Awards

ORLA Hospitality Awards

The ORLA Hospitality Industry Awards honor outstanding individuals in Oregon's hospitality industry. Whether it’s an employee who shows up every day with passion and pride, or a team leader who lifts others and drives excellence, recognizing these individuals is about showing the rest of the state the caliber of talent, dedication, and care that exists in your operation.

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Recipients!

Employee of the Year: Dulce Mendez, Bentley’s Restaurant
Team Leader of the Year: Billie Jo Edmonds, Mo’s Seafood & Chowder
Restaurateur of the Year: Andy Fortgang, Le Pigeon / Canard / Flor Wines
Lodging Operator of the Year: Jennifer Bernal, Surfland Hotel
Workforce Champion: Heather DeSart, Northwest Oregon Works
Allied Member of Year: Oregon Destination Association

Awards will be presented during the ORLA Hospitality Conference, this year in Seaside, Oregon on September 14, 2025.

Process & Eligibility

The nomination process for the 2026 awards will open soon. Applications can be submitted as a peer nomination or self-applied. Considerations will be given to member restaurant and lodging employees; Allied Partner award nominations are limited to allied / vendor members. All recipients will be formally honored at the ORLA Hospitality Conference in the fall.

Restaurant Operator of the Year
This award honors a senior-level leader who has ownership or executive responsibility over a restaurant business. The recipient should demonstrate outstanding leadership in excelling in business operations, supporting their team, helping advance the industry, and actively contributing to their local community.

Ideal nominees include:

General managers of restaurants
Business owners
Franchise managers

Lodging Operator of the Year
This award honors a senior-level leader who has ownership or executive responsibility over a lodging business. The recipient should demonstrate outstanding leadership in advancing the industry, excelling in business operations, supporting their team, and actively contributing to their local community.

Ideal nominees include:

GMs of hotels / lodging properties
Business owners
Property managers

Allied Partner of the Year
This award recognizes a company or organization that has made significant contributions to Oregon’s hospitality industry. Nominations should demonstrate innovative contributions, outstanding support, and a strong partnership with hospitality businesses through service, advocacy, or collaboration.

Ideal nominees include:

Allied companies or vendors that provide products, services, or resources directly to the hospitality industry in Oregon

Team Leader of the Year
This award recognizes individuals who lead teams or departments within a hospitality organization, playing a crucial role in day-to-day operations and staff development. These professionals are not owners or executives, but they hold key responsibilities in managing people and ensuring excellent service delivery.

Ideal nominees include:

Mid-level managers, supervisors, or department directors (non-owner/exec)
Shift managers or department heads (e.g., front desk manager)
Operational directors below executive leadership

Employee of the Year
This award celebrates frontline hospitality employees (including back of the house) who consistently go above and beyond in their roles. These individuals do not hold formal management or supervisory positions but make an exceptional impact on guests, team morale, and workplace culture through their dedication and service excellence.

Ideal nominees include:

Servers, hosts, line cooks, dishwashers
Housekeepers, maintenance staff, front desk agents
Any non-supervisory, non-managerial staff member

Workforce Engagement Champion Award
This award honors a hospitality professional who demonstrates a strong, ongoing commitment to building Oregon’s future workforce. The recipient goes above and beyond to engage with local schools, participate in classroom or career-connected learning programs, and inspire students to pursue careers in the hospitality industry.

Ideal nominees include:

Industry champions who partner with schools on workforce pipeline programs
Mentors or who offer tours/internships
Individuals deeply involved in hospitality-focused education initiatives

Congratulations to Our 2024 Honorees

Six outstanding industry members were recognized at the ORLA Hospitality Conference in Bend on September 23, 2024. Discover their stories and see why they exemplify the best of Oregon hospitality.

Restaurateur of the Year: