Monday, Feb. 12 • Sheraton Imperial Hotel • Durham, NC
Tickets on sale now! Scroll down to meet this year’s winners.
NCRLA is excited to announce the return of our annual Stars of the Industry hospitality awards gala, which honors employees at all levels in the industry who have demonstrated professionalism and creativity while going above and beyond in their role to contribute to the positive image of the industry.
Award: | Winners: |
Lifetime Achievement | • Jim Beley, The Umstead Hotel & Spa • Cecilia Saleh, Neomonde and Sassool • Fred & Doris Huebner, F&D McDonalds |
Griff & June Glover Award for Service to the Association | • Lou & Joy Moshakos, LM Restaurants |
Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community | • Sera Cuni, Root Cellar Café • Leonardo Williams, Zweli’s Ekhaya |
Hospitality Partners of the Year | • Josh Cooke, Raise the Grade • SpotOn |
Restaurateur of the Year | • Keith Rhodes, Catch |
Lodging Operator of the Year | • Russ Jones, LODEN Hospitality |
Restaurant Managers of the Year | • Troy Stauffer, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club • Jill Highsmith, Angus Barn |
Lodging Managers of the Year | • Diane Tighe, Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club • Xiomara Toledo, Hampton Inn & Suites |
Restaurant Employees of the Year | • Kathy Baize, Biscuitville • Alexander Collazo, Vidrio |
Lodging Employees of the Year | • Porcha Overbey, Pinehurst Resort • Debra Thompson, TownePlace Suites Wilmington |
Hospitality Champions of the Year | • Sen. Bill Rabon • Rep. Robert Reives |
Interested in a custom sponsorship? Contact Inez Nicholson.
Award category descriptions are as follows:
Nominees must be restaurant members in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a restaurant owner or company that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his or her fellow operators, employees and the community. Other areas of consideration include the nominee’s ability as an operator and his/her community involvement. In addition, nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics, and have enhanced the overall image of the foodservice industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the foodservice industry. Previous winners.
Two awards will be given in this category to celebrate deserving employees at the management level and line level. Please feel free to nominate more than one deserving employee accordingly. Nominees must display outstanding service and a commitment to excellence in hospitality. Nominees must carry themselves with professionalism and display leadership abilities. Previous winners.
Nominees must be lodging members in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a hotel owner or a company that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his or her fellow operators, employees, and the community. Other areas of consideration include the nominee’s ability as an operator and his/her community involvement. In addition, nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics, and have enhanced the overall image of the lodging industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the hospitality industry. General managers, management company executives and property owners are eligible. Previous winners.
Two awards will be given in this category to celebrate deserving employees at the management level and line level. Please feel free to nominate more than one deserving employee accordingly. Nominees must display outstanding service and a commitment to excellence in hospitality. Nominees must carry themselves with professionalism and display leadership abilities. Previous winners.
Nominees must be individuals working for allied members of the hospitality industry and must be in good standing with NCRLA. This award honors a company or representative that is viewed as highly successful in the eyes of his/her fellow operators, employees and the community. Nominees should have made contributions to the industry on the basis of his/her own business ethics and have contributed to the overall image of the hospitality industry. In general, nominees should show an interest in protecting and promoting the hospitality industry. Previous winners.
This award honors an NCRLA member who has gone above and beyond in their service to the association. The nominee should be someone who has contributed significant time and energy to help NCRLA accomplish its mission. The award is named after longtime members Griff and June Glover of Pizza Inn and Diversified Foods. Previous winners.
This award honors members who make significant charitable impacts within their communities. Previous winners.
This award honors the state legislator who has made the most legislative headway for the hospitality in the preceding legislative session. Previous winners.
This award will be given when appropriate to a member who has achieved significant success in the North Carolina hospitality industry. Previous winners.