HSMAI Opens Nominations for Gilbert Award, Top 25 Honors
The global hospitality organization has launched its nomination period for two major individual recognition programs honoring commercial strategy leaders, with submissions accepted through September 30.
The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International has opened nominations for a pair of flagship recognition programs celebrating excellence in hospitality commercial disciplines, the organization announced this week from its McLean, Virginia headquarters.
The nomination window, which launched August 10, will remain open through the end of September for both the Robert A. "Bob" Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy and the 2027 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales, Marketing, Revenue Optimization, and Distribution.
The Gilbert Award represents the association's highest individual honor, acknowledging professionals whose careers have significantly influenced sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution functions across the hospitality sector. According to the organization, eligible candidates include hoteliers, industry partners, educators, and other hospitality professionals who have demonstrated innovation, leadership, and advocacy throughout their careers. The recognition evolved from the association's earlier Career Achievement Awards program into a unified global honor reflecting the integrated nature of modern commercial disciplines.
The separate Top 25 program identifies professionals whose recent work has produced measurable business outcomes. This peer-nominated recognition highlights individuals whose creativity, innovation, and leadership over the past eighteen months have advanced commercial strategy within their organizations and contributed to broader tourism industry progress.
"Hospitality continues to evolve at a remarkable pace, driven by leaders who challenge convention, embrace innovation, and inspire their teams to achieve exceptional results," said Brian Hicks, President and CEO of HSMAI. "The Gilbert Award and Top 25 Extraordinary Minds program allow us to celebrate both the pioneers whose careers have left an enduring mark on our industry and the professionals who are redefining what's possible today."
Recipients of the Gilbert Award will receive recognition at two 2027 events: the association's Leadership Conference scheduled for the first quarter and the Americas Commercial Strategy Conference set for June 29-30 in Orlando, Florida. The Top 25 honorees will be celebrated during the Adrian Awards event on March 4 in Las Vegas. A panel of industry experts drawn from the association's membership and leadership will evaluate all nominations. Complete eligibility criteria and submission materials are available through the organization's website.