Maryland Hotel Lodging Association Hosts 2024 Legislative Preview & Member Appreciation Breakfast; Platinum Partners Announced for 2024

Baltimore, Md. (January 17, 2024) – On January 12, 2024, members of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) – including General Managers, industry associates, and partners from Maryland’s statewide lodging industry – gathered at the Baltimore Sheraton Inner Harbor hotel for the MHLA Annual Meeting & Member Appreciation Breakfast. The Breakfast was sponsored by Baywood Hotels. 

Following the breakfast, MHLA’s Immediate Past Chair, Michael Henningsen called the meeting to order and spoke to the group. He took the time to reflect on the value of the continued support of the association’s lodging members, allied and partner level members.  The 2024 Ambassador of the Year, Sandip Patel, Crossroads Hospitality was recognized for his contributions in support of MHLA’s recruitment efforts throughout 2023.  

The 2024 Board of Directors was announced, and the slate was approved during the meeting. Click here for the full list of the MHLA Board of Directors.
 
Michael Henningsen officially passed the gavel to the new MHLA Chair, Linda Westgate, Southern Management Companies. Linda and MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer then took the time to thank Michael for his many years of service to MHLA as Chair and as a Board Member. 
 
"The Association is bigger than any one person, but it is amazing the difference one person can make.  Mike Henningsen is a highly effective leader who has made a significant impact at MHLA during his tenure both as a Board Member since 2006 and as Chair over the last three years.  While Mike is leaving big shoes to fill, Linda Westgate is highly qualified to lead the organization and continue building on past success.  I look forward to working with Linda, Mike and the entire MHLA Board in ongoing advocacy for Maryland’s lodging industry. " Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO

The Platinum Partners for 2024 were introduced, and two partners who made significant contributions to the Association in 2023 were announced in this category: Ecolab and the Maryland Office of Tourism. Joshua Marshall from Ecolab and Liz Fitzsimmons from the Maryland Office of Tourism gave brief remarks about their support, and each received a certificate of appreciation. Sunlight Energy was also recognized for being in the midst of upgrading to become a Platinum Partner this year.

2024 Platinum Partners

Ecolab

Maryland Office of Tourism

Left photo) L-R Michael Henningsen, MHLA Immediate Past Chair, Joshua Marshall from Ecolab, 2024 Platinum Partner of MHLA and Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO
(Right photo) L-R Linda Westgate, MHLA Chair,MHLA President & CEO; Liz Fitzsimmons, Maryland Office of Tourism, 2024 Platinum Partner of MHLA, and Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO

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MHLA President and CEO, Amy Rohrer then took the stage to also thank members and to introduce the members of MHLA’s 2024 Government Affairs Committee. Consisting of a diverse group of representatives from hotels across the state, the committee meets weekly during the 90-day Maryland General Assembly Session, to monitor legislation and actively advance and protect the interests of MHLA members as bills are proposed and potentially passed into law. The MHLA Government Affairs Committee is co-chaired by Chuck Chandler, General Manager, Residence Inn Fulton at Maple Lawn and Jim Starke, VP of Hotel Operations, Best Western Plus BWI Airport-Arundel Mills.   

Pictured L-R Legislative Committee Co-Chair Jim Starke Frank Boston, Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law, Ari Plaut, Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law, & Legislative Committee Co-Chair, Chuck Chandler

​As the Maryland General Assembly opened its 2024 session on January 8, MHLA lobbyists Frank Boston and Ari Plaut from Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law joined to discuss the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session and gave a sneak peek of what they will be monitoring in Annapolis this year that could impact hotels.

Chip Rogers, AHLA President & CEO

​Guest Speaker Chip Rogers, American Hotel Lodging Association (AHLA), President & CEO took the stage to share a Federal Update with the group and allowed time for a question-and-answer session following his overview. He spoke on numerous topics that impact the hotel industry in Maryland and across the country. Chip's presentation is available upon request.

To learn more, please contact MHLA at [email protected].

MHLA is looking forward to a great year in 2024.  We would like to thank all of the members and sponsors, listed below, who showed their support for the Association at this year’s Annual Meeting. Click here to view photos from the event. 

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​​Thank you Sponsors! Click here to see the list of sponsors for this event.