FOR
ENGAGING
IMPACT
ADVOCATE. COMMUNICATE. EDUCATE.
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t took a lot of work – and a great deal of valuable input from our members – but the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) new membership model was officially approved in June 2013. The feedback received from individuals throughout the industry was the key driver of our new, stronger focus on government advocacy and industry communications. AH&LA’s new tag line – Advocate. Communicate. Educate. – grew directly out of our summer survey of both members and nonmembers.
Elevating and magnifying the industry’s economic footprint in cities and towns across the country ensures policymakers know you are one of the drivers of our country’s economic growth and job creation. Policies promoting this continued strength benefit not just your bottom line, but our national fiscal strength. Together with our members, AH&LA is increasing the presence and impact of hoteliers.
2013 AH&LA OFFICERS
2013 AH&LEF OFFICERS
Ron Vlasic, CHA Chair of the Board Regional Vice President of Hotels Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Minaz Abji, CHA Chair of the Board Executive Vice President, Asset Management Host Hotels & Resorts
John Fitzpatrick Vice Chair President and CEO Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America Jim Abrahamson, CHA Secretary and Treasurer CEO, Interstate Hotels & Resorts Nancy Johnson, CHA Immediate Past Chair Executive Vice President, Development Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group Katherine Lugar President and CEO American Hotel & Lodging Association
Kevin Hanley Vice Chair HREC Investment Advisors Marc Gordon, CHA, FMP Secretary and Treasurer President and CEO Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Joori Jeon, CPA, CAE President and COO American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation Robert Steele, III, CHA President and COO American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute
AH&LA MEMBERSHIP BASE Provides a broader platform for engagement, making the industry’s voice even stronger.
Ron Vlasic, CHA 2013 AH&LA Chair of the Board Regional Vice President of Hotels Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
Katherine Lugar President and CEO American Hotel & Lodging Association
DEAR MEMBERS,
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n recent months, you’ve undoubtedly heard the phrase “engaging for impact” in context of the significant changes underway at AH&LA. With the important new membership model and strategic focus now in place, that’s exactly what we’re doing. The increased emphasis on advocacy, communications, and education requested by you, our members, is already showing significant results. Active participation by members from all segments of the lodging industry is greatly amplifying the collective voice of hoteliers across the country. And we can’t underscore enough the importance of collaboration with other industry and business groups in driving success on our shared objectives.
Whether it was playing a high-profile role in passing important immigration reform in the Senate, securing an increase in federal per diem rates for the first time in two years, or advancing patent troll legislation, AH&LA was at the center of many key policy debates in Washington. As you’ll see beginning on page 4, our message is resonating with policymakers: the lodging industry is a key cog in the nation’s economic machine, and we need the support of pro-industry members if we are to continue driving growth and job creation. The Educational Institute leveraged many partnership opportunities to continue its bottom-line growth in 2013. With a focus on global expansion in China, they are now operating with nine new partners in that country and setting the tone for additional global expansion in 2014. More about that can be found on pages 12-13.
You can read more about their activities and their educational and research support over the past year beginning on page 18. As you read through this report, you’ll also see examples of different groups within our membership – such as Women in Lodging (WIL) Connect, the Under 30 Gateway, and our student chapters – making valuable contributions and bringing a new dimension to the dialogue, both inside the industry and with policymakers in Washington. Our 2014 chair, John Fitzpatrick, along with our other outstanding officers, association staff, and the thousands of members across the country are now driving the next chapter of AH&LA’s history.
The Educational Foundation had another historic year, setting fundraising records in Annual Giving and at the Big Apple Silent Auction and Golf Classic. Katherine Lugar
Ron Vlasic, CHA
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
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ACTIVE ADVOCACY
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n 2013, AH&LA was an aggressive advocate on important legislative and regulatory issues directly impacting the bottom line of hoteliers. Members across the country pushed the industry narrative as a key component of the national economy and a driver of jobs and growth. Their strong efforts resulted in several key victories.
Immigration Reform The Senate’s “Gang of Eight” immigration reform bill passed in June 2013 was a key victory for AH&LA and the lodging industry. Hoteliers in states across the country made hundreds of direct contacts with their senators to stress the need for fixing a broken and outdated immigration system, and to emphasize the importance of reform to the lodging industry. The bill included industry-supported provisions covering the creation of a new lesser-skilled worker program, the basis of an effective, efficient electronic verification (E-Verify) system, and renewal of the H-2B returning worker exemption. Senators also included provisions of the Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act.
filed against lodging properties for what PAEs claim are infringement violations on use of such things as Wi-Fi for guests pose a significant challenge to the industry. To counter this, AH&LA led a successful coalition of numerous end-user organizations, promoting passage in the House of Representatives of The Innovation Act, introduced by Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), in December. AH&LA members were instrumental in securing reforms of end-user patent litigation abuses by “trolls” through direct contact with members of the House and Senate. Justin Bragiel of the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association was invited to testify at a hearing of the House Energy and Commerce Committee on the impact patent litigation is having on the lodging industry.
Legislative Action Summit (LAS) During LAS, hoteliers were able to weigh in on the immigration debate days after the “Gang of Eight” introduced comprehensive legislation. Additionally, member visits played a direct role in the speed with which the House and Senate passed legislation to eliminate furloughs for air traffic controllers and stop the widespread delays being seen that very week at airports across the country.
Per Diem Rates AH&LA achieved a major success in August when the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) lifted the freeze on per diem rates and increased them in most areas for FY2014, including raising the standard continental U.S. rate from $77 to $83. The increased rates and return to the standard methodology were due to the close, ongoing collaboration between the lodging industry and GSA officials. In particular, they were the result of industry input submitted through the Governmentwide Travel Advisory Committee, a GSA-affiliated group which includes among its members Marriott International’s Paul Somogyi.
Patent Trolls Patent reform entities (PAEs) – also known as “patent trolls” – pose a growing problem to the American economy, one that costs $80 billion each year. The increasing number of frivolous, predatory lawsuits
Government Shutdown The 16-day federal government shutdown in October was extremely damaging to the industry, with a direct loss of $115.2 million in economic activity. Were it not for the important leadership role taken by AH&LA during this period, the shutdown may have lasted much longer and been far more devastating. Due to our industry’s economic importance in cities and towns across the country, AH&LA was a central player throughout the process of bringing the shutdown to an end, with two members – Arizona’s Greg Bryan and Montana’s Matt Sease – invited to testify at congressional hearings on impacts of the shutdown, which drew national attention. AH&LA’s vocal presence on this issue and outreach to both Congress and the Administration drew praise from members of the House and Senate and coverage by major media outlets across the country. Along with these key areas, the association and its members were active on other important issues. Implementation of the Healthcare Law The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is now the law of the land, and the lodging industry and its partners in the Employers for Flexibility in Healthcare (E-FLEX) coalition worked throughout the year for common-sense reforms that provide business operators with responsible options. The one-year delay in the employer mandate, to January 1, 2015, was an important development, but more can be done. AH&LA focused on securing a change in the ACA’s current definition of a full-time employee from 30 to 40 hours per week; changing the definition of a large employer, currently set at 50 employees; securing a repeal of the auto-enroll provision; and obtaining a workable definition of a seasonal employee. These efforts included meetings with members of Congress, the development of tools to assist AH&LA members in meeting their obligations under the law, and holding Webinars and briefings to educate on key provisions and deadlines in the law.
