The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) hosted its annual Hotels on the Hill fly-in event September 23-24, drawing more than 200 hoteliers and industry leaders from 36 states to Capitol Hill to lobby for a variety of important policies.

America’s nearly 64,000 hotels are a bright spot for America’s economy and include more than 33,000 small businesses. The hotel industry supports nearly 1 in 25 American jobs, and in 2024, hotels are projected to pay employees a record $123 billion in wages, salaries, and other compensation while generating nearly $83.4 billion in tax revenue.
 
To maintain these positive economic contributions in communities across the nation, hoteliers are calling on lawmakers to:

• Grow the hotel workforce by co-sponsoring and passing the Closing the Workforce Gap Act (H.R. 7262), from Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) and Jack Bergman (R-Mich.). The bill would replace the arbitrary annual cap of 66,000 available H-2B temporary visas with a new, needs-based system.
• Protect small businesses by extending the pass-through tax deduction (199A), which is set to expire in 2025 and provides crucial tax relief to franchisees and other hotel small businesses.
• Help to create jobs and support hoteliers by maintaining the like-kind exchange (section 1031), which allows hoteliers to defer capital gains taxes when they sell one property if they roll the proceeds into the purchase of a larger one, thereby helping create new jobs and contributing to economic growth.
• Protect the franchise business model by opposing any efforts at the federal level to weaken the franchisee-franchisor relationship – a cornerstone of the hotel industry.
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“Nothing is more effective at shaping public policy for our industry than when hoteliers and their employees tell their stories directly to legislators,” said AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “From tax policies that promote small business growth, to expanding the hotel workforce, to challenging burdensome regulations, there’s no limit to what hoteliers can achieve when we’re united and speak with one voice. Hotels on the Hill gives us a unique opportunity to do just that.”

Monday, September 16, 2024 was a great day for MHLA members and friends who joined together for MHLA's Annual Golf Tournament at the Whiskey Creek Golf Course in Frederick, MD. This year tremendous support was shown, with great golfer turnout and sponsorship at one of the highest levels in recent years.  Ecolab  was the Title Sponsor for the 10th year in a row and Sunlight Energy Group was the Presenting Sponsor. All proceeds help to fund MHLA's mission and core services, including advocacy representation and corporate campaign contributions that help to make sure the voice of Maryland's lodging industry is heard throughout the state.  We appreciate all of the support by sponsors and golfers!

Top Left: Amy Rohrer (MHLA), Josh Marshall (Ecolab), and Linda Westgate (Southern Management Companies, MHLA Chair)
Top Right: Kristen Pironis, Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County, Helicopter Ball Drop Sponsor
Bottom Right: MHLA Golf Committee L-R Michael Henningsen, Michael Howard, Amy Rohrer, Jim Starke, Melissa Simpson, Pete Mangione, & Dennis David. (not pictured Regina Boston, Brian Rash, ​Josh Marshall & Rodney Gooden)

​Click here to view more photos from the day.

1st Place Team
Avendra    
CORY DELLINGER    THOMAS BUCKLEY    SEAN WHALEN   LEONARD QUEIROZ

2nd Place Team 
Turf Valley Resort/ Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills
PETE MANGIONE   GREG GUTHRIE    JIM VANCE   TONY ERRERA
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3rd Place Team 
HD Supply
REED WHITE   KEVIN SPARKS    MIKE DRNEC   BRANDON MARTINEZ      

Longest Drive - Women
NICKI VASQUEZ - TownePlace Suites Frederick 
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Longest Drive - Men
REED WHITE - HD Supply

Closest to the Pin
NICKI VASQUEZ - TownePlace Suites Frederick 

Straightest Drive
KIRK WAGNER- Complete Mechanical and Electrical Solutions​

Helicopter Ball Drop
ERIC TEISCH - Visit Howard County

Putting Contest
SCOTT DIBELLA - Diversey
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We wish to thank everyone listed below for your contributions to the success of this annual event!

GOLF COMMITTEE MEMBERS
CHAIR - Michael Henningsen, Plamondon Hospitality Partners  
Regina Boston, Hilton Supply Management
Dennis David, RGS
Rodney Gooden, Westin Annapolis
Michael Howard, Hyatt Place Baltimore                          
Pete Mangione, Turf Valley Resort   
​Josh Marshall, Ecolab
Brian Rash, Avendra                           
Jim Starke, Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills   

VOLUNTEERS
Sharon Bear, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Regina Boston, Hilton Supply Management 
Pete Chambliss, MHLA Volunteer Staff
Kent Franklin, Best Western Premier Rockville Hotel & Suites 
Diane Girgenti, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Emily Gutierrez, Plamondon Hospitality Partners
Kathy Konopik, HotelPro
Chrissy Mayhew
Patrick Miner, Courtyard Baltimore Inner Harbor
Jim Starke, Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills   
Sandeep Thakrar, Neema Hospitality
Linda Westgate, Southern Management Companies
Veronica Whitley, B. F. Saul Company Hospitality Group
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DONORS
Click here to see the list of companies who donated prizes and giveaways.

SPONSORS
Click here to see the list of sponsors for the event.