Since joining the Educational Institute in 2001, Gayes has worked with partner state associations and state departments of education to promote both the Lodging Management Program (LMP) and the START (Skills, Tasks, and Results Training) program, which prepare students for a career in lodging. While overseeing the growth of LMP, Gayes enriched the program with new elements, including the LMP National Competition and the CHI Summer Institutes. The LMP National Competition allows teams of high school LMP students from each state to compete in lodging skills events for thousands of dollars in college scholarships. The CHI Summer Institutes, for instructors of hospitality programs, features three week-long sessions that indoctrinate teachers into the lodging industry, providing them with the insight needed to make their lodging curriculum more effective.

In addition to her duties to the high schools and state associations, Gayes also oversaw the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Seminar Series sponsored by American Express.

During her 25-year hospitality career, Gayes held several positions within the lodging industry, including guest service manager, assistant general manager, and general manager, as well as executive director of the Indiana Hospitality & Tourism Foundation. Gayes is a member of the AH&LA Membership Committee, and also member of the Council of Inns & Suites Committee.

Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute�s mission is to support AH&LA by becoming the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries both domestically and internationally by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals.

Elizabeth Johnson
Marketing Manager
517-318-2359
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www.ahlei.org