 We are proud to feature Ruppert Landscape in this month's Partner Spotlight. The company has been a Gold Partner of MHLA since 2021 and first joined the Association in 2018. Read below to learn more!
Company Overview The roots of Ruppert Landscape started as many businesses do: a young person wanting to make some money to buy a car and hang out with friends. With a push mower and the use of his parents’ garage as home base, Craig Ruppert began asking neighbors if he could mow their yards in the early 1970’s. Within a few years’ time, that neighborhood yard business grew, and he was able to expand his services and hire a few employees, including his brother Chris. He started trying to learn everything he could about horticultural practices and running a business. The first ten years progressed slowly. There were challenges and plenty of mistakes made along the way, all of which taught the team many life lessons. As the business evolved, we realized that our success was tied to a few simple values: work hard and do right by your employees, who will in turn take great care of your customers. Over the next 50 years, the projects grew in scale and complexity. Residential lawns turned into developments, parks, and corporate campuses, while the focus on hustle and efficiency expanded to include horticultural knowledge and technical specialization. Today, the company has expanded its ownership to be both family and employee owned. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality workmanship and unparalleled expertise in all phases of landscape construction, maintenance, and nursery production. The culture and values that made Ruppert Landscape a dynamic and successful business in its early years remain at its core today. How does your business positively impact the lodging industry? Ruppert Landscape provides a customized, proactive approach and careful execution that keeps your hotel property looking its best and serving the needs of your guests year-round. Our wide range of landscape enhancement solutions can help correct not only appearance but functionality, safety hazards, drainage issues, and aging/dying plant material. Our horticulturally knowledgeable crews are adept at tailoring our service to your climate zone and specific plant types, and can suggest improvements to make your landscape more sustainable and eco-friendly. Awards Cira Centre South (2021)
Primary Contact Information Patty Pescrille-Brockmeyer Regional Business Development Manager Email ppescrille@ruppertcompanies.com Phone 301-748-9023 Company website www.ruppertcompanies.com Social Media *The Nominating Committee Report below was emailed to MHLA Members on 3-20-2023.
On behalf of the Association's Nominating Committee, we are pleased to share the 2023-2024 proposed board slate for the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association. Per MHLA bylaws, “at least thirty (30) days prior to the annual meeting, the Nominating Committee must notify the membership of the slate of officers and directors to serve the organization for the upcoming year. The Chairman, Vice Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer shall be elected by voice vote by the Association every year at its annual meeting.” The Annual Meeting will be held in conjunction with the “Stars of the Industry Awards” Luncheon taking place from 10:30 A.M. – 1:30 P.M at the College Park Marriott Hotel & Conference Center. Click here to register if you have not yet done so. The proposed MHLA Board slate is below. Those marked with an asterisk (*) are serving in a seat vacated since last year’s Annual Meeting. Nominations for Executive Committee (2023-2024 Term): Chair: Michael Henningsen, Plamondon Hospitality Partners Vice Chair: Linda Westgate, The Hotel at the University of Maryland /Cambria Hotel & Suites at College Park Secretary: Beth Brainard, Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point Treasurer: Jim Starke, Best Western Plus BWI Airport / Arundel Mills Immediate Past Chair: Chuck Chandler, Residence Inn Fulton at Maple Lawn Nominations for Board of Directors (2022-2024 Term): Katarina Burns, Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott HQ Skip Cerf, Sheraton Baltimore North Mark Elman, Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites Rodney Gooden, Westin Annapolis Hotel *Len Goodman, Courtyard Baltimore Hunt Valley *Ian Harvey, Residence Inn Baltimore @Johns Hopkins Campus Donte Johnson, Revival Baltimore *Doug Klein, Sheraton Inner Harbor Hotel Peter Mangione, Turf Valley Resort Dan McKeon, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Patrick Miner, Courtyard Baltimore Downtown Inner Harbor *Sandip Patel, Crossroads Hospitality Tracey Pool, Hyatt Regency Baltimore Ben Seidel, Real Hospitality Group Junaid Siddiqi, Presidential Hotel Advisors Donnie Sutton, Marriott BWI Airport Nominations for Allied Directors (2022-2024 Term): Kathy Konopik, HotelPro Blake Nichols, Ecolab Chris Rapp, Triple Crown Construction Maryland Destination Marketing Organization Representative (Non-Voting): Amanda Hof, Visit Howard County Education Representative (Non-Voting): Donnisha Grant, Anne Arundel Community College – Hotel, Culinary Arts and Tourism Institute 2023 AHLA State of the Industry forecasts opportunities, challenges Download the report here.
