LOS ANGELES (January 19, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the AHLA Foundation, and The BHN Group/Northstar Travel Group today announced that Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt, will be awarded the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award. Hoplamazian will be recognized during the AHLA Foundation’s fundraising gala, Night of a Thousand Stars on Sunday, January 21, as well as during the 23rd annual Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) on Tuesday, January 23.
"Mark’s tenure at the helm of Hyatt is not just inspiring, it's a testament to his remarkable leadership and aptitude for empathy. Beyond the boardroom, he’s championed countless initiatives that raise the bar for the level of care in our industry," remarked AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. "In honoring Mark with the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award, we celebrate a leader whose contributions transcend corporate success and echo in the lives of those he touches throughout the community.”
"Empathy is at the foundation of Mark’s impeccable character as his commitment to addressing social issues embodies the hotel industry’s spirit of having a strong sense of community,” said Jeff Higley, President, The BHN Group. “His commitment to a vast array of causes that help people in all walks of life epitomizes what the Arne Sorenson Social Impact Award represents, and combined with his strong industry leadership position, makes Mark the ideal candidate for this 2024 honor.”
Hoplamazian was appointed to Hyatt’s Board of Directors and became President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt in 2006 after 17 years with The Pritzker Organization. Throughout his Hyatt career, he has helped create transformational growth for Hyatt all while prioritizing environmental and social impact initiatives, including:
- World of Care which brings Hyatt’s purpose of care to life across all areas of Hyatt’s business through action in advancing care for the planet, people and responsible business.
- Change Starts Here, actionable commitments that accelerate Hyatt’s DE&I efforts by 2025.
- RiseHY, a global program providing career pathways and coaching for Opportunity Youth to create long-term careers in hospitality.
- Helping launch AHLA’s No Room for Trafficking Survivors Fund with Hyatt Hotels Foundation’s donation of $500,000.
- Serving as Chairman of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future which creates solutions to support unemployed and underemployed individuals in their pathway to work.
The Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award was introduced in 2022 in honor of industry icon and former president & CEO of Marriott International, Arne Sorenson, who passed away in February 2021. The award is presented annually to a senior-level executive in the lodging industry who strives to drive change through strong leadership and community engagement.
About Northstar Travel Group
Northstar Travel Group is the leading B-to-B media company providing information and marketing solutions for the global travel industry. The company owns 14 media brands connecting 1.3m industry professionals through a comprehensive portfolio of digital, social, print and more than 100 events in 13 countries. Northstar Travel Group is owned by EagleTree Capital. Northstar Travel Group is based in Rutherford, NJ, and more information is available at northstartravelgroup.com.
About The BHN Group
The BHN Group is the worldwide leader in developing and organizing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. With over three decades of experience, more than 170 events completed to-date, and in excess of 120,000 international delegates, these conferences have become “must attend” events for industry leaders who come together to network, conduct business, and to learn about the latest trends. The current slate of events include: the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles; ALIS Law in Los Angeles; ALIS DESIGN+ in Los Angeles, the ALIS Summer Update series held in various U.S. cities; Caribbean Hotel & Resort Investment Summit (CHRIS) in Miami; Hotel Opportunities Latin America (HOLA) conference in Miami; Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Singapore; HICAP UPDATE in Hong Kong, and HICAP Australia New Zealand (HICAP ANZ) in Sydney. The BHN Group also publishes Hotel Investment Today, a digital media outlet focused on the ROI of hotel investment. The BHN Group’s website at www.Burba.com is the gateway for information about the annual conferences it produces, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world.