Excellence Is a Choice

As I sat watching the 2026 Excellence Awards ceremony hosted by my current employer, I found myself reflecting on what truly makes a company great. Sometimes, people work for companies because of the salary or the benefits. But sometimes, you work for a company because of its culture, its values, and the way it makes people feel. That is what makes this company special to me. It’s the founder vision. 

What I admire most is that the founder did not simply build a company  he built a company for people. At the heart of everything this organization stands for is one consistent belief. people matter/ people first. His philosophy has always been to “do more,” for guests for associates and for owners not just professionally, but personally too. To live a holistic life where wellness, growth, purpose, and humanity are all important. And true to those values, the company continues to live them every single day. The chairman of the company who is a son to the founder saying" No big shots is one of his dad's favorite phrases. Means no one is more important than anyone else's and that good ideas come from anywhere no matter role or title.

I remember during my interview process, one colleague told me something I have never forgotten: “Many companies say they value their people, but here, they truly mean it. They show it. They act on it.” She shared a story from 2025 when the founder’s son visited one of the hotels and intentionally made time to visit every single department, personally shaking hands with employees. It may seem like a small gesture, but it speaks volumes. Imagine owning over 3000 properties with an average of 500 associates working for you, thats about 1.5M and you find time to personally connect with them with just a handshake. People may forget what you say, but they never forget how you make them feel. Imagine the owner of a global company taking time to shake your hand and acknowledge your presence. It is the small things that create lasting impact.

Watching the Excellence Awards reminded me that excellence is not accidental excellence is a choice. The stories shared throughout the evening were deeply inspiring and heartwarming. The individuals being celebrated were not only exceptional at their jobs, but they also went above and beyond for others. They lifted up their peers, created unforgettable guest experiences, gave back to their communities, showed up for their teams, and invested in people through teaching, coaching, and mentorship. They are truly the heart and soul of the places they work every day. ~ @CEO

One story especially touched me that of a 38-year (the no years she has worked for the company) associate whose guests know her by name, and she knows theirs, including their children. Repeat guests ask for her specifically because of the warmth she brings. She balances professionalism with genuine human connection so naturally that guests feel at home. She hugs guests, mentors new employees, creates safe environments for associates, and has built such a positive culture in her department that turnover remains low. Every day, she sets the standard for warmth, care, and hospitality. To me, that is the true art of hospitality.

The CEO said during the ceremony that this is his favorite time of the year because it is a moment to celebrate “the best of our best”  the associates. Hearing those words, and hearing the incredible stories represented in that room from across the world, made me understand even more clearly why this company is considered among the best globally and consistently recognized as one of the best companies to work for by Forbes.

What sets this company apart is its people  people committed to creativity, innovation, excellence, attention to detail, and genuine care for others. This culture is not performative. It is real. It is lived daily. You feel it in the way associates support each other, in the way leadership values employees, and in the way everyone is encouraged to grow.

The company is approaching an incredible milestone 100 years next year. Few organizations survive for a century, and even fewer do so while preserving strong values and a people-first culture. One of the things I deeply admire is the annual Associate Appreciation Week, a full week dedicated solely to appreciating employees. That says everything about the company’s priorities.

Another beautiful thing about the awards ceremony was seeing several generations of the founder’s family present, including the children presenting awards alongside leadership. The hosts for the evening were members of the founder’s family as well. There was something deeply meaningful about that. When you work here, it truly feels like family and home.

I also found it fascinating learning that the founder once served in the Navy. Perhaps that spirit of discipline, service, excellence, and commitment became part of the company’s DNA from the very beginning. The standards the company has set snd structures. 

As the company marks the 11th year of hosting the Excellence Awards and prepares to celebrate 100 years next year, one thing remains clear the company’s greatest strength has always been its people. No matter who you are or where you come from, doors can open here. Opportunities exist here. Growth happens here.

Tonight reminded me that success is not only measured by profits, luxury, or global recognition. True success is measured by people by how a company treats them, values them, develops them, and celebrates them.

And that is what makes this company extraordinary.

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