Spirit of Hospitality Awards

PRLA annually awards our members and their employees for their dedication, service, and community involvement. Each year, PRLA honors individuals who have achieved significant success in our great industry. All members or chapters are eligible to nominate the individual or company worthy of these prestigious awards. Award winners will be honored at the annual awards gala during the Fall Membership Meeting and Awards Gala. All nominations are due by August 1.

Employee of the Year
Honors a non-management employee who goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities. Nominees are judged on outstanding service to their place of employment, customers and the community. This award may go to an employee of a member hotel, restaurant, destination marketing organization, or allied business establishment.

Manager of the Year
Honors exemplary professionalism and exceptional service by an employee in a supervisory position at a member hotel, restaurant, destination marketing organization or allied business establishment. Nominees are judged on showing outstanding leadership qualities and consistently adding to the success of their place of employment. This award may go to an employee of a member hotel, restaurant or allied business establishment.

Wilmer S. Lapp Community Service Award
This award may go to a restaurant, lodging, destination marketing organization, allied or institutional member showing significant and noteworthy contributions to the industry and community at the chapter or state levels.

Eco-Hero Award
Recognizes a business that has developed a culture toward integrating superior environmental management and sustainable practices that improve everyday operations while maintaining quality service and meeting customer expectations.

Future of the Industry Award
Recognizes a student furthering his or her career in the culinary or hospitality industry and who has work and volunteer experience within the industry, while maintaining a high level of academic performance. This person displays notable industry involvement and strong leadership potential.

Event of the Year
Recognizes a member destination marketing organization, restaurant, hotel or allied business that hosts an exceptional event that contributes to the local economy. Examples my include collaboration with other interests to celebrate a community, historical anniversary, or sporting event.

Campaign of the Year
Celebrates a member destination marketing organization, restaurant, hotel, or allied business that has executed a particularly creative campaign to highlight the many reasons why their area or business is a great place to visit.

Lifetime Achievement Award
Honors long-standing PRLA members who have shown continuous support of the industry and association throughout their career.

Excellence in Food Safety Award

PRLA annually recognizes industry members who go above and beyond exceptional efforts in food safety and sanitation through the Excellence in Food Safety Award. If you are you proud of your business and the extra efforts taken by you and your staff in food safety and sanitation, download the nomination form today. The deadline to submit your nomination form is August 1.