Starting today, October 1st, the search begins for the next visionary leader in hospitality. The Future Hotel Leader Award (FHLA) is back, offering professionals across the hotel industry the chance to shine a spotlight on the talent shaping the future of our sector. Whether it’s a colleague, team member, or even yourself—this is the opportunity to nominate someone who embodies leadership, innovation, and a true passion for hospitality.
About the Future Hotel Leader Award
The FHLA was created with one clear purpose: to recognize and celebrate the upcoming generation of hotel leaders. Hospitality is an industry built on people: their creativity, their resilience, and their drive to deliver unforgettable guest experiences. This award honors those individuals who go beyond their daily responsibilities and demonstrate the qualities of tomorrow’s leaders.
The FHLA celebrates individuals who know how to make a difference, stay ambitious, build strong connections, and embrace the challenges of our fast-moving industry with resilience and passion.
Looking Back: What the Award Means
Since its launch, the Future Hotel Leader Award has already brought remarkable talent into the spotlight. In 2024, Frédérique Selbeck became the very first recipient of the award, impressing both the jury and the audience with her inspiring leadership style and clear vision for the future of hospitality. Winning the FHLA gave her not only national recognition but also new opportunities to grow her career, connect with peers, and inspire others within the industry.
Earlier this year, Esther Blok was named the winner of the FHLA 2025. As Operations Manager at Moxy The Hague / Residence Inn by Marriott The Hague, Esther showed how modern leadership is about fostering a culture of collaboration, resilience, and innovation. Her journey from nominee to winner was a powerful example of how this award highlights real, impactful leadership in action.
Both winners have shown that the FHLA is more than a trophy: it’s a platform that amplifies voices, opens doors, and celebrates the people who are driving hospitality forward.
How the Nomination Process Works
The nomination process is simple yet impactful. Starting October 1st, anyone in the industry can submit their nominee (or themselves) via the official FHLA website. Nominations remain open for several weeks, after which an expert jury—composed of experienced hoteliers and industry leaders—will carefully review every submission.
From these entries, the jury will select a Top 10, highlighting the most promising leaders of the year. These nominees will be invited to share their stories and leadership journeys in short videos, offering the industry a closer look at the people shaping its future.
The process then continues with the selection of a Top 3 finalists, who will present their cases live during the Hotel Leaders Network on February 11, 2026. It is there, in front of their peers and the industry at large, that the winner of the Future Hotel Leader Award 2026 will be announced.
Why You Should Nominate
Great leaders don’t always stand in the spotlight. Sometimes they’re the ones quietly empowering their teams, sparking innovation, or showing resilience during challenging times. The FHLA exists to bring these stories forward and to make sure talent is recognized and rewarded.
By nominating someone, you give them a chance to gain recognition on a national stage, expand their professional network, and inspire others across the industry. For the nominee, it can be a career-defining moment; for the industry, it’s an opportunity to highlight the best of what hospitality has to offer.
Be Part of the Future of Hospitality
The hotel industry thrives on its people. While technology and innovation continue to shape operations, it is leadership, vision, and human connection that truly define success. The Future Hotel Leader Award honors exactly that: leaders who carry hospitality into the future.
So, take this opportunity today. Visit the FHLA website, submit your nomination, and help us celebrate the talent that makes our industry thrive. The future of hospitality starts with people like you and with the leaders you believe in!