Travel and Tourism The AH&LA-backed Jobs Originated Through Launching Travel (JOLT) Act was reintroduced in the House in March 2013 by Nevada Congressman Joe Heck (R). As a result of the work of AH&LA members and our coalition partners, the bill had received the support of 117 bipartisan cosponsors by the end of the year. Key provisions of the bill include allowing Canadian “snowbird” visitors to stay in U.S. for an additional 60 days per year; changing the visa fee structure to spread demand and increase total visa numbers; allowing Customs and Border Protection to add foreign dignitaries to the foreign entry program on case-bycase basis; instituting tougher standards for visa processing; and making critical changes to the Visa Waiver Program to update eligibility criteria and ensure a more secure program. The bill also includes a provision to give Hong Kong visa waiver status. Terrorism Risk Insurance The all-important extension of the terrorism risk insurance (TRIA) program expires at the end of 2014, and AH&LA worked throughout the year urging Congress to further extend this important industry protection. In collaboration with other national associations, AH&LA members met with key House Financial Services and Senate Banking Committee members to make the case for a continuation of the program. Members also worked to educate conservative members of Congress on the importance of TRIA and the negative consequences for our industry and the larger economy if the program is allowed to expire.
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
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Online Travel Companies / Internet Booking Tax AH&LA continues to seek a level playing field for hoteliers with their out-of-state counterparts, the online travel companies (OTCs). In 2013, the association and staff met with members of the House Judiciary Committee and reinforced support among key members of the Senate. These contacts were part of a broader ongoing effort to educate conservative members of Congress that this issue is not about “new taxes,” but rather about equal treatment. Additionally, staff members traveled to several state capitals during the year to present the industry’s position on this issue to governors and members of individual legislatures and worked with state associations to advance our position in key regions. AH&LA also testified on the ramifications of unequal application of tax laws at an October hearing of the Pennsylvania House Committee on Tourism & Recreational Development.
Back-of-the-House Tours AH&LA rolled out its new “back-of-the-house” plan for members, providing a new valuable grassroots tool for communicating the industry’s narrative. With the support of the governmental affairs team and a tool kit created to assist with organizing visits to properties by policymakers, several hoteliers hosted their members of Congress on tours to give them a more complete view of the industry’s importance to local economies. These tours also enable members to illustrate firsthand how hotel processes relate to legislative issues, and they are an excellent mechanism to promote for grassroots advocacy. Growing Influence of HotelPAC The influence and impact of AH&LA’s bipartisan political action committee, HotelPAC, was felt throughout 2013, as both fundraising totals and the number of events hosted for members of Congress increased over the final 2012 numbers. Over the course of this past year, HotelPAC raised a total of $202,141 in hard dollars, an increase of more than 25% over 2012.I
“I had a wonderful time visiting with the dedicated team of professionals at Holiday Inn Resort on Panama City Beach. Their commitment to courteous service for both travelers and residents alike represents the best of North and Northwest Florida’s hospitality industry. I look forward to continuing my work with these local stakeholders to strengthen our coastal economies and advance a pro-growth agenda in Congress that empowers these businesses to create jobs and expand their operations.” - Congressman Steve Southerland (R-FL) about his back-of-the-house tour.
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AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
F
rom proactive communication of the industry’s compelling narrative to promotion of the industry’s significant economic footprint and many employment opportunities, sharing our industry’s story and vision is crucial to our continued success. AH&LA members receive representation on a wide variety of high-profile media issues that can impact their ability to continue growing and creating jobs, resources to assist with crisis communications scenarios, and valuable tool kits on key industry issues. Increased Media Coverage AH&LA’s increasing level of engagement and greater visibility across the country is reflected in a dramatic surge in the amount of media coverage the organization is receiving. Much of the reporting was focused on governmental affairs and advocacy issues: • “Hotels feel the pain of government shutdown” - USA TODAY • “Is Obamacare a Job Killer: Yes and No” - The Washington Post • “Trade associations push for broader patent review” - The Hill • “Shutdowns hurting hotels in Washington and near parks” - Travel Weekly
AH&LA Fall Conference Event App As part of the member tools made available for The AH&LA 2013 Fall Conference, AH&LA’s mobile app received a new look. Sponsored by American Express, this became the premier conference event app, housing information for the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) and Boutique Design New York (BDNY). By downloading the app, the 20,000+ attendees in New York received access to more than 1,000
vendors, 50 events, three world-class shows – all conveniently accessible from their mobile device. Immigration Reform Town Hall Tool Kit For the August 2013 congressional recess, AH&LA prepared an immigration reform town hall tool kit that provided the basic materials needed for members to become effective industry grassroots advocates on this crucial issue. The kit contained tips on participating in congressional town hall meetings, an official immigration position paper to leave with the congressman/ senator and their staff members, key industry statistics, a sample op-ed and letter to the editor that could be adapted and submitted to local newspapers, and a sample letter that could be individualized and sent to members of the House to urge action on this issue. Encouraging Sustainability AH&LA integrated the minimum requirements of the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders™ program as part of its Green Guidelines to encourage the hospitality industry to adopt more eco-friendly practices, enabling accommodations meeting the AH&LA Green Guidelines also to qualify for the TripAdvisor GreenLeaders program.
“...the group has made great strides in recent years to become what it should have been all along: the loud, strident and powerful voice for the entire U.S. hotel industry.” - HOTEL NEWS NOW
AH&LA first launched its guidelines in 2008, and has updated its existing 11 guidelines to 14 aligned with TripAdvisor GreenLeaders’ criteria. Launched in the U.S. in April 2013, accommodations are distinguished by a special badge next to the property’s listing on the TripAdvisor Website to help a community of more than 260 million monthly travelers plan and have a greener trip. To join the free program, a property must meet seven minimum requirements and complete a survey on its eco-friendly practices before being assigned a level based on its commitment, ranging from GreenPartner to Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Gratuity Guide In November, AH&LA released a gratuity guide covering rates for a broad range of service areas, including parking attendants, doormen, housekeepers, and room service. The guide provides recommended tip amounts for services rendered by hotel staff throughout a guest’s stay. Among the recommendations: • Tip concierges from $5-10, depending on how involved the service (booking a restaurant versus hard-to-get tickets) or a lump sum upon departure. • Tip housekeepers and housemen $1-5 per night. The tip should be left daily in a marked envelope or with a note. • For special requests (like an extra blanket), tip $4 for one item, $1 for more. Tipping is not required for someone fixing something broken or bringing something missing. Lodging Works Resources Hoteliers have a proud history, an outstanding reputation, and a great story to tell. AH&LA created resources ranging from career initiatives to statistics to help showcase the industry or find a rewarding hospitality career. Members can tailor the materials to include local or state statistics and help demonstrate the true size, scope, power, and importance of the industry.
