In 2017, SAHLA Staff and the Events Committee decided to reinvent the previously discontinued annual gala into the San Antonio Pineapple Awards Gala. The inaugural event, held during National Travel & Tourism week, was a huge success, awarding 11 remarkable individuals and companies with a San Antonio Pineapple (SAP) Award and served a celebration of the impact the hotel industry has on travel and tourism.
Each year, we are honored to tell the story of the rock stars in our industry and highlight their contributions that help make a difference to our guests and we continue to add award categories to honor the outstanding members of our industry.
Any SAHLA member is eligible to win, so don’t hesitate, the next person accepting an award could be you!
Application links and information below.
2023 Applications Now Available!
Applications Open: Monday, September 4, 2023
Applications Due: Monday, October 9, 2023
AWARD ELIGIBILITY, SCORING, & NOTIFICATION:
- All applicants must be employed at a current member of SAHLA in good standing. To verify your membership status or to become a member please call 210.558.6565.
- All nominees must have permission from their supervisor to submit an application. Supervisors will be contacted prior to scoring each application to verify.
- To apply, please click the appropriate button below and select your award category in the drop down at the top of the form.
- If applying for multiple awards (i.e. General Manager of the Year & Hotel of the Year), please submit one application for each award sought.
- All short answer questions will be graded so please make sure to fill out the application in its entirety. Answers do not need to hit the word maximum.
- Once submitted, all information included in the application becomes proprietary and will not be released to anyone other than SAHLA Staff and the SAP Award Selection Committee in a redacted format.
- All applications are scored by at least 2 members of the Selection Committee with names and company information redacted to ensure objectivity. The scores are averaged for a total score.
- The top 3 finalists in each category are notified prior to the Awards Gala and encouraged to attend. Winners are announced at the Gala.
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | 5 CATEGORIES
FRONT OF HOUSE
- Front Desk
- Bell Services
- Valet
- Concierge
- Spa / Golf Staff
- Gift Shop Attendant
HEART OF HOUSE
- Housekeeping / Laundry
- Maintenance
- Engineering
- Security
- Grounds
HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
- Guest Services
- Switchboard
- PBX
- Executive Assistant
- Office Staff
- Reservations
- Sales
- Marketing / PR
- Accounting
- Purchasing
- Human Resources
FOOD & BEVERAGE
- Waiter / Server / Bartender
- Busser
- Chef / Cook
- Dishwasher
- Host / Hostess
EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
- Banquet Server
- Event Set Up
- Catering Sales
- Meeting & Event Planning Services
- AV Services
MANAGER OF THE YEAR | 5 CATEGORIES
MANAGER | FRONT OF HOUSE
Any supervisor other than General Manager
MANAGER | HEART OF HOUSE
Any supervisor other than General Manager
MANAGER | FOOD & BEVERAGE
Any supervisor other than General Manager
GENERAL MANAGER | SELECT SERVICE PROPERTY
GENERAL MANAGER | FULL SERVICE PROPERTY
Congratulations to our Former Winners!