WASHINGTON (Jan. 30, 2023) – The hotel industry in 2023 is projected to surpass pre-pandemic levels of demand, nominal room revenue and state and local tax revenue, while inching closer to other key 2019 performance metrics, according to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s 2023 State of the Hotel Industry Report. The report, which forecasts that operational challenges such as staffing shortages and economic factors will replace COVID as hoteliers’ top concerns, is based on data and analysis from Oxford Economics and was created in collaboration with AHLA Platinum Partners STR, Avendra, Ecolab, Encore, and Oracle. The top findings of the report include:
To help hotels fill open jobs and raise awareness of the hotel industry’s 200+ career pathways, the AHLA Foundation’s “A Place to Stay” multi-channel advertising campaign is now active in 14 cities, including Atlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Orlando, Phoenix, San Diego, and Tampa. For more info on the campaign, visit thehotelindustry.com. Additionally, AHLA affiliate “Hospitality is Working” recently launched the Workforce & Immigration Initiative. The effort is aimed at urging Congress to address workforce shortages with bipartisan solutions to incorporate more immigrants into the American economy. You can learn more about the effort here. Download the full State of the Industry report here. To schedule an interview with AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers to discuss the AHLA State of the Industry Report, email media@ahla.com. Linthicum, Md. (January 18, 2022) – On January 12, 2023, members of the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) – including General Managers, industry associates, and partners from Maryland’s statewide lodging industry – gathered at the BWI Airport Marriott Hotel for the MHLA Legislative Preview & Member Appreciation Breakfast. The inaugural event was presented by the Advocacy Event sponsor Marriott International and the Breakfast Sponsor, Ecolab. Following the breakfast, MHLA’s Chair, Mike Henningsen spoke to the group and took the time to reflect on the value of the continued support of the association’s lodging members, allied and partner level members. The addition of a new Platinum Partner level was introduced, and two partners who made significant contributions to the Association in 2022 were announced in this category: Ecolab and the Maryland Office of Tourism. Blake Nichols from Ecolab and Liz Fitzsimmons from the Maryland Office of Tourism gave brief remarks about their support and each received a certificate of appreciation.
Pictured with Michael Henningsen, MHLA Chair and Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO: (Left photo) Blake Nichols & Josh Marshall from Ecolab, 2023 Platinum Partner of MHLA (Right photo) Liz Fitzsimmons, Maryland Office of Tourism, 2023 Platinum Partner of MHLA MHLA President and CEO, Amy Rohrer then took the stage to also thank members and to introduce the members of MHLA’s 2023 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 new regulations impacting hotels are proposed and potentially passed into law. The MHLA Government Affairs Committee is co-chaired by Beth Brainard, General Manager, Canopy Baltimore Harbor Point and Jim Starke, VP of Hotel Operations, Best Western Plus BWI Airport-Arundel Mills. As the Maryland General Assembly opened its 2023 session on January 9, 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.  Pictured with Michael Henningsen, MHLA Chair and Amy Rohrer, MHLA President & CEO: Frank Boston, Ari Plaut & Kyle Tildon, Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law, MHLA Lobbyists MHLA lodging members can support the Government Affairs Committee by participating in weekly meetings, responding to “Calls to Action”, volunteering to testify as a subject matter expert, or sharing any connection with local representatives which may help facilitate dialogues on important issues. To learn more, please contact MHLA at mhla@mdlodging.org.
We are pleased to announce members of MHLA's 2023 Legislative Committee. This diverse group, representing lodging members across the state, will guide the Association’s position and actions on proposed legislation with a potential impact on hotels throughout the 2023 Maryland General Assembly session.
