Washington, The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) members can apply for the 2009 Stars of the Industry Awards online at . 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, IL.

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 hotel properties; three honors in each category are given, based on size of property)

  • Good Earthkeeping
  • Guest services
  • Community service
  • Special events — Ongoing and One-time Only
  • Prism (for diversity)

Employee Awards (for hotel employees; two honors in each category - except the Stevan Porter award – are given, based on size of property)

  • Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year
  • Outstanding Manager of the Year
  • Outstanding General Manager of the Year
  • Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year (new for 2009; separate entry form required)

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, please contact Bevin Padden at [email protected] or (202) 289-3177; or your local state lodging association.

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.

Rosanna Maietta
AH&LA