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AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
WIL Membership Drive In March, AH&LA launched a monthly series honoring female leaders in the lodging industry as part of a Women in Lodging Connect membership drive. Each month top females in a variety of operational areas were profiled and the initiative reached nearly 2,100 members. In addition, the state chapters in Wisconsin and New York added the most new members. Two new WIL members - Amy Simchak, regional director of operations for North Central Group, and Cynthia Holloway, general manager of the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs - were selected to have lunch with WIL Founder Nancy Johnson, chief development officer, the Americas, Carlson, or Brooke Barrett, co-chief executive officer, Denihan Hospitality Group. Student Chapters In 2013, AH&LA Student Chapters provided students with countless opportunities to demonstrate leadership on their own campuses and to expand their professional sphere within the hospitality industry. At year’s end, more than 800 students were involved in 20 Chapters, varying in size from 15 – 73 students. AH&LA Chapters also sponsored trips to AH&LA events including the Legislative Action Summit in Washington, D.C. in March and the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show in New York City in November. At these events chapter members interacted with influential members of the hospitality community while exploring and discussing emerging trends in the industry. Under 30 The Under 30 Gateway, which was launched in 2008, numbered more than attracted 950 members at the end of the year. Benefits included four exclusive Webinars, a bimonthly e-newsletter, an annual “Not Your Boss’ Party” at the AH&LA Fall Conference, and 12 state chapters. In addition, the AH&LA Mentorship Program was re-launched in late 2012 and has 58 mentors and 64 mentees enrolled in the program. The new focus of the program is to match pairings based on location and interest; 30 matches have been successfully made.
EMPOWERING EDUCATION
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pward advancement in the industry and increasing the value of individual employees is made possible with a wide variety of educational resources available through the association and its affiliates. These include discounts on Educational Institute products; reduced registration rates for premier industry conferences and events; the latest industry news from Lodging Magazine, AH&LA SmartBrief, media advisories, and more; and access to subject matter experts on a range of key industry topics who provide valuable guidance on the latest trends and resources. Information Center The Information Center answered inquiries from individuals and organizations from 40 countries seeking industry or association information. Approximately 14% of information requests came from media outlets. Out of the member category, properties asked the most questions with approximately 155 inquiries. Nonmember vendors asked the most for the nonmember category with roughly 160 inquiries. Top Topics
Lodging Industry Profile A yearly compilation of industry stats and facts. All figures are for year-end 2012. At-a-Glance Statistical Figures 52,529
Properties (based on 15 or more rooms)
4,900,642
Guest rooms
1,800,600
Hotel property workers
27%
AH&LA association related
$155.5
Billion in sales
11%
Lodging industry trends and statistics
$65.16
Revenue per available room (RevPAR)
11%
Educational Institute/Lodging Magazine
61.4%
Average occupancy rate
8%
Geographic information
6%
Employee/Employment issues
5%
Facilities/Property Operations
4%
Government/Taxes
Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Co-owned by AH&LA and Burba Hotel Network, the Americas Lodging Investment Summit is the leading and largest hotel investment conference in the world. Nearly 2,600 top industry leaders attended in January in Los Angeles to attend an extensive array of seminars and panels by industry experts, who discuss important trends and identify new opportunities. A portion of the proceeds go toward the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation. APRIL 23-24
AH&LA
We Need You LEGISLATIVE ACTION SUMMIT
2013
AH&LA 20 13
FALL CONFERENCE HELD WITH
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Legislative Action Summit (LAS) In April, nearly 300 hoteliers traveled to Washington, D.C. from across the country to take part in this premier annual conference. Over two days, members participated in important briefings on pressing legislative issues impacting hoteliers, and they shared the industry’s compelling narrative with policymakers on Capitol Hill. Along with panel discussions on issues including international travel priorities, government travel reductions/sequestration, and immigration reform, LAS attendees heard directly from prominent voices in Washington policy debates, including Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK). Summer Summit Held in June in Denver, the conference featured top-line forecasting and social data trends, a special meeting of members to vote on AH&LA’s new structure, bylaws, and funding model, and an update on the changes underway and the association’s new strategic focus of advocacy and communications from President/CEO Katherine Lugar. In addition, the Stars of the Industry Awards luncheon honored exemplary employees and programs, and a dozen or so of AH&LA committees hosted meetings critical to planning industry-wide programs and initiatives. Fall Conference This annual event is held each November in New York City with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show® (IHMRS) and the Boutique Design New York (BDNY) trade fair, which features more than 20 seminars and attracts more than 20,000 attendees and include more than 1,200 exhibiting companies. Special events included the Incoming Chair’s HotelPAC Reception, the Inaugural Gala, a Women in Lodging Connect luncheon, and Under 30 Not Your Boss’s Party. The one-day Hospitality Leadership Forum featured educational sessions, including a CEO Leadership panel and U.S. Lodging Industry Summit panel, followed by the keynote speaker Jonathan Tisch, chairman of Loews Hotels and co-chairman of the board and member of the office of the president of Loews Corporation.
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
STARS OF THE INDUSTRY AWARDS EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE LEADERS IN HOSPITALITY TRAINING AND EDUCATION AWARDS Lamp of Knowledge Outstanding Distance Learning Student Award Pablo Rubiano, Hilton Bogota, Bogota, Columbia Lamp of Knowledge Outstanding High School Educator Award Virginia Schrader, Kennett High School, North Conway, NH Lamp of Knowledge Outstanding U.S. Educator Award Cynthia Deale, Associate Professor, Department of Hospitality Management East Carolina University, Greenville, NC Lamp of Knowledge Outstanding International Educator Award Emanuel Donhauser Chief Academic Officer, Swiss Education Group, Montreux, Switzerland Anthony G. Marshall Outstanding Educator Award Terry Hunter Resort Management Instructor, Colorado Mountain College Steamboat Springs, CO Arthur Landstreet Award Eric Danziger President & CEO, Wyndham Hotel Group, LLC, Parsippany, NJ Celebration of Excellence Award CHA Emeritus Honoree Raman P. Rama, B.Com, CHA, CHAE, CHTP Vice Presdient & CTO/CIO, JHM Hotels, Greenville, SC
STARS OF THE INUDSTRY AWARDS Outstanding Manager of the Year, Small Property Molly Mooney, Guest Services Manager, Homewood Suites Champaign, Champaign, IL
Outstanding Manager of the Year, Large Property Wayne Hirabayashi, Executive Chef, The Kahala Resort Honolulu, HI Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Small Property Jeffrey Fouste, General Manager, Best Western PLUS Savannah Historic District, Savannah, GA Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Medium Property Denise Vickerman, General Manager, Ramada Spokane Airport, Spokane, WA Outstanding General Manager of the Year, Large Property Jeff Brown, General Manager, Hotel Arista, Naperville, IL Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Small Property Laurie Desmarais, Guest Service Representative, Holiday Inn Elmira Riverview, Elmira, NY Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Medium Property Olivia Fierro, Front Desk Agent, Four Seasons Scottsdale at Troon, Scottsdale, AZ Outstanding Lodging Employee of the Year, Large Property Jim Catlett, Golf Starter, Ojai Valley Inn & Spa, Ojai, CA WIL Connect Leader of the Year Marissa Edwards, Director of All Fun Things, Terranea Resort, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA Stevan Porter Emerging Hospitality Leader Wes Santos, General Manager, Fairfield Inn & Suites Charlotte, Charlotte, NC AH&LA Student Member of the Year Jennings “Clare” Becker University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
Outstanding Community Service, Large Property Grand Hyatt Denver, Denver, CO Special Events, Ongoing, Small Property The Hermosa Inn, Paradise Valley, AZ Special Events, Ongoing, Medium Property W Atlanta – Buckhead, Atlanta, GA Special Events, Ongoing, Large Property Hyatt Regency Boston, Boston, MA Special Events, One-time Only, Small Property Sanctuary on Camelback Mountain, Paradise Valley, AZ Special Events, One-time Only, Medium Property The Boulders, Carefree, AZ Special Events, One-time Only, Large Property Gaylord National, National Harbor, MD Guest Relations, Small Property Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Airport, Savannah, GA Guest Relations, Medium Property Sofitel Washington D.C. Lafayette Square, Washington, DC Guest Relations, Large Property Four Seasons Hotel Boston, Boston, MA Good Earthkeeping, Small Property Onyx Hotel, Boston, MA Good Earthkeeping, Medium Property St. Julien Hotel, Boulder, CO Good Earthkeeping, Large Property Seaport Hotel, Boston, MA Prism (for Diversity), Medium Property Sofitel Washington D.C. Lafayette Square, Washington, DC Prism (for Diversity), Large Property Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina Cambridge, MD Technology Innovation, Small Property Mandarin Oriental Boston, Boston, MA
AH&LA Student Chapter of the Year Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
Mickey Wescoat, Chief Maintenance Engineer, Days Inn & Suites Jekyll Isle Oceanfront, Jekyll Island, GA
Outstanding Community Service, Small Property Miraval, Tucson, AZ
Outstanding Manager of the Year, Medium Property Dan Evert, Chief Engineer, Embassy Suites Loveland Loveland, CO
Outstanding Community Service, Medium Property The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation, Greensboro, GA
Technology Innovation, Medium Property Hotel Monaco DC, Washington, DC
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com 11
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE
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he Educational Institute celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2013 with several new product launches, new partnerships, and continued international growth.
