AH&LA Legislative Action Summit Brings Lodging Industry to Capitol Hill

With a new Congress poised to change the dialogue in Washington, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is bringing the lodging industry’s top executives to Capitol Hill for its 2011 Legislative Action Summit (LAS).

LAS, held March 15-16, will focus on what affects the bottom line for hoteliers across the country: labor, healthcare, taxes, and the many complex issues that will be prominent in 2011. The conference also serves as an opportunity to educate lawmakers about the importance of lodging to the U.S. economy.

The U.S. lodging industry is comprised of over 4.7 million guest rooms and employs 1.7 million workers nationwide. Industry annual sales exceed $127 billion and travel-related wages are over $186 billion. Nationally, the travel and tourism industry is one of the top 10 employers in 49 states and the District of Columbia.

“The power of LAS lies in how constituents, actual voters from the Congress member’s community, sit down and explain issues face-to-face,” said Marlene Colucci, AH&LA executive vice president for public policy. “These meetings are an opportunity for hoteliers to discuss their business and demonstrate the impact of lodging on the local level. It also creates a relationship that the industry can call on in the future.”

“With over 100 new members of Congress taking office, LAS will provide an incredible opportunity to develop new relationships and educate lawmakers on the importance of our industry,” said Tom Corcoran, AH&LA Governmental Affairs Committee chair. “It is critical that the lodging industry joins us on Capitol Hill.”

In addition to these meetings, key members of Congress have been invited to share their perspectives on the 112th Congress. The panel, featuring Stephen Bartolin, Jr. of The Broadmoor Hotel, Nancy Johnson of Carlson and Arne Sorenson of Marriott International, will discuss how upcoming legislation affects the lodging industry.

Hoteliers from across the country will be on Capitol Hill this March to help shape the legislative agenda. Visit for more information and to register for this critical event.

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 .