It’s that time of year when we start hearing a lot about awards — especially in the entertainment and sports arenas. Sports Illustrated just named its Sportsman of the Year, and just this evening comes the much-anticipated announcement of the Heisman Trophy winner. (As you might imagine, everyone here in Oregon is hoping it will be the University of Oregon‘s Marcus Mariota). College football has narrowed down the field to name the first national champion, and the pros are looking to the Super Bowl (go ‘Hawks!). In the entertainment world, the Golden Globe nominees were announced this week, and already buzz surrounds possible Oscar contenders. And as the year winds down, Time honors its Person of the Year 2014, the ebola fighters.

This coming week, Global Traveler honors its GT Tested Reader Survey awards winners at its annual fete at the Peninsula Beverly Hills. The best of the best in the travel industry, as voted by our well-informed and well-traveled readers, will gather to honor each other and receive their awards. The event also kicks off GT‘s annual charity auction to benefit the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. You can read about the winners in our December issue. Be sure to make special note of this year’s Airline of the Year (United Airlines) and Hotel of the Year (Marriott Hotels) honorees, as well as those who’ve entered our Hall of Fame, those who’ve achieved “best” in their categories for 10 years.

Here’s a toast to all those who strive to be outstanding in their fields and who aim to achieve excellence every day!

— Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor