2026 Award Winner Derek Stevens
Derek Stevens has accomplished a great deal in his life so far. He owns Las Vegas hotels and casinos worth more than $1 billion. Forbes called him “The Last Casino Mogul.” He can now add his first academic award to that impressive resume, as the 2026 winner of the University of South Carolina College of Hospitality, Retail and Sport Management’s Visionary Innovation & Leadership Award.
College of HRSM Dean Michael Sagas presented the award, HRSM’s highest honor, to Stevens at a July 16 gathering at Circa Resort & Casino (one of Stevens’ casinos), attended by faculty, staff and alumni including several currently employed by Stevens in management roles.
“This annual award recognizes a leader whose work spans hospitality, retail, entertainment, and sport, and whose influence shapes both our industries and the next generation, a leader whose impact reflects transformation, vision, integrity and meaningful industry influence. Derek Stevens reflects in both action and impact the very spirit this award was established on. As owner and CEO of Circa Resort & Casino, the D Las Vegas and Golden Gate Hotel & Casino, he has led the creation of Las Vegas's most distinctive hotels, blending hospitality, sports, entertainment and guest experience into the next generation resort,” Sagas said.
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About the VILA
The VILA seeks to honor practitioners across these vital, interconnected sectors who demonstrate the transformative power of visionary leadership. In a world of constant evolution, these annual awards celebrate the architects of progress and positive change—leaders who pilot their organizations and industries toward a better future with both innovation and integrity.
Recipients of VILA distinctions exemplify ethical leadership through their transparency, responsibility, and unwavering moral compass. They are positive disruptors who are not satisfied with the status quo, but instead, consistently ask, "How can we make this better?" By recognizing professionals who transform their field through bold vision and uncompromising commitment to excellence, the VILA establishes a standard to which our students and future industry leaders can aspire. The awards honor those whose vision extends beyond business success to embrace sustainability, community engagement, and creating experiences that bring people together, creating a lineage of excellence that will inspire generations of HRSM leaders to come.
Nomination Criteria
Nominees for the VILA suite of awards are distinguished leaders with a significant and proven track record in the HRSM-related industries (sport business, entertainment, travel and tourism, hospitality, retailing, and fashion). All candidates should serve as inspirational role models for the next generation of leaders and possess a passion for mentoring and developing talent.
Candidates will be evaluated based on the following general criteria, tailored to the specific category of the award:
- Transformative Industry Impact: A demonstrable record of reshaping their field through innovative practices, business models, or groundbreaking projects.
- Bold and Realized Vision: Evidence of a compelling, long-term vision that has been successfully executed, leading to significant growth, change, or improvement within their organization or field.
- Ethical Leadership and Integrity: A consistent and unwavering commitment to ethical conduct, transparency, and corporate social responsibility.
- Positive Disruption: A history of challenging conventional thinking and successfully implementing innovative strategies that have positively disrupted the status quo.
- Commitment to Community and Sustainability: A clear dedication to initiatives that foster community engagement, promote sustainability, and create a positive societal impact beyond business metrics.
The VILA Award Categories
- VILA Laureate (Lifetime Achievement Award): This represents the highest individual recognition. It honors a practitioner with a sustained, demonstrable record of transformative industry impact, ethical leadership, and positive disruption over a distinguished career. This is a career-capping award for a major industry figure.
- VILA Innovation Catalyst: This award recognizes the definitive catalyst—a leader who has demonstrated an exceptional ability to turn bold ideas into tangible, high-impact ventures. The recipient is a pioneer who fearlessly challenges convention, forges new paths, and demonstrates the resilience and resourcefulness required to transform an innovative concept into significant, measurable value within the HRSM sectors.
Past Award Winners
Nomination Form