New Orleans, LA – The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) has named Alec Dalton of Accelerating Leaders as the recipient of the annual Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Dalton was honored at the ISHC annual conference held November 4-6, 2025 at the Kimpton Hotel Fontenot in New Orleans, LA. As the winner, Dalton received a one-year associate membership to the ISHC to further professional relationships and experience all that the Society has to offer through planned events and networking with top hospitality industry consultants from around the globe.
A passionate advocate for service excellence and quality strategy, Alec Dalton has built an impressive career advancing guest experience management and service operations around the world. Through his firm, Accelerating Leaders, Alec and his team deliver consulting, training, and keynote services for organizations across hospitality, retail, healthcare, and other service sectors. Their work focuses on assessing operational quality, developing organizational capabilities, and elevating global service standards.
Dalton is also an accomplished author and educator. His best-selling books, Customer Experience and Customer Experience 2, both reached Amazon’s top charts, and he co-authored the academic textbook Operations Management in the Hospitality Industry. His research has been featured in the Journal of Hospitality & Tourism Research, Hotel Management Magazine, and numerous other publications.
In addition to his consulting practice, Dalton serves as a faculty member at both Boston University and Florida International University, engaging in executive education and research initiatives that shape the next generation of hospitality leaders. His industry contributions include board service with the Customer Institute, Hospitality Internships, and HorizonCX, as well as active participation in several professional associations such as the American Society of Quality and the World Experience Organization.
Prior to founding Accelerating Leaders, Dalton held leadership positions with Marriott International, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, and The Walt Disney Company, where he cultivated his expertise in operational strategy, quality management, and luxury service delivery.
Dalton’s achievements have been widely recognized across the global hospitality community. He has been named among the 100 Most Inspirational People in Global Hospitality & Travel and the Global Top 15 Trainers in Hospitality by the International Hospitality Institute, featured on Hotel Management Magazine’s “30 Under 30” list, and honored by the Customer Experience Professionals Association with its inaugural “Emerging Leader in CX Award.
Alec Dalton said, I’m deeply honored to receive the Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting. Lori Raleigh is an icon in our industry, and her namesake award inspires me to multiply a legacy of excellence. More than a recognition, this award is a call to continue raising the bar for our profession — a challenge I accept with enthusiasm. The International Society of Hospitality Consultants truly sets the gold standard for advisory services in our industry. With members around the world, ISHC provides a global platform that elevates excellence, connectivity, and impact across the hospitality landscape. In hospitality consulting, whether we are working with developers or designers, technologists or trainers, we are all united in serving those who take care of our guests. As we guide and advise our clients, we share in the spirit of service that makes hospitality not just a business, but a way of life.
I am absolutely thrilled to present the 2025 Lori Raleigh Award for Emerging Excellence in Hospitality Consulting to Alec Dalton. Alec’s impactful work in hospitality leadership training exemplifies the very spirit of this award. After first meeting Alec when he was a student at Boston University, I am not surprised by the success he has already achieved in his young career. I look forward to seeing how Alec further contributes to ISHC and the overall industry going forward. Jonathan Jaeger, Chair of the ISHC Awards Committee
For more information on ISHC Awards, please visit www.ishc.com/awards.
About ISHC
The International Society of Hospitality Consultants is truly The Leading Global Resource for Hospitality Expertise, represented by over 250 of the industry’s most respected professionals from across six continents. Collectively, ISHC members provide expert services in over 50 functional areas and have specialized skills in virtually every segment of the hospitality industry. ISHC is dedicated to promoting the highest quality of professional consulting standards and practices for the hospitality industry. Candidates undergo a rigorous screening process, ensuring that all ISHC members have a reputation of integrity and are qualified by their experience, training, and knowledge to develop and express sound judgment on industry issues. Additional information about the organization and membership process, along with a directory of ISHC members, is available on the ISHC website at ishc.com.
Lori Raleigh
Executive Director
+1-239-436-3915
ISHC