2022 Pineapple Award Winners
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
Julissa Gonzalez, Front Desk Lead, Courtyard by Marriott San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
Juan Aleman, Utility Cleaner, Omni La Mansion Del Rio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
Brenda Trevino, Director of Sales, Wyndham Garden Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
Muregashuro (Mahmud) Karasanyi, Stewarding Supervisor, La Cantera Resort & Spa
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
Juan Carlos Salas, Banquet Captain, Embassy Suites San Antonio Landmark
MANAGER OF THE YEAR| FRONT OF HOUSE
Susan Dickson, Director of Travel Industry Sales, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR| HEART OF HOUSE
Isabelle Berry, Employment Manager | Human Resources, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR| FOOD & BEVERAGE
Francisco Mejia, Banquet Manager, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk Hotel
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
Ruban Chavarria, La Quinta Inn & Suites Downtown
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
Rusty Wallace, Omni La Mansion Del Rio | Mokara Hotel & Spa
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
TOWNE PARK
HOTEL OF THE YEAR
EMBASSY SUITES SAN ANTONIO LANDMARK
2022 Honorary Award Winners
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
DAVID UMINSKI, Hotel Management Program Director, St. Philip’s College
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BILL PETRELLA, CEO, Hotel Emma
2021 Pineapple Award Winners
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
MAYRA HERNANDEZ, Front Desk Agent, Embassy Suites San Antonio Landmark
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ROSA LOPEZ, Laundry Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
JEANNETTE GARCIA, Staff Accountant, Embassy Suites San Antonio Airport
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
STEVE VARGAS, Server/Bartender, Westin San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
Antonio Moraga, Event Planning Manager, Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
TERRY JOHNSON, Housekeeping Manager, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
CHAITAN MUGILI, Courtyard by Marriott | SeaWorld Westover Hills
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
PHILIP STAMM, Grand Hyatt San Antonio | Hyatt Regency San Antonio Riverwalk
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
SILVER EAGLE DISTRIBUTORS
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
SONESTA ES SUITES | DOWNTOWN ALAMO PLAZA
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
OMNI LA MANSION DEL RIO
2021 Honorary Award Winners
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
RUSTY WALLACE, Area District Manager, Omni La Mansion Del Rio & Mokara Hotel & Spa
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ROBERT THRAILKILL, Vice President | Operations, Zachry Hospitality
2019 Pineapple Award Winners
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
ISRAEL GONZALES, Guest Services Attendant, Hilton Palacio Del Rio
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
XAVIER NORIEGA, Utility Houseperson, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
TSURUYO “SYLVIA” BUSTOS, Payroll Specialist, Marriott Riverwalk | Rivercenter
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
JERMAN SANCHEZ, Stewarding Supervisor, Marriott Riverwalk | Rivercenter
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
JAVIER GARCIA, Event Services Manager, Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort & Spa
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
CHARLES DAVIS, Director of Loss Prevention, Marriott Riverwalk | Rivercenter
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
APRIL GALVAN, Hampton Inn & Suites Lackland SeaWorld
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
CALLAN HAMMANN, DoubleTree San Antonio Airport
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
CAPERS EVENTS
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
COURTYARD BY MARRIOTT SAN ANTONIO RIVERWALK
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
GRAND HYATT SAN ANTONIO
2019 Honorary Award Winners
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
RIC MORALES, Key Account Manager, Silver Eagle Distributors
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
ARTHUR COULOMBE, General Manager, JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa
2018 Pineapple Award Winners
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
ABEL CAMPOS, Doorman, Mokara Hotel & Spa
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
JAMES JACKSON, Overnight Security Office, Hotel Emma
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HOTEL ADMINISTRATION
MONICA DIEHL-MACIAS, Executive Assistant, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FOOD & BEVERAGE
FRANK LUCIO, Food Server, Westin Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | EVENT & CONVENTION SERVICES
JUAN RIZZO, Event Services Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
ISSA HAFEEZ, Front Office Manager, Hotel Emma
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
TREY WHIDDON, Courtyard by Marriott Downtown
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
ED BUCHOLTZ, Grand Hyatt San Antonio
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
ACE MART RESTAURANT SUPPLY
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
LA QUINTA INN & SUITES | DOWNTOWN
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
HOTEL EMMA
2018 Honorary Award Winners
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
TOM MARSHALL, Director of Event Technology, PSAV
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
HENRY FELDMAN, Owner & CEO, Martin Feldman Hospitality
2017 Pineapple Award Winners
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | FRONT OF HOUSE
BOB AIT AMRANE, Banquet Server, Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR | HEART OF HOUSE
ELMIS HERNANDEZ, Housekeeping Supervisor, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
MANAGER OF THE YEAR
PATRICK RAY, Executive Housekeeper, Grand Hyatt San Antonio
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
DUSTY SMITH, Residence Inn Alamo Plaza
GENERAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
TIM SULLIVAN, Marriott Rivercenter | Riverwalk
ALLIED MEMBER OF THE YEAR
PSAV
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | SELECT SERVICE
RESIDENCE INN AIRPORT | ALAMO HEIGHTS
HOTEL OF THE YEAR | FULL SERVICE
HILTON PALACIO DEL RIO
2017 Honorary Award Winners
VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
KEVIN LATONE, General Manager, Wyndham San Antonio Riverwalk
SIEGGY LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
BARB MACHADO, Former Executive Director, San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association