Partnerships lead to new products EI partnered with ECPAT-USA, TripAdvisor®, and Smith Travel Research (STR) to develop new training and certification programs that address highly-relevant topics for today’s hospitality industry professionals. EI’s partnership with Pearson Higher Education also expanded as the two organizations explored ways to provide educators with new methods of customizing EI’s academic content. Pearson and EI began working on a new digital curriculum to allow customers to build customized educational resources, using not only chapters from EI textbooks, but also interactive elements from EI’s videos, online learning materials, and other instructional resources. The modules would be housed in an EI lockbox on Pearson’s Custom Library, and educators select content, competencies, and certifications to create targeted products for their students. Students earn “badges” for completing particular modules, which may culminate in completion of an EI certification after enough badges are earned. “The Role of Hospitality in Preventing and Reacting to Child Trafficking” is a 30-minute online course that provides hotel employees and managers with the information they need to identify and respond to crimes of human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children (CSEC). The 30-minute course explains the risks trafficking can pose to properties, provides a list of signs and behaviors that may indicate child trafficking, and offers steps to respond to the situation in ways that minimize risk. The training incorporates audio and video clips, interactive knowledge checks and a 10-question quiz. ECPAT-USA (End Child Prostitution and Trafficking) provided content from its on-site training programs to
develop this online course that will enable their message to have a broader reach throughout the hospitality industry. Reputation management is a major concern for every property as today’s Internet-savvy consumers head online to read reviews before making travel reservations. EI partnered with TripAdvisor® to develop a 30-minute, online training program to teach hotel employees how to encourage positive guest reviews and manage their property’s online reputation. The “TripAdvisor® Reputation Management for Front-Line Staff” course provides an overview of TripAdvisor®, including its policies on fraud, threats, and blackmail; manager and employee roles in the review process, and tips on appropriate ways of asking guests for reviews. The Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) also was introduced to hotel industry customers in 2013. Developed by EI and STR (Smith Travel Research), this program provides candidates with thorough knowledge of the foundational metrics, definitions, formulas, and methodologies used by the hotel industry. Those who complete the training, consisting of 16 online Webinars and a 50-question exam, earn the CHIA designation, demonstrating that they possess the ability to analyze various types of hotel industry data and have a comprehensive understanding of benchmarking and performance reports. EI also launched a new version of its Controlling Alcohol Risks Effectively® (CARE) seminar in 2013, with new and expanded content, additional activities and discussion questions, updated instructor materials, and a DVD featuring several new training scenarios. Other
“Everyone at ECPAT-USA is grateful to EI for its support in developing this training program and to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation for providing grant funding to make it a reality. Partnering with the leader in hospitality training and education has been a great experience.” - Carol Smolenski, executive director, ECPAT-USA updates to the program include more detailed information on checking IDs; new content covering mini-bars, room service, and self-service gift shops that sell alcohol; and additional information on products that affect the body’s absorption of alcohol, such as energy drinks, herbal remedies, and medication. To meet various state requirements, the program also includes information on tobacco sales. High school programs for students, teachers completed In 2013, EI published Year 2 of its new high school curriculum, the Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP). The two-year program introduces high school juniors and seniors to the hospitality and tourism industry. It features graphic-rich textbooks and workbooks that give students the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned, and optional online coursework ideal for tech-savvy teens. The Year 2 textbook focuses on the leadership and managerial aspects, responsibilities, knowledge, and skills required by an entry-level leader within the hospitality and tourism industry, while Year 1 concentrates on hospitality and tourism operations. In both years, students receive information on key hospitality industry experts, hospitality and tourism history and trends, green practices, diversity, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) best practices. Online resources for Year 2 include modules from EI’s Supervisory Skill Builders and Front Office Manager e-learning programs. Students who pass the exams for Years 1 and 2 of the program and complete 100 hours of internship or job hours can earn the Certified Hospitality & Tourism Management Professional (CHTMP) designation. EI also completed the revision of its Certified Hospitality Instructor (CHI) designation for teachers in secondary school hospitality classes and workforce development programs. This certification provides teachers with a solid foundation of hospitality knowledge and skills, so they can more effectively convey the information to students and better prepare them for careers in hospitality. EI revised the CHI learning format from a series of three on-site summer institutes to a two-level self-study program that includes print resources and online study
modules. Each level consists of 13 modules with an online exam that must be passed with a score of 70 percent or higher. Candidates also must complete a 120-hour hospitality internship to earn the certification, which is required by many state departments of education. EI marked the 10th anniversary of its International Lodging Management Program (LMP) Competition in 2013, with high school hospitality students from Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California, taking home the international title. This was the first time that California had sent a team to the competition. The competition challenged students to display their hospitality knowledge and skills through a variety of competitive events including a night audit, room inspection, banquet planning, case studies, and knowledge bowl quiz. Thirteen teams participated in this year’s competition, representing schools in the Bahamas (Andros Island and New Providence), California, Florida, Guam, Hawaii, Idaho, New Hampshire, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., and Wyoming. The winning team attended the International Hotel, Motel, + Restaurant Show in New York in November, where they had the opportunity to network with hospitality industry leaders. Global outreach continues through new partnerships In 2013, EI reorganized the way that it works in China, restructuring its representation and distribution by contracting with provincial partners throughout the country and reestablishing direct relationships with academic and industry institutions. By the end of the year, EI had established 10 regional partners to serve 10 provinces (Yunnan, Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Sichuan, Congqing, Liaoning, Zhejiang, Guizhou, and Guangdong). In addition to its new outreach in China, EI also signed agreements with 17 new Global Academic Partner (GAP) schools, one Hospitality Education Partner (HEP), four international partnerships, and one hotel association agreement. In India, six Registered User Institutes (RUI) signed agreements and EI hired an additional sales manager for that country. AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
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THE INDUSTRY’S FUTURE
A
s the charitable organization for the lodging industry, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) identifies, cultivates, and supports the human talent, research, and initiatives most vital to our sector’s progress and prosperity. The generosity of the individuals and companies in the hospitality community, along with support from the proceeds of the Americas Lodging Investment Summit, are the key reasons AH&LEF is able to provide the resources on which the industry relies every day. In 2013, the Foundation distributed more than $1 million toward scholarships, educational programming, workforce development, cutting-edge research projects, and grants. 2013 PROJECTS AT A GLANCE Amount $537,000
Program/Initiative Academic and professional development scholarships
$190,500
Workforce development and school-to-career initiatives
$88,400
AH&LA’s Green Initiative Program
$58,900
Best Practices for Cleaning Hotel & Guest Rooms
$50,000
2014 Lodging Survey
$44,600
Model of Safety and Training Programs for Hotel Housekeeping
$26,200
The Role of Hospitality in Preventing and Reacting to Child Trafficking Online Training
$10,000
Economic Significance of Meetings in the U.S.
