New to the Industry
As a nonprofit trade association, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) exists to help the lodging industry as a whole prosper, but members get even more benefits to help cut costs and grow their business.
Our members are key decision makers within hospitality, and include general managers, property owners, corporate staff, and industry vendors, with specialized membership categories for students, faculty, women, and employees under age 30. To learn more about the benefits of joining AH&LA, visit our membership page.
Nearly 1,000 industry professionals visit our Website daily to find information pertinent to running their business. Here you’ll find:
• Going Green- best practices, tips and strategies, eco-friendly suppliers, and more
• Legislative Updates- Card check, ADA, H-2B visas, tourism issues, and more
• Emergency Planning- communication strategies, employee protocol, best practices, etc.
• In the News- industry articles and AH&LA stories
In the members only section, comprehensive industry reports are available, as well as guides on PCI compliance, technology, energy conservation and more. Members also are privy to an enhanced press room, inside marketing tips, green strategies, and opportunities for industry involvement.
Professional development for both individuals and staff as a whole is a chief objective for hotel executives. Our partner, the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (EI), is the world’s leading provider of hospitality training and certification, and AH&LA members save up to 40% on products and services. Click here to peruse the Educational Institute's materials spanning virtually every job function within the industry.
Legislation and regulations tell you who you can hire, who can be your guest, how much you can charge per room night, what your labor conditions will be, and even how you build or renovate your property. So it’s important to stay aware of how Washington affects your business plans and financial model.
AH&LA's lobbyists are constantly advocating for legislation that will benefit the industry as a whole, and we make it easy for members to make a difference as well. AH&LA’s grassroots program hotelLOBBY helps you get involved in the legislative process—and it doesn’t take much of your time to make a big difference. Members take an active role in shaping legislation and are the first to know about progress on Capitol Hill and in the many regulatory agencies.
Part of AH&LA’s commitment to the industry means ensuring a viable future. Through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), we give hundreds of hospitality students scholarships to help solidify their interest and involvement within our industry post graduation. The Foundation also funds vital research to help hoteliers better understand the marketplace and run a more effective business.
AH&LA is continually updating our business plan devised by our board of directors. Our key issues in the coming years are the green movement, increasing diversity, and growing membership.
In addition, our members constitute more than 30 specialized committees spanning the niche segments within our industry, from inns & suites to technology to human resources. Each committee has their own initiatives to strengthen their niche, which includes producing manuals, conducting research, hosting events, etc.
On the horizon you can expect to see more direction about green guidelines, an increase in young members, more exposure about ADA Website usability requirements in 2011, and more interest about emergency planning and preparation.
For any questions about AH&LA, please contact Member Services at membership@ahla.com or (800) 252-2462.