2026 Stars of the Industry Nomination Categories
Join us in celebrating Sonoma County's finest in the tourism and hospitality industry!
Use the form below to submit your nomination for the Stars of the Industry awards. Please note that nominations may be submitted in multiple categories, and that finalists are not selected based on the quantity of nominations received.
Nominations are due by March 13th by 5 p.m. Late entries cannot be accepted. Once the submission deadline has passed, three finalists from each category will be announced, and public voting will begin!
Winners will be honored at our Stars of the Industry awards in June.
Any questions please email us at CommunityEngagement@SonomaCounty.com
Awards will be presented in the following categories:
Categories Honoring Individuals
1) Front of the House – Non-Manager
Recognizes a front-line team member who consistently delivers exceptional guest service and exemplifies reliability, teamwork, and professionalism. Eligible roles may include servers, hosts, baristas, front desk staff, valets, bell staff, banquet service team members, concierges, and similar positions.
2) Front of the House – Manager
Honors a front-of-house leader who inspires excellence through strong leadership, thoughtful guest experiences, and a positive team culture. Examples include restaurant managers, front desk supervisors, banquet captains, event managers, and sales directors.
3) Heart of the House – Non-Manager
Celebrates a behind-the-scenes team member whose dedication keeps operations running smoothly. This award recognizes reliability, collaboration, and commitment across roles such as housekeeping, kitchen staff, maintenance, laundry, and accounting support.
4) Heart of the House – Manager
Acknowledges a heart-of-the-house leader who drives operational excellence and fosters a supportive, high-performing team environment. Eligible roles include executive housekeepers, sous chefs, directors of engineering or maintenance, and accounting managers.
5) Rising Star
Recognizes an individual with fewer than five years in the industry who has already demonstrated passion, promise, and a strong commitment to hospitality.
Categories Honoring Businesses
6) Environmental Stewardship/Sustainable Practices
Honors a hospitality business that integrates sustainability into daily operations, including water conservation and waste reduction, green design and energy efficiency, and sourcing local food and products.
7) Customer Experience
Recognizes a hospitality organization that consistently delivers outstanding service, fosters a guest-first culture, and creates meaningful, memorable experiences.
8) Lodging Property of the Year
Celebrates a Sonoma County lodging property that exemplifies excellence and elevates the overall visitor experience.
9) Community Enrichment
Acknowledges a hospitality business that gives back through philanthropy, volunteerism, or meaningful partnerships with local nonprofit organizations.
10) Best Tourism Partnership
Honors a collaborative effort between two or more businesses or organizations that combined resources to create a campaign, program, tour, publication, event, or experience that strengthens Sonoma County’s tourism offering.
Categories Honoring Individuals or Businesses
11) Champion of the Industry
Recognizes an individual or organization that has actively supported, advocated for, or strengthened Sonoma County’s hospitality industry. Champions may include service providers, public organizations, advocates, or hospitality professionals whose work uplifts the industry as a whole.
Category Honoring a Sonoma County Visitor Center
12) Visitor Center Program of the Year
Honors a campaign, program, tour, publication, event, or initiative produced by a Sonoma County Visitor Center that enhanced the visitor experience.
13) Visitor Center Volunteer/Staff Member of the Year
Recognizes a Visitor Center volunteer or staff member who consistently delivers exceptional service and creates memorable experiences for visitors.