MHLA 2023 Legislative Committee Members Co-Chairs Beth Brainard, General Manager, Canopy by Hilton Baltimore Harbor Point Jim Starke, VP of Hotel Operations, Best Western Plus BWI Airport - Arundel Mills Voting Members Joel Bunde, General Manager, Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay Golf Resort, Spa & Marina Skip Cerf, General Manager, Sheraton Baltimore North Chuck Chandler, General Manager, Plamondon Hospitality Partners Mark Elman, General Manager, Hilton Ocean City Oceanfront Suites Michael Howard, General Manager, Hyatt Place Baltimore Adam Jackson, Vice President - Hotel Operations, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Northside - Ocean City Dan Jasinski, Director of Hotel Performance, Aloft Ocean City Pete Mangione, General Manager, Turf Valley Resort Deepak Patel, Owner, Country Inn & Suites Baltimore North Sandip Patel, Owner, Holiday Inn Express La Plata Donnie Sutton, General Manager, BWI Airport Marriott Kerry Watson, Vice President, Government Affairs, MGM National Harbor Linda Westgate, General Manager, Southern Management Companies Advisory Members Travis Cutler, Director, State Government Affairs, Marriott International Scott Greenberg, Manager, State and Local Government Affairs, Marriott International Scott Nowak, Director, State & Local Government Affairs, Hilton Shannon Sellman, Director, Government Affairs, IHG Hotels & Resorts Sharon Sykes, Director, State & Local Government Affairs, AH&LA Non-Voting Members Elizabeth Delens, Vice President, Operations, Crestline Hotels & Resorts Dan McKeon, Area General Manager, Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center Nadine Miracle, General Manager, Great Wolf Lodge Baltimore / Perryville Paul Pruitt, General Manager, Annapolis Waterfront Hotel LuAnn Stoudt, Human Resource Director, Turf Valley Resort Ben Seidel, President & CEO, Real Hospitality Group Junaid Siddiqi, CEO, Presidential Hotel Investors/Harbor East Group Veronica Whitley, VP of Human Resources, B.F. Saul Company Hospitality Group LOBBYISTS / STAFF Frank Boston, Partner, Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law Ari Plaut, Partner, Boston Plaut: Attorneys at Law Amy Rohrer, President & CEO, Maryland Hotel Lodging Association Revised Compliance Memo available - new human trafficking prevention requirements for MD hotels12/14/2022
A revised compliance memo related to HB 270 / SB 91 has been posted in Compliance and Operational Resources in the Members Area at MDLodging.org. The newly enacted legislation took effect on October 1, 2022 and imposes new requirements related to human trafficking prevention that apply to all “lodging establishments” in Maryland.
The memo was first shared in September and has since been updated with additional information regarding state approved training programs as well as the signage template provided by the Maryland Department of Labor. As MHLA learns more about the annual certification due October 1, 2023, the memo will be updated again. Members may contact MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer with any questions. HOTEL INDUSTRY LAUNCHES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY INITIATIVE TO PROVIDE A ‘RESPONSIBLE STAY’12/5/2022
Major Hotel Companies Unite Around Sustainability Priorities in Core Areas of Energy, Water, Waste and Sourcing
WASHINGTON (December 5, 2022) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) today announced Responsible Stay, an industry-wide commitment to make meetings, events and guest experiences in America’s hotels more environmentally and socially responsible. Responsible Stay is focused on prioritizing hotels’ environmental sustainability efforts in four key areas:
“The hotel industry has shown a longstanding commitment to sustainability, and many of our member companies have been on the leading edge of these efforts. We’re thrilled that the industry is committed to this critical issue that will shape how we travel for years to come,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. “The launch of Responsible Stay is the next step of our industry’s sustainability journey, and we are uniting as an industry to provide a responsible stay for our employees, guests, communities and our planet.” Responsible Stay aims to advance environmental initiatives and help hotels shift operations to be more sustainable. This commitment to provide a ‘responsible stay’ builds on existing initiatives by AHLA to support industry efforts to reduce carbon emissions, water and energy usage, waste and more, including:
To mark the launch of Responsible Stay, major hotel companies offered their individual commitments to advance environmental sustainability on their properties, and a diverse group of companies within the hotel and lodging industry have also released statements of support for the Responsible Stay effort: Michael J. Deitemeyer, President and CEO, Aimbridge Hospitality: “Aimbridge Hospitality is proud to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its principles of achieving sustainability through water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing, which is aligned with our own three-year ESG strategy and sustainability goals. These principles will be a valuable resource for hotels across the country as we work to build a more sustainable future for the communities in which we live, work and operate.” Justin Knight, CEO, Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.: “Apple Hospitality REIT is committed to building on our longstanding commitment to sustainability across