WASHINGTON—The American Lodge & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA) introduced its 2024 officers, Government Committee, and Board of Administrators, which all embrace leaders from quite a lot of hospitality trade segments.
Kevin Jacobs, Hilton’s chief monetary officer and president, world improvement, was named chair of the board; Imaginative and prescient Hospitality Group President and CEO Mitch Patel was named vice chair; Marriott Worldwide Group President, United States and Canada Liam Brown was named secretary/treasurer; and IHG Inns & Resorts Chief Improvement Officer, Americas Julienne Smith was named chair of the AHLA Basis Board of Trustees.
Jacobs succeeds RLJ Lodging Belief President and CEO Leslie D. Hale, who served as AHLA’s board chair in 2023 and can proceed on the board as speedy previous chair. Pebblebrook Lodge Belief Chairman and CEO Jon Bortz continues as chair of the HotelPAC Advisory Council, and AHLA President and CEO Chip Rogers continues as president and CEO of the board.
“It’s an honor to function chair and assist construct upon AHLA’s spectacular report of accomplishments on behalf of the hospitality trade nationwide,” mentioned Jacobs. “I stay up for serving to AHLA advance insurance policies in help of our unimaginable trade, ship distinctive member providers and communications help, and rally the trade round our shared priorities.”
“Yr after 12 months, AHLA raises the bar for hospitality advocacy and member providers thanks largely to the wonderful leaders from all sectors of our trade who serve on our board and govt committee,” mentioned Rogers. “We’ve got assembled one other slate of extraordinary executives in 2024. Their steering and counsel will probably be instrumental to delivering advocacy victories for our members in 2024.”
In 2023, AHLA advocacy efforts led to:
- A clarification in Paycheck Safety Program eligibility pointers that can save hoteliers an estimated $14 billion
- A $9 enhance within the continental U.S. per diem price that can generate an estimated $300 million for hoteliers
- The discharge of a further 64,716 H-2B momentary nonagricultural employee visas for fiscal 12 months 2024
AHLA’s Board of Administrators and Government Committee embrace leaders from all sectors of the lodging trade, together with manufacturers, homeowners, actual property funding trusts (REITs), administration corporations, branded properties, unbiased lodges, and state associations. New members for 2024 are:
AHLA Government Committee:
- Julie Arrowsmith, president and CEO, G6 Hospitality, LLC.
AHLA Board of Administrators:
- Kurt Alexander, president, Omni Inns & Resorts
- Cody Bradshaw, managing director, world head of resort asset administration, Starwood Capital Group
- Meghan Connolly, SVP/GM, world shopper group, American Categorical
- David Duncan, president and CEO, First Hospitality
- Bryan Giglia, CEO, Sunstone Lodge Traders, Inc.
- Sarah Gulla, SVP, asset administration, Pebblebrook Lodge Belief (Hospitality Asset Managers Affiliation)
- Michael Jacobson, resident and CEO, Illinois Lodge & Lodging Affiliation
- Alexi Khajavi, president, hospitality, journey and wellness, Questex
- Ayesha Molino, president and COO, ARIA and Vdara; chief public affairs officer, MGM Resorts Worldwide
- Michael Morton, SVP model administration, Greatest Western Inns & Resorts
- Vinay Patel, president and CEO, Fairbrook Inns
- Brad Rahinsky, president and CEO, Lodge Equities
- Azim Saju, CEO and president, HDG Inns
- Scott Strickland, EVP, chief info and distribution officer, Wyndham Inns & Resorts (HTNG)
- Shai Zelering, managing companion, Brookfield
