As the international symbol of hospitality, the pineapple is presented to the best employees, managers, and companies our city has to offer from across the hotel industry.

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.

2024 Applications Available in August!

AWARD ELIGIBILITY, SCORING, & NOTIFICATION:

  1. 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.
  2. All nominees must have permission from their supervisor to submit an application. Supervisors will be contacted prior to scoring each application to verify.
  3. To apply, please click the appropriate button below and select your award category in the drop down at the top of the form.
  4. If applying for multiple awards (i.e. General Manager of the Year & Hotel of the Year), please submit one application for each award sought.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. 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.
  8. 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!

2023 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

 

2023 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

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