Washington, D.C., March 8, 2010 �  Former 2008 Presidential candidate Sen. John McCain of Arizona will join Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas to address the American Hotel & Lodging Association 2010 Legislative Action Summit (LAS) on March 15-16.  Also invited is U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke, who will share with attendees the White House�s economic priorities over the next year. 

Following last week�s signing of the industry's Travel Promotion Act into federal law by President Obama, this year�s summit promises to be one of the most exciting and productive industry meetings in years. 

The outcome of this year�s elections will drive Capitol Hill politics over the next eight months.  2010 is an election year for the entire U.S. House of Representatives and 36 U.S. Senators.  Hoteliers at LAS will hear from Rob Jesmer, executive director of the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and J.B. Poersch, executive director of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee about their outlook on the Senate races and what this will mean to the direction of our nation. 

In addition, LAS attendees will gain insights from top industry executives on how Congress� rush to pass legislation this year will impact their business decisions via the CEO Panel, which will feature perspectives from InterContinental�s Jim Abrahamson, Choice Hotel International�s Steve Joyce, Best Western International�s David Kong, and Hilton Worldwide�s Christopher Nassetta.  The panel�s moderator will be former Congressional Travel and Tourism Caucus chair Rep. Jon Porter of Nevada.

Attendees also will hear panelists discuss labor legislation that Congress may consider since the Employee Free Choice Act lost its dangerous momentum last year.  Another panel will focus on the dispute between online travel companies and hotels over occupancy taxes, a growing issue in a large number of U.S. states and one that is threatening to spill into Congress.  These panels, along with a lobbying strategy panel scheduled for Monday afternoon, are invaluable background information for attendees before they travel to Congress on Tuesday, March 16. 

This year, LAS�s schedule was changed to allow for more time on Capitol Hill to meet with their members of Congress.  Since there are many state associations scheduling meetings with their Congressional delegations, there are more opportunities for AH&LA members to personally talk to their Representative and two Senators or their staff and share their views about our many industry issues. 

Congress will take action in 2010 on important industry issues including healthcare reform, Internet booking taxes, a revised version of the Employee Free Choice Act, economic stability and growth, tax reform, paid leave, and climate change legislation.  Each of these issues will affect the industry�s financial situation, and AH&LA is urging its members to visit Washington to let their lawmakers know how their work will affect the U.S. lodging industry and individual hospitality businesses. 

There is still room for additional attendees, so AH&LA continues to urge hoteliers to take advantage of this once-a-year chance to make a big difference for our industry.  Registration continues to be open online at www.ahla.com/LAS.  Onsite registration is also available, opening at 8:00 a.m., Monday, March 15, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.

This year�s LAS concludes with the annual AH&LEF Dinner Tribute honoring Stewart Bainum, the founder of Choice Hotels International. Bainum will be the recipient of AH&LA�s Hospitality Heritage Award, the most prestigious industry honor the association bestows upon an individual, family, or company.  AH&LA has opened a separate registration Website for the Tribute, which can be found online at www.ahla.com/Tribute.

Serving the hospitality industry for a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom-line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.  For more about AH&LA and its 2010 centennial anniversary, visit www.ahla.com.