Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the only national organization representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, state hotel associations, and industry suppliers.
Headquartered in Washington, DC, AH&LA provides active advocacy, clear communications, and educational empowerment for this vital industry.
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Managing over 4.9 million rooms
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Employing more than 1.8 million
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Welcoming 4.7 million guests every day
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Generating $1.3 trillion in travel revenue
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Creating $155.5 billion in lodging sales revenue
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Raising $129 billion in business travel tax revenue annually
How do we measure the strength of our industry? p
y the millions we welcome each day and night, in rooms B and suites throughout thousands of properties, nationwide.
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y the millions we employ, and the opportunities, careers, B and dreams we help fulfill.
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y the way we pitch in to help our neighbors when times B are tough.
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y the communities and the businesses we grow, big and B small. And by the real estate partners and investors we engage.
How do we at AH&LA express this strength? p
hrough our commitment to represent and support each T and every one of our members.
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hrough the growth of our presence, influence, and action T with key policymakers.
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hrough our dedicated focus on the issues that matter most T to all of us.
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hrough our mission: to advocate, communicate, educate – T but, most of all, to elevate.
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hrough the power of our collective voice and the clarity of T our vision.
All Together Powerful.
The power of three: Advocate. Communicate. Educate.
1.
At the heart of our mission are three core
Active Advocacy
principles. Together they activate our unified
One voice representing
strength, elevating our industry’s profile and
one vision, engaging and
driving top- and bottom-line results for all
impacting the issues that
our members.
matter most to our members. p
A rigorously focused and aligned advocacy with world-class legislative and regulatory experts addressing the most pressing priority issues affecting our industry and your bottom line.
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A unified force representing the industry’s size, scope, strength and economic importance to all policymakers.
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Practical toolkits and timely legislative alerts for key priority issues.
2.
3.
Clear Communication Shaping and spreading a
Empowering Education
compelling, consistent industry
Ensuring the enhancement
narrative through all channels,
of our current workforce, and
informing and inspiring all
preparing the next generation
stakeholders.
for success.
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Timely intelligence and
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Networking and exchanging
insights relevant to your
insights with your peers at
business.
industry events: IHMRS/
Expert guidance and access
AH&LA Fall Conference;
to the latest resources and
Legislative Action Summit;
trends, including innovations
ALIS (Americas Lodging
in sustainability and security.
Investment Summit).
Leadership in key, revenue-
• Sharing ideas and important
critical media issues; focused
information at meetings of
crisis communication
our industry councils and
resources.
committees.
Current industry news and
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compliance tools.
analysis from Lodging Magazine, AH&LA
Topical webinars and
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Comprehensive hospitality
SmartBrief, media advisories,
research via the Information
and more.
Center and Data Center. p
Access and discounts on Educational Institute products and certifications.
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Providing timely research findings to inform and guide business plans for the entire industry.
Impacting the issues. Our 2014 Policy Agenda
1.
The contribution of our industry to the
Our Goals: Workforce
national economy is undeniably significant: fourteen straight quarters of economic
Healthcare p
Change the Affordable Care
growth and significant job creation. Ensuring
Act’s definition of full-time
that we grow forward and grow stronger
employee from 30 to 40
together means making sure our industry is
hours.
seen, heard, and sought out when the big
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Establish a workable
issues are discussed and before important
definition of a seasonal
decisions are made. That’s why we continue
employee.
to focus keenly on what matters most to our
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members, as outlined in our 2014 Policy Agenda.
Repeal the Act’s auto-enroll mandate.
Labor p
Prevent “back door” rules
Our three priority areas – workforce; finance
and regulations being
and technology; and travel promotion
imposed by the Labor
and tourism – each affect the bottom line
Department and NLRB.
of hoteliers in all 50 states. Through our
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Stop local extreme wage
platform of engagement, we share the story
mandates that are proven
of our industry and our vision, delivering our
job-killers and ultimately
message from Main Street to Capitol Hill
hurt those who are building successful careers at the
with one unified voice.
entry level.
Immigration p
Ensure continued access to a seasonal workforce when no American workers are available to fill jobs.
