Lansing, MI – August 31, 2016 – U.S. Congressman Tim Walberg (R-MI) visited the Crowne Plaza Lansing West today as part of a hotel tour program called the “Heart of the House,” which connects members of Congress to a hotel in their district to learn more about the hospitality industry’s contributions to creating jobs and supporting local communities, while also hearing firsthand about the challenges the industry faces. The program is hosted by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). 

Michigan’s hotels are an important segment of the state economy, generating some $991 million in tax revenue for the state and local governments. In addition, many of Michigan’s hotel properties are small businesses, which is a segment of the economy responsible for half of the jobs in the state. This industry reaches beyond simply providing guests with comfortable rooms or convenient meeting spaces – they also create jobs in a multitude of other industries, including transportation, food and beverage, agriculture, manufacturing, and recreation, supporting $4.2 billion in total sales throughout the state. Review the facts and figures on how Michigan hotels contribute to the economy and local jobs by clicking here.

“As a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections, I am committed to creating long-term job growth in Michigan and in towns across the country,” said Congressman Walberg. “It was a pleasure to tour the Crowne Plaza Lansing West and hear more about how the hotel industry not only contributes to travel and tourism promotion across the Great Lakes State, but also supports competitive wages with good benefits and opportunities to build long-term careers.”

Today’s tour was led by Cindy Bowen, the General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Lansing West, and was accompanied by AH&LA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, Brian Crawford. 

“We are grateful for the opportunity to showcase the Crowne Plaza Lansing West to Congressman Walberg as the premier hotel and convention space in Lansing,” said General Manager Cindy Bowen. “We are proud to be in the business of hospitality, serving our guests and supporting local businesses and our community, and it was a pleasure to highlight the great opportunities available to our employees and our guests in this guest-centric business.” 
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 of the lodging industry.
 

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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 2 million-employee U.S. lodging industry, including hotel owners, REITs, chains, franchisees, management companies, independent properties, bed and breakfasts, 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 more than 54,000 properties generating $176 billion in annual sales from 5 million guestrooms.