Spirit of Hospitality Awards

2026 Spirit of Hospitality Awards

Nominations must be submitted no later than September 8.
Thank you for submitting a nomination for the Spirit of Hospitality Awards. These awards celebrate the people, businesses, organizations, and destinations that exemplify excellence in Pennsylvania's hospitality industry.

The strongest nominations include specific examples, measurable accomplishments, and memorable stories that help our judges understand the nominee's impact.

Please allow yourself 10-15 minutes to complete this nomination. You may save your progress and return at any time.
- Which award best recognizes your nominee?
  
  Award descriptions and eligibility requirements are available on the Spirit of Hospitality Awards webpage. Please select the award that best aligns with the nominee's accomplishments.
- Choose the Award
- Nominee's Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Business or Organization Name
  Where do they work?
- Business Type
  
  Other
- Year Opened
- Nominee's Phone Number
  xxx-xxx-xxxx
- Nominee's Email Address
- Tell the Nominee's Story
  
  The strongest nominations include specific examples, measurable accomplishments, and memorable stories. When possible, describe:
  - What the nominee accomplished
  - Why it mattered
  - Who benefited
  - What makes them exceptional
  Examples and measurable results help our judges better understand the nominee's impact.
- How has this nominee demonstrated exceptional promise as a hospitality leader? (Rising Star)
  Describe how this individual has demonstrated exceptional promise and leadership early in their hospitality career. Consider including leadership examples, career growth, industry involvement, accomplishments, measurable impact, or why they stand out among their peers.
- How has this educator made an extraordinary impact on future hospitality professionals? (Outstanding Educator)
  Describe how this educator prepares the next generation of hospitality professionals. Consider including innovative teaching methods, mentorship, industry partnerships, student success stories, or measurable outcomes.
- How has this vendor/supplier demonstrated excellence in serving Pennsylvania's hospitality industry? (Vendor/Supplier of the Year)
  Consider including innovation, customer service, partnerships, reliability, community engagement, and measurable impact.
- How has this event made an exceptional impact on its community and hospitality industry? (Event of the Year)
  Explain why you believe this business deserves to be nominated for this award. Please include information and details about attendance, financial goals, visitor experience, partnerships, innovation, and the economic impact this event had on the community.
- How has this marketing initiative elevated its destination and inspired travel? (Destination Marketing Award)
  Tell us about the campaign. Describe the strategy, goals, execution, and results. Consider including target audience, creative approach, marketing channels, measurable outcomes, tourism impact, and provide examples of campaign assets.
- How has this individual made an exceptional impact on their guests, colleagues, and organization? (Employer/Manager/Chef)
  Describe how this individual positively impacts guests, coworkers, the business, and the hospitality industry. Consider including examples of leadership, service, innovation, teamwork, measurable accomplishments, or one memorable story.
- How has this nominee made an extraordinary impact through community service and philanthropy? (Wilmer S. Lapp Community Service)
  Describe how this individual or organization has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to serving others and strengthening their community through hospitality. Consider including charitable or philanthropic initiatives, volunteer leadership and service, partnerships with nonprofit or community organizations, fundraising or community outreach efforts, measurable impact on the community, how these efforts reflect the spirit of hospitality, or one story that best illustrates their commitment to serving others.
- How has this nominee demonstrated an enduring commitment to PRLA and Pennsylvania's hospitality industry through volunteer leadership and service? (Patrick Daugherty Leadership Award)
  Describe how this individual has made a lasting impact through their volunteer leadership, service, and dedication to PRLA and Pennsylvania's hospitality industry. Consider including long-standing involvement with PRLA, including chapter, committee, council, or Board service, leadership roles and significant volunteer contributions, advocacy on behalf of the hospitality industry, mentorship and support of fellow members and emerging leaders, initiatives or programs that strengthened PRLA or the industry, lasting influence on the association and hospitality community, or one example or story that best illustrates their commitment and legacy.
- How has this individual advanced and inspired women in Pennsylvania's hospitality industry through leadership and service? (Hospitality Women of Influence Award)
  Describe how this individual has demonstrated exceptional leadership while making a meaningful impact on her organization, employees, and Pennsylvania's hospitality industry. Consider including leadership accomplishment and career growth, mentorship and development of future leaders, innovation and organizational impact, commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace, service to the hospitality industry or community, measurable achievements or lasting contributions, or one example story that best illustrates her leadership and influence.
- How has this individual earned the distinction of being a Pennsylvania hospitality icon? (Pennsylvania Hospitality Icon)
  Describe the nominee's lasting influence on Pennsylvania's hospitality industry and the legacy they have built throughout their entire career. Consider including significant career accomplishments, transformational leadership, innovation and industry advancement, mentorship and development of others, community and industry impact, statewide recognition and influence, and why this individual's legacy deserve recognition as a Pennsylvania Hospitality Icon.
- Tell us one story that best represents why this nominee deserves this award.
  Share a specific example or memorable moment that best illustrates this nominee's character, leadership, innovation, service, or impact. The strongest nominations include stories that demonstrate the difference this nominee has made.
- What lasting impact has this nominee had on their organization, guests, employees, the hospitality industry, or the community?
  Describe the difference this nominee has made through their leadership, service, innovation, or commitment to hospitality. Include specific examples or measurable outcomes whenever possible.
- Supporting Materials
  
  Browse Files
  Supporting materials help our judges better understand the nominee's accomplishments. Examples include photos, videos, testimonials, media coverage, guest reviews, marketing materials, awards, etc. Max file size is 10MB. Cancelof
- PRLA Chapter
- Your Name
  
  First NameLast Name
- Business or Organization Name
  Business Name
- Relationship to Nominee
- Your E-mail Address
- Phone Number
  XXX-XXX-XXXX
- Should be Empty:

2026 Spirit of Hospitality Awards