Isenberg to Honor Hospitality Leaders April 13 at Boston Awards Event

The Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM) Department at UMass Amherst’s Isenberg School of Management will host its annual awards event Monday, April 13, 2026, from 5:45 to 9 p.m., at the Omni Boston Hotel at the Seaport.

The evening is the department’s celebration of excellence across the hospitality industry—bringing together alumni, industry leaders, students, faculty, and friends—while also serving as an important fundraiser to support HTM students through experiential learning, scholarships, and programming.

“This is our premier event of the year, and we love to celebrate the excellence of industry leaders, alumni, and our current students,” said Melissa Baker, PhD, HTM department chair, and the Jaime ’76 and Cindy Pereira Faculty Fellow. “It’s so incredible to gather as a family and show our love, passion, and support for the hospitality industry’s future.

“We want everyone who is passionate about this community to join us to leverage connections, be inspired by the awardees, and support this incredible pipeline of talent,” she added. “The number of HTM student majors has grown over 58 percent in the past two years, and we are thrilled to highlight the vibrancy of this industry.”

Tickets, Sponsorships, and Charity Auction Donations

Individuals interested in sponsoring the event, or those who would like to donate a charity auction item can click here. All proceeds support the HTM student community through experiential learning, scholarships, and programming.

2026 HTM Award Honorees

Distinguished Industry Leader Award

Lou Carrier ’88, president, Distinctive Hospitality Group

This award highlights distinguished achievement in the HTM industry for international distinction and dedicated commitment to enriching the HTM industry.

Lou Carrier has an impressive career in hospitality, working for Stouffer Hotels in food and beverage sales and marketing; and Lowes Hotels where, as general manager, he spearheaded the opening of the first Hard Rock Hotel in Orlando, Fla. His success continued as executive vice president, overseeing brand development and management for the Hard Rock Hotel brand in San Diego and Las Vegas. After launching the award-winning hotel theWit in Chicago as chief operating officer, Lou Carrier returned to his New England roots to co-found Distinctive Hospitality Group (DHG). As president, he leads an ownership and management portfolio across Massachusetts and Connecticut.

A decorated leader, Lou Carrier’s accolades include multiple management, executive, and “Hotel of the Year” awards. He serves on Hilton’s Owner Advisory Council, the Mystic Aquarium President’s Council, and is vice president of the New England Inns and Resorts Association. Throughout his career, he has served on the Board of Directors for state Lodging and Restaurant Associations in every region he has worked. Lou Carrier remains a dedicated UMass HTM champion, having recruited and mentored dozens of students he proudly calls the “cream of the crop.” To Lou, hospitality isn’t just a career; it’s a way of life he committed to at UMass Amherst.

Mark Carrier, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group and Partner, Distinctive Hospitality Group

Mark G. Carrier is the senior officer of the B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group, a Washington, D.C.-based privately held company. The Hospitality Group owns and operates a portfolio of business-class hotels—which are affiliated with Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels Group, and The Hay-Adams. He is a partner with his brother Lou Carrier in the Distinctive Hospitality Group, which owns and operates special hotels in New England.

Mark Carrier is past chairman of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), the nation's advocacy organization for the hotel industry. He remains on the board and has served as vice chairman and secretary-treasurer of the AHLA and has a long-term engagement on various committees and task groups.

He is a past chairman of the IHG Owners Association, the global franchise owner’s association of Intercontinental Hotels Group. He serves on Marriott's Distribution Advisory Council as well as the similar group for Hilton.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Dusty Rhodes, President and Founder, Conventures Inc.

Dusty Rhodes is an industry icon, serving as president and founder of New England’s leading event planning company and is the driving force behind some of the area’s most memorable and effective events and marketing campaigns. Rhodes built this company on the core philosophy and concept of teamwork; she and the Conventures team educate New England companies about the potential of events to achieve business and fundraising objectives.

Her creation of “Tribute Dinners” became the industry standard, and Conventures was one of the first to use live and silent auctions as a fundraising mechanism (which the HTM Department continues to use to support their students). Some of her flagship’s events include Boston 10K for women and the Tall Ship festivals, including Sail Boston. Rhodes is an incredible embodiment of the lifetime achievement award, having a career over four decades and organizing over 5,000 events.

Stephen Elmont Award

Jane Pritzker ‘79

This award is a tribute to a visionary professional who has left the world a better place, recognized for their pursuit of excellence and demonstrated outstanding contributions to HTM and the Isenberg School of Management.

Jane Pritzker ’79 serves as chair of the HTM Leadership Board and has been a champion of support for the department, alumni, and students. She discovered her passion for the industry as a student at UMass, where an exchange semester at the University of Hawaii led to a formative role at the Hyatt Regency Waikiki. She began her career in Hyatt marked by growth, mobility, and invaluable learning across multiple hotel environments.

She later launched her own consulting business before transitioning into the rapidly expanding world of hospitality technology. Recognizing the importance of bridging operational knowledge with emerging systems, she dedicated herself to helping technology providers better understand industry and helping hoteliers embrace tools that enhance performance and guest experience.

UMass has remained a meaningful anchor throughout her journey. Grateful for the preparation and opportunities the HTM program provided, Pritzker has spent the past decade serving on the HTM Leadership Board. With her son graduating from the program in 2013, her connection deepened further. Today, Pritzker continues to mentor students, stay engaged on campus, and support the next generation of hospitality leaders.

Outstanding Young Alumni Award

Brendan Collins ’17, vice president, HREC Investment Advisors

This award recognizes outstanding professional and personal success and shows outstanding promise ad success.

Brendan Collins ‘17 is vice president of HREC Investment Advisors’ Boston office, where he advises clients across New England on hospitality acquisitions and dispositions.

Previously, he spent nearly four years providing investment banking analysis and supporting brokerage services in HREC’s Denver Headquarters. At HREC, Collins has analyzed over 500 lodging properties valued at more than $7 billion and has been involved in the successful disposition of more than $1.5 billion in hotel assets.

He serves on the HTM board and is an adjunct professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration. Collins led the creation of the HTM Young Alumni Fireside Chat in December, celebrating its third year to inspire, mentor, and build the young alumni community. He was also instrumental in creating the HTM Department’s first hospitality real estate course.