2025 Stars of the Industry

Tennessee Achievement Awards

The Hospitality & Tourism Educator of the Year award recognizes exceptional high school and post-secondary educators who prepare students for hospitality related jobs and higher education opportunities. These educators recognize and develop our future employees through work experience, resume building, and scholarships. The judging criteria measures success in 4 categories: 1) Classroom Recognition, 2) Community Service, 3) Industry Specific Research, and 4) Mentoring Practices.

Women in Tourism & Hospitality (WITH) Leader of the Year Award is given to a female hospitality professional who serves as a leader and role model within the hospitality community. Candidates should describe noteworthy accomplishments, leadership roles, volunteer positions, and personal initiative. Nominees can be either self or peer-nominated.

Tennessee Under 30 Rising Star Award honors an exemplary hospitality employee under age 30 who has demonstrated superior professional dedication, leadership, and a fresh perspective to their job. The recipient should also exemplify the characteristics that lead to success in the hospitality industry-enthusiasm, “out of the box” thinking in their professional and personal life, and a dedication to the industry by active participation in association, community and industry programs.

Qualifications:

1. SCHTA Award nominees should provide outstanding service and support to SCHTA and local associations, as well as to the hospitality and tourism industry as a whole.
2. SCHTA Award nominees should demonstrate service and leadership in other organizations and participate in community activities.
3. Nominees for these awards must have served in the industry a minimum of three years.

 

Employees Achievement Awards - ATTRACTION

The Attraction Employee of the Year Award recognizes exemplary professionalism and service by an employee in a non-management position. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property, and guests.

The Attraction Manager of the Year Award recognizes an employee in a management or an executive position who has a proven track record of management excellence, industry involvement, and community service. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property and guest.

The Attraction General Manager of the Year Award recognizes a general manager who has demonstrated outstanding contributions of leadership, service, and community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property and guest.

Qualifications:

1. Each Attraction Employee Award nominee must have served in the hospitality industry for a minimum of one year.

 

Employees Achievement Awards - LODGING

The Lodging Employee of the Year Award recognizes exemplary professionalism and service by an employee in a non-management position. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property, and guests.

The Lodging Manager of the Year Award recognizes an employee in a management or an executive position who has a proven track record of management excellence, industry involvement, and community service. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property and guest.

The Lodging General Manager of the Year Award recognizes a general manager who has demonstrated outstanding contributions of leadership, service, and community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the property and guest.

Qualifications:

1. Each Lodging Employee Award nominee must have served in the hospitality industry for a minimum of one year.

 

Employee Achievement Awards - RESTAURANT

The Restaurant Employee of the Year Award provides restaurants with the opportunity to recognize exemplary professionalism and service by an employee in a non-management position. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including excellent service to the establishment and guests.

The Restaurant Manager of the Year Award provides restaurants with an opportunity to recognize a manager who has demonstrated exceptional contributions of leadership, service, and involvement in community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the establishments and guests.

The Chef of the Year Award will recognize an Executive or Sous Chef who has provided leadership, creativity, and culinary excellence for their restaurant. Nominees should display exceptional skills inside and outside the kitchen. A history of community service, leadership and mentorship within the restaurant, and fantastic guest service are required.

The Restaurant General Manager of the Year Award provides restaurants with an opportunity to recognize a General Manager who has demonstrated exceptional contributions of leadership, service, and involvement in community and/or civic affairs. The nominees are judged on outstanding performance that goes above and beyond normal job responsibilities, including providing excellent service to the establishments and guests.

Qualifications:

1. Each Restaurant Employee Award nominee must have served in the hospitality industry for a minimum of one year.

Tennessee Achievement Awards

The SCHTA Attraction of the Year Award is presented to an attraction that has shown excellence in tourist development and community service through special programs, events, and marketing campaigns to attract new tourists and visitors to Tennessee. Eligible companies include: Event Venues, Golf Courses, Theme Parks, Zoos, Dinner Theaters, Museums, Convention Centers, etc.

The SCHTA Preferred Vendor of the Year is presented in recognition of the contributions of our partner companies who provide valuable services and products, which allow hotels, restaurants, and tourism entities in Tennessee to grow and thrive. Any member company who provides products and services (such as cleaning, marketing, legal resources, equipment, landscaping, etc.) is eligible.

Qualifications:

1. SCHTA Award nominees should provide outstanding service and support to SCHTA and local associations, as well as to the hospitality and tourism industry as a whole.
2. Preferred Vendor Award nominees should provide service on behalf of the employing company or business affiliation as a provider of products and services to the hospitality industry
3. SCHTA Award nominees should demonstrate service and leadership in other organizations and participate in community activities.
4. Nominees for these awards must have served in the industry a minimum of three years.

 

Gold Star Public Relations (GSPR) Awards

The Community Service Award is presented to recognize programs designed to provide service and demonstrate to residents that the individual property is responsive to the local community. Examples include campaigns to benefit local or national service organizations or charities, service to any part of the community through special projects, and undertakings with community groups for the area's benefit.

The Good Earth Keeping Award recognizes properties that have developed a culture toward integrating environmental management practices with everyday operations, while maintaining quality service and meeting guest expectations. Each entrant should describe improvements to operations and the bottom line, as well as the process for continuing to practice environmental management within the business operation.

The Guest Relations Award is given for programs that develop a climate conducive to new or repeat business, create goodwill among guests, provide special services, reverse a negative public relations situation, or effectively solve guest complaints.

The One-Time Special Event Award and the On-going Special Event Award are given for public relations programs or campaigns that demonstrate a creative approach to scheduled events, anniversaries, charity events, holidays, or special publicity events.

Qualifications:

1. GSPR Awards are presented to properties, not to individuals unless noted.
2. All local association Members in good standing are eligible to submit nominations.
3. Participants may only submit one entry per category, but multiple category entries are accepted.
   Be sure to enclose a full description of the program or activity, including goals, implementation, budgets, and results for all GSPR Award entries.
4. Nominations without these details and supporting descriptions will not be considered.