WASHINGTON, D.C.—American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) members can now apply for the 2009 Stars of the Industry Awards online. The deadline for applications is February 16, 2009, and awards will be announced during the Stars of the Industry Luncheon on June 24 at AH&LA’s Summer Summit in Chicago. A new category in 2009 is the Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year award, created in memory of Stevan Porter, former president of the Americas for the InterContinental Hotels Group, and organized in conjunction with the association’s launch of the Under 30 Gateway, AH&LA’s new membership category exclusively for hospitality professionals under age 30. This is the first Stars of the Industry award open to all AH&LA member companies, and preference will be given to AH&LA Gateway members.
Other award categories include: Lodging Property Achievement Awards for Good Earthkeeping, Guest Services, Community Service, Special events—Ongoing and One-time Only, and Prism (for diversity). Three awards in each category will be given, based on size of property.
Employee Awards will include: Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Outstanding Manager of the Year, Outstanding General Manager of the Year, and the Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year (new for 2009; separate entry form required). Two awards will be given in each category—except the Stevan Porter award—based on the size of the property.
Members interested in applying for the 2009 awards are urged to read their state’s eligibility requirements before submitting entries to AH&LA directly; many of AH&LA’s partner state hotel associations require that all national entries be submitted to them directly for national consideration. State requirements are accessible via the main Stars of the Industry website at www.ahla.com/stars.
For more information, contact Bevin Padden at bpadden@ahla.com or (202) 289-3177; or your local state lodging association.
