Thursday, July 29, 2021
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation (AHLA Foundation) have honored the incredible resilience of hotel employees across the country who selflessly led their teams and supported their communities during the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic. The 2021 Night of a Thousand Stars gala, which featured the introduction of two new awards, celebrated the 2021 Stars of the Industry Award winners and up and coming hospitality super stars, while raising funds to support the AHLA Foundation programs that are helping the industry recruit and retain the stars of tomorrow.
The 2021 Night of a Thousand Stars Gala raised $600,000 to support the AHLA Foundation’s continued effort to strengthen the lodging industry, help people build careers and improve their lives. Funds raised supported foundation beneficiaries such as Tiffany Holland, graduate of the AHLA Foundation’s Lodging Manager Apprenticeship Program and current Front Desk Supervisor at the MicrotelInn & Suites by Wyndham in Marianna, FL.
Chip Rogers, CEO and President of AHLA said in a statement that the Night of a Thousand Stars gala offers a unique opportunity to support the AHLA Foundation and showcase the stars of the industry – the passionate women and men who make hotels feel like home and move our industry forward, even during the most challenging of circumstances. He mentioned that a lot of their work is behind the scenes, and it is a wonderful opportunity to give them the praise and recognition they deserve.
This year’s event saw the introduction of two new awards- The Shining Star Award honors a person or organization that has gone above and beyond to advance the Foundation’s mission of helping people build careers, improve their lives, and strengthen the lodging industry. The heroic security department of the Los Angeles Airport Marriott received this award for their anti-human trafficking work.
Meanwhile, The Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award, in memory of former Marriott Internationalpresident & CEO Arne Sorenson, will be given in conjunction with The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) to an industry professional who demonstrates extraordinary efforts to advance positive societal change and make the lodging industry, and the world, more hospitable. The first honoree will be announced at the 2022 Night of a Thousand Stars gala.
Monday, January 1, 2024