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Enable the creation of a new lesser-skilled work category visa.
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Implement a reliable and effective worker authorization and verification system.
3.
Our Goals: Travel Promotion & Tourism p
travel debate and push
2.
policies that encourage continued government travel and conferences
Our Goals: Finance & Technology p
while ensuring responsible stewardship of public funds.
Ensure a level playing field between hoteliers and online
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tax parity.
travelers and ensure a better
Eliminate the threat posed by
expansion of the Visa Waiver
frivolous, damaging lawsuits
Program and an improved,
filed against hotels and small
streamlined arrival process.
travel experience through
businesses by patent assertion entities (“patent trolls�). p
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Secure congressional passage of The Jobs
Support tax proposals that
Originated Through
are pro-business and do not
Launching Travel (JOLT)
restrain hoteliers’ ability to
Act in the House of
continue growing and creating
Representatives.
jobs. p p
Improve and expand access to the U.S. for international
competitors on issues such as
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Redefine the government
Achieve federal
Push Congress to reauthorize
reauthorization of Brand USA,
the Terrorism Risk Insurance
an important ally of the travel
program to provide hotels
industry in maximizing the
with an important backstop
economic and social benefits
in the event of future terrorist
of travel to the U.S.
attacks.
Membership: the closer we are, the further we’ll go.
Getting more out of membership: the benefits Being an AH&LA member
There’s always room for more at AH&LA.
brings significant advantages
Join us now and let’s grow stronger together.
to you and your business, as
Here’s how.
well as enabling you to play a
Corporate Chains p
ees assessed on a tiered scale based F on rooms – credit of $2/room for owned, leased, or joint venture properties that join AH&LA.
Branded Properties p
2/room dues through your brand, billed $ by corporate office or AH&LA; all major brands are participating.
Independent Properties p
$2/room dues.
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ither directly to AH&LA or via the partner E state association
Owners, Management Companies, REITs p
ees assessed on a tiered scale based on F rooms
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2/room credit for owned, leased, or joint $ venture properties that join AH&LA.
AH&LA Allied Membership* $1,500 Allied Membership – Basic AH&LA’s basic
membership for organizations to show their support of the industry.
$20,000 Allied Membership – Corporate
For Allied members committed to advancement of the industry, this membership level is recognized as a corporate partner and often eligible to participate on exclusive “Invitation only” AH&LA forums and panels.
$100,000 Allied Membership – Executive
Allied Executive Partnership is AH&LA’s most exclusive industry membership. We strongly recommend being a member of your state hotel association for advocacy on legislative and regulatory issues within your state. (*Industry suppliers, vendors, and consulting services)
key role in empowering and advancing our industry. Get involved: one voice for all AH&LA membership is about more than engagement – it’s about having a seat at the table, leading the policy debates in Washington, and together achieving results for the lodging industry. But our voice is only as loud as our members – and your joining AH&LA helps us elevate that voice. Your business, your employees, and your bottom line are too important to leave the decisions to others; join today and drive the discussion! Members also have the opportunity to serve on one of AH&LA’s six councils, which identify emerging trends and nominate members for the AH&LA board of directors.
Know more: insights, information and intelligence Receive complimentary access to our Information Center, a single source for research, fast answers, and a wealth of industry data – as well as free subscriptions to AH&LA’s award-winning hospitality management magazine, Lodging, and to the daily e-news source, SmartBrief. The Members Only section on our Website features free reports on security,
government affairs and research findings. All designed to keep you current with trends, challenges, and legal matters affecting our industry. Additionally, members get exclusive discounts on Educational Institute products, industry conferences, and more.
Maximize your network at our Events
Make the connections that matter with colleagues, industry experts, and leading hoteliers at any of our nationwide conferences and events held throughout the year. Exchange knowledge, perspectives and experience on legislative and regulatory matters, industry issues, and crisis management; enabling you to focus on what you do best - running your business. Many are offered at a discount to members, including the AH&LA Fall Conference, held in conjunction with the International Hotel/Motel &
Your membership gives you exclusive access to bottom-line savings from a broad range of top service providers. USA Today – receive discounts off regional and national advertising. STR Global – access the Directory of Hotel & Lodging Companies, the most reliable online resource tool in the industry. PKF – receive the Hotel Horizons, an annual update containing five-year forecasts of supply, demand, occupancy, ADR, and RevPAR. EI – receive discounts off of hospitality training and professional certifications.
