"It's with much pride that we honor these individuals who've dedicated countless hours to improving both the local and national hospitality communities," said AH&LA president/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. "Their drive and leadership strengthen the power and impact of our associations and make the industry better for both our employees and our guests."

The awards were presented to the following:

• Arizona Hotel & Lodging Association
  Greg Bryan, General Manager, Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn -- Grand Canyon, AZ
• Arkansas Hospitality Association
  Jed Bullock, Owner, Best Western Eureka Inn -- Eureka Springs, AR
• California Hotel & Lodging Association
  Jim Beazley, Owner, The Beazley House -- Napa Valley, CA
• Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association
  Navin Dimond, CEO, Stonebridge Companies -- Englewood, CO
• Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
  John Weit, Area General Manager, Marriott Atlanta Airport -- College Park, GA
• Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
  Robert Habeeb, President, First Hospitality Group -- Rosemont, IL
• Iowa Lodging Association
  Rick Funke, General Manager, Sheraton West Des Moines -- Clive, IA
• Maryland Hotel & Lodging Association
  Patrick Leary, General Manager, Fairfield Inn/Hospitality Partners -- Bethesda, MD
• Montana Innkeepers Association
  Sandra Johnson-Thares, CHA, General Manager/Co-Owner, O'Haire Motor Inn -- Great Falls, MT
• New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association
  John C. Tsunis, Chairman/CEO, Long Island Hotels LLC -- Hauppauge, NY
• North Carolina Restaurant & Lodging Association
  Sterling Webster, Partner and General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn -- Kitty Hawk, NC
• Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
  John Williams, General Manager, Skirvin Hilton Hotel -- Oklahoma City, OK
• Oregon Lodging Association
  Jim Kinney, General Manager, Seventh Mountain Resort -- Bend, OR
• Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association
  William D. Kohl, CHA, CFBE, President, Harrisburg Hotel Corporation -- Harrisburg, PA
• Rhode Island Hospitality & Tourism Association
  Mark Gervais, General Manager, The Hotel Viking -- Newport, RI
• Tennessee Hospitality Association
  Dee Lundy, Owner, Lundy and Associates -- Knoxville, TN
• Virginia Hospitality & Travel Association
  Chris Canavos, CHA, Owner, Country Inn & Suites -- Williamsburg, VA
• Wisconsin Innkeepers Association
  Mark Johnson, Vice President and General Manager, Best Western Milwaukee Airport Hotel & Conference Center -- Milwaukee, WI
• Wyoming Lodging & Restaurant Association
  Ken Patel, Owner, Comfort Inn Laramie -- Laramie, WY