Arizona’s public universities honored by Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association for outstanding contributions to industry’s workforce

The Arizona Board of Regents and the state's public universities received the 2025 Honoree of the Year award from the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association at the fourth annual ATLAS Gala on Friday at the JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn. The event celebrated the hospitality and tourism industry's contributions to Arizona's economy and recognized key partners like the board, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona for advancing workforce development. 

“This recognition highlights the vital partnership between our universities and the hospitality sector, equipping students with skills and experiences to drive Arizona's economic growth,” said Regent Gregg Brewster, who accepted the award on behalf of the board. “We’re proud to partner with the Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association, whose advocacy and leadership are vital to advancing one of Arizona’s most impactful industries. Our universities are doing exceptional work to prepare students for careers in hospitality, and we’re committed to collaborating with industries statewide to ensure our workforce is ready for the future.”

During the program, a video message from the presidents of Arizona’s three public universities highlighted their institutions' roles in preparing students for hospitality careers.

At ASU, President Michael Crow emphasized the innovation woven into its tourism and hospitality programs, including the highly regarded Bachelor of Science in Tourism Development and Management, which focuses on developing resort and hotel leadership. NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera celebrated the institution’s renowned and globally recognized School of Hotel and Restaurant Management, ranked No. 6 in the U.S. by CEOWORLD Magazine. President Suresh Garimella underscored the University of Arizona's commitment to sustainable tourism education, with the Eller College of Management offering programs tailored to the industry's evolving needs.

The honor follows a collaborative campaign between the board and AzLTA to spotlight the statewide career opportunities in Arizona's tourism and hospitality sector. As visitor numbers, revenue and tourism workforce losses recover after the COVID-19 pandemic, industry executives, university leaders and state officials are working together to address the labor gap and ensure Arizona's tourism sector can meet growing demand.  

Kim Grace Sabow, AzLTA president and CEO, praised the universities’ impact during her presentation of the award. 

“Arizona's public universities and ABOR are strong allies in building a competitive workforce for our industry,” Sabow said. “Their programs prepare innovative leaders and help sustain the economic vitality that tourism brings to our state.” 

The gala, AzLTA's premier event, drew industry executives, elected officials, business leaders and community champions for an evening of inspiring programming and networking. The gathering fuels statewide advocacy, pro-tourism policies and promotion of Arizona's hospitality sector, which welcomed 46.5 million visitors in 2024, generating more than $33 billion in spending and supporting 300,000 direct and indirect jobs. 

Hospitality leaders echoed the need for a robust workforce. Dan Rama, a hospitality professional and co-founder of NewGen Advisory, noted that one in eight jobs created by 2033 will be in hospitality, a billion-dollar sector that can't develop without a ready workforce. Amilyn Pierce of the Arizona Diamondbacks highlighted sports tourism's critical role in the industry, while Kind Hospitality CEO Nava Singam stressed the importance of encouraging students to explore hospitality careers to ensure Arizona's continued success. 

The ATLAS Honoree of the Year award underscores the board’s AZ Opportunity initiative’s mission, which prioritizes funding to expand access to college and ensure a competitive workforce that meets the demands of Arizona's rapid growth.

Learn more about AZ Opportunity here and watch tourism and hospitality industry testimonials here.