Liam Brown, a longtime group president at Marriott International who retire in June after 35 years with the company, will receive the 2026 Above & Beyond Lifetime Achievement Award at The Lodging Conference in October in Phoenix.
Brown is the 2026 chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Board of Directors and former Group President, U.S. and Canada, Marriott International.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding, life-long contributions to the hospitality industry. Past recipients include Minaz Abji, Jack DeBoer, Tom Corcoran, Patrick H. Ford, John Q. Hammons, Michael Leven, Joe McInerney, Gary Mendell, Leland C. Pillsbury, Hasmukh (H.P.) Rama, Randy Smith, Arne Sorenson and Jonathan M. Tisch.
Brown began his career with Marriott International in 1989, serving in general manager and regional positions until 1999. From 1999 to 2018, he held corporate roles including EVP Development for Select Service & Extended Stay lodging products and President for Franchising, Owner Services and MxM Select Brands, North America. In January 2019, he moved to London as President & Managing Director, Europe, later adding the Middle East and Africa. Since 2021, he has served as Group President for U.S. and Canada. Brown stepped down from that role in March 2026 and will retire from the company this month.
“I am deeply honored and humbled to be a recipient of the Lodging Conference’s Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Brown. “It’s a distinct privilege given past honorees who have done so much for the hospitality industry.”
“The Above and Beyond Lifetime Achievement Award has always recognized more than professional success,” said Harry Javer, founder and producer of The Lodging Conference. “It honors individuals whose leadership has strengthened our industry and whose character has inspired the people around them. Liam exemplifies those qualities. Throughout his remarkable career, owners knew he would listen; associates knew that he genuinely cared. As Liam often says, ‘It’s always been about the people.’ No one has lived that philosophy more authentically than Liam Brown.”