Our team at the RI Hospitality Association (RIHA) is excited to announce significant and transformative changes to our annual Stars of the Industry event. This change marks a shift toward greater inclusivity, aiming to honor the entire hospitality sector in Rhode Island, which is home to 80,000 resolute individuals. Having served on the RIHA board for six years, including two as Chair, I have seen the dedication and hard work that defines our industry. These experiences have led to a desire to recognize more comprehensively, the contributions of those who keep our industry thriving.
Historically, the Stars of the Industry Awards have celebrated the exceptional work of RIHA members. However, it is time to broaden our scope, acknowledging that the strength of Rhode Island’s hospitality industry extends beyond our membership. By highlighting the industry’s outstanding contributors, we hope to inspire excellence across all facets of hospitality. This innovative approach is about more than just recognition—it is about inclusivity, ensuring that every individual and business playing a role in our industry’s success can be acknowledged, regardless of membership status.
To support this inclusive vision, we are opening the Stars of the Industry Awards to all hospitality employees and businesses across Rhode Island, whether they are members of our Association or not. This change reflects our belief that every contribution to our industry is valuable and worthy of recognition. We are also refining the awards categories to honor a diverse range of roles, from front-line servers and receptionists to chefs and dishwashers, acknowledging the full spectrum of work that makes our industry successful.
In addition to expanding eligibility, we are streamlining the awards process to focus on fewer categories, reducing the total from 27 to 17. This will result in a more prestigious and focused recognition of excellence, with only the top achievers being honored in each category. By doing so, we aim to send a clear message about what it means to excel in the hospitality industry, and to celebrate those who set the highest standards.
The 2024 Stars of the Industry event will bring a fresh sense of excitement and prestige, with a new format designed to capture the audience’s attention. Winners will be announced live, adding an element of surprise, and making the evening a highlight of the hospitality calendar. This event is not just about honoring individual achievements, it is about celebrating the collective efforts of everyone involved in making Rhode Island’s hospitality industry thrive.
With all of this in mind, we decided to rebrand the annual celebration as “The Awards for Noteworthy Champions of Hospitality and Outstanding Restaurant Service,” or “The ANCHORS.”
As we look forward to the event at Bally’s Lincoln on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, I am excited to see how these changes will bring our community together, highlight our achievements, and inspire all of us to reach even higher standards of excellence. These changes are more than just procedural updates—they reflect a deeper understanding of what makes our industry thrive: the people. By recognizing a wider range of roles and contributions, we emphasize the value of everyone’s hard work and dedication. This is more than an award’s ceremony; it is a celebration of the spirit, hard work, and dedication that define Rhode Island’s hospitality industry.
Nominations are now open for the 2024 ANCHORS, celebrating excellence across all roles in Rhode Island’s hospitality sector. To nominate a deserving individual or organization, please RI Hospitality Association’s website and complete the online submission form by October 31, 2024. Winners will be honored at the event, on January 15, 2025.