our investment and asset management strategies to reduce our environmental impact. We strongly support ‘Responsible Stay’s’ goal of reducing carbon emissions by pursuing initiatives focused on water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency. To enhance our commitment to sustainable operations, Apple Hospitality REIT established a formal energy management program in 2018, engaging resources throughout our Company to ensure that energy, water and waste management are a priority not only within our Company, but also with our management companies and brands. We are committed to working closely with the brands to identify priorities for future investment that will further advance sustainable operating standards.” Rob Mangiarelli, President, Atrium Hospitality: “Atrium Hospitality is eager to support AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative, which complements our sustainability commitment as one of the nation’s largest hotel operators. We’re committed to being a responsible community partner, including priorities for energy efficiency, waste reduction, water conservation and responsible sourcing. Atrium invests in innovation to conserve the planet’s natural resources and to be more efficient, all while providing exceptional guest experiences.” Pat Pacious, CEO, Choice Hotels International: “Choice Hotels International, Inc. is committed to reducing our carbon footprint and proudly supports AHLA’s ‘Responsible Stay’ and its focus on water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency. More than a decade ago, Choice launched Room to be Green®, a program that promotes environmentally friendly practices throughout our hotel system and corporate offices. As the program continues to evolve and we look to further enhance our commitment to sustainability, we’re excited about the launch of ‘Responsible Stay.’” James Carroll, President and CEO, Crestline Hotels & Resorts, LLC: “Crestline is excited to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its focus on improving sustainability through water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. Implementing sustainable practices both in the hotels we manage and our own corporate offices has been an important initiative for Crestline for many years. In 2008, we launched EarthPact, a green initiative program that works towards excellence in sustainability across multiple disciplines.” Caitrin O’Brien; Vice President, Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG); Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts: “Four Seasons is committed to building upon our company’s strong history of supporting our communities and the environment. Through our Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) program, we seek to preserve and regenerate the beautiful places in which we operate and leave a positive, enduring impact on our communities. We are proud to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its focus on water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency. Our hotels around the world are taking significant steps within each of these priority areas, and we are committed to continued collaboration with our industry peers to drive even greater collective impact.” Arash Azarbarzin, CEO, Highgate Hotels, L.P.: “As an ESG leader within the hospitality industry, Highgate is proud to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its priorities of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and responsible sourcing. Reducing our environmental footprint is at the forefront of Highgate’s mission, which has led to the development of comprehensive programs surrounding building operations optimization, sustainable supply chain management, reforestation, renewable energy utilization, single-use plastics elimination and green design & construction. Our efforts are already making an impact, with more than 200 of our hotels powered by 100% renewable energy and more than 7,000 trees planted through reforestation efforts.” Danny Hughes, Executive Vice President and President, Americas, Hilton: “For over 100 years, Hilton has operated under the belief that hospitality can be a powerful force for good. We recognize that there has never been a more important time to support our industry’s efforts towards a more resilient and vibrant world for travel and are proud to support AHLA’s ‘Responsible Stay’ priorities. Together with our industry partners and guided by our Travel With Purpose strategy, we look forward to strengthening our collective efforts to protect the communities and destinations we serve while creating a more responsible stay for our guests.” James F. Risoleo; President, CEO, and Director; Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.: “Corporate responsibility is a cornerstone of Host’s values and business strategy, and we are proud to be consistently recognized for our commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. As the premier lodging REIT, one of the largest owners of luxury and upper-upscale hotels and a sustainability leader, we are excited to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and share its commitment of reducing carbon emissions through energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and responsible sourcing. This new program will set a foundation to help the industry meet the sustainability expectations of our stakeholders, including our investors, employees, partners and communities. Host is on track to meet our environmental targets around greenhouse gas emissions, energy, electricity