The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has named the 2014 board of directors. All members are new to the board of directors, which is comprised solely of C-level lodging executives representing the full scope of the lodging sector, including brands, owners and REITs, management companies, independents, and state associations. The AH&LA board meets twice yearly to discuss a broad range of industry and association-related issues.

"AH&LA has undergone a major transformation that brings together the entire industry under one national umbrella, focuses the association on advocacy, and allows the industry to speak with one strong voice." said AH&LA President/CEO Katherine Lugar. "Our new board of directors is an outstanding group of leaders representing every segment of the industry, who will provide the thought leadership and guidance to ensure that AH&LA is positioned to deliver real value to hoteliers throughout the country."

The new board of directors was appointed by the AH&LA Nominating Committee and AH&LA Bylaws Task Force. A new board was selected to reflect the completely new strategic direction and membership model passed last June by a vote of association members.

"The Nominating Committee reviewed submissions from hundreds of hoteliers who were eager to serve a role on the new AH&LA board," said Jim Abrahamson, AH&LA vice chair, CEO of Interstate Hotels & Resorts, and the chair of the AH&LA Nominating Committee. "From brands to management companies to independent owners, this board is a veritable who's who of our industry."

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 1.8 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 generating $155.5 billion in annual sales from 4.9 million guestrooms.

The new AH&LA board of directors is truly reflective of the new association membership model, said John Fitzpatrick, AH&LA chair, and president/CEO of Fitzpatrick Hotel Group, North America. We have a strong group in place to drive the association forward to create a unified and sustained presence and better position AH&LA to tackle the myriad of issues the industry faces.