The NEWH TopID Award recognizes outstanding hospitality design firms whose work, leadership, and engagement actively support both the hospitality industry and the NEWH mission.
TopID is a chapter- and region-selected firm recognition. It is not a juried design competition and does not require national submission.
The award celebrates firms whose custom hospitality design work, professional excellence, and local involvement demonstrate meaningful impact. Firms are recognized not only for the quality of their design, but for how they show up as leaders, collaborators, and supporters of education and scholarship within their regional hospitality communities.
TopID recipients are recognized locally and celebrated across the global NEWH network.
The TopID Award honours design firms that demonstrate excellence across three core areas:
Firms must submit a custom hospitality project completed within the past 24 months that reflects strong design intent, aesthetics, and purpose. Projects must be non-program, custom design work and represent the firm’s best hospitality work.
TopID recognises firms that actively support their local NEWH chapter or region through membership, participation, mentorship, sponsorship, or leadership.
Firms are evaluated on their broader contributions to hospitality design, including professional reputation, collaboration, and commitment to advancing the industry.
Include:
Hotels, casinos, bars, restaurants, spas, meeting spaces, and other publicly accessible hospitality environments.
Do not include:
Multi-family, student housing, senior living, private clubs, medical facilities, or projects primarily accessed by members or patients only, even if a portion is open to the public.
Some chapters may offer other awards that cater to hospitality adjacent projects. Please connect with your local chapter to find out more.
A design firm may self-nominate if it meets eligibility requirements
Any NEWH member may nominate an eligible firm
Chapter committees may encourage and assist firms with submissions
Each nomination is reviewed and scored using a points-based evaluation system established by NEWH. Review is overseen by a committee of board members, and selection is made at the chapter or regional level.
Nominations are typically reviewed once per year.
Nominations are now open!
Each firm may submit only one project per nomination cycle.
Professional Photographs
Documentation
Evaluation Criteria
Each year, NEWH chapters and regions recognise up to three TopID firms.
TopID recipients are celebrated during chapter or regional events and promoted internationally across the NEWH network.
A full list of TopID recipients by year and chapter will be available through the TopID directory.
TopID firms share what the recognition means to their teams, their work, and their connection to the NEWH community.
The TopID Award is supported by industry partners who share NEWH’s commitment to
design excellence and education.
NEWH thanks CF Kent for sponsoring the custom crafted awards for TopID recipients.
TopID nominations for 2027 will open in Spring 2026.
Firms interested in participating are encouraged to:
