AHLA Brings Hotel Sector Together for Responsible Stay Summit

Phil Cappelli
by Phil Cappelli
Last updated: 11:10 AM ET, Thu March 5, 2026

The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) hosted its fourth annual Responsible Stay Summit from March 3-4, bringing food and beverage professionals and sustainability leaders from across the hotel sector to exchange ideas and celebrate industry leaders.

The summit brought together members from AHLA’s Sustainability committee and Food & Beverage committee. 

Attendees used real-world case studies and peer exchange to address shared operational and environmental challenges, such as food waste reduction and water conservation.

“Hotels are anchors in their communities and their success ripples through local economies. Helping our members operate more efficiently isn't just good for the environment, it's good for their bottom line and for the communities they serve,” said Lauren Pravlik, vice president for committees and member engagement at AHLA.

The Sustainable Hospitality and Leadership in Design Awards recognize hospitality projects that combine exceptional design with proven sustainability results. 

Winners included Hotel Verdant in Racine, Wisconsin, which earned the Public Space and Guest Room awards, and Renaissance Boston Seaport, which was named Overall Winner.

The Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, California was recognized as the 2026 Green Key Global Property of the Year. The award, presented by Green Key Global, honors properties with a remarkable commitment to responsible operations.

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts took home the Hotel Kitchen Champion Award presented by the World Wildlife Fund for its leadership in sustainable food and beverage. 


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Jen Mallia

Jen Mallia

Senior Editor

Jen Mallia is an Edmonton-based writer, editor, and Oxford comma apologist. She is a former senior editor of the CAA/AMA Insider magazines and has written for a host of publications, including The Globe and Mail. National Post, The Guardian, Today's Parent, and InStyle. 

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