AH&LA Debuts New Membership Category - WIL CONNECT
MARCH 26, 2007. The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has launched a new membership category exclusively for the personal and professional development of women in the lodging industry - WIL CONNECT.
The new category is the first industry-wide forum exclusively for female hospitality professionals. WIL CONNECT fuels the mission to promote women's leadership into executive positions within the lodging industry and contribute to business development efforts, including women's markets.
Members of WIL CONNECT receive AH&LA's Prism e-newsletter, Lodging Magazine, discounts to all Women in Lodging Council (WIL) events, exclusive updates, members-only networking opportunities, and a listing in an online directory representing a Who's Who in the industry. More importantly, members will gain skills to accelerate their career paths, and have access to informal and formal coaching, mentoring, and information-sharing from the industry's top female professionals across the nation. Additionally, WIL CONNECT enables its members to build supportive relationships, engage with industry leaders to take on important issues, and work together to remove barriers and provide solutions.
The AH&LA WIL Executive Council, which launched in May 2005, is comprised of more than a dozen high-ranking executives of major lodging companies, including Chairman Nancy Johnson, executive vice president, brand leader full service hotels, Carlson Hotels Worldwide; and Vice Chairman Vicki Gordon, senior vice president, corporate affairs, Intercontinental Hotels Group.
'WIL CONNECT provides the association with the opportunity to foster the development of women to obtain leadership competencies to further their career growth; to attract, retain, and engage the best talent; and to promote a culture of inclusiveness and cultural awareness,' said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. 'The group is led by a group of industry leaders who are uniquely positioned to help women in the lodging industry grow both personally and professionally.'
To find out more about becoming a member of WIL CONNECT, visit www.ahla.com or contact (800) 252-2462 or membership@ahla.com.
Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is a global leading lodging company based in Bethesda,Maryland, USA, with more than 4,200 properties in 80 countries and territories. Marriott International reported revenues of nearly $14 billion in fiscal year 2014. The company operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts under 19 brands, including: The Ritz-Carlton®, BVlgari®, EDITION®, JW Marriott®, Autograph Collection® Hotels, Renaissance® Hotels, Marriott Hotels®, Delta Hotels and Resorts®, Marriott Executive Apartments®, Marriott Vacation Club®, Gaylord Hotels®, AC Hotels by Marriott®, Courtyard®, Residence Inn®, SpringHill Suites®, Fairfield Inn & Suites®, TownePlace Suites®, Protea Hotels® and MoxyHotels®. Marriott has been consistently recognized as a top employer and for its superior business ethics. The company also manages the award-winning guest loyalty program, Marriott Rewards® and The Ritz-Carlton Rewards® program, which together surpass 50 million members. For more information or reservations, please visit our website at 
