Press room

Excellence was in Bloom for the 32nd Annual Hospitality Gala

Under a soft hint of spring, the Sacramento Hotel Association welcomed friends and colleagues to the 32nd Annual Hospitality Gala on March 26, 2026. Generously hosted by the Sheraton Grand, the evening shimmered with conversation, clinking glasses, and the warm buzz of a community that builds Sacramento’s hospitality from the ground up—housekeeping carts to banquet halls, front desks to back-of-house kitchens.

Board President Jeroen Gerrese opened the program with a tribute to the passion and professionalism that define this industry. After a lively reception and a festive dinner, the Gala turned to its favorite part: celebrating the men and women whose daily efforts create the memorable stays and flawless events that keep guests coming back.

The Sacramento Hotel Association proudly presented its awards to an outstanding group of recipients:

Vendor Company of the Year
Bloem Décor

Associates of the Year

Courtyard by Marriott Sacramento Cal Expo
Salomon Garcia, Executive Chef

Embassy Suites Sacramento
Monica Santana, Housekeeping Supervisor
Kishor Baran, Lead Cook

Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena
Melvin Modelo, Banquet Captain
Mhar Samonte, Room Attendant

Hilton Sacramento Arden West
Johnny Bugge, Group Sales Coordinator

Hyatt Regency Sacramento
Grace Qu, Public Area Attendant
Riley Ostrom, Pastry Supervisor

Kimpton Sawyer Hotel
Renee Bellomy, Executive Meeting Manager
Dacien Devault, Cook

Lions Gate Hotel
Alicia Beard, Sales and Catering Manager

Residence Inn Sacramento Airport Natomas
Domingo Valencia, House Person

Sacramento Marriott Rancho Cordova
Maria Dominguez, Lobby Attendant
Noemi Leanos, Executive Housekeeper

Sheraton Grand Sacramento
Tegan Yip, Human Resources Coordinator
Abbas Mansuri, Banquet Captain

The Exchange Sacramento
Parwiz Azizi, Engineer

A heartfelt thank you to the team at the Sheraton Grand Sacramento who helped make the evening so special. This year’s gala renewed a simple truth: Sacramento’s hospitality is strengthened by people who care deeply about service, teamwork, and community—and on this night, their dedication shone brighter than ever.