Restaurant Show, which attracts more than 35,000 individuals and features the world’s largest hospitality tradeshow.
Enhance through education Build a top-performing staff through training materials and certifications from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI), the premier provider of hospitality training and certifications worldwide. Universallyrecognized as the standard for hospitality education, EI validates competencies in 35 industry positions. Students study and test online, by correspondence, or through more than 120 licensed affiliates in 45 countries around the world. As an AH&LA member, you receive discounts of up to 40 percent on all products and services.
AH&LA Career Center – powered by Hcareers, access the largest database of candidates and job openings and receive discounts on recruiting services. Green Key – receive discounts on the Green Key Eco-Rating Program, the largest certification program in the country that recognizes properties committed to improving their environmental performance. BMI/ASCAP/SESAC – receive discounts on music licensing fees from thousands of composers worldwide. UPS - Save up to 36% on shipping services, including air, international, ground and freight.
Board of Directors 2014
Chair of the Board: John Fitzpatrick, President & CEO Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America
The 2014 AH&LA board of directors is comprised of members who are all new to our board. The board consists of mostly C-level lodging executives representing the full
Vice Chair: Jim Abrahamson, CHA, CEO Interstate Hotels & Resorts
Secretary/Treasurer: Mark Carrier, CHA, President
scope of the lodging sector, including brands,
B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group
owners and REITs, management companies,
President & CEO: Katherine Lugar, AH&LA
independents, and state associations. The AH&LA board meets twice yearly to discuss a broad range of industry and associationrelated issues. Appointed by the AH&LA Nominating
Brand Representatives: John Caparella, President & COO Venetian, Palazzo and Sands Expo & Convention Center
Michael Deitemeyer, President Omni Hotels & Resorts
Committee and AH&LA Bylaws Task Force, the new board was selected to reflect the bold new strategic direction and membership model passed last June by a vote of
Michael Depatie, President & CEO Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants
David Grissen, Group President The Americas Marriott International, Inc.
association members. Â Jim Holthouser, Executive Vice President, Global Brands Hilton Worldwide
Rena Hozore Reiss, Executive Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Nancy Johnson, CHA, Executive Vice President, Development Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group
Paul Kirwin, CEO & President Northcott Hospitality
Angelo Lombardi, Executive Vice President & COO
Doug Dreher, President & CEO
Ross Bierkan, Chief Investment Officer
Joel Eisemann, Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer, Americas
Bob Habeeb, CHA, President
Jon Bortz Chairman, President& CEO
La Quinta Inns & Suites
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG)
Keith Pierce, CHA, Executive Vice President, Brand Operations Wyndham Hotel Group
Ron Pohl, CHA, Senior Vice President, Brand Management
The Hotel Group
First Hospitality Group, Inc.
Pebblebrook Hotel Trust
Walter Isenberg, CHA, President & CEO Sage Hospitality
Outrigger Enterprises Group
Paul Whetsell , President & CEO Loews Hotels & Resorts
Dave Johnson, President & CEO Aimbridge Hospitality
Richard Kelleher, CEO Pyramid Hotel Group
Davidson Hotels & Resorts
Jeffrey Brown, CEO Schahet Hotels Inc.
Gerry Chase, President & COO
Lea Ann Kish, Chief Operating Officer Milestone Hospitality Management
Gregory Marcus President & CEO
The Marcus Corporation
Pollin Miller Hospitality Strategies, Inc.
