WASHINGTON—The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and AHLA Foundation announced the 2026 Star of the Industry Award winners at the eighth annual Night of a Thousand Stars Gala in Los Angeles, California. The event brought together nearly 400 industry leaders to celebrate the hotel workforce and raise funds for hospitality career development programs.
“Night of a Thousand Stars is about celebrating the people who are the backbone of our industry,” said Kevin Carey, president and chief executive officer of the AHLA Foundation. “These awards recognize the dedication of our frontline teams, and the funds we raise support our mission of championing the hotel industry, one career at a time, and helping employees find their home in hospitality at every stage of their journey.”
The gala raised more than $1.1M to fuel Foundation programs, including scholarships, apprenticeships, mentorships, and professional development that support hotel employees throughout their careers.
At the event, AHLA also honored Mit Shah, founder and chief executive officer of Noble Investment Group, with the 2026 Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Introduced in 2022, the award honors the legacy of the late Marriott International president and chief executive officer, who was known for his commitment to social impact, diversity, and sustainability. It is presented to a senior lodging executive who demonstrates extraordinary efforts to advance positive societal change through leadership and community engagement. Recipients are selected by their industry peers on the AHLA Executive Committee.
“Mit has been a tireless champion of access and opportunity across hospitality,” said Rosanna Maietta, president and chief executive officer of AHLA. “He understands that our industry is strongest when it reflects the communities we serve, and he’s committed his career to making that vision a reality.”
Star of the Industry Award Winners
The 2026 Star of the Industry Award Winners are:
- North Star Award — Lodging Employee of the Year: Anntoinette Peterson, club guest services agent, InterContinental Hotel & Conference Center, Cleveland, OH
- Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader of the Year Award: Brandon Markle, General Manager, Concord Hospitality/Courtyard Marriott, Lansing, MI
- Hotel Hero Award: Daniel De La Cruz, Maintenance, Ramada by Wyndham, Santa Barbara, CA
- AHLA Foundation Scholar of the Year Award: Jazmen Wilkerson, Hospitality Management Student, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD
