Educational Institute

Washington, Roy G. Kennington, CHA, senior vice president of the Educational Institute (EI) of the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation has been appointed to president and COO of the Educational Institute, effective November 30. Kennington succeeds Scott Pierce, who is joining a major media company in New York in December.

“Roy has been on staff with EI for 16 years and it gives me great pleasure to announce the promotion,” said American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) President and CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “The institutional knowledge and expertise he’ll bring to his new role will allow for a smooth transition as he continues to work closely with all departments to ensure the goals and objectives of EI are fulfilled.”

Prior to his appointment, Kennington was responsible for management of all programs relating to international, academic, and allied customers in more than 160 countries. He represented the Institute to clients around the world and at industry trade shows and meetings. Additionally, he has worked to establish high-quality hospitality industry training and educational programs at locations worldwide, including Indonesia, Turkey, Singapore, and Morocco.

In his new position, Kennington will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Institute, as well as develop the overall vision and strategies in conjunction with the board of trustees. Kennington’s responsibilities include representing EI as its spokesperson and leader, formulating profitable and productive strategic business alliances to enhance EI, increasing penetration of the international markets, and enhancing marketing efforts within the industry.

Prior to joining EI, Kennington served for 28 years in the United States Air Force in various hospitality functions from base level to Air Staff. He retired with the rank of colonel in 1990 as Commander of the Air Force Engineering & Services Center at Tyndall Air Force Base in Panama City, Fla.

Established in 1953 as a nonprofit educational foundation of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the Educational Institute’s mission is to support AH&LA by becoming the preferred provider to the lodging industry, hospitality schools, and related hospitality industries both domestically and internationally by developing and providing quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals.

AH&LEF is the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. For more information, visit .

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, 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.

Enica R. Thompson
Manager of Media Relations
202-289-3153
AH&LA