The American Hotel & Lodging Association and the AHLA Foundation have opened nominations for the 2026 General Managers of the Year Awards and the Stars of the Industry Awards.
The General Managers of the Year Awards recognize property-level hotel general managers for leadership and operational performance across multiple hotel segments. Winners will be announced Nov. 2 during AHLA’s The Hospitality Show in Miami Beach, Fla., presented with Questex, parent company of Hotel Management Magazine.
Award categories include General Manager of the Year across five property segments: Extended Stay; Full Service; Independent; Resort; and Select Service. The program also includes the General Manager Rising Star Award, recognizing a new general manager within the first 24 months of the role who has demonstrated leadership, operational performance, guest satisfaction and team development.
Additional categories include the General Manager Community Ambassador Award, which recognizes engagement with local organizations, nonprofits and businesses through community partnerships, charitable initiatives, sustainable sourcing and workforce outreach programs.
The General Manager Lifetime Achievement Award honors a hotel leader whose career reflects long-term contributions to hospitality through leadership, mentorship, and industry impact.
The Stars of the Industry Awards, presented by the AHLA Foundation, recognize hotel employees, emerging leaders and hospitality students. Winners will be announced Jan. 24, during the AHLA Foundation’s Night of a Thousand Stars Gala in Los Angeles.
The North Star Award recognizes a hotel employee for service and contributions to guests, colleagues and the community, while the Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year Award recognizes a hospitality professional under age 30 demonstrating leadership potential and innovation early in their career. The latter award is named for the former president of the Americas for InterContinental Hotels Group.
The AHLA Foundation Scholar of the Year Award honors a hospitality student enrolled in a two- or four-year hospitality program who demonstrates academic achievement and leadership potential. The award includes a $2,500 academic scholarship.
The Hotel Hero Award recognizes a hotel team member who took action during an emergency or difficult situation that resulted in a positive outcome.