The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have joined forces on an initiative to encourage and educate lodging employees to recognize, report, and react to suspicious and crisis situations that occur on property.

In May DHS launched their “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, which was originally implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and funded, in part, by $13 million from DHS’s Transit Security Grant Program. It has since been customized and expanded for surface transportation (Amtrak), general aviation, several cities and states around the country, and now the lodging industry. With the assistance of AH&LA’s Loss Prevention Committee, DHS has created public education materials for industry employees, including posters, table circulars and paystub inserts. It is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism, crime, and other threats, and emphasize the importance of employees reporting suspicious activity to their supervisors and in turn, security or law enforcement authorities.

Suspicious Activity Awareness Video - Hospitality from Help Desk Czar on Vimeo.

Last month, AH&LA, via its Loss Prevention Committee, teamed with DHS to create a guide, video and threat assessment document specifically to help hoteliers plan and manage security at their facilities. The Protective Measures Guide for the U.S. Lodging Industry provides an overview of threat, vulnerability, and protective measures designed to assist hotel owners and operators in planning and managing security at their facilities. The No Reservations: Suspicious Behavior in Hotels video is designed to provide information to help hotel employees identify and report suspicious activities and threats in a timely manner. The video is approximately 10 minutes in length and intended for use by all hotel employees. A Spanish version will be available in the near future. All three items are available in the members only section of the AH&LA Website.

The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) is working with the AH&LA Loss Prevention Committee, DHS, and other agencies to update its current security certifications and to develop new programs designed to provide hospitality security personnel and other employees with information on terrorism awareness and anti-terrorism preparedness.

The Certified Lodging Security Director (CLSD) is the first product to reflect the new information. The CLSD review materials and exam include new information from DHS on terrorism threats and hazards and protective measures for lodging; USA PATRIOT Act information; information from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on standards important to security directors; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) information; and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance standards affecting security.

Pricing for the CLSD is $350 for AH&LA members; $475 for nonmembers. For complete eligibility requirements, prerequisites, and application process, visit or call the AHLEI certification department at 888-57-58726 or 407-999-8100.

AHLEI is also working with the AH&LA Loss Prevention Committee and Cardinal Point Strategies to create a best practice security and terrorism awareness online training program, Eye on Awareness—Hotel Security and Anti-terrorism Training. The proposed program focuses on the “awareness level” and provides hotel employees with a premier set of skill and knowledge components, including, but not limited to, housekeeping, maintenance, front desk, guest services, food and beverage, transportation, and parking departments.

Using multi-media and interactive elements, hotel employees learn how to investigate suspicious behaviors, activities, and items to be aware of in the hotel environment, including characteristics of terrorism and signs of potentially violent behavior. Staff members examine guidelines for reporting suspicious activity consisting of when to report a situation, who to contact, and how to best report what they have seen. Personnel explore tactics for reacting to emergencies such as active shooters, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and suspicious packages. The course includes review questions to demonstrate employee comprehension. Upon successful completion, employees receive a certificate to indicate their proficiency. Eye on Awareness—Hotel Security and Anti-terrorism Training will be available through AHLEI in early 2011.

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.

Kathryn Potter
202.289.3130
AH&LA