Friday
June 16, 2023

PREMIER SPONSORS

2023 Stars of the Industry Award Honorees

It is with immense joy and pride that the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association celebrates the outstanding accomplishments of the 2023 Stars of the Industry Awards winners. This year’s ceremony, our first since the challenging times of the pandemic, exceeded all expectations, with over 400 attendees joining us in honoring the best and brightest in our industry. Congratulations to all the winners for their exceptional contributions and unwavering dedication!

AzLTA Member of the Year
Encore and AzLTA Board Member Neal Williams

Community Service
Karen Cahn, Director of Public Relations and Marketing, The Westin Kierland Resort and Spa

Food & Beverage Employee of the Year
Manuel Casiano, Enchantment Resort and Mii Amo Spa

Front of the House Leader of the Year
Christine Barkulis, Assistant Food and Beverage Manager, The Wigwam Resort

General Manager of the Year
Mark “Coach V” Vinciguerra – General Manager, The Phoenician and the Canyon Suites at The Phoenician

Good Earthkeeping
The Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort

Guest Service/Bell Staff Employee of the Year
Miquel Torres, Head Houseperson, Arizona Grand Resort & Spa

Heart of the House Leader of the Year
Sergio Lopez, Special Events Supervisor, Canyon Ranch Tucson

Hospitality & Tourism Without Barriers
The Sheraton Phoenix Downtown

Housekeeping/Engineering/Maintenance Employee of the Year
Jose “Lorenzo” Lara, Sanctuary Camelback Mountain, A Gurney’s Resort & Spa

Sales/Catering Employee of the Year
Lori Grossenbacher, Area Sales Manager, Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Chandler/ Residence Inn Ocotillo

Special Event: One-Time
The Arizona Diamondbacks, World Baseball Classic

Tourism Employee of the Year
James Keller and his Five Lobby Dogs, The Fairmont Scottsdale Princess

Tourism Manager of the Year
Leslie McClendon, Visit Yuma

Thank you to Our 2023 Sponsors

Nomination Criteria

Application Guidelines

All honorees must be employed by hotels, attractions, tourism businesses, hospitality or other supporting businesses that are of the Arizona hospitality industry.

Who can enter?

The Stars of the Industry awards competition is open to all Arizona hospitality businesses, hotels, and tourism employees.

Who can nominate a Star?

Anyone! A nominator can be an employer, a manager, a friend, regular customer, or anyone else who knows a Star in Arizona’s hospitality industry who deserves recognition.

What does it cost to enter?

Entering or nominating for the Stars of the Industry Awards is free.

What do nominees receive?

All nominees will receive an AzLTA Stars of the Industry Recognition Certificate. The winners of each award will be announced at the Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheon on June 16, 2023 and receive an engraved plaque at the awards presentation. All winners will be announced in AzLTA’s Industry Insider newsletter, by a press release, and on the AzLTA website. Winners will automatically be entered in the American Hotel and Lodging Association’s national Stars of the Industry Awards program. It is AzLTA’s privilege to celebrate the accomplishments of all the nominees and winners presented each year.

Nominations and Eligibility

The nomination process begins in April and we’ve made it easy. Simply complete the online nominee application form and email the application to AzLTA explaining why the nominee deserves the Star award in their category.

Rules & Judging Criteria

Nominees must have served in the industry for a minimum of two years (please state total number of years in description) and will be judged on performance beyond normal job responsibilities, professionalism, and outstanding and unusual service to the property, guests and the community.

Using no more than three double-spaced pages, describe why your nominee should be honored. Give examples of:

Extraordinary support to fellow employees.
Specific event(s) that best describes the nominee’s exceptional service.
Outstanding leadership qualities, heroic deeds or actions that consistently add to the general well-being of guests.
Other great accomplishments to the industry or community.

Include photos and any materials substantiating the award entry, such as letters of commendation, guest comment cards, news clippings and other support materials received during 2021-2023 for the judges’ consideration.

NOMINATION CRITERIA

SPONSORS

NOMINEES OF THE YEAR

2023 DIGITAL PROGRAM