Nominations now open for The Independent Hotel Show Awards 2021

The Independent Hotel Show Awards, which celebrate the hoteliers driving innovation and excellence in the boutique hotel sector, have opened for entries.

Launched in 2012, the Independent Hotel Awards have become respected accolades, shining a light on the industry’s brightest and best hotel professionals.

• The Independent Hotelier Award recognises an excellent independent hotelier with a reputation for pushing boundaries and creating exceptional guest experiences.
• The GM of the Future Award, in partnership with The Master Innholders, recognises a rising star in the hotel industry, someone who consistently goes the extra mile and has a commitment to inspiring others.

Chairman of The Master Innholders and Managing Director of The Goring, David Morgan-Hewitt FIH MI, said: “Throughout the history of The Master Innholders, we have made the development and career growth of future leaders a key priority to our organisation, proving opportunities such as the Innholders Scholarship, Aspiring Leaders Diploma and most recently Master Innholders Developing Additional Skills (MIDAS) programme. Now more than ever, it is vital to attract, develop, retain and recognise the next generation of hotel professionals, which is why we launched the GM of the Future Award in 2019.

“We have been engaged supporters of the Independent Hotel Show since its inception and I am delighted we have been able to continue to strengthen our partnership further and present the only industry accolade focused on promoting the aspiring hotel general managers of the future.”

The Independent Hotel Show will also be partnering with The Good Hotel Guide to host the Cesar Awards – 10 of which are awarded each year to hotels demonstrating consistent excellence – and celebrating the winner of The Good Hotel Guide Editor’s Choice Award at the event.

Richard Fraiman, CEO, The Good Hotel Guide, commented: “This year, we are looking forward to partnering with the Independent Hotel Show to celebrate the Good Hotel Guide’s 10 best hotels, the winners of our coveted Cesar Awards. These are named after Cesar Ritz and have been going for 36 years.”

Shortlisted hoteliers will be decided by a panel of industry experts, before the winner is determined by a combination of expert judging panel and public vote.

Elena Attanasio, Event Director for the Independent Hotel Show, added: “We can’t wait to welcome our independent hotelier community back to Olympia London and to celebrate the outstanding professionals operating in the industry.

“This year more than ever it’s important to recognise brilliance in the sector and shine a light on the individuals providing an outstanding service to their guests in the face of significant challenges.”

Paula Ellis, Group General Manager of luxury boutique hotels Twr y Felin, Penrhiw Priory and Roch Castle, and winner of the 2019 Independent Hotelier Award, said of the accolade: “Winning the Independent Hotelier Award meant that I could use it as platform to highlight that Welsh and Female GMs can achieve success and be recognised.”

If you believe someone deserves to be awarded for their contribution to the industry, their creativity or future leader potential, please look at the nominating procedure and nominate by 18 June. Self-nominations are accepted.

The winners will be announced in the awards ceremony at 5pm on the first day of the Independent Hotel Show when it returns on Monday 4 October.  

The Independent Hotel Show takes place on 4 and 5 October 2021 at Olympia London. For more information about the show or awards, please visit www.independenthotelshow.co.uk.

Ends

Editors notes

Independent Hotel Show is the only industry event dedicated entirely to the needs of luxury and boutique hoteliers. Each year the show welcomes more than 350 suppliers from across the independent and boutique hotel sector showcasing everything from the latest hospitality technology to high end décor to new and exciting food & drink offerings. The carefully curated seminar programme explores the trends and brands that are changing the face of hospitality, alongside the individuals leading the way in hotel innovation and evolution. Hotelier buyers can use the event to explore the latest trends, meet with like-minded professionals and steer the future of the industry. Independent Hotel Show takes place on 4-5 October at Olympia London.