AHLA
AHLA is the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the largest national trade organization representing the U.S. hotel and lodging industry through federal and state advocacy, compliance resources, workforce development, and industry standards.
AHLA stands for the American Hotel & Lodging Association, the largest national trade organization representing the U.S. hotel and lodging industry. Founded in 1910 in Chicago and headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA serves more than 30,000 members — including major global brands, independent hotels, management companies, REITs, bed and breakfasts, and state hotel associations.
What AHLA Does for the Hotel Industry
AHLA’s core function is federal and state legislative advocacy on behalf of hotel operators and owners. The association lobbies for hotel-friendly policies on issues ranging from labor law to taxation to online travel agency regulation — directly affecting the bottom line of every U.S. hotel property.
Beyond advocacy, AHLA publishes industry standards, conducts market research, and provides legal compliance tools. Its Hospitality Law Database tracks laws and regulations affecting hotel operations across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and top U.S. hotel markets — a practical resource for general managers and legal teams monitoring local compliance requirements.
AHLA’s Scale and Industry Reach
AHLA represents properties accounting for more than 3.2 million hotel rooms — roughly 80% of all franchised hotel properties in the United States. Member hotels collectively contribute nearly $600 billion to U.S. GDP annually, giving AHLA significant weight in policy discussions at both state and federal levels.
Membership spans every segment of the hospitality ecosystem. Independent boutique hotels, bed and breakfasts, and small management companies benefit from the same advocacy and resources as the 16 largest hotel companies in the country.
AHLEI: AHLA’s Education and Certification Arm
The American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) is a nonprofit subsidiary of AHLA, established in 1953. AHLEI develops and administers professional certifications and training programs used by hotels in 54 countries through 90+ licensed affiliates.
AHLEI offers nearly 30 certification designations covering every level of hotel staffing — from front-line guest service roles to senior executives. Two of the most widely recognized credentials include:
- CHA® (Certified Hotel Administrator): The premier executive-level credential for general managers and senior hotel leaders, focused on leadership, business acumen, and operational excellence.
- CGSP® (Certified Guest Service Professional): Earned through the Guest Service Gold® program, designed for customer-facing roles across lodging, food service, and tourism. Hotels use CGSP® training to standardize front-line service quality and improve guest satisfaction scores.
Hotels reference AHLEI certifications as the industry benchmark for validating staff competency at every level. For hotel F&B teams, AHLEI programs complement food safety training requirements that align with frameworks like HACCP and ServSafe.
USALI: The Accounting Standard AHLA Co-Publishes
AHLA co-publishes the Uniform System of Accounts for the Lodging Industry (USALI) in partnership with the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). USALI establishes standardized accounting formats and financial reporting guidelines used industry-wide for benchmarking, performance analysis, and investor reporting. Finance and accounting teams in hotels follow USALI to ensure their financial data is directly comparable with industry benchmarks and operator expectations.
AHLA Safety, Compliance, and Social Initiatives
AHLA develops operational best practice programs that affect day-to-day hotel management. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AHLA launched the Safe Stay program — a set of enhanced cleaning, disinfection, and social distancing protocols based on CDC guidelines — requiring documented employee training and standardized property-level procedures. This type of guidance directly intersects with health inspection readiness and formal food safety planning in hotel F&B operations.
AHLA also runs a formal human trafficking prevention initiative, training hotel employees to identify and report suspected trafficking. This program is part of AHLA’s broader responsible operations agenda alongside its sustainability leadership work. For hotels pursuing eco-conscious operations, AHLA’s environmental guidance connects directly to sustainable hospitality practices including energy efficiency and waste reduction.
On the labor compliance side, AHLA’s Hospitality Law Database and policy advocacy support hotel operators navigating requirements such as right-to-work posting obligations and ADA compliance standards — including ADA signage requirements across hotel properties.
AHLA Events and Awards
AHLA hosts The Hospitality Show, a flagship annual event connecting hotel industry leaders, decision-makers, and suppliers. The association also presents its General Managers of the Year Awards, recognizing outstanding hotel leaders across categories including extended stay, full-service, independent, select-service, and resort properties.
Common Uses
Department & Usage: AHLA is referenced across virtually every hotel department. General managers and ownership groups engage with AHLA for legislative updates and industry benchmarking through USALI. HR and training managers use AHLEI certifications — including the CHA® and CGSP® — to validate and develop staff competency at every level. Legal and compliance teams rely on AHLA's Hospitality Law Database to track regulatory changes across states. F&B directors and housekeeping managers reference AHLA best practice guidelines for health, safety, and sanitation compliance. Purchasing managers and operators may reference AHLA membership as a signal of a property's commitment to industry standards when evaluating supplier and partner relationships.
Sustainability
AHLA has positioned sustainability as a core strategic initiative for the hotel industry, providing member guidance on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and eco-friendly property operations. The association's sustainability agenda also encompasses diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) as part of its broader social responsibility platform. Human trafficking prevention — including formal employee training programs — is a key pillar of AHLA's responsible operations initiatives. These efforts align with the growing industry focus on sustainable hospitality practices at the property level.