NEW ORLEANS – Michael Smith, the New Orleans Convention & Visitors Bureau’s (NOCVB) chairman of the board, was awarded the Jay A. Pritzker Award for Leadership by the Hyatt Hotels Corporation.
"This annual award recognizes individuals who have consistently demonstrated their ability as leaders and innovators in the hospitality industry,” said Stephen Perry, NOCVB president and CEO.
The Hyatt Hotels Corporation recognized Smith for his achievements in managing a top performing hotel, as well as representing Hyatt’s core values as a leader within the corporation and the New Orleans community.
Smith is the general manager of the Hyatt Regency New Orleans and has been with Hyatt since 1978. In his four decades with the corporation, Smith has worked for properties across the country and accumulated several accolades for his work managing hotels large and small.
“Michael has been an incredible asset to our team since joining our board in 2011 and was elected to serve as Chairman of the Board in 2017,” said Perry. “Through his leadership on our board, the NOCVB has continued to increase visitation and visitor spending as well as announce the historic non-stop flights between Europe and New Orleans with the launches of the British Airways and Condor flights.”
