2025 Destination Madison Awards
The Destination Madison Awards (DMAs) are the highlight of our year—a chance for the community to come together to honor the brightest stars in Madison’s hospitality industry.
This year, we are accepting nominations in six categories:
Rising Star Award
Destination Host Award
Behind the Scenes Service Award
Distinguished Achievement Award
MASC Sports Champion Award
Sustainability Excellence Award
Use the buttons below to submit your nominations by Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:00 p.m.
After the deadline, nominations will be reviewed individually by a selection committee comprised of a cross-section of industry professionals. Finalists will be chosen per category by the selection committee, and will be recognized at the Summer Summit + DMAs event on June 26, 2025, at the Memorial Union. Award winners will be announced live at the event.
If you prefer to make your nomination over the phone, please call Ana Cordova at 608-441-2635.
Jump to award categories
Rising Star Award
The Rising Star Award recognizes individuals who have been in the industry for fewer than five years and consistently achieve excellence in their current role while demonstrating the potential to become a pivotal figure in Madison’s hospitality industry. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of leadership, going above and beyond to create exceptional experiences and performance-related accomplishments.
Destination Host Award
The Destination Host Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees in Madison’s hospitality industry who provide service directly to guests. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of customer service excellence, integrity, commitment to their role and employer, and performance-related accomplishments.
Behind the Scenes Service Award
The Behind the Scenes Service Award recognizes the dedication and service excellence of employees in Madison’s hospitality industry who work out of public view. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of customer service excellence, integrity, commitment to their role and employer, and performance-related accomplishments.
Distinguished Achievement Award
The Distinguished Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has distinguished themselves in Madison’s hospitality industry by exemplifying the highest level of leadership and service. Nominations will be evaluated on examples of professional excellence, values and integrity, and outstanding achievements that represent the best of the best in our destination.
The Sustainability Excellence Award
The Sustainability Excellence Award recognizes an individual or business within the hospitality industry that demonstrates exceptional commitment to sustainable practices. This recipient should exemplify the fusion of environmental consciousness, social responsibility, and economic viability.
MASC SPORTS CHAMPION AWARD
This award recognizes an individual or organization who has significantly contributed to the growth and development of sports participation, access or helping to bring events to the Madison community. The recipient of this award has supported the Madison Area Sports Commission to build its high-profile host history and build the local economy. In addition, the recipient’s passion for sports within our community has had a lasting impact on the lives of our residents and visitors.
Current Destination Madison staff are not eligible.
Upon receipt, submissions will be reviewed by Destination Madison staff for eligibility and completeness. Nominations should include specific examples of how the nominee meets the stated award criteria. Destination Madison staff will contact nominator if nomination is incomplete and request additional information to support the nomination. If no additional information is received, the nomination will not be reviewed by the selection committee.
Nominations are reviewed individually by a selection committee comprised of a cross-section of industry professionals.
