Northstar Meetings Group, along with its esteemed brands — Meetings & Conventions, Incentive, Meeting News and Successful Meetings — is pleased to announce the recipients of the 10th annual Stella Awards. This year, we’re celebrating 243 outstanding organizations from around the globe for their remarkable contributions to the meetings and events industry. The full list of winners, finalists and their profiles can be found at NorthstarMeetingsGroup.com/Stellas.
Northstar’s Stella Awards recognize the pinnacle in achievement in key MICE industry sectors such as hotels, convention and conference centers, airlines, cruise lines, destination marketing organizations, and destination management companies. This year’s winners were selected from nearly 8,000 votes and a record-breaking 1,167 nominations.
How Stella Award winners are chosen
The 2026 Stella Award winners and finalists span 16 categories and six regions worldwide, setting the gold standard for excellence in areas like staff professionalism, sustainable practices and overall service quality. Nominees earn these accolades through votes from meeting planners, followed by a rigorous evaluation by a panel of judges selected by Northstar’s editors.
Among this year's Gold Winners is Delta Airlines in the Best Airline category — a multiyear winner with extensive, industry-leading programs for group business. Margaritaville Hotels & Resorts has garnered the Gold in the Best Hotel Chain category, guided by its signature sense of “casual luxury.” The Venetian Resort Las Vegas took top honors in multiple categories, including Best Hotel/Resort, Best Décor/Design and Best Food and Beverage in the Far West region.
“The Stella Awards honor the consistent contributions of the industry’s most trusted supplier partners who set new standards for service and innovation,” said Shalise DeMott, senior vice president, U.S., for Northstar Meetings Group. “Winners are first nominated and voted on by planners, then undergo a thorough review by an esteemed panel of judges.”
Two of the most popular categories among nominees and planners this year were Best Hotel/Resort Event Space and Best Renovation, demonstrating the importance of high-quality and upgraded meeting spaces, technology and amenities to event organizers and their stakeholders.
2027 nominations open soon
Northstar Meetings Group’s 2027 Stella Awards will open for nominations on Nov. 10, 2026. Organizations are encouraged to enter early to secure the lowest rates and maximum marketing support. Don’t miss this chance to shine among the industry’s best!
Visit our Stella Awards FAQ to learn more about the nomination process and start preparing your entry today.