GKHA Stars of the Industry
PAULY Awards
The Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association (GKHA) recognizes our “Stars of the Industry” — the individuals who continue to smile after working long hours and those who make our guests feel welcome.
Come see our stars shine
Thursday, May 1, 2025 . 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Crowne Plaza . 401 W Summit Hill Drive
NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR 2025
Individual Awards: SUBMIT HERE
Company Awards: SUBMIT HERE
The Nomination Category Details and Eligibility Requirements
- The business/property/individual submitting the nominee and the nominee must be a member of GKHA.
- A nominee must have served in the industry for a minimum of two years.
- Only one nominee per category may be entered per business/property/individual.
- Please Note: Individuals and companies can self nominate.
- Entries are due to GKHA no later than April 1, 2025.
- Explain why the nominee should be honored, include job title and photo of nominee.
- All categories are not necessarily awarded each year
Definitions
- Lodging: Small Property (175 rooms or less); Large Property (176+ rooms)
- Restaurant: Independent (2 locations or less with same name); Chain/Franchise (3 or more locations with the same name)
- Tourism: (Attractions, Museums, Convention Centers, Sports Complex) Small Budget (budget under $500,000); Large Budget (budget over $500,000)
- Destination Marketing Organization (DMO): Small Budget (budget under $500,000); Large Budget (budget over $500,000)
PAULY Award CATEGORIES
*Indicates the award is a Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association Stars of the Industry category and the PAULY Award winner may be eligible for nomination.
OUTSTANDING INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
Bill Regas SMILE (formerly Friendliest Face) of the Year
The Bill Regas SMILE award celebrates Bill Regas’s legacy, his influence and dedication to family and community, but most of all for his smile. This award recognizes an individual in the hospitality/tourism industry that has provided superior customer service throughout the year or has demonstrated a commitment to customer service through a specific event – someone who’s smile is genuine.
Hospitality Mentor Award
The Hospitality Mentor Award is a special acknowledgement given to honor an individual highlighting the importance and value of long-time relationships in the hospitality industry. The award recognizes an individual who has consistently provided personal and professional guidance, motivation, emotional support, role modeling and created trusted relationships as an experienced advisor.
*Industry Educator of the Year
Industry Educator of the Year recognizes an educator teaching a hospitality, tourism or culinary arts curriculum who demonstrates commitment to their students and a passion for their subject. Any educator in the hospitality & tourism field is eligible for this award: high school, community college, university, technical institute, certification or training program.
*Women in Hospitality & Tourism
The Women in Hospitality & Tourism award is presented to a female hospitality professional who serves as a leader and role model within the hospitality community. Candidates should describe noteworthy accomplishments, leadership roles, volunteer positions and personal initiative.
*Rising Star of the Year
The Rising Star Award honors an exemplary hospitality employee with 2 years or less of service who has demonstrated superior professional dedication, leadership and a fresh perspective to their job. The recipient should also exemplify the characteristics that lead to success in the hospitality industry – enthusiasm, “out of the box” thinking in their professional and personal life and a dedication to the industry by active participation in association, community and industry programs.
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
*Community Service Award
The Community Service award is presented to a business or employee that has worked hard to give back to their local community through any number of ways: food drives, litter clean up, sesrvice projects, partnerships with community groups, etc. Nominees can submit for a particular project or campaign or an ongoing partnership.
*Greener Tennessee Award
The Greener Tennessee award is presented to a business that has developed environmental management practices into their everyday operations while maintaining quality service. Nominees should describe improvements to operations as well as the process for continuing their sustainability efforts. Nominees can submit for a particular project or campaign or ongoing efforts.
*Event of the Year
Event of the Year award recognizes any hospitality or tourism business that held a successful public event with the intent to increase visitation, revenue and public awareness of the tourism industry. Nominees can submit new or annual events and should demonstrate creativity, economic impact and media coverage of the event.
