QTIC is proud to announce the return of the Salute to Excellence Training Awards in 2026, marking the 28th year of celebrating outstanding achievement in tourism and hospitality education and training.
In 2026, the awards will continue to evolve, recognising excellence across the full education-to-employment pathway, from secondary school students through to higher education graduates, educators and employers.
The Salute to Excellence Training Awards recognise individuals and organisations that demonstrate:
The Salute to Excellence Awards are your opportunity to shine and be recognised as an exceptional tourism and hospitality student, or be rewarded as an employer or educator for your dedication in supporting new talent.
The awards showcase all that’s great about VET in Schools (VETiS), and School Based Apprenticeships or Traineeships, with award categories for secondary students, employers, and teachers and trainers.
Award Categories
Secondary Schools
- Secondary Student of the Year – Tourism
- Secondary Student of the Year – Hospitality
- Secondary Student of the Year – Cookery
- Secondary Student of the Year – Events
Post-School VET
- VET Student of the Year – Tourism and Travel
- VET Student of the Year – Hospitality
- VET Student of the Year – Cookery
- VET Student of the Year – Events
Higher Education
- Graduate of the Year – Tourism and Travel
- Graduate of the Year – Hospitality
- Graduate of the Year – Events
- Educator of the Year
- Employer of the Year
- Salute to Excellence Overall Award
Why Enter
As one of Queensland’s most prestigious tourism and hospitality training award programs, the QTIC Salute to Excellence Training Awards provide individuals, educators, training organisations and businesses with a powerful platform to showcase excellence, innovation and commitment to workforce development.
For Individuals, Being a Finalist or Winner Can:
-
Accelerate career progression through recognition and leadership opportunities
-
Offer state-wide recognition for your skills, achievements and dedication
-
Connect you with industry leaders, mentors and peers through exclusive networking opportunities
-
Open doors to ongoing mentoring and professional development opportunities through QTIC
-
Strengthen your industry profile as a leader in skills development and training excellence
-
Provide state-wide recognition for your investment in people and workforce capability
-
Increase exposure to education providers, industry leaders and future talent
-
Create valuable networking and partnership opportunities across Queensland’s tourism, hospitality and events sector
Whether you’re an emerging professional, an educator shaping future talent, or an employer investing in skills and training, the Salute to Excellence Training Awards offer an opportunity to be recognised, connected and celebrated.
Who Can Nominate
You can nominate yourself or recognise someone else who is making an outstanding contribution to tourism, hospitality and events education or training. With a wide range of award categories across students, educators and employers, there is an opportunity for individuals and organisations at every stage to be recognised.
If you know someone doing great things, or if you’re proud of your own achievements, we encourage you to submit a nomination.
How to Nominate
Nominations for the QTIC Salute to Excellence Training Awards will open in March 2026.
Further details, including eligibility criteria and nomination links, will be released shortly.
The 2026 program will include:
Award finalists will also gain direct access to mentoring and leadership opportunities, supporting their transition from education into industry and future leadership roles.
Key Dates
Swipe across to see all dates
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
TBC
If you would like to learn more about the program, please email [email protected] or phone (07) 3236 1445.
The Salute to Excellence Training Awards is proudly supported by the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland.