$15,000
Support of partner state associations (PSA)
$13,000
Alumni program, AHLEI support, and discretionary grants
THANKS TO INDUSTRY DONATIONS, AH&LEF BROKE RECORDS IN ALL THREE OF ITS MAJOR FUNDRAISING EFFORTS IN 2013.
INVESTING IN STUDENTS AND INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS Academic scholarships were awarded to 339 promising hospitality management students attending 101 colleges and universities across the country. Additionally, 12 hotel employees received professional development scholarships for certification or distance learning through EI. Six scholarship recipients were selected to attend the 2013 Lodging Conference to network with industry leaders and learn about important industry issues. Show owners Harry Javer and Morris Lasky generously donated the students’ registrations and AH&LEF provided funds for travel stipends and the hotel stay. Each year during AH&LA’s Fall Conference, AH&LEF hosts a Scholars Breakfast featuring notable industry leaders, which in 2013 drew 10 industry executives and 45 current or past scholarship recipients. The Foundation provided educational support for partner state associations (PSA) through sponsorship of the International Society of Association Executives’ Winter Conference and Membership Recruitment & Retention Workshop. Additionally, seven scholarships were awarded to PSA staff members to attend the Institute for Organizational Management, which was funded through the Lawson Odde Scholarship Fund. Since 2003, more than $2.75 million has been expended through the Foundation’s workforce development and high school program initiatives, which encourage interest in the lodging field.
The new EI high school curriculum, Hospitality and Tourism Management Program (HTMP), developed with a myriad of industry experts, will take the place of the Lodging Management Program as the official industry-recognized curriculum to prepare high school students for roles in the hotel industry and beyond. Each year, top performing high schools meet in Orlando for two days of intense competition that puts students’ real world knowledge of the industry to the test. The winning 2013 team was Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, California. This was the first year that a team from California participated in the competition. Skills, Task and Results Training (START) is a one-year EI program preparing both high school and workforce development based students to enter the industry and trains entry-level workers, welfare-to-work participants, and displaced workers. It’s used in nearly 310 schools and workforce facilities. ENHANCING ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY RESEARCH Since 1995, the Foundation has granted approximately $2.8 million to provide information to benefit the industry. AH&LA members can find funded projects on the Members Only section of AH&LA’s Website. The following grants were awarded in 2013: Model of Safety and Training Programs for Hotel Housekeeping In order to better assure the safety of our industry’s workers, a grant was awarded to the California Hotel & Lodging Association to create a model Injury & Illness Prevention Program, safety and training materials, and presentations of best practices in a variety of formats, which could be used as a template for other partner state associations.
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“The mark of a truly successful group is the willingness to invest in developing future leaders. Please accept my gratitude for this scholarship, as well as a promise to always pay forward what you have given me: the tools to develop in the professional world of hospitality.” - Keith Sacenti, 2013 Conrad N. Hilton Memorial Scholar, University of Massachusetts at Amherst
Best Practices for Cleaning Hotel & Guest Rooms A grant was awarded to the University of Houston to develop best practices for cleaning hotel and guest rooms by taking a scientific approach in testing for microorganisms. EI has endorsed the project and will be integrating the results into their videos, training materials, and textbooks. Economic Significance of Meetings in the U.S. Study Update In a combined effort with other hospitality and travel organizations brought together by the Convention Industry Council, a grant in the amount of $10,000 was awarded to assist in the funding of a baseline update of the 2010 Economic Significance Study, which was a landmark study that quantified the economic contributions made by the 1.8 million meetings that took place across the country in 2009. The update will utilize 2012 data and include an analysis by meeting category. The Role of Hospitality in Preventing and Reacting to Child Trafficking Online Training At the request of ECPAT-USA, a grant was awarded to develop a 30-minute e-learning course to provide lodging professionals with the information necessary to identify and respond to child trafficking. EI developed the training with the use of video clips and scenarios to teach management and line-level employees how to recognize the signs of trafficking and the appropriate protocol for addressing suspicious incidences at their properties. 2014 Lodging Survey In continuing the biennial AH&LA Lodging Survey, $50,000 was granted to STR for an updated version in 2014. This publication is one of the most comprehensive surveys in the industry, which collects information on hotel services, facilities, and amenities.
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AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
2013 GIVING AT A GLANCE Amount $662,000 $201,000 $164,800 $114,000
Source Americas Lodging Investment Summit AH&LEF Golf Classic 2013 Annual Giving Campaign Big Apple Silent Auction
The Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS), which is co-owned by AH&LA and Burba Hotel Network, allocates a generous portion of its revenues to benefit the educational, research, and training missions of AH&LEF and EI. Since its inception, ALIS contributions have: • Provided scholarships for 906 students in 105 colleges and universities across the country. • Generated $1.75 million for more than 45 cutting-edge research projects. • Provided funding for the START program in more than 309 high schools and workforce training centers. • Provided funding for the Lodging Management Program and the new Hospitality & Tourism Management Program in 445 high schools and generated an additional $4 million to support the development of hotel industry educational products.
