WASHINGTON (October 18, 2022) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (the Alliance) have announced a new strategic partnership between the two organizations to drive advanced ESG efforts within the hotel and hospitality industry. As part of the partnership, AHLA, AHLA Foundation and the Alliance will amplify and collaborate to support one another's programs and solutions, including the AHLA Foundation’s workforce development programs and the No Room for Trafficking campaign and the Alliance’s social and environmental sustainability tools and resources. 

The announcement of the partnership follows a two-day summit hosted by the Alliance that brought together senior hospitality leaders and strategic partners to discuss current sustainability efforts and challenges, discover insights from expert speakers on collaboration and leadership and develop a long-term sustainability strategy for the future that enables every part of the industry to contribute towards achieving net positive hospitality.

“AHLA and the AHLA Foundation are proud to enter this partnership with the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, as many of our member brands are already on the leading edge of ESG efforts in the hospitality sector,” said Chip Rogers, President and CEO of AHLA. “America’s hotels recognize the industry-transforming potential of a sustainability strategy that addresses the environmental impacts of waste, water, energy and sourcing across operations and want to ensure we are reducing our environmental footprint without compromising the needs of our guests. This partnership will also strengthen our career development and human trafficking work, further extending our impact on the communities we serve.”

“We are delighted to be partnering with AHLA to promote social and environmental sustainability across the industry,” said Glenn Mandziuk, CEO of the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance. “This co-operation will enable us to reach a large portion of the U.S. industry, including small and medium-sized hotels, and give both our organizations the platform to create, test and roll out innovative solutions to enable the industry to have a regenerative impact and give back to their local communities, environments and places.” 

Alliance members make up 35 percent of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 21 world-leading hotel companies and strategic partners, many of which are also AHLA members. AHLA is the largest hotel association in the U.S., representing all segments of the industry including 30,000+ members and the 10 largest hotel companies nationwide. In addition to major reductions in water usage and energy across the sector, America’s hotels have made significant commitments to reduce waste and source responsibly through innovative programs and partnerships with organizations like the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance.  

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About The American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation (AHLAF) 
The AHLA Foundation, the charitable giving arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, is dedicated to helping people build careers, improve their lives and strengthen the lodging industry. We are committed to elevating, educating and empowering individuals and the public on the industry’s story of opportunity and advancement. Since its founding in 1953, the Foundation has distributed over $27 million in support of the industry and is committed to ensuring a strong and viable workforce for the entire lodging industry. The Foundation is funded solely by contributions from generous individuals and companies who want to give back to the hotel industry and ensure a successful future. Learn more at www.ahlafoundation.org.

About Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
The Sustainable Hospitality Alliance brings together engaged hospitality companies and uses the collective power of the industry to deliver impact locally and on a global scale. They work with leading hospitality companies and strategic partners to address key challenges affecting our planet and its people and develop practical resources and programmes to enable the wider industry to operate responsibly and grow sustainably.

Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), they commit to drive continued action on human rights, youth employment, climate action and water stewardship. Their members make up over 35% of the global hotel industry by rooms and include 21 world-leading hotel companies including Marriott International, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt and Radisson Hotels Group as well as regional brands. For further information, visit www.sustainablehospitalityalliance.org.