GM Awards Spotlight Best-in-Class General Managers Driving Exceptional Guest Experiences & Employee Satisfaction

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) announced its 2025 General Managers of the Year Awards during The Hospitality Show in Denver, Colorado. The awards recognized general managers going above and beyond for their guests and employees. 

In the more than 64,000 hotels across the United States, general managers are the driving force behind each property’s success.  General managers often rise from entry level positions, proving that hospitality is an industry that recognizes talent, rewards perseverance, and transforms frontline team members into the leaders who drive our sector forward. This year’s winning general managers were chosen from submissions received across the entire nation selected by an independent group of judges from various cross-sections of the industry. 

AHLA’s 2025 General Managers of the Year are: 

• GM Lifetime Achievement Award: Pete Boyd, General Manager, The Venetian Resort Las Vegas, NV

  • Boyd was nominated by his colleagues for his deep commitment to people, purpose, and culture over the course of his career.   

• GM of the Year, Extended Stay Property: Wyatt Cardwell, General Manager, Residence Inn Dupont Circle, Washington, DC  

  • Cardwell was nominated by his colleagues for his compassion, gratitude, and resilience.  

• GM of the Year, Full-Service Property: Trish Drews, General Manager, DoubleTree by Hilton McLean Tysons, McLean, VA  

  • Drews was nominated by her colleagues for her 35 years of dedicated service to her team members, property, and community.

• GM of the Year, Select-Service Property: David Giaco, General Manager, Dolphin Sands Clearwater Beach, FL (formerly Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club, Ascend Hotel Collection)  

  • Giaco was nominated by his colleagues for his innovation, confidence, and resilience.

• GM of the Year, Independent Property: Erik Kreft, General Manager, One Ocean Resort & Spa, Atlantic Beach, FL  

  • Kreft was nominated by his colleagues for creating moments of care and belonging through compassion, integrity, and humanity.

• GM of the Year, Resort Property: Seth McDaniels, General Manager, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, FL

  • McDaniels was nominated by his colleagues for his exemplary efforts as a culture builder and champion of people.  

“General managers are the heart of every hotel. The best of them are focused equally on the guest and the team, providing excellent experiences for visitors, driving results, problem solving, building careers and community at the same time,” said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of AHLA. “This year’s honorees reflect that magic perfectly, building their teams and talent while supporting the communities in which they live and serve and making us all so proud to be part of this dynamic industry.”