(L-R: FRLA 2025 Chairman of the Board Nick Sarra, FRLA Hotelier of the Year Heiko Dobrikow, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover)
TALLAHASSEE – At the 2025 Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala, the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association (FRLA) awarded Hotelier of the Year to Heiko Dobrikow, Executive Vice President of The Las Olas Company and General Manager of The Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. With his win, Dobrikow was inducted into the FRLA Hall of Fame during the ceremony, which was held recently at the Henderson Beach Resort in Destin.
“Heiko Dobrikow represents the heart and spirit of Florida’s hospitality industry – a dedicated professional whose passion for people, pursuit of excellence, and commitment to service have left an enduring mark on our state,” said Carol Dover, President & CEO of the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association. “For more than three decades, Heiko has led with purpose and humility, proving that true leadership is rooted in service to others. His commitment to excellence, mentorship, and community has not only elevated the Riverside Hotel and The Las Olas Company but has also strengthened Florida’s entire hospitality family. It is our great honor to welcome Heiko into the FRLA Hall of Fame and celebrate him as our 2025 Hotelier of the Year.”
The Hospitality Stars of the Industry Gala pays tribute to restaurant and lodging operators and suppliers from across the Sunshine State for their remarkable work in hospitality. The Hall of Fame distinction is reserved for visionary leaders whose decades of service, dedication, and passion have left a lasting impact on Florida’s hospitality industry.
“I am deeply honored to be recognized as the 2025 Hall of Fame Hotelier of the Year by the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association,” said Heiko Dobrikow, 2025 FRLA Hotelier of the Year. “This recognition is not just a personal milestone, but a celebration of the incredible people who make Florida’s hospitality industry thrive every day. Servant leadership has always been my guiding principle — leading by lifting others, empowering teams, and creating meaningful experiences for our guests and communities. I remain fully committed to serving our industry with gratitude, integrity, and a shared vision for a stronger, more connected Florida hospitality family.”
To learn more about Heiko Dobrikow and his path to the Hall of Fame, please watch the FRLA Hall of Fame Video here.
Heiko Dobrikow is a seasoned hotelier and business leader with over 30 years of experience in hospitality, property, and asset management. Known for transforming organizations through servant leadership, he excels in building high-performing teams, optimizing revenue, and fostering cultures of care and service excellence.
Heiko currently serves as Executive Vice President of The Las Olas Company and General Manager of the Riverside Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. His career includes leadership roles at premier resorts such as Marriott’s Bay Point Resort, Fisher Island Hotel & Resort, Casa Marina Resort, Mayfair Hotel & Spa, Radisson Deauville Beach Resort, and Hilton Palm Beach Oceanfront Resort.
Deeply engaged in his community, Heiko has chaired the Broward Workforce Development Board and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, led the Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association – Broward Chapter, and contributed to numerous civic, tourism, and charitable organizations. His leadership has been widely recognized, earning honors such as Florida Trend’s Top 500 Most Influential Leaders, FAU’s South Florida Business Leader of the Year, and multiple awards celebrating his impact in tourism, business, and community service. Born in Germany, Heiko came to the U.S. at 17, earned a BA from the University of Kansas, and discovered his lifelong passion for hospitality. He enjoys traveling, motorcycling, boating, and family life with his wife Elenice and their parrots, Malibu and Sugar.
About FRLA: The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association (FRLA) is Florida’s premier non-profit hospitality industry trade association. Founded in 1946 as the Florida Restaurant Association, FRLA merged with the Florida Hotel and Motel Association in 2006. FRLA’s more than 10,000 members include independent hoteliers and restaurateurs, household name franchises, theme parks and suppliers. The association’s mission is to protect, educate and promote Florida’s nearly $112 billion hospitality industry and its two million employees. Dedicated to safeguarding the needs of the membership, FRLA provides legislative advocacy to ensure the voices of its members are heard and their interests are protected. The association offers regulatory compliance and food safety training through Safe Staff® and FRLA’s subsidiary, RCS Training. The FRLA Educational Foundation provides industry-developed, career-building high school programs throughout the state.