Hotello of the Year 2023 Martin Hendricks of Black Label Hospitality

Congratulations!!! Martin Hendricks of Black Label Hospitality won the title Hotello of the Year 2023 at the annual HotelloTOP Year Event. After an exciting finale, he left behind Annelous Fleuren-Drijver (Klimaatjuf and Stichting Struikroven), and Renco Schipper (Snacks with Benefits).

The event, which took place at the RAI, was a nice mix of guest speakers, award ceremonies and networking opportunities. Besides the title Hotello of the Year 2023, the winner of The Nxt Gm Challenge was also announced, namely Lynn Woltjes. She will be general manager of NH Schiller and NH Caransa in Amsterdam for a year from September.

Hendricks started his group in 2019 with Hotel Merici in Sittarden and later added DoubleTree by Hilton in Sittard. Hotel Valkenburg by Mercure and Kasteel Gemert, Curio Collection are also part of the portfolio. Before the end of the year, Hendricks wants to achieve his next goal of 1,000 rooms, he said in his closing pitch. The winner stressed that he got to that podium thanks to the resilience of his team, which has suffered double setbacks due to the corana crisis. Hendricks succeeds Floris Licht as Hotello of the Year.

Presented since 2006, the award recognises the hospitality industry for Hotello's who make a positive change and set an example for others. During Future Hotello, an event for hotel school students, the Talent of the Year Award was presented to Jean Auguste van Willigen (SHMS '26), who as a first-year student is already building a very impressive career with his own company Abientoo. It is great to see how the hospitality sector continues to evolve and transform every year. Hotello's are resilient and know how to embrace change well. This award recognises the hospitality sector for their innovation, leadership and responsibility.