American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

American Hotel & Lodging Association: representation of the U.S. hotel industry

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is an industry association headquartered in Washington, D.C., that brings together hotel brand companies, owners, management companies, independent operators, suppliers, and state lodging associations. Its activity centers on advocating for the industry's interests before public authorities, producing data and resources for its members, and coordinating common initiatives.

Advocacy before legislators

The association carries out advocacy work at the federal, state, and local levels. Among the issues it addresses are alternative accommodations, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), franchising, immigration reform, labor issues, per diem rates, safety, sustainability, tax policy, tech policy, trafficking prevention, travel and tourism, and workforce development. It publishes a policy guide, the AHLA Policy Guide, and maintains a state and local legislative information center.

It also has HotelPAC, a voluntary, bipartisan political action committee whose stated goal is to help elect federal candidates who support the lodging industry.

Strategic initiatives and industry programs

AHLA coordinates various initiatives to address common challenges in the industry. These include the Heart of the House program, Hospitality for Hope, HotelsACT, Hotel Kitchen, Responsible Stay, workforce development programs, FORWARD: Advancing Women In Hospitality, Hospitality Is Working, The Hotel Industry: A Place To Stay, the scholarship program, and the Empowering Youth program.

In the areas of safety and sustainability, it promotes No Room For Trafficking, Safe Stay, and Responsible Stay, the latter focused on sustainability through certification, sourcing, and sharing best practices.

Data, resources, and certifications

The association maintains a resource center with industry research, data, operational materials, and member toolkits. It has a hospitality law database that tracks laws affecting hotel companies across all fifty states, classified by topic and jurisdiction, and a state facts dashboard on the industry's economic impact in the United States.

Through the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI), it offers professional certification programs recognized in the industry and endorsed by AHLA itself. Members receive discounts on CHA certifications and other services.

Membership and networks

AHLA represents a diverse membership that includes brand companies, owners, management companies, independents, suppliers, and state lodging and related associations. It offers access to exclusive industry events, committees, and technology workgroups, as well as resources, webinars, and member tools that range from frontline staff to executive management.

Those interested can join the association's networks for general managers, owners, HTNG, or ForWard. The association also maintains an allied attorney directory and an allied member directory to find vendors and service providers for hotel businesses.

Events and international activity

AHLA organizes and hosts events such as The Hospitality Show, Hotels On The Hill, FORWARD/27, HTNG events, the Night of a Thousand Stars gala, and the Responsible Stay and Food & Beverage summits, in addition to the No Room for Trafficking summit. It has an industry events calendar and a webinar archive for members.

Its reach includes international activities, such as HTNG Connect: EMEA held in Edinburgh (Scotland) and participation in an international hotel industry coalition calling for a long-term extension of the trade agreement between the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

Partner organizations

Alongside AHLA itself, the AHLA Foundation, American Hospitality Alliance, and AHLEI operate as partner organizations.

Location and contact

1250 Eye Street, N.W., Suite 1100, Washington, D.C. 20005