Celebrating the suppliers who propel the meetings industry forward
Each year, the Smart Meetings Catalyst Awards celebrate the visionaries, innovators and connectors who embody the best of the meetings and hospitality industry. These awards honor the individuals whose work not only drives results but also uplifts teams, inspires creativity and strengthens the communities they serve.
Now in its eighth edition, the Catalyst Awards shine a light on the professionals who bring people together in meaningful ways—who see possibility where others see limits, and who transform challenges into opportunities for growth and connection. The nominations we received this year were both inspiring and humbling, reflecting the extraordinary breadth of talent across our field. From destination experts to event architects and brand storytellers, each nominee reminded us that this industry is powered by people with passion, heart and unstoppable energy.
Our winners are recognized in three categories that reflect that spirit of momentum. The Amplitude Award celebrates destination leaders who elevate our industry and expand our vision for what’s possible. The Momentum Award honors hospitality professionals whose dedication and creativity set new standards for guest and group experiences. And the Kinetic Award recognizes partners who move us all forward with purpose, innovation and drive.
We are proud to showcase the 2025 Catalyst Award winners in these pages. Their stories remind us that true success goes beyond numbers and accolades—it’s found in the relationships we build, the communities we nurture and the legacy of inspiration we leave behind.
In celebration,
Kate Zaliznock, managing editor
In the ups and downs of the hospitality world, these destination leaders raised the bar on what is possible, brought the rest of us along and helped us see a better future.
This designation honors the vitality of hospitality leaders who work tirelessly to welcome our attendees to their properties, serve up innovative spaces and experiences and leave everyone smiling.
At a time when forward motion is at a premium, these partners helped all of us move in the right direction by leading the way. They do the work that moves the needle on KPIs.
A Culture of Care, From Vineyard to Venue
Foley Entertainment Group’s new CEO, Joe Leinacker, on redefining hospitality through service, storytelling and a shared sense of excellence
From five-star hotels to championship teams and philanthropic foundations, Foley Entertainment Group (FEG) runs on one simple principle: Take care of people, and the rest follows. At the helm is newly appointed CEO Joe Leinacker, whose hospitality roots and fresh perspective are helping shape the group’s next chapter. With a portfolio that spans Hotel Californian, 27 North, Farmhouse Inn, Foley Family Wines and sports entities like the Vegas Golden Knights, Leinacker sees the common thread not as the venues themselves, but the feeling they leave behind. In this conversation, he shares how FEG blends community, creativity and care to craft experiences that are as distinctive as the destinations they call home.
What is Foley Entertainment Group’s hospitality philosophy? What makes your projects unique? How do you elevate the guest experience?
Our philosophy at Foley Entertainment Group is rooted in delivering exceptional five-star service to guests and fans across our enterprise, whether that’s an incredible stay in a hotel, exceptional food and wine in our restaurants and tasting rooms or unforgettable experiences cheering on our teams. We’ve focused on smaller, independent hotel projects that each maintain their unique identities and are authentic representations of their communities. Our guest experiences are as personalized and unique as our hotels. We don’t have a big box brand we have to fit into; we can customize experiences and try new things to continue to enhance the experience in a meaningful and valuable way for our specific guests.
Your other pillars are sports teams and nonprofits. What is the crossover from those operations to five-star venues like Hotel Californian and 27 North?
At the end of the day, it’s still all about taking care of people, whether that’s caring for someone through one of our nonprofits, curating a cherished experience for someone watching their favorite team or hosting the wedding of a lifetime at one of the hotels. The
ethos around how we operate is the same. There are plenty of organic instances in which the actual operations crossover, such as an FFWS wine bar at T-Mobile Arena, AFC Bournemouth spending a few days at Hotel Californian last summer during their USA tour’s match in Santa Barbara and more. From the hotel perspective, the most organic collaboration is between hotels and wine and spirits. A few examples include:
· Guests receive complimentary tastings at local FFWS hospitality centers.
· We often receive exclusive access to wines for our guests.
· We can lean into FFWS for unique team building or offsite experiences.
· We create fun and unique events at the properties showcasing FFWS brands.
What is the background Bill brings, and how does your perspective change what meeting professionals can expect when they bring a group to a Foley property?
Both Bill’s military and business background play a huge role in the culture of the company, and the sense of integrity and honor with which we approach our business. His experiences and interests are varied—he’s not afraid to try something new or differently, but always expects excellence. Meeting professionals can expect the same ethos. We’re always striving for excellence, never satisfied with mediocrity or stagnation. We think boldly and creatively, and are rooted in a sense of service and humility.
What is the emphasis on group vs. transient business at Foley properties?
All of our hotel properties are located in premier tourist areas and see a lot of transient business throughout the year, but group and event business is still essential at all of them for our overall success, and a huge focus for our sales and catering team. The business mix looks different from one hotel to the next based on size, venue spaces, corporate vs. social, etc., but that’s part of the beauty of this portfolio—there’s something for everyone.
Need 50 rooms, a general session, breakouts and a walkable location? We’ll send you to Hotel Californian. An executive meeting equal parts brainstorming and wine tasting? 27 North is for you. A wellness retreat tucked among the vines in wine country? There’s Farmhouse Inn. The other piece of our business makeup that we never want to forget is our local community. Each of our hotels is invested in connecting with the community and welcoming them into our spaces as our guests.
This article appears in the November 2025 issue.
You can subscribe to the magazine here.