use, water and waste by 2025; and by 2050, we aspire to be a net positive company and a catalyst for positive impact in the lodging industry.” Mark Hoplamazian, President and CEO, Hyatt: “Hyatt is committed to advancing environmental action through our 2030 environmental goals as part of our World of Care ESG platform. We are proud to support ‘AHLA’s Responsible Stay’ as an important tool in our industry’s sustainability efforts and help to ensure the communities we all serve remain vibrant now, and in the future.” Catherine Dolton, Chief Sustainability Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts: “At IHG Hotel & Resorts, we recognize the importance of playing our part in protecting our planet for the future. We fully support ‘Responsible Stay’ and agree with its priorities of water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. In parallel, IHG is committed to providing our guests with a more sustainable stay through our 'Journey to Tomorrow' 10-year responsible business plan. That’s why we’re working to reduce our energy use and carbon emissions in line with climate science and to minimize waste in the hospitality industry. We’re also finding ways to reduce our water usage and work with others towards sustainable solutions that create water access for all.” Liam Brown; Group President, U.S. and Canada; Marriott International, Inc.: “At Marriott International, Inc., we believe we have a global responsibility and unique opportunity to be a force for good by helping to take on our world’s most pressing social, environmental and economic issues. We support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its four key pillars of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and responsible sourcing. This new resource will help us advance our industry’s commitment to sustainability - protecting our communities and environments while meeting the expectations of our guests, associates, owners, investors and other stakeholders. Guided by our 2025 Sustainability and Social Impact Goals, as well as the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Marriott International is committed to creating positive and sustainable impact wherever we do business. Mit Shah, Founder and CEO, Noble Investment Group: “The name Noble was born out of the ethos of our commitment to responsible standards of operating and investing. We are proud that our diverse team continues to be stewards of these endeavors throughout the travel and hospitality industry, and we are excited to support AHLA’s ‘Responsible Stay’ and its priorities of water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. Through the design, development and redevelopment of our assets, Noble is committed to incorporating sustainable practices and pursuing energy efficiencies to produce more profitable and beneficial business results.” Jeff Wagoner, President and CEO, Outrigger Hospitality Group: “Outrigger Hospitality Group applauds and fully supports AHLA for uniting the industry to advance environmental sustainability and resilience with its new Responsible Stay platform. Outrigger is amplifying its own ESG efforts this year as part of our 75th Anniversary – including being the first hospitality company to pursue Green Seal certification in Hawaii, Fiji and Mauritius as well as signing a Climate Coalition Pledge that commits our company to tracking and reducing our carbon footprint. With a bold mission to be The Premier Beach Resort Company in the World, Outrigger’s link to the ocean is unbreakable. Beyond strategic reduction of energy, water and waste at all of our resorts, the company’s global conservation initiative, Outrigger ZONE, inspires positive change by helping to preserve, protect and plant coral reefs – the lungs of our planet.” George Limbert, President, Red Roof: “Red Roof is proud to support Responsible Stay and its sustainability priorities of water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. We’re committed to building a more sustainable future, which is why we recently launched a new ESG effort called Purpose With Heart. Our ESG project will focus on an evolving set of objectives. The benefits of our program will accrue to our guests, our business and our franchise owners, as well as to our team members, our communities and the environment we all share. Our purpose in developing a structured program is to do well by doing good, and we are so proud to endorse the AHLA Responsible Stay program that matches the spirit and aspiration of Purpose With Heart.” Leslie D. Hale, President and CEO, RLJ Lodging Trust: “RLJ Lodging Trust enthusiastically supports ‘Responsible Stay’ and shares its priorities of water conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. This program will help all of us in the hotel industry build a more sustainable future for the communities in which we operate, work and live.” Colin V. Reed, Chairman and CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc.: “Ryman Hospitality Properties, Inc. places a high value on protecting the environment where we own properties and employ a strong workforce. We are very proud to support the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s ‘Responsible Stay’ initiative and its sustainability goals of water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency within the lodging industry. As sole owner of five Gaylord Hotels, some of the top 10 largest non-gaming convention center hotels in the United States, we understand the significant environmental impact of our operations. That’s why we