In 2013, the following donors made contributions earmarked specifically for named scholarships: • Hospitality Asset Managers Association $50,000 • Ecolab $25,000 • Handlery Foundation $10,000 • Hyatt Hotels $4,500 • Richard Kelley $3,000 Additionally, the Foundation received interest and capital gains from the following board-designated funds, previous capital campaign proceeds, and endowed scholarship funds: AH&LEF Hospitality 2000 Scholarship Established: 2002 Awards to date: $210,500 to 152 students American Express Scholarship Established: 1994 Awards to date: $321,000 to 283 students and professionals Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) Scholarship Established: 2002 Awards to date: $1,337,500 to 906 students Melinda Bush Scholarship Established: 2006 Awards to date: $22,000 to 10 students
John Clifford Memorial Scholarship Established: Early 1980s Awards to date: $44,000 to 57 students Cecil B. Day Memorial Scholarship Established: 1981 Awards to date: More than $823,000 to 719 students Ecolab Scholarship Established: 1996 Awards to date: More than $354,000 to 240 students and professionals Handlery Hotels Scholarship Established: 1982 Awards to date: $392,000 to 277 students (since 1989) Hilton Worldwide Scholarship Established: 2011 Awards to date: $50,000 to 40 students Conrad N. Hilton Memorial Scholarship Established: 1995 Awards to date: $578,000 to 515 students Creighton Holden Memorial Scholarship Established: 2005 Awards to date: $7,750 to 9 students Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students Established: 1988 Awards to date: $624,000 to 312 minority students Steve Hymans Extended Stay Scholarship Established: 2006 Awards to date: $55,750 to 35 students
Incoming Freshman Scholarship Established: 2008 Awards to date: $121,000 to 64 students Richard Kelley Scholarship Established: 2010 Awards to date: $12,000 to 4 students Richard Kessler Scholarship Established: 1985 Awards to date: $45,000 to 40 students J. Willard Marriott Memorial Scholarship Established: 1989 Awards to date: $369,000 to 278 students Karl Mehlmann Scholarship Established: 1978 Awards to date: $187,000 to 154 students Curtis C. Nelson Scholarship Established: 2002 Awards to date: $55,000 to 25 students Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship Established: 1974 Awards to date: More than $280,000 to 89 students (since 1987) Pepsi Scholarship Established: 2002 Awards to date: $103,000 to 45 graduates of the Hospitality High School in Washington, D.C. Rama Scholarship for the American Dream Established: 1998 Awards to date: $660,300 to 406 students
For more information about these scholarships, visit www.ahlef.org. AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
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ANNUAL GIVING
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he Annual Giving Campaign, AH&LEF’s key annual fundraising initiative, supports the Foundation’s core objectives. The 2013 campaign was chaired by Harry Javer, president of The Conference Bureau/CoFounder, The Lodging Conference, and raised a record $164,800. Since its initiation in 1997, Annual Giving has procured more than $1.57 million, and the Foundation would like to thank the following 189 donors for making 2013 a banner year: ($2,500 TO $4,999)
LEADERSHIP GIFTS ($10,000+)
($1,000 to $2,499)
Minaz Abji ($5,000+)
The Robert Alter Family
Harry Javer & Elizabeth Wolff
Nancy Johnson
Kirk Kinsell
Paul Kirwin
Randy & Carolyn Smith
Ruth & Joe McInerney
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Aimbridge Hospitality Ashford Hospitality Trust Steve Belmonte Boykin Management Company Canyon Equity, LLC Capital Hotel Management, LLC Crescent Hotels & Resorts First Hospitality Group Hostmark Hospitality Group Hyphen Construction Group, Inc. Katherine Lugar Michigan Lodging & Tourism Association Montage Hotels & Resorts Ocean Reef Club Orlando World Center Marriott PAWS UP Foundation Remington Rim Hospitality Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide in honor of Minaz Abji Sunburst Hospitality Corporation Vesta Hospitality Johnny Walker Xanterra Parks & Resorts Al Young (matching gift: LaSalle Hotel Properties)
($500 to $999) A-1 Textiles & Hospitality Products Amway Hotel Corporation The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Springs The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Fitzpatrick Manhattan Hotel Douglas & Michelle Geoga Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Guest Services, Inc. Terri Haack Hotel Association of New York City HVS Hotel Management Pam Inman Joori Jeon Don Johnson Kenyon Inn M. Gibson Hotels Joe Martin Salisbury & Moore Construction Norma & Roger A. Saunders and the Saunders Family Charitable Fund Schahet Hotels, Inc. Robert Slater Southernmost Hotel Collection David Stipanuk Gaines Sturdivant Texas Hotel & Lodging Association Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. Adam Zembruski ($100 to $499) John Adams Atlantic City Hotel & Lodging Association Geoff & Leslie Ballotti Pennie Beach Jordan Beckner Lee Belfield Best Western Plus Rockwall Inn & Suites The Bethel Inn Resort Beverly Coat Hanger Co. The Breakers Palm Beach Gary & Joanne Budge Michael & Ann Bullis
Alison Bybee The Carriage House Las Vegas Chateau on the Lake Resort & Spa Branson Coakley & Williams Hotel Management Company Colonnade Hotel Boston Datavision Technologies Inc. Denihan Hospitality Group David Dittman Monique Donahue Lynne Dougherty Michael Downing Fairmont Olympic Hotel Anthony Falor Richard & Nanci Fink Bill Folkerts Annie Fowler The Goffin Group, Inc. Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa Handi-Hut Kevin Hanley Kenneth Hine Horwath HTL Hotel Capital Advisers, Inc. Hotel Dynamics LLC Hotel Equities, Inc. Hoteliers Ink Christopher Ihlefeld Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association Jon Inge Thomas & Jan-Patrice Jackson Paul Jinneman Nate Jiron Pat & Arnold Karr Mo Kennedy David Kenney Bill Kohl Eugene Kordoban Lago Mar Resort & Club Bill Langkopp Lighthouse Inn, Inc. Thomas Loughlin Madden’s on Gull Lake The Maher Group Michael Marshall
Matthew Masia Ruth & Joe McInerney in memory of Stanley Javer The McKenna Law Group, LLC Keith McNeill Miller Law Group Mohonk Mountain House Brenda Moons John Murtha Dr. Robert O’Halloran Pat Olejniczak O’Neal Consultants The Otesaga Resort Hotel Sunny Patel Leslie Pchola Ronald Pincus Plan B Hospitality Consulting Michelle Poinelli Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Q Hotels Quality Inn Paradise Creek Pullman Edward Rabin Rich Roberts Allen Rolleri Thomas Ruff Warren Sackler Steve Sasso Charles Satkewich Sheraton Sand Key Resort Rolfe & Judith Sick Vanessa Sinders Joshua Sumption Wayne Tabor Tennessee Hospitality Association True North Hotel Group, Inc. Waterford Group Charitable Foundation Michael Watkins Kenneth & Donna Widmaier Fatena Williams Carl Winston Frank Wolfe Susan Wolfla Steve Yencich
Joseph McInerney Scholarship Fund An endowed scholarship was created to commemorate Joseph McInerney’s 50-plus year hospitality career, the last twelve heading AH&LA. In his many travels, Joe made hundreds of visits to colleges and universities around the globe to champion the industry and its merits. Thomas Hewitt, chairman of the board, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and John Russell, CEO, CampusBrands, led the special fundraising effort and American Express generously contributed $25,000 in matching funds to kick start the drive. More than 80 of Joe’s colleagues and friends donated $154,000 to permanently endow a scholarship in his honor. Hospitality Asset Managers Association Scholarship Fund The Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA) made a gift of $50,000 to create a named scholarship fund, which will support the educational development of students pursuing an undergraduate degree in hospitality management. The scholarship will be administered through AH&LEF’s largest scholarship program, the Annual Scholarship Grant Program, which is co-administered with 84 universities and colleges nationwide that are affiliated with AH&LEF.
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
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AH&LEF GOLF CLASSIC
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or the 26th consecutive year, the AH&LEF Golf Classic brought together industry golfers in the name of charity. More than 125 golfers gathered at The Hotel Hershey in Pennsylvania, for four days of golf, networking, and fundraising. Thanks to attendees and generous sponsors, the Foundation raised a record $201,000, making it the most successful in Classic history.
