WEST DES MOINES, IOWA — (September 25, 2023) The Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association (IHLA) has announced its inaugural honorees for the group’s statewide industry awards. Each honoree was selected by the IHLA Board of Directors and will be recognized at an awards luncheon on October 2, 2023 at The Rewind Hotel in West Des Moines. Each will also be featured in videos on the IHLA’s Youtube channel.
“Iowa’s hotel and lodging industry exemplifies innovation, community engagement and a commitment to guest experience,” said Jessica Dunker, president and CEO of the Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association. “As our inaugural honorees, they have set the bar high for future award winners.”
2023 Award Winners:
Hoteliers of the Year — Bhupen and Sandhya Patel, VKB Management, Johnston
General Manager of the Year — Dwight Hopfauf, Hotel Julien, Dubuque
Innovation Award — Raj Patel, Hawkeye Hotels, Coralville, recognized for the Hotel Fort Des Moines
Sustainability Award (presented in conjunction with WoodRiver Energy) — Mike Whalen on behalf of the Heart of America team, Des Moines, for the Hyatt Place Altoona
Philanthropy Award — Jessica Vanderpool, Kinseth Hospitality, Council Bluffs
Employee of the Year — Amelia Nickle, Hotel Grinnell/Highlander Hotel, Grinnell/Iowa City
Industry Champion — Faith Dorn, Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association, West Des Moines
Legislator of the Year — Representative Craig Johnson, District 67, Independence
Iowa Hotel & Lodging Association
Founded in 2022, the Iowa Hotel and Lodging Association is an advocacy group representing the state’s nearly 1,000 hotel and lodging establishments.
