Washington, The American Hotel & Motel Association (AH&MA) has formed an E-Business Committee to exchange information and ideas pertinent to e-business in the hospitality industry. Defined as "the collective business strategies and business processes influenced or enabled by the Internet and electronic technologies," e-business is becoming a vital tool that enables companies to conduct business online.

The committee's primary goals include serving as an informed and objective resource for information and education on the topics of hospitality e-business; initiating better decision making on evolving issues relevant to e-business and enabling Internet and electronic technologies; disseminating information on e-business through all appropriate means such as publications, seminars, Web sites, speeches, articles, think-tanks sessions, and media interviews; serving as a venue for the exchange of information and ideas; and supporting AH&MA in legislative efforts applicable to e-business and e-commerce.

"The world of technology continues to evolve rapidly and e-business is becoming a fundamental part of companies' overall business strategies," said Committee Staff Liaison Richard Jackson, AH&MA vice president-chief information officer. "Through this committee, we will explore the many possibilities of e-business as well as provide a forum for discussion and understanding among hospitality technology leaders."

Committee members will be comprised of individuals from various professional organizations within the hospitality industry who are familiar with e-business, the Internet, and other electronic technologies. Heading the team is Chairman Frank Nardozza, managing director, national hospitality industry, KPMG Consulting, LLC; and Vice Chairman Scott Andersen, president and CEO, Swan, Inc.

The committee will convene twice a year and holds their next meeting during the AH&MA Annual Conference & Leadership Forum/The Lodging Expo, April 4-6, 2001, in Chicago, Ill.

For more information on the AH&MA E-Business Committee, contact Jackson at [email protected].

AH&MA, founded in 1910, is a federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States with some 11,000 members worldwide, representing more than 1.4 million rooms. AH&MA provides operations, technical, educational, marketing, and communications services plus governmental affairs representation to the lodging industry.

Tia T. Gordon
Manager Of Media Relations
(202) 289-3153
AH&LA