GAINESVILLE, FL--A new chapter of the statewide Florida Hotel & Motel Association (FH&MA) is being established here and will be called FH&MA Alachua County (FH&MAAC), according to its newly elected President, Jack Ewalt, general manager of this city s Holiday Inn West.

We look forward to having greater recognition as a substantive element of our larger parent group,  said Ewalt, adding that  FH&MAAC intends to be a strong ally of the county s visitor and convention bureau and its tourist industry.

Joining Ewalt on the new group s leadership team are President-elect Bart Johnson, general manager of the local Cabot Lodge and Treasurer Ron Gromoll, general manager of La Quinta Inn.

According to Thomas A. Waits, president/CEO of FH&MA,  The hotel industry in Alachua County has great potential as an FH&MA chapter--both in serving the industry and in uniting to address areas of community concern such as bed tax issues.  We look forward to  teaming up  with local hoteliers to accomplish whatever goals and objectives the chapter may establish.  With over 2,500 employees in the Alachua County hotel industry, and lodging s major contributions to its tax base, it is only natural and appropriate that they organize to have a more effective voice.

FH&MA currently encompasses  nearly 800 hotels, motels and resorts throughout the state, as well as 330 allied companies serving Florida s lodging industry, and is a member of the national federation known as the American Hotel & Motel Association.  Its headquarters are located at Hospitality Square in Tallahassee.