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 September 1.

Rising Star Award
Honors an emerging leader in the hospitality industry; one who demonstrates ongoing exceptional growth in the culinary or hospitality fields. This person displays notable industry involvement and strong leadership potential.

Outstanding Industry Educator
This award honors an educator who has demonstrated exceptional dedication to the advancement of the Pennsylvania hospitality industry.

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.

Manager of the Year 
Honors exemplary professionalism and exceptional service by an employee in a supervisory position. Nominees are judged on showing outstanding leadership qualities and consistently adding to the success of their place of employment. 

Wilmer S. Lapp Community Service Award
This award celebrates business’s significant and noteworthy contributions to the industry and community at the local or state levels.

Industry Innovator Award
This award is presented to an individual or company that has applied a new product or creative approach, resulting in the growth or transformation of their business. 

Event of the Year
Recognizes a 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.

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

Celebrating Food Safety in Pennsylvania

Are you proud of your business's commitment to food safety and sanitation? Let us share your story during National Food Safety Month in September to celebrate food safety in Pennsylvania restaurants! Submit your story online at www.prla.org/foodsafety. Submissions are due by August 1, 2021.

The Restaurant Food Safety Stories will feature brief text and photos provided by you during the application process.  These profiles will be featured on PRLA's social media (@prlaorg on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter) and included on the Education section of our website. Selected businesses will also be recognized during the 2021 PRLA Spirit of Hospitality Awards Gala. We will share these stories in an effort to raise awareness of the hospitality industry’s commitment to food safety. ​