EVENT SPONSORS
Hyatt Hotels Corporation Hyphen Construction INNCOM International Interstate Hotels & Resorts Kaba Ilco Saflok (2) MICROS Systems Inc. Minibar Systems NALCO, an EcoLab Company Nemacolin Woodlands Resort PepsiCo Philips Lighting Sealy, Inc. Standard Textile Sysco Guest Supply VingCard Elsafe (2)
TWOSOME SPONSORS Hcareers Heartland Payment Systems Kohler
TEE SPONSORS TEAM SPONSORS Acentic Inc. Avendra, LLC Best Western International Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (2) Choice Hotels International Cintas EcoLab Guest-tek HD Supply (2) Hershey Entertainment & Resorts Home Box Office - HBO
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AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
American Hotel Register Company Fiberbuilt Umbrellas & Cushions The Hotel Hershey Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Chicago Marriott International, Inc. Stillwater Hospitality Vantage Hospitality
BEVERAGE SPONSORS Anheuser-Busch S&D Coffee
WELCOME GIFTS & PRIZES Anheuser-Bush Cintas Harbor Linen The Hotel Hershey Kaba Ilco Saflok Sealy, Inc.
VACATION PACKAGE DONORS Basin Harbor Club The Breakers The Broadmoor Camelback Inn Curtain Bluff Resort Doubletree Guest Suites -Walt Disney Village Fitzpatrick Hotel Group Grand Golf Resorts of Florida - A Salamander Collection Grand Hotel Grand Wailea Resort Grouse Mountain Lodge Gulf Shores Plantation Heidel House Resort Highlands Inn Hotel Burnham The Hotel Hershey Hotel Monaco Denver Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Hyatt Regency Indian Wells Resort & Spa The Inverness Hotel & Conference Center The Joule
La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club The Lodge of Four Seasons Loews Ventana Canyon Resort Marriott Marquis New York The Monteleone Hotel The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club Ocean Reef Club Omni Bedford Springs Resort Omni Parker House One Ocean Resort & Spa The Ostega Resort Hotel Renaissance Hotel Ritz-Carlton Hotel Naples RiverPlace - A Kimpton Hotel Sea Island Sheraton Sand Key Resort Sheraton Steamboat Resort Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa Streamsong Resort Terranea Resort Vintage Park - A Kimpton Hotel Westin Kierland Resort & Spa Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio Westward Look Wyndham Grand Resort & Spa Xanterra Parks & Resorts
MEDIA SPONSORS Hospitality Design Hotel Business Hotel Management Lodging Magazine
THE BIG APPLE SILENT AUCTION
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perennial favorite since 1993, this auction is held during AH&LA’s Fall Conference and in conjunction with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show. The 2013 auction featured 313 items, including the coveted full-page USA TODAY ad, retailing at $125,600. Almost 370 bidders participated in the online auction, which generated a record $114,000 for the Foundation’s programs. DONOR LIST A-1 Textiles & Hospitality Products The Adolphus Albany Marriott The Algonquin Hotel The Algonquin Resort American Hotel & Lodging Association (2) American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (4) Amway Grand Plaza Hotel Grand Rapids Andaz 5th Avenue Annapolis Marriott Waterfront Aramark Parks and Destinations Arctic Club Hotel Aspire Hotel & Suites Atlantis Casino Resort Spa Baltimore Marriott Inner Harbor at Camden Yards The Beacon Hotel & Corporate Quarters Beacon South Beach Hotel Benchmark Hospitality International Alan Benjamin Best Western Grand Canyon Squire Inn Best Western Premier Eden Resort & Suites Bienville House Big Ass Fans Biltmore Estate Bourbon Orleans Hotel Boykin Management Company The Breakers Palm Beach The Broadmoor Hotel Colorado Springs Bungalow Beach Resort BWI Airport Marriott Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group The Carriage House
Casa Monica Hotel Catania Hospitality Group The Columbia Club ConventionPlanit.com Cornell University Courtyard by Marriott Atlanta/Buckhead Courtyard by Marriott Chicago Downtown/ River North Courtyard Chicago Downtown Magnificent Mile Courtyard King Kamehameha’s Kona Beach Hotel Crestline Hotels & Resorts The Crockett Hotel Crowne Plaza Cleveland South Independence Crowne Plaza Miami International Airport (2) Crowne Plaza Seattle Curtain Bluff Resort Days Inn Chicago The Desmond Hotel & Conference Center DIRECTV DoubleTree by Hilton Ontario Airport Doubletree Chicago Oak Brook DoubleTree Dallas Campbell Centre (2) Doubletree Hotel Seattle Airport Doubletree Resort Paradise Valley - Scottsdale DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Phoenix The Driskill Drury Hotels Eastern Tabletop Manufacturing Company, Inc. Eaton Chelsea Hotel Toronto Embassy Suites Portland - Downtown Fairfield Inn by Marriott Anaheim Fairmont San Jose FiberBuilt Umbrellas & Cushions Fifteen Beacon Hotel Boston Fitzpatrick Hotel Group
Four Seasons Resort Scottsdale at Troon North French Lick Resort The Gasparilla Inn & Club Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center Gettysburg Hotel Gold Miners Inn Grand Canyon Railway Grand Hotel Mackinac Island Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay Grand Hyatt Washington The Grande Colonial Inn Green Suites Hotel Solutions Gurney’s Inn Resort & Spa Halekulani Harbor View Inn The Harraseeket Inn Heidel House Resort & Spa The Henry Hersha Hospitality Trust Hilton Americas-Houston Hilton Atlanta Hilton Austin Hilton Chicago/Northbrook Hilton Chicago O’Hare Airport Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza Hotel Hilton Concord Hotel Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort Hilton Garden Inn Denver/Cherry Creek Hilton Garden Inn Freeport Downtown Hilton Garden Inn Savannah Airport Hilton Houston Post Oak Hilton Omaha Hilton Phoenix Suites Hilton Phoenix/Mesa
Hilton Portland & Executive Tower Hilton San Diego Bayfront Hilton Scottsdale Resort & Villas Historic Inns of Annapolis Holiday Inn & Suites Chicago Downtown Holiday Inn By the Bay Holiday Inn Capitol Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza Sacramento Holiday Inn Downtown Memphis Holiday Inn Express Detroit Holiday Inn Oceanfront Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Hotel Abrego Hotel Allegro Chicago - A Kimpton Hotel Hotel Bethlehem Hotel Eleganté The Hotel Hershey (2) Hotel Jerome Hotel Monteleone Hotel Palomar Chicago Hotel Settles Hotel Teatro Hotel Viking Hotel Vitale Houston Airport Marriott at George Bush Intercontinental Hyatt at the Bellevue Hyatt Place Atlanta Buckhead Hyatt Regency Baltimore Hyatt Regency Chicago Hyatt Regency McCormick Place Chicago Hyatt Regency Philadelphia Hyatt Regency Resort Indian Wells The Inn at Penn, a Hilton Hotel Inn by the Lake South Lake Tahoe
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THE BIG APPLE SILENT AUCTION DONORS CONTINUED InterContinental New York Barclay The Inverness Hotel & Conference Center Island House Hotel Jay Import Company, Inc. Jefferson Clinton Hotel JLA Hospitality Jonathan Nehmer & Associates The Joule JW Marriott San Francisco Union Square Kerzner International Bahamas The Kitano New York La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (2) La Playa Carmel by the Sea La Quinta Inns & Suites The Langham, Boston Lawai Beach Resort Liscombe Lodge Loews Atlanta Loews Hotels, Inc. Loews Philadelphia Hotel Loews Ventana Canyon The Lodge at Sonoma Renaissance Resort & Spa The Lodging Conference London Bridge Resort LRP Publications Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego Mandarin Oriental, Miami Mandoki Hospitality, Inc. Marina Del Rey Marriott Marriott Crystal Gateway Marriott Dallas/Plano at Legacy Town Center Marriott Miami Biscayne Bay Marriott Wardman Park Hotel The Milford Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel Mimslyn Inn Miracle Springs Resort & Spa Mirror Lake Inn Resort & Spa Miyako Hybrid Hotel Montage Deer Valley Monterey Marriott The Moorpark Hotel The Muse New York The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club
