2025 AHA National Awards for Excellence

 

The ultimate showcase of Australia's best pubs and hotels will take centre stage at the RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast on Monday 17 November 2025.

With every state and territory represented, the stakes couldn't be higher as Australia's top pubs, accommodation hotels, and superstay employees vie for national glory. 

The Awards Night Experience

Guests will be welcomed into the Royal Benowa Ballroom for an afternoon of celebration, fine 'dunch' (you get it..... lunch/dinner combo), and premium beverages. The award formalities will shine a spotlight on the outstanding achievements that continue to raise the bar across the hospitality industry. 

Afterparty - Summer Nights & Neon Lights

As the formalities close and the sun dips over the Gold Coast hinterlands, the celebration moves poolside for an epic Summer Nights and Neon Lights afterparty. 

Expect:

Decadent drinks from our generous corporate partners

Roving sweet and savoury delights

Live sounds from Lark Music to set the mood

From reconnecting with colleagues to forging new industry connections, the AHA National Awards bring the hospitality community together for one unforgettable night. 

Celebrate with Australia's best, honour the trailblazers, and be part of the event that defines our industry. 

Secure your placce now - this is the night you don't want to miss. 

Event Details:

Date: Monday 17th November
Time: 3pm (3.15pm seated)
Location: RACV Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast
Dress Code: Fun, Flare and Fancy

See you on the Gold Coast!

Award Categories: 

The entry fee required to nominate into the AHA National Awards for Excellence is $330 per category.

Please be aware that payment for your nomination is due within 14 days of receiving the invoice.

AHA National Award categories include:

General Division

Individual Awards

Accommodation Division

Performance Awards

Overall Awards

Nominee Information

Eligibility for National Awards

To be eligible to enter the AHA National Awards for Excellence, venues must have won an equivalent category in their State or Territory Awards. If you are unsure of which category you are eligible to enter, please contact our friendly events team via email on events@aha.org.au.

Please note, at the time of entering your State or Territory Awards, venues will be asked to accept their nomination into the National Awards. If you select yes, your nomination will automatically be accepted and you will be sent a tax invoice. Where your venue is an accommodation property and a night stay is required, you will also be sent a tax invoice for reimbursement of one nights stay + breakfast for two (if available).

Nomination Fees

The cost to nominate into the AHA National Awards for Excellence is $330 per category. Please be aware that payment for your nomination is due within 14 days of your confirmed nomination.

If your circumstances have changed and you no longer wish to participate, please let our events team know as soon as possible via email events@aha.org.au. Due to the timing of some of the State and Territory awards, it’s possible that our judges have already been to your venue. In this case, you may be required to pay for any judging expenses that have already been incurred.

Site Inspections and Interviews

Judging will begin in April and conclude in October. Venues may be judged any time within this period after advice has been received from State and Territory branches of those venues who have pre-accepted their nomination into the AHA National Awards for Excellence.

Site visits, along with written submissions and interviews (where applicable), will form the basis of judging.

Site visits will be 100% anonymous. Accommodation-based categories will no longer require a voucher for the judges stay. In replacement of this system, nominees will be asked to agree to be invoiced for the cost of one night’s accommodation and breakfast for two people (where required/available).

Proof of overnight stay receipts will be presented for this reimbursement of expense.

If you have any problems with this process, please contact us on the email below for assistance.

Email: events@aha.org.au

Employees nominated for individual employee awards will be contacted by the AHA National Office to set up their online video interview after each of the State and Territory awards.

Marketing and Publicity Support

All finalists will receive marketing and publicity support as a part of their nomination fee. All finalists will be presented with a “Finalist” logo (electronic version). All AHA National Awards for Excellence winners will be sent a “Winner” logo. These logos can be used in any marketing and promotional activities.

Photos & Logos

All photos and logos will be supplied by State or Territory branches. If you wish to provide updated or additional photos, please email them through to events@aha.org.au.

Photos and logos will be used for a number of marketing and promotional activities conducted by the AHA National Office in promoting finalists and the Awards night in general. Planned activities include general marketing, pre-event marketing announcing the finalists, a multi-media presentation to be played on the evening and post event media releases.

The AHA National office also reserves the right to use the images provided for ongoing promotion and collateral.

Written Submissions and CVs

In categories where written submissions or CVs are required, the AHA National events team will be sourcing all written submissions and CVs from your State or Territory branch.

If you wish to provide an update of your written submission or CV, please do so. This can be done by uploading using this online portal or can be emailed directly to our team at events@aha.org.au.

OUR PARTNERS

The presentation of the AHA National Awards for Excellence would not be possible without our event partners. We acknowledge their invaluable contribution to our industry and thank them for their ongoing support.

    

Accommodation 

Accommodation at RACV Royal Pines Resort spans across 333 rooms including king and twin room types, corner spa suites with views of the golf course or the hinterland, executive suites with access to the exclusive Executive Lounge and two-bedroom family suites. 

RACV Royal Pines Resort are pleased to offer your guests access to discounted rates providing up to 15% off the best available online rate at time of booking (subject to availability). 

Guests can either book directly online using this link, or to book over the phone please call our reservations team on 1800 886 880 and ensure you state the name of the event and booking date to gain access to this discount. 

 

FAQ’s

What are the category nomination costs?

  • Nomination costs are per category and are $330 (incl. GST). Tickets to the event are also $330 (incl GST). 

When do I get my invoice?

  • You will receive your invoice upon completion of your nomination and/or ticket purchase.

How long do I have to buy my tickets?

  • Ticket purchases can be made up until two weeks prior to the event date if the event has not sold out.

What categories am I eligible for?

  • You would have received an email from our friendly events team indicating which categories you are eligible to enter into. If you didn't receive one please contact them at events@aha.org.au.

When are the visits going to happen?

  • Judging will commence in April and will be completed no later than October.
  • During nominations into State Branch awards, members are asked if they would like to participate in National Awards should they be a winner. For those branch's whose events do not take place until October and November, your judging will have already taken place prior to your State Branch awards. 

I am currently undergoing some renovation but don’t wish for visits prior to their finish, how can I let you know?

  • You can email events@aha.org.au to request a specific time frame that you would prefer the judges to visit your venue.

How can I get another copy of my confirmation?

  • You can email events@aha.org.au to request another copy of your confirmation email.