AH&LEF Launches 16th Annual Big Apple Auction Online

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) annual Big Apple Auction, which includes more than 190 items, is live on the Foundation Website. The auction will remain open for online bidding through Tuesday, November 10, at 3 pm (EDT), and proceeds support the Foundation’s scholarship, education, and hospitality research initiatives.

Held in conjunction with the 2009 International Hotel/Motel & Restaurant Show (IH/M&RS), November 7-10 in New York City, the Big Apple Auction features items donated by show exhibitors, lodging properties, CEOs, suppliers, and other industry supporters. Items include a full-page advertisement provided by USA Today valued at $119,600; 115 vacation packages from properties around the country; and products ranging from mattresses to in-room refreshment centers. With more auction items arriving each day, the online auction is updated each Friday with new arrivals.

“In this current economic state when many are forced to scale back their charitable donations, we are thrilled our generous industry supporters are able to offer such large-scale donations to support our mission of cultivating hospitality’s future employees,” said Joori Jeon, CPA, CAE, AH&LEF president/COO. “This is one of the Foundation’s biggest fundraisers, and we’ve had great success with posting the items online and well in advance of the Show.”

Last year’s Big Apple Auction event generated $85,000 in item sales. All proceeds benefit the AH&LEF, the charitable fund-raising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Since its inception, the AH&LEF has disbursed more than $14 million through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

For more information about the auction, including donating items, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or [email protected], or access the online auction at .

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 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.