The announcement was made jointly on 16 September 2026 by the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), the world’s leading hotel investment conference, and Shatterproof, a non-profit organisation dedicated to combating addiction. Both awards will be presented to Barry Sternlicht on 25 January 2027, during the 2027 ALIS conference in Los Angeles, before an audience of the industry’s leading executives.
Founder, chairman and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, Barry Sternlicht has built one of the world’s leading alternative investment firms. Over three decades, he has structured investments representing an asset value of more than $280 billion, and his group today manages approximately $130 billion in assets.
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The Legacy of Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Barry Sternlicht is best known for founding Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, where he revolutionised the hotel industry by creating brands such as W Hotels and driving the international growth of St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. He is also credited with Westin’s Heavenly Bed and the Starwood Preferred Guest loyalty programme, which was an industry benchmark in its time.
His acquisition of ITT Corp., completed in 1998 and including the global Sheraton Hotels brand, made Starwood the world’s largest hotel operator at the time.
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A Portfolio Refocused on Luxury and Lifestyle
Barry Sternlicht went on to found the current Starwood Hotels group, parent company of 1 Hotels, Baccarat Hotels and Treehouse Hotels, continuing his development momentum around sustainability, hotel design and guest experience.
Barry Sternlicht said hospitality was arguably one of the most important professions in the world. He said the industry simply makes the world a better place – citing its role in providing routes into employment, training tens of millions of people, breaking down stereotypes through travel and the discovery of other cultures, and teaching diversity and teamwork within its own workforce. Travel, he added, makes the world go round, and he was grateful to have made a modest contribution to it.
Shatterproof and the Industry’s Commitment Against Addiction
Pam Jenkins @ credit linkedIn
Founded by former hotelier GaryMendell following the loss of his son Brian to addiction, Shatterproof has maintained a long-standing partnership with hospitality leaders to raise awareness of substance use disorders through education, prevention and action. Since 2016, industry leaders have raised more than $12 million at Hospitality Heroes events held during ALIS.
Pam Jenkins, CEO of Shatterproof, said few figures had had as profound an impact on the hotel industry as Barry Sternlicht. She said his visionary leadership had transformed the way travellers experience hospitality around the world, while his entrepreneurial spirit continues to shape the industry’s future, adding that it was a privilege to honour him as the 2027 Shatterproof Hospitality Hero as ALIS simultaneously recognised his career as a whole.
Jeff Higley @ credit linkedIn
Jeff Higley, president of the Hotel Investment Group by Northstar, which organises ALIS, said Barry Sternlicht’s impact on the hotel industry was unmatched. He said Sternlicht’s vision, sense of innovation and entrepreneurial leadership had helped redefine modern hospitality and had inspired a generation of industry leaders.
Gary Mendell @ credit Shatterproof
Gary Mendell, founder and chairman emeritus of Shatterproof, added that Barry’s influence extends far beyond the companies and brands he has built. He said Sternlicht had helped define modern hospitality while setting a standard for leadership and philanthropic engagement.
A Dedicated Reception at ALIS 2027
The 2027 Shatterproof Hospitality Heroes reception will bring together hotel executives, owners, operators, investors and industry partners to celebrate Barry Sternlicht’s career and support Shatterproof’s mission.
Barry Sternlicht to receive ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award and Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award
Awards to be presented January 25, 2027, during ALIS in Los Angeles
Sternlicht chairs and leads Starwood Capital Group, managing approximately $130 billion in assets
Career includes founding Starwood Hotels & Resorts, W Hotels and St. Regis’ global growth
1998 acquisition of ITT Corp./Sheraton made Starwood the world’s largest hotel operator
Since 2016, hospitality leaders have raised over $12 million for Shatterproof through ALIS events
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