ere we are at the close of an eventful year and looking forward to the promise of a bright new one ahead. For me, this moment is bittersweet, as the end of 2025 marks the conclusion of my tenure as President of NEWH, Inc. Serving in this role has been an honor. I have cherished every moment and deeply value the connections made across our industry. I feel it is important to pause and celebrate the many highlights and accomplishments that the NEWH team of volunteers and the NEWH Inc office staff achieved during the past two years of my tenure.
First and foremost, we have awarded nearly $10 million in scholarships to over 3200 deserving 
students wanting to work in the hospitality industry, a milestone that continues to define our mission. In May of 2024, we celebrated our 40th anniversary with a sold out event at the House of Blues in Las Vegas during HD Expo. That same year, our Martha’s Mentors program launched, and by 2026, it will be entering its third successful year.
In June 2025, we proudly hosted our first European Leadership Conference in Paris, France, an inspiring sold out gathering that received rave reviews. At ALIS Design + in January 2025, we introduced the SOHE Award and scholarship, honoring the vital construction side of our industry.
Membership has continued to flourish, reaching an all time high of 7937 members across 31 Chapters and regional groups in five countries.
And finally, we were delighted to welcome our new CEO, Chris Tucker, to our dedicated Board of Directors.
This is, without question, a remarkable success story: one that speaks to the strength of our community and its ability to thrive through challenges, including recessions and even a global pandemic.
That said, my journey with NEWH is far from over. As Past President I look forward to staying actively involved in our events and initiatives, with special passion for the Martha’s Mentors Program.
It is with great pride that I welcome our incoming President, Deidre Schwartz. Deidre is capable, approachable, and exceptionally well organized. She is more than ready to embrace this role and I am excited to see the vision and energy she continues to bring to NEWH.
As we embark on an exciting new year, we invite you to join us at the NEWH Leadership Conference in Washington, DC, March 26-28, 2026 at the Westin DC Downtown, 999 9th Street, Washington, DC.
Our theme “Leading Today and Impacting Tomorrow“ promises to inspire and energize. The program will feature keynote addresses, thought provoking speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops, and breakout sessions that reflect the evolving landscape of hospitality.
This is your opportunity to learn, share, and connect. With engaging topics for everyone, you will leave inspired to think differently, collaborate, and expand your network.
Don’t miss this event!
Every year, we are proud to bring you our popular Regional Trade Shows, a cornerstone of connection and opportunity in our industry. At this time we have two exciting events scheduled.
• Orlando, Florida – February 5, 2026
• Denver, Colorado – June 4, 2026
Stay tuned for registration announcements and additional cities. These one day events are a
fantastic way to engage with your community, and connect with current and future clients.
As you might expect, NEWH is always busy focusing on what and how we can continue to connect and support our hospitality industry. We will have so much more to share with you as the year unfolds.
WE appreciate your support and look forward to seeing you at any of our events.
In the spirit of networking and solidarity.
Sincerely,
Sandy Banks
President, NEWH, Inc. Board of Directors