Dan Simons Receives Award for Innovation & Leadership

The George Washington University (GW) School of Business, Master of Tourism Administration (MTA) program recently honored Co-Owner, Dan Simons, with the prestigious Don Hawkins Tourism Innovation Award. 

Dan was unanimously selected by GW faculty and staff for his leadership and innovation across the city and the larger hospitality industry, as well as for his ongoing commitment to GW’s business management and hospitality programs and students.  

Established three years ago to recognize the contributions of Dr. Don Hawkins, Professor Emeritus of Management and Tourism Studies at GW, Dan was especially honored to receive this award from his alma mater. 

As entrepreneur, business owner of seven restaurants and a distillery, sustainable practices advocate, founder of Our Last Straw, and GW alum and teacher, Dan has an important message for GW’s next generation of business leaders and teachers: Pay attention to mental health.  

“Improving the mental health of your team is one of the most important steps a company can take and the single largest untapped productivity gain for businesses,” said Dan.

Always innovative, Dan teaches and also blogs about successful business practices and partnerships, why he doesn’t hate Yelp, sustainability to better our planet, and more, at www.Dan Simons Says.com. You can also follow Dan across the various social media platforms, LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and on his YouTube channel.