Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) is pleased to announce the Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy, a new pinnacle honor celebrating leaders whose careers have shaped the future of hospitality sales, marketing, and revenue strategy. Named in tribute to Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert, who served as HSMAI’s President and CEO from 1995 to 2024, the Gilbert Award recognizes enduring leadership, innovation, and advocacy across the commercial disciplines of hospitality. Nominations for the 2026 recognition are open now through December 15, 2025.
The Gilbert Award honors the visionary leaders who, like Bob himself, have transformed how our industry approaches commercial strategy. This award celebrates individuals whose influence extends beyond business success, recognizing those who have elevated people, ideas, and practices that shape the future of hospitality. Brian Hicks, President & CEO of HSMAI
The award underscores HSMAI’s commitment to recognizing excellence across disciplines, open to hoteliers, industry partners, and educators. Nominees may represent a single commercial discipline or demonstrate cross-functional impact through their leadership and achievements.
Recipients will be honored during the HSMAI Adrian Awards Celebration and at HSMAI’s Commercial Strategy Conference, signature annual events celebrating excellence in hospitality, where peers and leaders from around the world gather to spotlight innovation and achievement.
The Gilbert Award represents the next evolution of HSMAI’s legacy of recognition. As part of this transition, HSMAI Americas has retired its four legacy career achievement awards—the Albert E. Koehl Award, Winthrop W. Grice Award, Vanguard Award, and the HSMAI Award for Career Achievement in Sales—while inducting all past honorees into the HSMAI Hall of Fame, established in 1968. This change unites decades of excellence under one global recognition that reflects the interconnected nature of today’s commercial strategy disciplines.
To submit a nomination for the Robert A. “Bob” Gilbert Award for Career Achievement in Commercial Strategy, visit here.
About HSMAI
HSMAI is a global organization of sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI leads the way in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry. Operating as a leading voice for both hospitality and for sales, marketing, and revenue management disciplines, HSMAI connects its members with customers. Founded in the United States in 1927, HSMAI is membership organization comprising 5,000 members from 35 countries and chapters worldwide. Connect with HSMAI at hsmai.org.
