White Lodging was rewarded for engaging its employees with a 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award.
The Merrillville-based company employs more than 6,500 associates in 60 hotels and 50 restaurants and bars across the country.
“This award belongs to our hospitalitarians,” White Lodging President and CEO Jean-Luc Barone said in a press release. “They create the culture, they care for one another, and they bring our guest and associate experiences to life every day. By empowering our teams, fostering belonging and investing in long-term career pathways, our company strengthens the human connections that define exceptional hospitality.”
White Lodging, which was founded in 1985, has earned the award six times. This year, the company is among 78 winners.
Engagement winners were determined by employee surveys between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2025.
“On average, these 78 world-class organizations have 14 engaged employees for every one actively disengaged employee – eight times the rate in the U.S. and 12 times the global average,” according to a Gallup press release.
First Financial Bank also was honored as a two-time engagement winner, and a strengths winner. The bank has braches in the Region.
Gallup has been honoring companies with Gallup Exceptional Workplace Awards for 20 years.
