The General Services Administration (GSA) has released federal per diem rates for FY 2018 that will go into effect October 1, 2017. There is an increase to the standard continental United States (CONUS) rate from $91 per night for lodging to a new rate of $93.
In FY 2018, no new locations will become Non-Standard Areas (NSAs) with a per diem rate higher than the standard CONUS rate.
Click here and choose “2018” in the Fiscal Year drop down menu for specific information regarding different localities. Federal per diem rates, which establish the maximum amount government travelers may pay for hotel rooms, are established each year based on actual market data compiled and provided by STR.
If you have any additional questions, please contact Amy Rohrer, President & CEO, Maryland Hotel Lodging Association.

MHLA will be in attendance as a sponsor of the 2017 Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) summer conference. The conference will take place August 16-19, 2017 at the Roland Powell Convention Center in Ocean City Maryland.
Amy Rohrer, MHLA’s President/CEO, will speak to the need for regulation of short-term rentals during two different sessions.
Date/Time: Thursday, August 17, 2017; 10:45 am – 11:15 am
Protecting People and Communities Amidst Major Changes in the Accommodations Industry SPONSOR SHOWCASE SESSION Hosted by the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association
With home sharing and short term online rentals on the rise, what can you do to maintain neighborhood integrity and prioritize guest safety? Join leaders of Maryland’s hotel community for a discussion on existing regulations in the accommodations industry and efforts to regulate short term online rentals around the country. They will discuss best practices in the areas of taxation, health and safety regulations, licensing, and zoning rules to provide you with the tools you need to protect your community.
Speakers:

• Amy Rohrer, President & CEO, MD Hotel and Lodging Association
• Troy Flanagan, Vice-President, State & Local Government Affairs, American Hotel & Lodging Association

Date/Time: Friday, August 18, 2017; 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
The New Look Vacation: Opportunities & Responsibilities in the Sharing Economy

The sharing economy is revolutionizing the tourism industry – and also disrupting how counties regulate and tax it. With a multitude of services from accommodations to transportation now booked online with everyday providers just trying to earn an extra buck, the way we tax and regulate the tourism industry must treat all providers equitably while also ensuring the safety of our residents. Join this session to learn more about the challenges, potential solutions, and county responsibilities in the sharing economy.
Speakers:

• Michael Coveyou, Chief, Division of Treasury, Montgomery County Department of Finance
• Amy Rohrer, President & CEO, MD Hotel and Lodging Association
• Will Burns, Public Policy, Airbnb

Moderator: The Honorable Jason Buckel, Maryland House of Delegates
Read more about these sessions and others in the registration brochure.