Spirit of Hospitality Award Honorees

The Spirit of Hospitality Award is the highest recognition presented annually to individuals and organizations that show exceptional dedication and commitment to the travel and tourism industry. This year’s awardee is:

•    Too Fly Foundation

2023 Honoree: Too Fly Foundation

The Too Fly Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that serves the community by providing passports, travel grants, and educational experiences for students in under-resourced communities. To date, they’ve supported nearly 300 students in seeing the world. The Too Fly Foundation serves its community through the flagship Too Fly Fundraiser, a nationwide fundraiser to raise money for passports and travel grants; providing passports & travel grants through their annual grant cycle; galvanizing a curiosity of travel through their Travel@Home program, their Virtual Reality travel educational experience for students; and the Too Fly Flight Academy, a high-energy, pep-rally style student outreach program for students to explore travel through the five senses.

Past Honorees

  • 2022 - Tourism Cares
  • 2020 - United Airlines
  • 2019 - Samantha Brown
  • 2018 - National Geographic Traveler
  • 2017 - Peter Yesawich, MMGY Global
  • 2016 - U.S. National Park Service
  • 2015 - Brand USA
  • 2014 - James Beard Foundation
  • 2013 - Walt Disney Parks and Resorts
  • 2012 - American Express
  • 2011 - Roger Dow, U.S. Travel Association
  • 2010 - Travel Channel
  • 2009 - Anne D. Heller, USAE Custom News
  • 2008 - Arthur Frommer, Frommer's
  • 2007 - Donald S. Freeman Jr., Freeman
  • 2006 - Henry S. Givray, SmithBucklin
  • 2005 - Bruce Harris, CMP, Conferon Global Services, Inc.
  • 2004 - Susan Sarfati, CAE, ASAE & The Center for Association Leadership
  • 2003 - Tom Curley, USA Today
  • 2002 - Jonathan Tisch, Loews Hotels
  • 2001 - The People of Southwest Airlines
  • 2000 - Ted Turner, Time Warner, Inc.
  • 1999 - The Marriott Family
  • 1998 - Roy B. Evans, Jr., CAE, Professional Convention Management Association
  • 1997 - William R. Taylor, CAE, American Society of Association Executives
  • 1996 - Howard F. Mills, Sr., CMP, National Coalition of Black Meeting Planners
  • 1995 - Academy of Travel & Tourism
  • 1994 - Congressman George Thomas, “Mickey” Leland, III