Stars of the Industry

Thank you to the 350+ hospitality industry professionals who joined us at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel on Monday, Feb. 27 to celebrate the 18 incredible winners of this year’s Stars of the Industry awards, presented by US Foods.

We are already looking forward to the 2024 Stars of Industry awards. NCRLA will announce a date and venue in the coming months. Interested in sponsoring next year’s event? Contact Inez Nicholson.

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NCRLA is so excited to announce the 2023 Stars of the Industry winners.

Restaurateur of the Year: Scott Crawford • Crawford Hospitality

Lodging Operator of the Year: Gary Chhabra • CMC Hotels

Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community: Steve Thanhauser & Van Eure • Angus Barn

Griff & June Glover Award for Service to the Association: Dave Gronewoller • GC Partners Inc.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Lance Trenary • Golden Corral Corporation

Hospitality Partner of the Year: Steve Troxler • Department of Agriculture

Restaurant Managers of the Year: Igor Gacina • Parizade and Ashley Greene • Bluewater Waterfront Grill

Lodging Managers of the Year: Jason Whitaker • Extended Stay America and Mike Masri • Embassy Suites by Hilton Charlotte Uptown

Restaurant Employees of the Year: Matthew Barry • Midwood Smokehouse and Tiffany Oates • Biscuitville

Lodging Employees of the Year: Charles Prince • TownePlace Suites Wilmington; Regina Triche • Hampton Inn & Suites Jacksonsville; Faustina Tagoe • The Umstead Hotel & Spa

Hospitality Champions of the Year: Sen. Phil Berger • Rep. John Bradford

Award category descriptions are as follows:

Restaurateur of the Year

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.

Restaurant Employee and Manager of the Year

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.

Lodging Operator of the Year

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.

Lodging Employee and Manager of the Year

Hospitality Supplier of the Year

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.

Griff and June Glover Award

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.

Hospitality Champion Award

This award honors the state legislator who has made the most legislative headway for the hospitality in the preceding legislative session. Previous winners.

NCRLA Lifetime Achievement Award

This award will be given when appropriate to a member who has achieved significant success in the North Carolina hospitality industry. Previous winners.

Ken Conrad Award for Service to the Community

This award honors members who make significant charitable impacts within their communities. Previous winners.

Click here for photos of the evening from 2022. Photo Credit: Nieto Photography

Thank you to our 2023 Sponsors!