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National Harbor Hampton Inn & Suites Nemacolin Woodlands Resort & Spa New Castle Hotels (3) New York Marriott Marquis New York Palace Nickelodeon Suites Resort Northcott Hospitality Ocean Reef Club Oheka Castle Hotel & Estate Ojai Valley Inn & Spa Omni Amelia Island Plantation Omni Austin Hotel at Southpark Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa Omni Corpus Christi Hotel Omni Mount Washington Hotel Omni Parker House Boston Omni Shoreham Hotel Orlando World Center Marriott The Otesaga Resort Hotel Paramount Hospitality Management (2) Peabody Hotel Memphis The Peabody Orlando Pellerin Milnor Corporation The Pfister Hotel Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort Ponte Vedra Inn & Club Portola Hotel & Spa The Procaccianti Group Quail Lodge Resort & Golf Club Quality Management Services R I T Inn Conference Center The Radisson Hotel at Cross Keys Radisson Suites Tucson Real Flame, Inc. (3) Red Feather Lodge Remington Renaissance Chicago Downtown Hotel Renaissance Chicago O’Hare Suites Hotel Renaissance Concourse Hotel - Atlanta Airport Renaissance New York Times Square Renaissance Palm Springs Hotel Renaissance Schaumberg Hotel &
AH&LA 2013 ANNUAL REPORT | www.ahla.com
Convention Center Renaissance St. Louis Airport Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club Residence Inn by Marriott Saratoga Springs Residence Inn Charlotte Uptown Residence Inn Melbourne The Resort at Port Ludlow Rim Hospitality The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead Ritz-Carlton Chicago Riveredge Resort RiverPlace - A Kimpton Hotel Ruttger’s Bay Lake Lodge The San Luis Resort, Spa & Convention Center Schahet Hotels, Inc. Sea Island Company Sebasco Harbor Resort Service Ideas, Inc. Sheraton Atlanta Hotel Sheraton Cerritos Hotel Sheraton Cleveland Airport Sheraton New Orleans Hotel Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel & Conference Center Sheraton Universal Hotel The Sherry-Netherland Hotel Showtime Networks, Inc. Skytop Lodge Sofitel Miami Sofitel Washington D.C. Lafayette Square Southernmost Hotel Collection Spur of the Moment Ranch The Stanley Hotel Stoweflake Mountain Resort & Spa Strater Hotel Sunburst Hospitality Corporation Tahoe Beach & Ski Club Tanque Verde Ranch Terranea Resort Tradewinds Island Resorts Treasure Island Resort & Casino Trinchero Family Estates Trump International Hotel & Tower, New York
Trump Ocean Club International Hotel & Tower, Panama Tubac Golf Resort & Spa Tween Waters Inn Two Leaves Tea Company USA TODAY Vintage Village Hotel Virginia Beach Hotel & Conference Center W Atlanta Midtown W Chicago Lakeshore W New York Union Square W Scottsdale Waikiki Parc Hotel Walco Foodservice, Tabletop, & Buffet Accessories Waldorf Astoria Chicago Waldorf Astoria Hotel New York City Washington Duke Inn & Golf Club Waterford Group Charitable Foundation Western States Lodging and Management Westin Atlanta Airport Westin Denver Downtown (2) Westin Georgetown Westin Kierland Resort & Spa The Westin New Orleans Canal Place Westin Portland Harborview The Westin Riverwalk, San Antonio The Westin Verasa Napa Westin Waltham-Boston Wilson Safe Company Windsor Court Hotel Windsor Suites Philadelphia Wyndham Grand Chicago Riverfront Xanterra South Rim, LLC (2) Your Linen Service
CLOSING REMARKS John Fitzpatrick 2014 AH&LA Chair of the Board President and CEO Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America
I
t is a tremendous honor for me to serve as your AH&LA chair in 2014 – a historic time in the association’s history.
Over the past year, 2013 Chair Ron Vlasic, CHA, our immediate past chair, Nancy Johnson, CHA, and our secretary/treasurer, Jim Abrahamson, CHA, did yeoman’s work in getting the new model passed by the board and approved by our full membership. Mark Carrier, our new secretary/treasurer, brings great energy, ideas, and enthusiasm for the new model to the table. And together with AH&LA President and CEO Katherine Lugar and her predecessor, Joe McInerney, CHA, AH&LA is positioned to make significant moves – and make a monumental impact – in the months and year ahead. I’m sure those who gathered at Chicago’s Palmer House in 1910 to form the American Hotel Protective Association could only wonder whether their efforts would succeed. It’s safe to say that here, more than 100 years later, their work and the work of their successors has more than succeeded. The changes underway at AH&LA are the result of many months and years of hard work by the officers, the board, the Strategic Planning Committee, the Funding Task Force, and, most importantly, our entire membership. A great analogy – coming from one who is an admitted car fanatic – is that after some fine tuning to the association’s engine, we’re now looking at a Formula 1 race car for the lodging industry. And we’re all ready to see how it performs on the open road. During my tenure as chair, I look forward to promoting the benefits of our new association and what it provides. We need to focus on signing up new members and encourage those who may have stepped aside to come back into the fold. Our challenge is to inform every segment that we are the one association that will go the distance in representing all of the industry’s interests. It’s crucial that our entire membership, from nationally-known chains down to the boutique-size hotels like mine, gets engaged and focuses on the issues most critical to our industry.
AH&LA’s leadership knows how important the actions of Washington policymakers are to you and your business, your flow of customers, and your balance sheet. I look forward to getting out over the next 12 months and sharing our great story with anyone and everyone who will listen – especially decision makers in a position to affect our business. It’s not just about influencing Congress or Washington; it’s about demonstrating to young men and women everywhere that this is an industry that’s exciting, challenging, and rewarding. I want to make sure that we continue the great work with the under 30 segment of our industry. As someone who started in this industry at a young age, it is important to me that AH&LA address the personal development needs of young professionals, and ensure the industry’s bright future. It’s also critical that we continue to promote and build on the work of our Women in Lodging group, and provide our female hospitality professionals with more opportunities to connect with top executives nationwide and gain career momentum. Finally, we must continue to highlight the good work of the Association’s two outstanding nonprofit organizations: the Educational Institute and AH&LEF. For 60 years, they have reinforced AH&LA’s professionals with more opportunities to connect with top executives nationwide and gain career momentum. I quoted Conrad Hilton in my inaugural speech when he said, “Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving.” The same is true for successful associations – and our new model and growing membership gives us great momentum. We need to be sure that everyone – from the owners and general managers to wait staff and housekeepers – feels that they have a vested interest in the success of this industry. I look forward to working with each of you in the year ahead as together we generate more success and take the industry to greater heights.
John Fitzpatrick
1201 New York Avenue NW, Suite 600, Washington, DC 20005 202-289-3100 www.ahla.com