Jerry Inzerillo, Group CEO at Diriyah Gate Development Authority, was the worthy recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award at The CEO Magazine’s 2024 Executive of the Year Awards.

For over a decade, The CEO Magazine’s Executive of the Year Awards has celebrated the senior executives that are changing the world. This is the first time the event has been held in the Americas.

“Jerry Inzerillo exemplifies a leader who not only excels in business but also profoundly impacts society by championing cultural heritage and economic growth through his transformative work in the hospitality industry,” says David Jepson, CEO of The CEO Magazine.

Inzerillo is a highly influential figure in the hospitality industry, with over five decades of experience, including roles as CEO of Forbes Travel Guide and Morgans Hotel Group. He currently leads the Diriyah Gate Development Authority in Saudi Arabia and has transformed Diriyah into a major tourism destination.

“It’s a great personal honor for me because there’s nothing more fulfilling than being recognized by your peers.”

– Jerry Inzerillo

Inzerillo’s work is set to significantly impact Saudi Arabia’s economy, adding over US$7 billion to its gross domestic product and creating 55,000 jobs.

“This award is the ultimate recognition of my devotion to serve and joy in serving and making people happy,” he says. “It’s a great personal honor for me because there’s nothing more fulfilling than being recognized by your peers.

“The CEO Magazine is highly respected among the CEO community. And the respect of the magazine and my peer groups means a great deal to me and encourages me to do even better work in the years ahead.”

Read the full interview with Jerry Inzerillo here.