Jamie Sabatier, President & COO
Rim Hospitality
Prem Devadas, President Salamander Hotels & Resorts
Sunstone Hotel Investors
Vijay Dandapani, CHA, President
Bill DeForrest, President & CEO Spire Hospitality
Daniel Hansen, President & Chief Executive Officer Summit Hotel Properties
Justin Knight, President Apple Reit Companies
John Murray, President Hospitality Properties Trust
Destination Hotels & Resorts
Buggsi Patel, President & CEO
Richard Takach, Jr., President & CEO
Pratik Patel, Principal
Vesta Hospitality, LLC
BHG Hotels
REM Hospitality
DJ Rama, President
New Castle Hotels & Resorts
Russ Cox, COO & Managing Director
Ken Cruse, CEO
Apple Core Hotels
Greg Miller, CHA, Corporate Executive, Founder & Managing Director Management Company Representatives: John Belden, President & CEO
Tom Corcoran, Chairman of the Board FelCor Lodging Trust
Best Western International
Barry Wallace, Executive Vice President, Hospitality Services
RLJ Lodging Trust
Owner Representatives: Minaz Abji, Executive Vice President, Asset Management Host Hotels & Resorts
Robert Alter, President Seaview Investors, LLC
JHM Hotels
Alfred Young, Jr., Chief Operating Officer LaSalle Hotel Properties
Independent Representatives: Terri Haack, Executive Vice President & Managing Director Terranea Resort, Destination Hotels & Resorts
Patti Colley, IOM, CMP, Executive Vice President
Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association
Jenifer Jackson, CHA, General Manager
Bob Smith, Owner
Sebasco Harbor Resort
Jim Sprouse, CAE, Executive Director
Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association
Comfort Inn Harrisonburg
James Miles, General Manager & Chief Operating Officer
The Otesaga Resort Hotel
Keith Overton, CHA, President & Chief Operating Officer
TradeWinds Island Resorts
Rick Riess, Managing Director
Sea Island - The Cloister & The Lodge
Bill Simpson, President & CEO Hershey Entertainment & Resorts
Partner State Association Representatives: Kathryn Burton, CHA, General Manager NorthPointe Hotel & Conference Center
Debbie Johnson, IOM, CAE, President & CEO
Arizona Lodging & Tourism Association
Scott Joslove, President & CEO Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Bimal Patel, Owner Concept Hotels
Trisha Pugal, CAE, President & CEO
Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association
Paul Sacco, President & CEO Massachusetts Lodging Association
At-Large Representatives: Lynne Dougherty, Senior Vice President, Owner & Franchise Services Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Ron Vlasic, CHA, Immediate Past Chair, AH&LA and Regional Vice President, Kimpton Hotels & Resorts
Engaging for Impact AH&LA Councils and Committees Here’s where you can really make your voice heard – by influencing, initiating, and activating as a part of our committees. As a member, you can also join one of six councils appropriate for your membership category, each of which identifies emerging trends. Additionally, your vote elects representatives to the Board and Nominating and Executive Committees. Get involved, network and share your expertise and insight with like-minded AH&LA members - start by browsing the opportunities below.
Councils Brands Council - Hotel companies that own and/or market brands, including those that grant franchises for hotel brands and the individual properties branded by those hotel companies. Owners Council - Hotel companies that own hotels. Management Companies Council - Hotel companies that operate or manage hotels. Independent Hotels Council - Hotels that are not branded. PSA Council - State associations that sign partnership agreements with AH&LA. Allied Council - Companies that do business with the lodging industry.
Upcoming Events This year, we are highlighting several key dates for our members. The events listed below are ideal opportunities to learn more, socialize, exchange insights and expertise with your peers and contemporaries, and get a real sense of the potential and the possibility our shared strength affords.
July 8-17, 2014
ALIS Summer Update
Interactive Webinars & Local Networking Receptions October 5-8, 2014
AH&LEF Golf Classic The American Club Kohler, WI
November 7-11, 2014
AH&LA Fall Conference held with the International Hotel, Motel + Restaurant Show and BDNY Jacob K. Javits Convention Center New York, NY January 26-28, 2015
ALIS (Americas Lodging Investment Summit) JW Marriott Los Angeles, CA April 2015
AH&LA Legislative Action Summit Washington, D.C.
1201 New York Ave., NW, Suite 600 Washington, DC 20005-3931
www.ahla.com