AwardsWHLA celebrates excellence across Wisconsin’s lodging industry with awards that recognize outstanding service, innovation, leadership, and lifetime achievement. Whether honoring frontline team members, educators, development projects, or industry leaders, these awards highlight those who make a meaningful impact on hospitality in our state.
Nominations Open: April 1, 2026 |
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Categories
Click the drop-down links below to learn more and submit nominations.
Spirit of Hospitality
Honors hotel team members who deliver exceptional service and embody the true spirit of hospitality.
Up to 12 awards are presented annually, with winners representing properties of all sizes (1-10, 11-50, 51-500, and 500+).
Award Recognition Includes:
Up to 12 awards are presented annually, with winners representing properties of all sizes (1-10, 11-50, 51-500, and 500+).
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Luncheon
- Complimentary event pass for the WHLA Awards Luncheon
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media and in the WHLA Innsider newsletter
Eligibility Criteria
- Nominees must be employed by a current WHLA member hotel or lodging property
- Owners, operators, and general managers are not eligible for this award
- Limit one entry/award per property
- Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards
Who can nominate?
Anyone employed at a company or property that is a member of WHLA.
Hero of Hospitality
Recognizes team members who have taken extraordinary action to save a life or prevent serious injury.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Luncheon
- Complimentary event pass for the WHLA Awards Luncheon
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media and in the WHLA Innsider newsletter
Eligibility Criteria
- Nominees must be employed by a current WHLA member hotel or lodging property.
- “Hero” event must have occurred within 18 months of the date of the nomination.
- Limit one entry/award per property
- Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards
Who can nominate?
Anyone employed at a company or property that is a member of WHLA.
Wisconsin Lodging Hall of Fame
Honors industry leaders and pioneers—past and present—whose contributions have had a lasting impact on Wisconsin’s lodging industry and WHLA.
The Wisconsin Lodging Hall of Fame honors up to three individuals each year, celebrating those whose lasting impact has helped shape the state’s hospitality landscape.
Award Recognition Includes:
The Wisconsin Lodging Hall of Fame honors up to three individuals each year, celebrating those whose lasting impact has helped shape the state’s hospitality landscape.
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Luncheon, with an opportunity to share remarks
- Two complimentary passes to the WHLA Awards Luncheon
- Personalized commemorative bell award
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible nominees must have at least 25 years in the lodging industry and at least 10 of those years in Wisconsin.
- Awards may be given to those currently employed in the industry, retired from the industry, and posthumously.
Who can nominate?
Nominations may be submitted by WHLA members, industry peers, property owners and operators, past award recipients, WHLA board members, industry partners, and self-nominees.
Educator of the Year
Celebrates educators who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to preparing students for success in the hospitality industry by providing high-quality learning opportunities and pathways for career success.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Dinner, with an opportunity to share remarks
- Two complimentary passes to the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
- Any individual working at an organization offering a hospitality-related class or program.
- Roles/Positions may include: Instructor, Professor, Adjunct Faculty, Program Advisor, Guidance/Career Counselor, Department Heads
- Hospitality Related Programs may include: Baking & Decorative Arts; Culinary Arts / Culinary Management; Event Management / Event Planning; Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism Management; Hospitality Assistant; Hospitality and Event Management; Hospitality Management; Event Management; Hospitality Specialist
Who can nominate?
Anyone can nominate an individual for this award, including teachers, parents, colleagues, friends, or students by completing the online nomination form. Self-nominations are also allowed and encouraged.
Development Excellence
Recognizes lodging projects that demonstrate innovation, quality, and impact on Wisconsin’s hospitality industry.
Up to one project may be recognized in this category annually, or up to two awards in distinct categories as determined by the WHLA Awards Committee.
Winners enjoy comprehensive recognition, amplifying their unique achievements.
Up to one project may be recognized in this category annually, or up to two awards in distinct categories as determined by the WHLA Awards Committee.
Winners enjoy comprehensive recognition, amplifying their unique achievements.
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Dinner, along with an opportunity to share remarks
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
- Project completed within the last two years
- Property must be in membership with WHLA
Who can nominate?
Anyone can nominate a project including property owners, operators, and developers can self-nominate through an online nomination form.
Associate of the Year
Honors a WHLA Associate Member—individual or company—providing exceptional service, engagement, and support.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Dinner, with an opportunity to share remarks
- Two complimentary passes to the WHLA Awards Dinner at the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
A company or an individual may be eligible for this award.
Company Eligibility Criteria
Individual Eligibility Criteria
Company Eligibility Criteria
- Company or organization must be a member of WHLA
- Membership must be a WHLA member in good standing for at least the last 2 years
- Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards
Individual Eligibility Criteria
- Currently employed at a company or organization in membership with WHLA
- Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards
Who can nominate?
Anyone employed at a company or property that is a member of WHLA.
Corporate Champion
Recognizes leaders from management companies or ownership groups whose contributions advance the industry, inspire their peers, and set new standards of excellence.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Dinner, with an opportunity to share remarks
- Two complimentary passes to the WHLA Awards Dinner at the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
- Employed at a lodging management company or ownership group with all properties in membership with WHLA.
- Minimum 5 years in the lodging industry.
- Past winners are not eligible for repeat awards.
Who can nominate?
Anyone employed at a company or property that is a member of WHLA.
Innkeeper of the Year
WHLA’s highest honor, recognizing exceptional leadership and a strong commitment to lodging excellence.
This prestigious award is available to all general managers of WHLA member properties, regardless of their size. It celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, innovation and influence throughout their career in hospitality. The award acknowledges those who have had a lasting impact on leadership and excellence, inspiring others and shaping the future of Wisconsin’s lodging industry.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
This prestigious award is available to all general managers of WHLA member properties, regardless of their size. It celebrates individuals who have demonstrated outstanding dedication, innovation and influence throughout their career in hospitality. The award acknowledges those who have had a lasting impact on leadership and excellence, inspiring others and shaping the future of Wisconsin’s lodging industry.
This award may be presented once each year.
Award Recognition Includes:
- Formal recognition at the WHLA Awards Dinner, with an opportunity to share remarks
- Two complimentary passes to the WHLA Awards Dinner at the Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show
- Personalized award plaque
- Featured spotlight on WHLA social media, coverage in the WHLA Innsider newsletter, and inclusion in additional association publications
Eligibility Criteria
- 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 company or property that is a member of WHLA.
Nominations
Nominations open on April 1 for the 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards.
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Awards CeremonySpirit of Hospitality and Hall of Fame winners will be celebrated during the WHLA Awards Luncheon in September.
The Educator, Development Excellence, Associate, Corporate Champion, and Innkeeper of the Year award winners will be announced at the Awards Dinner on November 1 during the 2026 Wisconsin Lodging Conference & Trade Show. |
