by LAS VEGAS — NEWH, Inc., the global hospitality network, announced Stacy Garcia as the 2026 recipient of the ICON of Industry Award during the NEWH Women in Design Awards Breakfast at HD Expo, held at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on Tuesday, May 5th. A 30-year veteran of hospitality design, Garcia is the founder of Lebatex, Inc. and the global lifestyle brand Stacy Garcia Design Studio.
The ICON of Industry Award is NEWH, Inc.’s highest honor, presented annually to a visionary manufacturing leader whose career has significantly influenced the products, partnerships, and standards shaping hospitality design globally. Recipients are selected based on a distinguished career spanning at least 30 years in the industry, leadership in an ownership or senior management role, groundbreaking contributions to product design or technology, and a longstanding commitment to philanthropy within the hospitality industry and the broader community.
Stacy Garcia entered the hospitality industry in 1996 as a textile designer for Richloom Contract and went on to build a portfolio of globally recognized lifestyle brands. Over the past three decades, she has established herself as a leading voice in hospitality design, known for creating products that seamlessly blend aesthetics and functionality.
An active member of NEWH, Inc. since 1997, Garcia has made mentorship, education, and community impact central to her career. She currently serves on the International Board as Executive Chair of Martha’s Mentors, a role she has held since 2023. Her philanthropic efforts extend across organizations, including People to People, The Valentine Project, the Heifer Foundation, the Black Artists + Designers Guild, LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, and her local community through Temple Beth Sholom.
“Stacy embodies the vision, leadership, and generosity that define the ICON of Industry Award,” said Chris Tucker, CEO of NEWH, Inc. “Beyond building globally recognized brands, she has dedicated her career to mentoring emerging talent, championing community impact, and elevating the hospitality design industry through both creativity and collaboration. Her influence can be seen in the products and partnerships she has created as well as the countless professionals and organizations she continues to inspire.”
NEWH, Inc. also presented two major scholarships at the Women in Design Breakfast, underscoring the organization’s ongoing commitment to advancing education and supporting emerging talent within the hospitality industry. They include:
NEWH Harvey Nudelman Scholarship, sponsored by Fabricut Contract ($10,000)
Recipient: Aryn Snyder, pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Interior Architecture at the University of Kansas
NEWH BERMANFALK Hospitality Design Scholarship, sponsored by BERMANFALK ($7,500)
Recipient: Remi McKnight, pursuing a Master’s degree in Interior Architecture at Arizona State University
“Supporting the next generation of hospitality leaders is at the heart of NEWH’s mission,” Tucker added. “Remi and Aryn represent the creativity, passion, and future-forward thinking that will continue to shape our industry for years to come. We are proud to recognize their talent and help support their educational journeys as they begin making their mark on hospitality design.”
