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| Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association |
| Type | Trade association |
| Founded | 1939 |
| Headquarters | Columbus, Ohio |
| Region served | Ohio |
| Membership | Hotels, motels, resorts, inns |
Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association
The Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association is a trade organization representing lodging properties and hospitality suppliers in Ohio. It serves as an industry voice among state institutions such as the Ohio General Assembly, regulatory bodies like the Ohio Department of Commerce, and regional partners including the Greater Columbus Convention Center and the Cleveland Convention Center. The Association interacts with national entities such as the American Hotel and Lodging Association, the National Restaurant Association, and the U.S. Travel Association.
The Association traces its roots to organizations active during the Great Depression era and post‑World War II expansion of travel infrastructure, aligning with efforts by the Federal Highway Administration and the growth of the Interstate Highway System. Early leaders engaged with hotel networks associated with brands like Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, and independent operators from cities such as Cleveland, Columbus, and Cincinnati. Over decades the Association adapted to shifts triggered by events such as the Energy Crisis of 1973 and the rise of the Internet hospitality distribution channels, coordinating responses similar to those by the American Hotel & Lodging Association during periods like the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Association's stated mission emphasizes support for lodging operators, promotion of travel to Ohio, and the enhancement of service standards comparable to initiatives by the U.S. Travel Association and the Travel Industry Association of America. Its activities include policy analysis analogous to work by the National Governors Association, partnerships with workforce groups like SEIU and business coalitions such as the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and programs that mirror best practices from chains including Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Choice Hotels International.
Membership comprises independent inns, boutique properties, franchised chains from companies like Hyatt Hotels Corporation and InterContinental Hotels Group, management companies, and vendor partners including suppliers active with Sysco and Aramark. Member locations range from historic sites in Marietta and Zoar to urban properties near institutions like The Ohio State University and the Cleveland Clinic. Corporate members include firms engaged in revenue management, distribution technology like Sabre Corporation, and payment processing companies comparable to Visa Inc..
The Association engages in lobbying at the Ohio Statehouse with policy priorities similar to those advanced by the National Restaurant Association and the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Issues addressed include tax policy before committees of the Ohio General Assembly, labor and wage matters influenced by rulings from the National Labor Relations Board, regulatory compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and tourism promotion tied to entities such as Travel Michigan and the Visit California model. The Association files testimonies, coordinates grassroots outreach with county visitor bureaus like those in Franklin County and Cuyahoga County, and collaborates with chambers of commerce in metropolitan regions such as Toledo.
Education offerings include certification and continuing education modeled on curricula from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute and partnerships with academic programs at institutions like Ohio University, Cuyahoga Community College, and The Ohio State University John Glenn College of Public Affairs. Training covers topics aligned with standards from the National Environmental Health Association, food safety protocols influenced by the Food and Drug Administration, and workforce development initiatives paralleling programs by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Association hosts workshops, online modules, and conferences drawing speakers from organizations such as STR, Inc. and the International Council on Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Education.
The Association administers awards recognizing property performance, sustainability, and service excellence, akin to national honors like the AHLA's National Awards and regional hospitality accolades presented by groups such as the Visit Florida industry programs. Categories have included historic preservation in cooperation with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, workforce development awards comparable to recognitions from the Society for Human Resource Management, and sustainability recognitions reflecting standards from the U.S. Green Building Council.
Governance typically consists of a board of directors with representation from major markets such as Dayton, Akron, and Youngstown, executive leadership comparable to CEO roles at associations like the American Hotel & Lodging Association, and committees for finance, membership, government affairs, and education analogous to structures at the National Retail Federation. The Association coordinates with county tourism offices, regional convention and visitors bureaus, and national partners including the U.S. Travel Association and state economic development agencies to align strategic priorities.
Category:Hospitality industry in Ohio Category:Trade associations based in the United States