Nearly 300 hoteliers from across the country spent a day on Capitol Hill this week as part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 2013 Legislative Action Summit (LAS). In nearly 200 appointments with key members of the House and Senate, delegates shared personal and industry-wide views on the impact of several key issues on their businesses, which included sequestration and its effect on domestic and international travel; and the promotion of broad-based immigration reform, which includes the JOLT Act and other provisions to ensure increased border security and greater access to temporary workers.
“Our members spent the day helping their members of Congress understand the impact of the lodging industry on the national economy, and more specifically in every community across the country,” said Katherine Lugar, AH&LA president and chief executive officer, on April 24. “By understanding and supporting our priorities for growth, our legislators can help the lodging industry continue as an economic powerhouse, by bringing more visitors to the U.S. and providing a robust workforce.”
In advance of the congressional visits, hoteliers heard from prominent voices engaged in the current policy discussions in Washington during sessions that included Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-MD), and Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK).
In addition, J.W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board, Marriott International, Inc., was honored with the first “Voice of the Industry Award” for his significant contributions to enhance the profile of the lodging industry among the highest levels of government. Awards also were presented to state lodging leaders across the country for their work on behalf of the industry, including Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group’s Jose Estrompa, general manger of the Radisson Hotel Providence Airport in Warwick, R.I. The State Leadership Awards were created in 1998 to honor standout members in each partner state association who help implement and strengthen programs. Award recipients are chosen by AH&LA’s partner state associations.
You can follow AH&LA and the LAS event on Twitter at @AHLA using hash tag #LAS2013.
The Legislative Action Summit was supported by founding sponsor American Express, supporting sponsors Cornell University School of Hospitality Administration, HD Supply, Heartland Payment Systems, and media sponsors Hotel Business, Hotel Management, Lodging Magazine, and USA Today.