- Apple Hospitality’s Glade Knight receiving Hunter’s Excellence Award.
- The award recognizes leadership and service.
- The 2026 Hunter Conference is scheduled for March 16 to 18.
THE HUNTER CONFERENCE named Glade Knight, Apple Hospitality REIT Inc. founder and executive chairman, as the 2026 recipient of the Hunter Conference Award for Excellence and Inspiration. The award recognizes an industry leader whose career demonstrates leadership, industry impact and service to education and community.
Knight’s Apple Hospitality is one of the nation’s largest hotel owners, focused on growth, operations and long-term value, Hunter said in a statement. He has helped build and scale the hotel REIT model.
The Hunter Conference is scheduled for March 16 to 18.
“I am tremendously honored and humbled to receive this award from Hunter,” said Knight. “Throughout our 26-year history in the lodging industry, through the ownership of high-quality hotels, our team has been committed to increasing shareholder value, empowering our employees, supporting hotel associates and caring for our guests while redefining what it means to be a true partner in hospitality.”
Before founding Apple Hospitality, Knight founded each of the former Apple REIT companies and served as chairman and CEO through sale or merger, the statement said. He also served as chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Realty Income Trust Inc. until its 2005 merger with Colonial Properties Trust and later served as a trustee.
Lee Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Conference, said Knight’s career reflects the purpose of the award.
“His vision, discipline and integrity have left an enduring mark on the hospitality investment community,” he said. “Beyond his business success, Glade has consistently invested in people—through education, mentorship and service. He embodies excellence and inspiration in the truest sense.”
Outside hospitality and real estate, Knight is a partner and CEO of Energy 11 GP LLC and Energy Resources 12 GP LLC, with investments in oil and gas, the statement said. He is also the founding chairman of Southern Virginia University and a founding member of Brigham Young University’s Entrepreneurial Department within the Graduate School of Business Management, reflecting a commitment to education and entrepreneurship.
Tony Ressler, co-founder, executive chairman and director of Ares Management Corp., will speak at the Bharat Shah Leadership Speaker Series at the 2026 Hunter Conference on March 17. The series honors Bharat Shah and is presented with Noble Investment Group and Georgia State University’s Cecil B. Day School of Hospitality Administration.
