AHLA Names Eight 2026 General Managers of the Year in Miami Beach

The American Hotel & Lodging Association recognized eight general managers across six categories at The Hospitality Show in Miami Beach, Florida, including two newly created awards for rising stars and community ambassadors.

A judging panel of fellow general managers and industry leaders selected the 2026 honorees from more than 250 nominations. The awards cover properties across the more than 64,000 hotels operating in the United States, and AHLA emphasized that many winners rose from entry-level positions into property leadership.

"Hospitality is an industry where talent and hard work can take you anywhere. This year's honorees are proof," AHLA President and CEO Rosanna Maietta said. "They grew into leaders who develop their teams, drive results, and make their communities stronger."

Who won what?

The 2026 General Managers of the Year are:

• GM Lifetime Achievement Award: Greg Leonard, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, Denver, CO — honored for more than 45 years of Hyatt leadership, including a transformative property renovation sustained alongside operational excellence and lasting contributions to Denver tourism.
• GM of the Year, Extended Stay Property: Marie Ciss, General Manager, Extended Stay America Select Suites BWI Airport, Baltimore, MD — cited for people-first leadership, guest and team safety, and a supportive workplace culture.
• GM of the Year, Full-Service Property: Sam Ioannidis, General Manager, The Plaza Hotel, New York, NY — recognized for team empowerment, colleague engagement and elevated service standards at the legacy luxury property.
• GM of the Year, Select-Service Property: Nilesh "Neil" Patel, General Manager, Best Western Opp Inn, Opp, AL — honored for hands-on leadership, employee mentoring and long-running industry advocacy.
• GM of the Year, Independent Property: McClinton Heil, Area Managing Director, Halcyon, Cherry Creek, Denver, CO — cited for collaborative culture, strong employee engagement, internal promotions and support for local organizations.
• GM of the Year, Resort Property: Greg Cook, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, FL — recognized for responsible leadership and developing future hospitality leaders.
• GM Rising Star Award: Chris Egbert, General Manager, Holiday Inn Express & Suites New Buffalo, New Buffalo, MI — honored for transforming workplace culture and delivering strong business results.
• GM Community Ambassador Award: Brad Everett, General Manager, Hilton Garden Inn & Manhattan Conference Center, Manhattan, KS — cited for community service, including growth of Manhattan's annual Festival of Lights into a local tradition.

What do the new categories change?

The GM Rising Star Award targets general managers within the first two years of their first GM role. The GM Community Ambassador Award recognizes a GM whose property functions as a cornerstone of its local community. AHLA also continued the GM Lifetime Achievement Award, which honors a career of exceptional leadership and mentorship that extends beyond a single property to the industry at large.

The awards landed at a moment when hotel operators compete hard for management talent. AHLA, headquartered in Washington, D.C., represents more than 30,000 members, including 80 percent of all franchised hotels in the U.S. and the 16 largest hotel companies, and runs workforce development programs alongside its advocacy work.

Maietta framed the recognition as part of that pipeline: "There's no greater joy than recognizing the important role they play in shaping the guest experience and bringing hospitality to life." Expect the Rising Star and Community Ambassador categories to return in 2027 as AHLA continues broadening the award beyond property-level performance.