Two Denver hotel leaders have earned national recognition from the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), receiving honors as part of the organization’s 2026 General Managers of the Year Awards.
Greg Leonard, general manager of Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center, received the GM Lifetime Achievement Award, and McClinton Heil, area managing director of Halcyon, a hotel in Cherry Creek, was named GM of the Year in the Independent Property category.
The awards were announced on November 3 during The Hospitality Show in Miami Beach, Florida. This year’s recipients were selected by a panel of fellow general managers and industry leaders from more than 250 nominations.
Leonard was recognized for more than 45 years of leadership with Hyatt. Throughout his career, he has contributed to Denver’s tourism industry and community, including leading a transformative renovation at the Hyatt Regency Denver while maintaining operational excellence.
Heil was recognized for cultivating a collaborative workplace culture centered on personalized hospitality. AHLA highlighted his efforts to strengthen employee engagement, encourage internal promotions and champion initiatives supporting local organizations and neighborhood growth.
The recognition highlights the leadership behind two prominent Denver hospitality properties and the important role hotel management plays in shaping guest experiences, supporting employees and contributing to the broader community.
AHLA’s 2026 awards included eight recipients across several categories, recognizing leaders in extended-stay, full-service, select-service, independent and resort properties. The association also introduced two new honors this year: the GM Rising Star Award, recognizing a general manager within the first two years of their first GM position, and the GM Community Ambassador Award, recognizing a general manager whose hotel has become a cornerstone of its local community.
The association also presented the GM Lifetime Achievement Award, honoring a general manager whose career reflects exceptional leadership and a lasting impact as a mentor and role model within the hospitality industry.
Across more than 64,000 U.S. hotels, general managers play a central role in property operations, employee development and guest satisfaction, according to AHLA.
“Hospitality is an industry where talent and hard work can take you anywhere,” said Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of AHLA. “This year’s honorees are proof. They grew into leaders who develop their teams, drive results, and make their communities stronger.”
AHLA represents more than 30,000 members across the U.S. hospitality industry, including hotel owners, operators, brands and other industry partners.
