Peoria, Illinois – March 18, 2016 – Congressman Darin LaHood (R-IL-18) toured the SpringHill Suites Peoria Westlake today as part of the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AH&LA) “Heart of the House” hotel tour program, which offers a behind-the-scenes look at a hotel in congressional leaders’ home districts to showcase the hotel industry’s positive impact on the economy and local community.
The tour was led by General Manager Benjamin Silver and Regional Director of Operations of First Hospitality Group, Inc. Anthony Leitz. Touring the property while discussing key policy issues important to the industry, Congressman LaHood gained a greater insight into both the positive influence the hotel industry has on job creation, employee and economic development, as well as the challenges it faces in today’s evolving marketplace.
“Hotels like the SpringHill Suites are a part of the fabric of communities around the country, creating local jobs and giving back to our communities with programs that foster training for employees and enhancing our neighborhoods,” said Congressman LaHood. “The growth we have witnessed, thanks to the hotel industry, further validates the need to advance and support policies in Washington that provide more certainty for companies like the SpringHill Suites to grow their businesses, support their employees, and develop local communities like Peoria.”
“We wanted to provide Congressman LaHood with a personal view on the programs we have in place to develop talent and enhance development and job opportunities in the local region,” said General Manager Benjamin Silver. “As local communities continue efforts to strengthen their economies, this was a great opportunity to share our perspective on the need to promote ways to help local businesses create jobs and ensure sustainable business growth.”
Illinois hotels are essential segment of the state’s economy. 6.1% of all jobs in the state are directly or indirectly related to the lodging industry, as part of the greater travel sector, with hotels, motels, resorts, or lodges helping to generate $2.5 billion in tax revenue for state and local governments. The hotel industry provides more than just a place a stay, but contributes to other industries such as transportation, restaurants, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation supporting $9.9 billion in total sales throughout the state.
Review the facts and figures on how the Illinois lodging industry contributes to the state’s jobs and economyhere.
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) engages with members of Congress on the “Heart of the House” hotel tours to provide an in-depth look at the career opportunities available as well as the economic and community impact the lodging industry has on the local, state and national stage.
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Serving the hospitality industry for more than a century, the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.9 million-employee U.S. lodging industry, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, state hotel associations, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides focused advocacy, communications support, and educational resources for an industry of 53,432 properties generating $176 billion in annual sales from 5 million guestrooms. AH&LA is a partner organization to the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association and the Austin Hotel & Lodging Association which represent the lodging industry at the state and local level.