Stars of the Industry Overview

IHLA 2026 STARS OF THE INDUSTRY Categories

• ADMINISTRATIVE
• ALLIED / STRATEGIC PARTNER EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR
• BELL STAFF
• COMMUNITY SERVICEPresented by Gecko Hospitality
• DEPARTMENT DIVISION HEAD
• FIRST LEVEL SUPERVISORPresented by Kendall College at National Louis University
• F&B FRONT OF THE HOUSEPresented by UnitedHealthcare
• F&B HEART OF THE HOUSEPresented by Ecolab
• GUEST SERVICES
• HOTELIERPresented by Windy City Laundry
• HOUSEKEEPINGPresented by Ecolab
• MAINTENANCE Presented by Bath Fitter
• MANAGERPresented by Windy City Laundry
• MIXOLOGIST Presented by Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits of Illinois *separate instructions for Mixology submissions found here
• SECURITY PRACTITIONER AWARD
• STRATEGIC PARTNER OF THE YEAR
• SUSTAINABILITY Presented by Constellation
• Unity Award Presented by IHLA Educational Foundation

IHLA's Stars of the Industry Awards Program was established in 1996 to honor IHLA member hotel employees for their outstanding accomplishments, service and leadership in the hotel and lodging industry. Illinois has thousands of exceptional employees who help our millions of visitors enjoy their stay in our great state. The Stars Program recognizes the best of the best, those who truly go above and beyond and whose incredible hard work, dedication, attentiveness, and genuine kindness towards both guests and fellow colleagues is an inspiration to their peers.

We encourage all of our members to participate in this high profile employee recognition program; to nominate and show appreciation for their outstanding team members and give them the opportunity to be recognized by their peers at an entertaining celebration they will never forget. There is no cost to nominate an IHLA hotel member employee.

Recognition

All nominees will be listed on our website and in the Stars Program and will receive an IHLA Stars of the Industry Recognition Certificate. It is IHLA's privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees, finalists and winners presented each year.

Nominations and Eligibility 

2026 Stars of the Industry nominations are now open!  Simply complete the online nominee application form and upload a document explaining why the nominee deserves the Star award in their category including supporting documents showcasing testimonial letters, guest comment cards or pictures of nominees in action. 
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Resubmitting updated applications for previous year's nominees is encouraged.  Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated again in the same category if they have won a star at the regional or state level within the past three years.  Open to IHLA Member hotels only.

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For questions about the Stars of the Industry program contact Events Team

To sponsor the Stars of the Industry program contact Susannah Flanner