AH&LA Leglislative Action Summit Brings Hoteliers to Washington
Timing of Summit Coincides With Congressional Action on Lodging Issues
WASHINGTON, DC, March 9, 2006. Hundreds of hoteliers and lodging industry leaders came to the nation's capital this week for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) 9th Annual Legislative Action Summit (LAS), March 7-8, at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Attendees included general managers and CEOs from every segment of the $113.7 billion U.S. lodging industry. Highlights of the jam-packed two-day conference included a briefing for AH&LA members at the White House by President George W. Bush's Chief of Staff Andrew Card, sessions with Members of Congress, a HotelPAC dinner, and a well-attended congressional reception. AH&LA members also formed state hotel delegations and spent an afternoon on Capitol Hill meeting with more than 175 Members of Congress.
"The timing of our Summit was impeccable," said AH&LA Executive Vice President for Public Policy Marlene Colucci. "Two of AH&LA's highest priority issues for '06 are moving through Congress this week. The Senate Judiciary Committee marked up a comprehensive immigration reform bill, and the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee took up small business health plan legislation, setting the stage for an extremely successful LAS. Our members went en masse to Capitol Hill to explain the impact these bills will have on their business and in their congressional district. Bringing this unique local perspective to Members of Congress-at a time when these issues are also high on the congressional agenda-is a vital element of our lobbying activities. It ensures that the lodging industry's position will be taken into account when legislation is being crafted."
Summit speakers included Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Rep. Sam Farr (D-Calif.), Rep. Charles Bass (R-N.H.), Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.). Several speakers outlined their support for comprehensive immigration reform and encouraged AH&LA members to speak out on the issue. "Immigration is a political hot potato," said Sen. DeMint. "But our economy depends on immigrants, and we need your help in passing a rational plan that secures our borders and helps you hire the workers you need."
Republican National Committee Chairman Ken Mehlman and Democratic National Committee Vice Chair Susan Turnbull gave their respective views of the political landscape and thanked attendees for coming to Washington. "Whether you are a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, or vegetarian, I respect your participation in the political process," said Ken Mehlman. Several speakers praised the lodging industry for its immediate and effective response to Hurricane Katrina.
During the White House briefing, AH&LA members also heard from Fran Townsend, Assistant to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism, and Allyson Ho, Special Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy.
LAS concludes today with a special post-conference event sponsored by AH&LA's Women in Lodging Council. Kellyanne Conway, a Washington commentator and author, will led a lively discussion on the topic of "What Women Really Want: How American Women Are Quietly Erasing Political, Racial, Class, and Religious Lines to Change the Way We Live," which is the title of her recent book.
AH&LA is a 96-year-old association of lodging properties and companies throughout the United States. Members are represented by AH&LA at the national level as well as by our partner state associations, which provide many additional cost-saving benefits. With some 10,000 members in the United States and internationally, AH&LA represents more than 1.3 million guest rooms. As the voice of the industry ensuring a positive business climate for hoteliers, AH&LA provides advocacy on Capitol Hill, education, marketing, information, and bottom-line benefits.
Enica R. Thompson, Manager of Media Relations
American Hotel & Lodging Association
1201 New York Avenue, NW, Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202.289.3153
Fax: 202.289.3128
www.ahla.com
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