SHLD Awards 2026

Judges

  • Laurie Woliung

    HSDC/MindClick Advisor

  • Fred Brandstrader

    Fred Brandstrader

    Vice President - Construction and Capital Expenditures Hyatt

  • Ashley Michaels

    Sr. Manager Product Experience & Prototypes Global Design, Hilton

  • Robert Stuckey

    Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Business Development-AHLA

  • Michelle Finn

    Michelle Finn

    VP Design + Construction Products & Services The BHN Group

  • Kavitha Iyer

    Kavitha Iyer

    VP Architecture & Design 
    Choice Hotels International 

  • Diane Nguyen

    Diane Nguyen

    Vice President of Design at Highgate Hotels

  • Kari Olsen Carr

    Senior Vice President at Pebblebrook Hotel Trust

Judging Criteria

VISION: The goal for the guest experience based on the design concept

CREATIVITY: How the team embraced unconventional thinking to achieve both Impact and Vision

IMPACT: Evaluation of environmental and social impact of products selected for project based on MindClick’s Sustainability Assessment

EXECUTION: How well the Vision, Creativity and Impact came together to meet all project performance factors - design, budget, sustainability and intended guest experience

Awards

The award consists of a trophy and a certificate, with no monetary prizes included. Select honorees will be presented during AHLA's Responsible Stay Summit on March 4, 2026. In addition, all winners will be featured in social media campaigns, and…