EMPLOYEE EXCELLENCE AWARDS
*Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Employee (small budget; large budget)
*Tourism Employee (small budget; large budget)
*Restaurant Employee (independent; chain/franchise)
*Lodging Employee (small property; large property)
Any employee outside of managerial roles are eligible for these awards including frontline staff, janitorial, servers, etc. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional customer service, passion for the industry, strong work ethic and other criteria that would qualify them as the best employee in their occupation.
BEST IN THE INDUSTRY AWARDS
*Allied Partner (Service/Supplier) of the Year
The Allied Partner (Service/Supplier) award recognizes the contributions of our partner companies who provide valuable services and products which allow hotels, restaurants and tourism entities to grow and thrive. Any member company who provides products and services (such as cleaning, marketing, legal resources, equipments, landscaping, etc.) is eligible.
*Best in Glass Award
The Best in Glass award recognizes a winery, brewery or distillery that has shown excellence in their products, guests experience and responsibility measures. Not only are they known for their excellent spirits, wine or beer, but, they also make a concerted effort to attract visitors to the area and drink responsibly. Nominees must have a visitor center or tasting room that is open to the public.
*Tourism Property of the Year (small budget; large budget)
The Tourism Property award provides an opportunity to recognize a property that has shown excellence in customer service and unique experiences. The tourism property regularly attracts visitors and positively contributes to the community. Eligible companies include attractions, event venues, sports complexes, theme parks, zoos, theaters, museums, and convention centers.
*Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) of the Year (small budget; large budget)
The Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) award provides an opportunity to recognize a company who has shown excellence in tourist development, helping attract new visitors and promoting the city as a tourist destination. Nominees should demonstrate not only excellent marketing and public relations strategies; but, also have close ties with their hospitality industry that supports their destination. Eligible companies include Convention & Visitors Bureaus, Chambers of Commerce, Economic & Community Development offices and other public or private entities that promote tourism.
*Hospitality Achievement Award
The Hospitality Achievement Award is given to recognize an employee (not owner) who has 30 + years of service with the same company. Nominees should demonstrate exceptional customer service, passion for the industry, strong work ethic and other criteria that would qualify them as the best employee in their occupation.
INDUSTRY LEADERSHIP AWARDS
*Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Manager (small budget; large budget)
*Tourism Manager (small budget; large budget)
*Restaurant Manager (independent; chain/franchise)
*Lodging Manager (small property; large property)
*Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Director (small budget; large budget)
*Tourism General Manager (small budget; large budget)
*Chef of the Year
*Restaurant General Manager (independent; chain/franchise)
*Lodging General Manager (small property; large property)
Any employee in a managerial position can be nominated for a manager award, including sales, marketing, catering assistant manager, etc. Only general managers and executive directors can be nominated for the general manager or director of the year awards. These awards recognize individuals for their leadership, commitment, drive for excellence and other criteria that would qualify them as the best leader in their occupation.
History of the PAULY Awards
The PAULY, like a Grammy, an Emmy or a Tony award, represents dedication, devotion and hard work to an industry – ours is the hospitality industry.
Like the other awards, the PAULY is named for a special person who provided vision, determination and leadership. Paul Sherbakoff was such a gentleman.
He managed several hotels in Knoxville, managed the Knoxville Civic Auditorium and Coliseum and was on the development task force of the Knoxville Convention Center. Paul co-wrote the original occupancy tax legislation and helped establish Knoxville’s first Convention & Visitors Bureau. He was a two (2) time President of the Tennessee Hospitality & Tourism Association.
And, of course, he was a University of Tennessee graduate.
He worked our long hours and he knew the rewards and satisfaction of a job well done.
Because of Paul’s encouragement and persistence, the University of Tennessee began providing a couple of classes in Food and Lodging in the early 1970’s. The Hospitality Tourism Management Program has grown to include a doctoral degree and is an internationally recognized program.
The Greater Knoxville Hospitality Association is proud to present the PAULY Awards to individuals and companies who epitomize the true spirit of hospitality. They are the driving force behind our industry’s success.