10/19/2026
Arkansas hospitality took center stage Thursday, October 15, at the Saracen Casino Resort in Pine Bluff for our 2026 Stars of the Industry Awards Gala!
We celebrated the people who make our industry special, recognizing outstanding employees, managers, educators, tourism leaders and business owners across 15 award categories. From the front lines to the boardroom, this year's honorees represent the dedication, leadership and hospitality that keep Arkansas moving forward.
The evening also featured our bartending competition, exciting giveaways from Arkansas Golf and Powersports and Sissy's Log Cabin, and a special tribute to Montine McNulty, who served as AHA's CEO for 25 years.
Congratulations to all our 2026 Stars of the Industry winners, and a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, partners and supporters who helped make this celebration possible. We are proud to recognize the people who make Arkansas a wonderful place to live, work and visit!
Meet our 2026 Stars of the Industry Award Winners!
Tourism Employee of the Year: Katelyn Jerrell, Eureka Springs City Advertising & Promotion
Restaurant/Bar Employee of the Year: Leah Hopkins, Gadwall's Grill
Lodging Employee of the Year: Anna Oberste, Oaklawn
Tourism Manager of the Year: Michael Marion, Simmons Bank Arena
Restaurant Manager of the Year: Stacee Hargett, Saracen
Lodging Manager of the Year: Becki Lewis, Wyndham Riverfront
Golden Key Award: Randy Wolfinbarger, Best Western Inn of the Ozarks
Salut au Restaurateur: Tracy and Brent Cryder, Southern Tail Brewing
Silver Cup Award: Clint Gaston, Gaston's White River Resort
Rising Star Award: Ethan Blakelly, Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau
State Park Guardian: Bill Jones, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
Pinnacle of Promotion: Experience Fayetteville
Industry Educator of the Year: Susan West, Arkansas Tech
Montine McNulty Women in Hospitality Award: Karen Trevino, North Little Rock Tourism
Maurice E. Lewis Lifetime Achievement Award: Bill Barnes, Mountain Harbor Resort
Congratulations to each of our honorees! Thank you for everything you do for Arkansas hospitality.
A special thank you to our 2026 sponsors!
Host Sponsor: Saracen Casino Resort
Industry Champions: Ben E. Keith Foods, Centennial Bank, Oaklawn Hot Springs, National Restaurant Association, Sissy's Log Cabin, AY Magazine, AAHOA and Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism.
Presentation Sponsors: Global Payments, Experience Fayetteville, UnitedHealthcare, Evergreen Designs, University of Arkansas, Auris, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and JTJ Restaurants.
Beverage Sponsors: Warfield Distillery & Brewery and Southern Tail Brewing.
Table Sponsors: Little Rock Convention & Visitors Bureau, Baldwin & Shell Construction Company, Visit Eureka Springs, Span Hospitality, Hugg & Hall Mobile Storage, Gadwall's Grill, AHIIP, Pinnacle Hotel Group, North Little Rock Tourism, BMI Music, SXNW South by Northwest Hospitality, Wyndham Riverfront Little Rock, inVeritas, WDD Architects, Visit Hot Springs, The Hatcher Agency, JTS Insurance, UA Pulaski Tech, Makan Hospitality management and J&S Hospitality.
