AHLA & AHLA Foundation Now Accepting Nominations for Hotel Industry Awards

Hoteliers, property leaders, educators, and industry peers are encouraged to submit nominations to highlight excellence across all levels of hospitality

Washington, D.C. (May 28, 2026) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the AHLA Foundation today announced that two of the hospitality industry’s most prestigious national recognition programs – the General Managers of the Year Awards and the Stars of the Industry Awards – are now accepting nominations.

The General Managers of the Year Awards recognize property-level general managers whose leadership drives excellence across every aspect of hotel operations. This awards program is the industry’s premier national recognition vehicle exclusively honoring general managers and their properties. Winners will be announced November 2^nd at AHLA’s The Hospitality Show in Miami Beach, Florida.

We welcome nominations in the following categories:

• General Manager of the Year (5 Categories) – Recognizes outstanding general managers across five distinct property categories who demonstrate exceptional leadership, operational excellence, and guest satisfaction while driving strong team culture and property performance. The property categories are: Extended Stay, Full Service, Independent, Resort, and Select Service
• General Manager Rising Star Award – Honors a new general manager who, within their first 24 months in the role, has demonstrated exceptional leadership, growth, and impact through operational excellence, guest satisfaction, and a strong culture of teamwork while showing the confidence, adaptability, and vision to lead successfully in hospitality.
• General Manager Community Ambassador Award – Recognizes exceptional commitment to building strong relationships and integrating their property within the local community through partnerships with civic organizations, nonprofits, and small businesses. Whether through sustainable local sourcing, spearheading charitable fundraisers, or creating employment outreach programs, this general manager has redefined what it means to be a ‘good neighbor,’ ensuring that the hotel is not just a place for travelers to stay, but a cornerstone of the community.
• General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award – Honors a general manager whose career reflects exceptional leadership, lasting influence, and a lifelong commitment to excellence in hospitality. More than a successful hotel leader, this individual has been a mentor, role model, and visionary whose legacy extends beyond their property through the people they inspired, the standards they elevated, and their lasting industry impact.

The Stars of the Industry Awards, powered by the AHLA Foundation, recognizes outstanding hospitality professionals and students whose contributions elevate the guest experience and strengthen the hotel industry. Winners will be announced at the AHLA Foundation’s Night of a Thousand Stars Gala on January 24, 2027, in Los Angeles, California.

Nominations are open for the following categories:

• North Star Award – Honors an exceptional hotel employee who goes above and beyond their daily duties to deliver outstanding guest experiences, support their team, and positively impact their community. 
• Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year – Named in honor of Stevan Porter, former president of the Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group, this award recognizes a rising hospitality professional under 30 who brings fresh ideas, inspires others, and demonstrates strong leadership potential early in their career.
• AHLA Foundation Scholar of the Year Award – Honors an outstanding hospitality student who excels academically and shows strong promise as a future leader in the hotel industry. Nominees must be enrolled in a two- or four-year hospitality program. The Scholar of the Year Award includes a $2,500 AHLA Foundation Academic Scholarship.
• Hotel Hero Award – Recognizes a hotel team member who took heroic action and put others first during a difficult situation or unexpected event, creating a positive outcome.

The nomination process for these awards programs can be found here:  https://ahla.secure-platform.com/a?utm_campaign=10530738

About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.

About AHLA Foundation
The AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, works to support the hotel and lodging industry’s greatest asset – our people. By connecting employees, employers, and their communities, we seek to continuously nurture a culture of professional growth and belonging. When the people who work in our industry thrive, the industry thrives along with them. The Foundation is funded by grants and charitable contributions from generous individuals and organizations who want to support individuals seeking opportunities to thrive in the hotel and lodging industry. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org.