HSMAI South Florida 41st Annual Awards Ceremony
- October 29, 2026 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Celebrating Hospitality's Brightest Stars
For 41 years, HSMAI South Florida has brought the region's hospitality community together to recognize the professionals whose work defines our industry. The Annual Awards Reception remains our most significant evening of the year — an occasion to honor exceptional achievement in sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and commercial strategy, and to invest in the professionals who will lead the industry next.
We invite you to join more than 200 hospitality leaders on Thursday, October 29 at Le Méridien, Dania Beach for cocktail reception and the presentation of awards across five categories, along with our 2025 Hospitality Legend of the Year. Proceeds support scholarships for South Florida hospitality students.
Event Details
Date: Thursday, October 29, 2026
Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Venue: Le Méridien, Dania Beach, 1160 N Federal Hwy, Dania Beach, FL 33004
Attire: Dress to impress
Honoring Our 2025 Hospitality Legend of the Year
Dr. Michael Cheng — Professor and Dean, FIU Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management
Since 2017, Dr. Cheng has led the Chaplin School from No. 107 to No. 23 globally in the 2026 QS World University Rankings — now No. 1 in Florida and No. 3 among U.S. public universities. He has raised more than $48 million in philanthropic support and launched the Bacardi Center of Excellence and the Alex Krys Center for Hospitality Innovation & Entrepreneurship. His mentorship continues to ripple across our industry.
Award Categories
We'll recognize excellence across five categories, spotlighting both rising stars and seasoned leaders:
- Sales Leader
- Marketing Leader
- Revenue Management Leader
- Hotel Leader
- Commercial Strategy Leader
Why It Matters
Proceeds from the evening — including the silent auction — benefit the HSMAI South Florida Dr. Peter Ricci Scholarship Fund, providing financial assistance to local hospitality and tourism students building careers in our industry.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship places your company in front of 200+ South Florida hospitality decision-makers across pre-event marketing, on-site signage, and the evening itself. Packages start at $1,000 with Silent Auction opportunities also available.