have implemented a sustainability program to mitigate, continually improve and closely monitor the environmental performance for our hospitality portfolio. We are proud of the progress we have made to date and continue to seek opportunities to reduce carbon and waste, conserve water and grow our efforts in sustainable and renewable energy.” John Murray, President and CEO, Sonesta International Hotels: “Sonesta International Hotels Corporation is proud to support ‘Responsible Stay’ and its focus on building a more sustainable future through water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency. Our business strategy incorporates a focus on sustainable approaches to operating properties in a manner that benefits the company’s owners, guests and the communities in which our properties are located. We encourage our managers and franchisees to operate their hotel in ways that improve the economic performance of their operations, while simultaneously managing energy and water consumption, as well as greenhouse gas emissions." Bryan A. Giglia, CEO, Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.: “Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. is proud to support ‘Responsible Stay,’ a new effort to build on our longstanding commitment to Environmental Sustainability through water conservation, waste reduction, responsible sourcing and energy efficiency. Our corporate employees, hotel associates and hotel guests are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, and we are committed to helping ensure our hotels meet their expectations. Throughout our portfolio, our Asset Management, Design and Construction and Engineering, teams monitor energy, waste and water consumption and costs, as well as work with our managers to identify opportunities for improvement. Our efforts are already paying off, with reductions in energy, water, GHG emissions and waste usage over the last several years. Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc. understands the importance of continuing to identify new initiatives that will help protect our planet and reduce our environmental footprint.” Mitch Patel, President and CEO, Vision Hospitality Group, Inc.: “In the United States alone, there are over 130,000 hotels and motels. As part of this rich fabric that is the hospitality industry, Vision Hospitality Group recognizes that we have a chance to make a major impact on the sustainability of our planet. When you consider our total usage in water, electricity and food, we have the ability to truly come together for real change. Vision Hospitality Group is proud to support the AHLA’s Responsible Stay initiative, adding our voice to our friends in the industry as we come together to ensure a bright, clean future for the next generation of hoteliers and guests.” Geoff Ballotti, President and CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: “Wyndham supports AHLA’s ‘Responsible Stay’ and is committed to fostering social responsibility through conservation, waste reduction, energy efficiency and responsible sourcing. We take daily action to minimize our operations’ impact on the world as we continue making progress in reducing our carbon emissions and water consumption and work towards a 100% elimination of single-use plastics while providing our hotels access to tools and best practices through Wyndham Green to help measure and reduce their own environmental impact.” Hotels invited to participate in Maryland Office of Tourism "Open for the Holidays" campaign11/28/2022
In 2021, the Maryland Office of Tourism’s Open For The Holidays (OFTH) Campaign provided an $8 to $1 return-on-investment by marketing overnight stays provided by participating accommodations listed in their database.
In 2022, the campaign is being expanded to include all businesses and events interested in increasing consumer awareness of loyalty programs, deals, discounts, specials, etc. offered during the holiday season. The offerings can relate to accommodations, attractions, dining, event tickets, shopping and more. The campaign will run from 11/14/22 through 12/18/22 and will target the state’s overnight travel markets. Hotels wishing to maximize their opportunity during the OFTH campaign should follow these two steps: 1. Add your business listing and event information to the VisitMaryland.org database. If you already have information in the database, review it to ensure it is up-to-date. Please allow 48 hours for the information to sync. If you have any questions or issues, please contact Brandon Chan or Flo Brant. 2. Add your promotions through the Deals and Discounts portal. Offers may include lodging, dining, attractions, etc. To make your promotion standout, the Maryland Office of Tourism encourages you to offer seasonal specials instead of a generic one such as added-value incentives, add-ons such as Holiday Light Displays, holiday-themed attractions, or nearby shopping coupon offers. All promotions must be tourism-related. For more ways to work with the Maryland Office of Tourism year-round, download this checklist.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Annapolis, MD – A new law went into effect on October 1, 2022, requiring all innkeepers in Maryland provide annual human trafficking prevention training to employees. Hotel operators across the state must now provide employees with annual training that has been certified and approved as meeting the requirements defined by the state. Training must be conducted annually, and within the first 90 days for newly hired employees.
