AHLA Foundation
AHLA Statement on the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act
AHLA | July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (July 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a certification program for businesses that train their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking. “The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would complement our industry’s anti-trafficking efforts by providing important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initia...
AHLA Foundation Announces Third Annual No Room for Trafficking Summit
AHLA Foundation | July 2, 2024
Highlights first year of Survivor Fund grantee impact on nearly 650 human trafficking survivors Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2024) - AHLA Foundation today announced their third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit will take place July 30, 2024, the same day as the United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. At last year’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Summit, the inaugural grantees of the NRFT Survivor Fund were announced, including: Safe House Project, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Restore NYC, Inc., University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Traffick...
AHLA Foundation Hosts Annual ForWard Conference to Advance Women in Hospitality
AHLA Foundation | May 2, 2024
2024 event boasted record attendance CHICAGO (May 2, 2024) – AHLA Foundation hosted nearly 1,000 attendees from across the hotel industry at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place for the annual ForWard conference this week. Over three days, industry leaders gathered to share knowledge and hear from dynamic speakers focused on celebrating, championing, and creating community for women in hospitality. This year’s conference theme, “Right the Narrative,” centered on the power of storytelling and the importance of amplifying the stories and voices of women in the hotel industry. Keynote speakers during the two-day conference...
AHLA Foundation Announces 2024 Board of Trustees
The AHLA Foundation | March 20, 2024
WASHINGTON (March 20, 2024) – AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), today announced its 2024 officers and Board of Trustees, further diversifying the board’s representation of industry segments. Julienne Smith, Chief Development Officer, Americas at IHG Hotels & Resorts was appointed Chair of the Board, succeeding RLJ Lodging Trust Chief Operating Officer and EVP Tom Bardenett. Bardenett will remain on the 2024 Board as Immediate Past Chair, serving with President and Global Head of Hilton Supply Management Anu Saxena, as the board’s Vice Chair and Summit Hotel Properties Pres...
AHLA Foundation Expands Program to Support HBCU Students Pursuing Hospitality Careers
The AHLA Foundation | March 20, 2024
The travel scholarship program, supported by a grant from the Nareit Foundation, will increase student exposure to commercial real estate career pathways WASHINGTON (March 20, 2024) – AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), today announced plans to expand its travel scholarship program in partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The opportunity to grow the program, and formally connect HBCU students to the real estate investment trust (REIT) industry, was made possible by a 2023 grant from the Nareit Foundation’s Dividends Through Diversity, Equity & In...
Report: Hospitality Careers Are in Demand, Outpacing National Projected Growth
The AHLA Foundation | March 12, 2024
Over the next five years, demand for hotel industry jobs projected to be 50% higher than national average WASHINGTON (March 12, 2024) – Recent research commissioned by AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA), projects robust demand for hotel industry jobs over the next five years, outpacing overall market job growth. The AHLA Foundation asked Lightcast, a leading labor market analytic firm, for data on demographic and growth trends that would help identify and map career pathways in the hotel and lodging industry. In addition to a report, the result of the research is a dynamic, inter...
AHLA Commends House Vote to Reauthorize Trafficking Victims Protection Act
AHLA | February 16, 2024
WASHINGTON (Feb. 16, 2024) – After the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation from Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., to reauthorize the Trafficking Victims Protection Act for five years, American Hotel & Lodging Association President & CEO Chip Rogers released the following statement: “The hotel industry is united behind preventing human trafficking and helping survivors, and AHLA applauds House lawmakers for this bipartisan vote to extend the Trafficking Victims Protection Act,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “The bill provides vital funding for trafficking prevention and awareness efforts as well as housing...
AHLA Foundation Hosts 6th Annual Gala to Celebrate Hotel Workforce
The AHLA Foundation | January 24, 2024
Industry’s top honor presented to The Nonantum Resort’s Colby Bracy, Mark Hoplamazian of Hyatt receives 3rd annual Arne Sorenson Social Impact Leadership Award LOS ANGELES (Jan. 22, 2024) – AHLA Foundation yesterday hosted its 6th annual Night of a Thousand Stars gala honoring leaders in the hotel and lodging industry – including property-level talent who embody the spirit of hospitality. The event raised nearly $1 million to support AHLA Foundation initiatives aimed at strengthening industry’s workforce and included the Stars of the Industry Awards, commemorating winners for their service to the industry. “The Night ...