Who Can Nominate? A Guide to the 2025 WHLA Stars of the Industry Awards

The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association's Stars of the Industry Awards program honors individuals and properties that excel in making Wisconsin's lodging industry outstanding. As we accept nominations for our 2025 awards, a common question we receive is: Who is eligible to nominate?

​We’ve broken it down to help you understand who can submit nominations in each category and how you can take part in honoring Wisconsin’s lodging stars.

Manager-Nominated Categories

These awards are designed to recognize the outstanding frontline team members. Only managers or supervisors of WHLA member lodging properties can submit nominations for these awards:
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• Spirit of Hospitality Award -  Honors employees who are exemplary role models of true Wisconsin hospitality.
  
  
• Hero of Hospitality Award - Celebrates team members who go above and beyond to help others, guests, or their community.

WHLA Member Nomination Categories

Nominations in these categories are limited to WHLA members, including anyone employed at a property, company, or organization that is a member of WHLA.
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• Innkeeper of the Year Award - WHLA’s highest honor, recognizing exceptional leadership and career achievement of an individual in a key leadership role (i.e. GM, Owner/Operator) at a lodging property in membership with WHLA.
  
  
• Corporate Champion Award - Celebrates the exceptional leadership and visionary contributions of management company executives and lodging owners or operators. 
  
  
• Associate of the Year Award - Presented to a WHLA vendor/associate member who has shown outstanding support to the industry and fellow members.

Open Nomination Categories

These award categories accept nominations from a diverse range of industry participants, including WHLA members, industry peers, property owners and operators, past award recipients, WHLA board members, industry partners, and individuals wishing to self-nominate.
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• Hall of Fame Award - Recognizes a lifetime of service and significant contributions to Wisconsin’s lodging industry.
  
  
• Development Excellence Award - Celebrates a recently completed property or capital improvement project demonstrating innovation and investment in the state’s tourism economy.
  
  
• Educator of the Year Award - Honors individuals making a major impact on lodging workforce development, including instructors and trainers.

Why Participate?

Participating in the WHLA Stars of the Industry Awards Program is more than just submitting a name — it's a chance to celebrate and elevate Wisconsin’s lodging industry. When you nominate a colleague, property, or partner, you recognize excellence, boost morale, and inspire others to aim higher. These awards promote the positive stories happening every day in our hotels and lodging properties, showcasing the impact our industry has on guests, communities, and careers. By taking part, you help honor today’s leaders and shape the future of hospitality in Wisconsin.

Nominations are open now through June 1, 2025.

Nominate your stars today and help us shine a spotlight on those who make Wisconsin’s hospitality industry extraordinary. Visit wisconsinlodging.org/stars to learn more about all WHLA awards categories and to access nominations form.

Learn More About the Stars of the Industry Awards

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