Since 2019, the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) has partnered with the Seattle-based nonprofit, Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) to provide human trafficking awareness training for MHLA’s members and their staff, free of charge. BEST provides expertise in human trafficking prevention, and BEST’s Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training, sponsored by AAHOA, is an online, video-based training developed specifically for the hotel industry that has received approval in Maryland to meet the new law’s annual requirement for innkeepers. “BEST is pleased that our training meets all of the requirements in Maryland to help hotels in providing employees with training on the prevention, identification, and reporting of human trafficking,” said Mar Brettmann, CEO and Executive Director for BEST. “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the Maryland Hotel Lodging Association and to support their members in meeting this annual training requirement.” Inhospitable to Human Trafficking training is a 30-minute, online, video-based training that can be taken individually or in a group setting. The training is available in English or Spanish, and it has been proven to increase hotel employee reporting. In 2019 researchers from Arizona State University evaluated the training and found that 97 percent of hotel employees who took the training said it will help prevent sex trafficking incidents. Ninety-six percent of employees reported taking at least one recommended step to prevent trafficking at their hotel. Human trafficking networks often rely on legitimate businesses, such as hotels, to sustain their operations and infrastructure. But when hotel employees are properly trained in what to look for, human trafficking can be identified and safely reported to help keep all guests safe and permitting victims to be connected with the services they need. Maryland joins nine other states that have already implemented laws regarding human trafficking prevention training for employees in the lodging industry: California, Connecticut, Minnesota, New Jersey, Florida, Iowa, North Dakota, Texas, and Illinois. In 2023, Virginia and New York also plan to begin requiring lodging facilities to provide human trafficking prevention training for employees. MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer stated, “The lodging industry has long united around the ‘No Room for Trafficking’ campaign designed by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and their foundation. We commend the Maryland General Assembly for passing legislation addressing this horrific crime at hotels while also recognizing the industry’s existing efforts to utilize human trafficking awareness training and other techniques to identify, report and stop human trafficking. This illegal activity will not be tolerated in Maryland hotels, and we are proud to continue supporting our members in their efforts to stop it.” About Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking (BEST) is a Seattle-based nonprofit organization with the mission to educate employers to prevent human trafficking and create pathways to employment for survivors. BEST is the first organization in the country dedicated entirely to working with employers to disrupt human trafficking. BEST has provided consultation and training to hundreds of employers on how to prevent human trafficking. For more information visit www.bestalliance.org. About Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) The Maryland Hotel Lodging Association (MHLA) is a trade-based membership organization representing Maryland’s $8 Billion lodging industry with more than 80,000 rooms in 700+ hotels across the state. MHLA provides advocacy, information, recognition, and networking opportunities that benefit lodging industry owners, managers, associates, related businesses, and communities in Maryland. To learn more, please visit www.mdlodging.org. Hotel business travel revenue in Baltimore and Washington, DC area continues to lag in 2022 vs. 201910/18/2022
Yesterday the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Kalibri Labs released a new analysis that shows U.S. hotel leisure travel revenue is projected to end 2022 14% above 2019 levels, while hotel business travel revenue is expected to come within 1% of 2019 levels.
The study notes that “projections are not adjusted for inflation, and real hotel revenue recovery will likely take several more years.” MHLA President & CEO Amy Rohrer stated, “Hotel recovery across the country and within Maryland remains uneven, particularly in urban markets dependent on business travel. Baltimore and the Washington, DC area continue to lag in recovery compared to most of the top 50 U.S. markets.
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