PHOENIX, Arizona—Harry Javer, Producer and Founder of The Lodging Conference, announced that Liam Brown, 2026 Chair of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Board of Directors and former group president, U.S. and Canada, Marriott International, will be recognized as the recipient of the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award at The Lodging Conference on Wednesday, October 7, 2026.
The Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who has provided outstanding, lifelong contributions to the hospitality industry.
Brown began his career with Marriott International in 1989. He served in multiple general manager and regional positions across Marriott’s brand portfolio from 1989 until 1999. From 1999 to 2018, he held various corporate positions including executive vice president, development for select service and extended-stay lodging products, and president for franchising, owner services and MxM select brands, North America.
In January 2019, Brown moved to London to serve as president and managing director, Europe; soon after, the Middle East and Africa were added to his responsibilities. Since 2021, Brown has served as group president for the United States and Canada, overseeing Marriott’s portfolio across thousands of hotels. He stepped down from his role as group president 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,” Brown said. “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.”
