The Independent Lodging Congress (ILC) has announced the finalists for the 2018 INDIE Awards and voting for award winners has now opened to the public.
The INDIE Awards, which celebrate hotels, restaurants, and individuals who have exhibited creativity, innovation, and a passion for hospitality will be announced on Sept. 10. Awards will be presented at the ILC’s annual conference, taking place Oct. 17-19 in Brooklyn, New York at the William Vale Hotel. The conference will feature inspirational key note speakers, breakout sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities to engage hotel owners and operators. Confirmed conference speakers include Brad Wilson, President, Ace Hotel Group; Kara Mann, Founder and Creative Director, KARA MANN; Katherine Lo, Founder and President, Eaton Workshop; and Mike Montero, Founder and CTO, Resy.
In partnership with Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region (ILC’s nonprofit partner), this year’s INDIE Awards will include the fourth annual Start Something Award, which honors a member of the independent hotel sector who has demonstrated a commitment to service within the community and innovation within the hotel industry. Past winners include Chip Conley, Airbnb; Liz Lambert, Bunkhouse Group; and Niki Leondakis, Two Roads Hospitality.
The 2018 INDIE Awards finalists include:
Best Independent Hotel:
- MADE Hotel
- The LINE Hotel D.C.
- The Asbury Hotel
- Lora
Most Innovative Hotel Design:
- Hotel Hive
- The Ramble Hotel
- The Hoxton Paris
- Hotel Theodore
Best Hotel Bar or Restaurant:
- Proper Hotel Rooftop Bar
- Brothers and Sisters (The LINE Hotel D.C.)
- Rider (Hotel Theodore)
- Rare Bird (Noelle Nashville)
Best Tech Innovation*:
- VIP Worldwide (for the production of the Sandy Lane Barbados Virtual Reality Experience)
- Lokal Hotel
- OpenCity
- Stay Wanderful
INDIE Rebel*:
- Tom Marchant, Black Tomato
- Ben Pundole, Stay Plastic Free
- Kat Lo, Eaton Workshop
- R&A Architecture + Design
Icon of Culture*:
- Shantell Martin, Artist
- Michael Lastoria, Co-Founder, CEO + Creative Director of &pizza
- Marc Lotenberg, CEO, Surface Media
*New category for 2018
