"We are pleased to support the AH&LF in its mission to foster excellence in hospitality education," said Tom Mirgon, senior vice president, administration, at Choice. "It is impossible to overestimate the importance of quality education in shaping our industry's future leaders." 

In response to Choice Hotels' gift AH&LF President Douglas Viehland said, " It is so gratifying to have Choice Hotels' involvement in our efforts to develop the future of the hospitality industry.  With their commitment, Choice has furthered our mandate to provide opportunities for tomorrow's hospitality leaders.  AH&LF can do more for the industry because of Choice's endorsement."

Choice Hotels International (NYSE:CHH) is the world's second largest lodging franchisor, marketing more than 5,000 hotels open or under development in 43 countries under the Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Clarion, Sleep Inn, Econo Lodge, MainStay Suites and Rodeway Inn brand names. Choice was recently named the #1 lodging franchise chain in Entrepreneur Magazine's annual Franchise 500. 

AH&LF is a not-for-profit affiliate of AH&LA.  Currently, it is the only educational dollar-dispensing organization of AH&LA.  Over the last 48 years, it has provided funding for industry research, granted scholarships to hospitality management students, and assisted in enhancing public awareness of the lodging industry.

American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States, with some 11,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms.  AH&LA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing, and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.