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HSMAI is pleased to announce the Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy, a new pinnacle honor celebrating leaders whose careers have shaped the future of hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue strategy. Named in tribute to Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert, who served as HSMAI’s President and CEO for more than 25 years, the award recognizes enduring leadership, innovation, and advocacy across the commercial disciplines of hospitality. Nominations are open through December 1, 2025.
The Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award represents the next evolution of HSMAI’s legacy of recognition. As part of this transition, HSMAI Americas has retired its four legacy career achievement awards—the Albert E. Koehl Award, Winthrop W. Grice Award, Vanguard Award, and the HSMAI Award for Career Achievement in Sales—while inducting all past honorees into the HSMAI Hall of Fame, established in 1968. This change unites decades of excellence under one global recognition that reflects the interconnected nature of today’s commercial strategy disciplines.
“The Robert A. ‘Bob’ Gilbert Award honors the visionary leaders who, like Bob himself, have transformed how our industry approaches commercial strategy,” said Brian Hicks, President & CEO of HSMAI. “This award celebrates individuals whose influence extends beyond business success, recognizing those who have elevated people, ideas, and practices that shape the future of hospitality.”
The award underscores HSMAI’s commitment to recognizing excellence across disciplines, open to hoteliers, industry partners, and educators. Nominees may represent a single commercial discipline or demonstrate cross-functional impact through their leadership and achievements.
Nominations for the 2026 recognition are open now through December 1, 2025. Recipients will be honored during HSMAI’s signature annual event celebrating excellence in hospitality, where peers and leaders from around the world gather to spotlight innovation and achievement.
