Nominate a Leader Who Inspires — 2025 Innkeeper of the Year Nominations Now Open

Each year, the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) presents its highest individual honor—the Innkeeper of the Year Award—to a visionary leader in our industry. This prestigious award recognizes a general manager or owner/operator of a WHLA member property whose career reflects extraordinary leadership, innovation, and a lasting commitment to excellence in hospitality.

​This is more than a career achievement award—it is a celebration of those who inspire others, elevate their teams, and help move Wisconsin’s lodging industry forward. The 2025 Innkeeper of the Year will be recognized during the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show this November at the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells. 

Why Nominations Matter

​Behind every great property is a leader who sets the tone, raises the bar, and creates a culture where people thrive. Nominating someone for this award not only honors their dedication and achievements—it shares their story as a role model for others in our industry.

Award Criteria

To be eligible, nominees must be:

• Employed in a key leadership role (i.e. GM, Owner/Operator) at a lodging property in membership with WHLA.
• Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards.

Who Can Nominate?

​Anyone employed at a WHLA member company or property may nominate a hotel general manager who meets the award criteria. 

Nomination Deadline: June 1, 2025

Submit an Innkeeper of the Year Award Nomination by June 1, 2025

View all award categories & links to nominations forms

Join the Legacy

The Innkeeper of the Year Award honors outstanding legacy and leadership in the hospitality industry. Previous recipients of this prestigious award are among the most esteemed professionals in Wisconsin’s hospitality sector. The properties mentioned correspond to the place of employment of each award recipient at the time they received the honor.
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2024 - Larry Robe, Knickerbocker on the Lake Hotel, Milwaukee
2023 - Sara Abbott, Metropolis Resort, Eau Claire
2022 Dave Sekeres, Lake Lawn Resort, Delavan
2021 - Cory Latourell, Hotel Marshfield, Marshfield
2020 - Rory Madsen, Gordon Lodge, Baileys Harbor
2019 - John Chastan, Kalahari Resort, Wisconsin Dells 
2018 - Jon Jossart, Ambassador Hotel & Ambassador Inn, Milwaukee 
2017 - Skip Harless, Hilton Madison Monona Terrace, Madison
2016 - Charlie Eggen, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Verona, Fairfield Inn & Suites, Madison 
2015 - Jason Ilstrup, HotelRed, Madison
2014 - Buck Drossart, The Pointe Hotel & Suites and Conference Center, Minocqua
2014 - Scott Krause, Heidel House Resort, Green Lake 
2013 - Daniel Schetter, The Best Western Premier Waterfront Hotel & Convention Center, Oshkosh 
2012 - Lola Roeh, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake 
2011 - Bob Dhir, DHIR Group, Milwaukee 
2010 - Bob Dove, Best Western Bridgewood, Neenah 
2009 - Brian Brandstetter, Cornerstone Hotel Management, De Forest 
2008 - Kari Zambon, Holiday Acres Resort, Rhinelander 
2007 - Buck Drossart, The Pointe Hotel & Suites and Conference Center, Minocqua 
2006 - Kirk Drusch, CHA, Brookfield Suites Hotel & Convention Center, Brookfield 
2005 - Scott Krause, Heidel House Resort, Green Lake 
2004 - Dan Dick, Tundra Lodge Resort & Waterpark, Green Bay 
2003 - Scott Smith, Best Western East Town Suites, Madison
 2002 - Lola Roeh, The Osthoff Resort, Elkhart Lake 
2001 - Scott Faulkner, The Edgewater Inn, Madison
2000 -  Gerda Safer, Gypsy Villa Resort, Eagle River
1999 - Kimberly Seidl, Victorian Treasures B & B, Lodi
1998 - Tim & Prudence Ross, Ross’ Teal Lake Lodge, Hayward
1997 - Kari Zambon, Holiday Acres Resort, Rhinelander
1996 - Cheryl Zaug, Country House Resort, Sister Bay
1995 - Cal Worrell, Madison Concourse Hotel, Madison

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