AH&LEF Distributed Nearly $1 Million For Educational Initiatives Last Year

Washington | The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF), the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), dispensed $890,000 through its educational initiatives in 2006. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $10 million has been disbursed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

The Foundation currently administers 10 scholarships, including the AAA Five Diamond Hospitality Scholarship, the American Express Scholarship Competition, the Annual Scholarship Grant Program, the Arthur J. Packard Memorial Scholarship Competition, the Ecolab Scholarship Competition, the Hyatt Hotels Fund for Minority Lodging Management Students, the Lodging Management Program (LMP) Scholarships, the Pepsi Scholarships, the Rama Scholarship for the American Dream, and the Steve Hymans Extended Stay Scholarships. Through these scholarships, more than $455,000 was awarded last year to approximately 325 students and hospitality professionals.

“Through its various programs, AH&LEF ensures that scholarships are made available to prospective hospitality leaders and funding is available for cutting-edge research,” said AH&LEF Senior Vice President of Foundation Programs Michelle Poinelli. “Because of the industry’s support, the Foundation is able to continue its mission of making noteworthy financial contributions to the educational endeavors of future hoteliers.”

In addition to scholarships, the Foundation provides support to former hospitality management students through its Scholars Alumni Association (SAA), which was created exclusively for AH&LEF scholarship recipients to assist them in advancing their hospitality careers and to promote them as future hospitality leaders of the industry. In 2006, the SAA released the fourth edition of the SAA Resource Directory, which provides contact information for more than 440 past Foundation scholarship recipients. Thirty-seven percent are employed by hotels, 12 percent in restaurant food service, 8 percent in other areas of hospitality, and 20 percent are continuing students.

AH&LEF also cultivates tomorrow’s workforce through its outreach programs, which encourages career interest in the lodging industry. In 2006, these programs included school-to-career programs through the Educational Institute’s Lodging Management Program (LMP) and workforce development initiatives, such as Skills, Tasks and Results Training (START).

Initiated in 1995, AH&LEF’s research and project funding program addresses critical issues, such as room tax, energy, and technology advancement. Last year, the Foundation funded research projects including the 2006 Lodging Survey, the Immigration Poll Survey, the ADA Study, the CapEx 2007, the 2007 Loss Prevention Bulletin, the Quiet Good Survey, and the Technology Primers for Food and Beverage Computer Systems and Computer Failure Contingency Plan. A copy of each report is downloadable on the Members Only section of www.ahla.com.

AH&LEF is funded solely by contributions from the hospitality sector and those who choose to give back to their industry. The Foundation’s list of Annual Giving donors, is a snapshot of hospitality’s most innovative leaders and industry insiders, as well as up and coming professionals with a long term vision and commitment to their industry.

For more information about AH&LEF’s scholarship, research, and outreach programs, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of Foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org, or visit www.ahlef.org. Contribute online by visiting AH&LEF’s Website.