ADMINISTRATIVE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who work in an administrative support role. This includes Administrative Assistants in Executive Offices, Sales, Catering, Convention Services, Human Resources, Purchasing, Marketing/Public Relations and Accounting departments. ALLIED / STRATEGIC PARTNER EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who are employees of IHLA’s Allied members and Strategic Partners. This nomination can fit any team member, regardless of their department or role in the company.
BELL STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who provide guest services outside of those described in the Guest Service category. This includes Bell Stand, Door Attendants, Parking Attendants, Valet Cashiers and Courtesy Drivers.
COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD This award recognizes properties for programs that provide services to benefit their communities. Examples include campaigns to benefit local or national service organizations or charities, service to the community through a special project, social responsibility programs and joint undertakings with community groups to provide resources to populations in need.
DEPARTMENT - DIVISION HEAD OF THE YEAR Recognizing department leaders who are responsible for entire departments, divisions or functions and sits on the Executive Committee Hotel Manager, Assistant General Manager, Director of Food and Beverage, Director of Rooms/Front Office, Director of Housekeeping, Directors of Sales, Events or Catering, Controller, Executive Chef, Director of Human Resources, Director of Property Operations or Director of Outlets. Nominees will be judged on their leadership and professionalism when training, motivating and developing their employees, including the service they provide to the guests and the hotel.
FIRST-LEVEL SUPERVISOR OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who provide direction, assign work and are responsible for a group of team members. This includes employees such as: Banquet/Convention Service Leads, Front Office Supervisors, Floor Supervisors, Housekeeping Supervisors, Reservation Leads, Restaurant Supervisors and Stewarding Supervisors.
FOOD & BEVERAGE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – FRONT OF THE HOUSE Recognizing team members who are line-level employees with direct guest interaction or perform their duties in front of the guests of the hotel. This category includes employees such as: Host, Cashier, Servers (Restaurant, Room Service, Cocktail, or Banquet), Bus Person, Convention Set-up and Bartenders/Barista.
FOOD & BEVERAGE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR – HEART OF THE HOUSE Recognizing team members who are line-level employees who perform their duties behind the scenes and not in front of the guests of the hotel. This category includes employees such as Room Service Order taker, Cook, Banquet Steward, Cafeteria/Kitchen Worker, Storeroom and Receiving Clerk.
GUEST SERVICE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who are employees who provide guest services in areas such as: Front Office, Reservations, Concierges, Communications/PBX, Health Club Facilities, Business Center and Meeting/Facilities ambassadors.
HOTELIER OF THE YEAR This is the highest honor IHLA presents to a hotel General Manager or Area Director. Nominees will be judged on their professionalism and service to the property, their employees, guests and the community. The Hotelier of the Year is recognized by industry peers for his or her exemplary achievements, contributions and leadership.
HOUSEKEEPING EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who are non-salaried employees who work in the Housekeeping or Laundry departments. This includes employees such as: Room Attendants, Housepersons, Night Cleaners, Laundry Persons, Linen Room Attendants, Chute Attendants and Sewing Attendants
MAINTENANCE EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR Recognizing team members who are employees working in engineering and maintenance departments. This includes employees such as: Engineers, Electricians, Painters, and Carpenters. (Note: Chief Engineers should be included as Department Head Category)
MANAGER OF THE YEAR Recognizing managers responsible for a department. An Assistant Manager or Manager who reports to a Division or Department Manager. Restaurant Manager or Assistant Restaurant Manager, Housekeeping Manager, Front Office Manager, Assistant Director/Manager of Finance, Sales, Human Resources, Food and Beverage, Housekeeping, Front Office or Housekeeping and Sous Chef. Nominees will be judged on their leadership and professionalism when training, motivating and developing their employees, including the service they provide to the guests and the hotel.
MIXOLOGY AWARD IHLA, in partnership with Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Illinois (SGWS), is looking for Illinois’ best hotel bartenders for the IHLA Star Mixology Competition. Separate criteria and mixology requirements are provided here. The top three (3) finalists' cocktails will be featured during the networking reception at the Awards Lunch and IHLA will present the Star Mixology Award during the program. The deadline to submit a mixology award nomination is October 5, 2025. For more questions about this category, please contact Kristen Curnyn.
SECURITY PRACTITIONER AWARD This award will recognize the outstanding commitment, leadership and mentorship in a security role. Fostering safety and a secure place to work and stay, as well as their impact on the community.
SUSTAINABILITY AWARD This award recognizes properties that have developed a culture towards integrating environmental management practices that improve everyday operations while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. The program must demonstrate success in one or more of the following areas: energy conservation, solid waste reduction, effluents and emissions, water conservation, purchasing and business issues (guest demands, community issues, land use and development, training and policy). IHLA STRATEGIC PARTNER OF THE YEAR (Nominated internally by IHLA Staff) An IHLA Member will be selected based on special support to the Association's activities and exceptional services to improve the lodging industry in Illinois. Nominees will be judged on outstanding service to their company, to IHLA, as well as impact to the industry.
