered industry news in the past, or whether we’d used the same word in a headline too many times, I didn’t look my question up online, we just asked Amy and she knew.
“While she preferred to be the magician behind the scenes, everyone Amy worked with knew what a helpful, kind person—with a wicked sense of humor—she really was inside. And nobody could pull an office prank like Amy.”
Esther Hertzfeld
Executive editor, Hotel Management
“Amy was the backbone of Hotel Management. Her quiet generosity and warmth not only knew everything about Hotel Management in and out but also about caring for the people she worked with. With a patient eye for detail and a deep respect for writers, photographers and readers alike, she shaped layouts that felt welcoming and elegant. She would stay late to help others meet deadlines, she was a thoughtful ear when we were working through something and always knew when we last ran something on a particular company.
“She also had the most calming presence—nothing seemed to rattle her and she would calmly often calm by saying ‘it's not the end of the world—it's just a deadline.’
“It was fitting that Amy designed the 150th anniversary issue of Hotel Management last year—it was the last magazine she designed for us—because she knew the history and spirit of the magazine. Though she is gone, her warmth lives on in the magazines she brought into the world and the current design of Hotel Management. We will all miss her so much.”
Jena Tesse Fox
Associate editor, Hotel Management
“Amy was a real artist when it came to design—we could give her a vague description of what kind of picture we needed for a story and she knew how to create exactly what we needed—often even better than what we’d had in mind.
“Amy also was one of the most giving people I’ve ever met. When we needed help with a project, she would stay on well after hours to make sure we had everything we needed and that everything looked right. She wasn’t just committed to the magazine; she made sure everyone else on the team was supported. That meant a lot, and it set a high standard for all of us.
“And she was so much fun, too. When she came to New York City for a team meeting, I encouraged everyone from out of town to try some of my favorite bagel places while they were here. She was completely uninterested in the bagels but was determined to find the perfect babka to bring home. Her grin when she finally got that babka was absolutely priceless. (And Elaine just reminded me that the Ohio team had to go through extra security at the airport because of the babka. Kind of sorry I missed how Amy reacted to that!)
“Amy Witek was a treasure both as a colleague and as a friend. She set high standards and encouraged all of us to meet them—professionally and personally. Every issue of Hotel Management magazine is a tribute to her skill as an artist. She demonstrated grace, patience and compassion every day and made sure we knew she had our backs. She left us a wonderful legacy of art and friendship. I hope we can keep living up to her standards.”
Sue Gigliotti
Production Specialist, Questex
“There are so many things I could say as I worked with her for quite a while. She was just so easy to work with. I will miss our long phone conversations. She always had time to answer my design questions. … She was a genuine person.”
Jeff Higley
Former editorial director, Hotel Management
“Amy was a treat to work with. She not only possessed fantastic design skills and a strong work ethic, but her wit and general knowledge made things fun throughout the workday. You never knew when she’d release the zinger! Whether it was filling a massive folio during print’s heyday or building graphics during the dawn of digital publishing, you could always count on Amy to deliver. We shared a lot of memories and good laughs when we ran into each other at the local garden center. She will be missed in a big way.”
David Eisen
Former editor-in-chief, Hotel Management
“Without [Amy,] there was no Hotel Management magazine. She was as instrumental in creating and crafting as any writer or salesperson. She knew the deadlines; knew the layout; was the conduit to the printer—she was more than just a designer: She made sure everything ran smoothly.”
Elliott Mest
Former associate editor, Hotel Management
“During my time at Hotel Management, Amy Witek was an artistic maestro, an incredible sounding board for new ideas and a shoulder to lean on. Long after leaving, she was a friend. Amy was often the unsung hero of our production team, and seemed to have an answer for everything. But more than that, she was a funny, gregarious person who took time out of her day to get to know you, even if you worked states away and rarely met face-to-face. We loved yammering about football and TV while putting together the issue each month. She made everything more active, fun and enjoyable, and she will be missed!”