Washington, September 21, 2001 - Borrowing a page from the annals of history and the Andrew Jackson White House, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has formed a "kitchen cabinet" to address lodging industry concerns about an economic recovery strategy from recent terrorist attacks against the United States. The advisory council, comprised of leading lodging company CEOs, and representatives from the association's member state associations, vendor community, and key committees are "at the ready" to meet in Washington and give their input, said AH&LA President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.

"After President Bush's national address last night, the situation in Washington remains very fluid. As the government finalizes its assistance package for the airlines, which may come to a vote today, AH&LA is assessing the immediate needs of hotels. Until there is definitive action by the White House and Congress about how to assist the airlines and how to respond militarily to the terrorist attacks, the lodging industry's efforts must be strategic and focused," added McInerney.

The initial meeting of AH&LA's kitchen cabinet will likely be mid-October after McInerney begins his full-time post in Washington. Until then, the association is working closely with its political allies in both the Bush Administration and Congress, as well as with industry coalitions being formed by the Travel Business Roundtable and the Travel Industry Association of America.

"The record response we have had to this 'call-to-serve' reflects the indomitable spirit and perseverance of the lodging industry and makes me proud to be its new chief executive," concluded McInerney.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), is a 91-year-old federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States with some 12,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.7 million guest rooms. AH&LA provides its members with assistance in operations, education, and communications, and lobbies on Capitol Hill to provide a business climate in which the industry can continue to prosper. Individual state associations provide representation at the state level and offer many additional cost-saving benefits.