AHLA Foundation
Visual Matrix Supports AHLA & AHLA Foundation To Promote Human Trafficking Awareness Training, Support Alongside Expanded Access to Housekeeper S
Visual Matrix | October 28, 2024
Hoteliers gain expanded knowledge and support in the fight against human trafficking Richardson, Texas, Oct. 28, 2024 – Visual Matrix, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, is working with the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and its charitable giving arm, AHLA Foundation, to provide expanded access to the organization’s resources and training materials to help educate hoteliers in the fight against human trafficking. Through the partnership, hoteliers will know of and be able to use free training content developed by Marriott International, in collaboration with Protect All C...
AHLA Foundation Awards Hospitality Scholarships for 2025...
AHLA Foundation | October 25, 2024
Nearly one million dollars in scholarship awards to support the next generation of hospitality leaders WASHINGTON (Oct. 25, 2024) – AHLA Foundation, the charitable arm of the American Hotel and Lodging Association, announced the distribution of nearly one million dollars in scholarship funding for students at hospitality programs around the country. The Foundation awarded approximately $944,000 to 369 students who will be attending 88 different colleges and universities. AHLA Foundation awards two types of scholarships: self-nominated, in which students apply directly to compete for one of eight scholarships regardless of where they a...
AHLA Strengthens Conferences and Events Team with New Senior VP, Steven Okuley...
AHLA | September 26, 2024
WASHINGTON (Sept. 26, 2024) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced it has hired Steven Okuley as its new senior vice president for conferences and events. Okuley previously served at American Airlines, where he was Director of B2B Customer Engagement & Communication and oversaw all global sales and distribution tradeshows, internal meetings, customer events, sales incentives, and advisory boards. Prior to that, Okuley was Director of Global Meetings & Events for Starwood Hotels & Resorts. Okuley joins AHLA Sept. 30 and will lead a seasoned team responsible for creating and executing high-value e...
AHLA Statement on the Introduction of the HOTEL Act...
AHLA | September 20, 2024
WASHINGTON (Sept. 20, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement after the introduction of the Halting of Trafficking and Exploitation in Lodging Act, or the HOTEL Act, which encourages federal workers traveling for business to stay at hotels with anti-human trafficking programs. “The HOTEL Act recognizes the crucial role hotels play in the fight against human trafficking, and we are proud to support this important legislation,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “We look forward to working with Reps. Smith and Krishnamoorthi an...
Sheila Johnson To Receive Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference 2024...
AHLA Foundation | September 5, 2024
WASHINGTON, Sept. 5, 2024 -- AHLA Foundation announced today that trailblazing entrepreneur and hotelier Sheila Johnson will receive the Peggy Berg Castell Award at The Lodging Conference 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona in October. The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to elevating and advancing women in the hospitality industry. As Founder and CEO of Salamander Collection, Johnson has built a portfolio of properties in the United States and Jamaica, emphasizing the importance of showcasing each hotel's unique environment. The Salamander Collection is the largest Black-owned luxury hotel company in Am...
AHLA Foundation Announces 2024 – 2025 No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund Grantees...
AHLA Foundation | July 31, 2024
$1M awarded across eight community-based organizations Washington, D.C. (July 31, 2024) – Today, AHLA Foundation announced the 2024 – 2025 No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Survivor Fund grantees, eight community-based organizations that provide services and resources to help support human trafficking survivors on their path forward. This year’s Survivor Fund grantees were announced at the third annual NRFT Summit, hosted on United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global campaign urging accelerated action to end child trafficking. “The No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund is a first for our industry, and alre...
AHLA Statement on the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act...
AHLA | July 11, 2024
WASHINGTON (July 11, 2024) – American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey released the following statement today regarding the introduction of the Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act, which requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish a certification program for businesses that train their employees to recognize and respond to suspected human trafficking. “The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act would complement our industry’s anti-trafficking efforts by providing important third-party validation for hotels’ training and prevention initia...
AHLA Foundation Announces Third Annual No Room for Trafficking Summit...
AHLA Foundation | July 2, 2024
Highlights first year of Survivor Fund grantee impact on nearly 650 human trafficking survivors Washington, D.C. (July 2, 2024) - AHLA Foundation today announced their third annual No Room for Trafficking Summit will take place July 30, 2024, the same day as the United Nation’s World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. At last year’s No Room for Trafficking (NRFT) Summit, the inaugural grantees of the NRFT Survivor Fund were announced, including: Safe House Project, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST), Restore NYC, Inc., University of Maryland Support, Advocacy, Freedom, and Empowerment (SAFE) Center for Human Traffick...
