Washington, D.C.,  (August 7, 2014)  - RLJ Lodging Trust contributed $5,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2014 Annual Giving Campaign. A longtime donor to AH&LEF, this year marks the company's fifth consecutive $5,000 donation. The Annual Giving Campaign is the Foundation's key yearly fundraiser that supports its core missions, including providing scholarships to hospitality management students, funding grants for pertinent industry research such as diversity and technology advancement, and promoting hospitality as a career of choice.

RLJ Lodging Trust is a self-advised, publicly-traded real estate investment trust focused on acquiring premium-branded, focused-service, and compact full-service hotels. The company's portfolio consists of 147 hotels and two planned hotel conversions, with a total of more than 23,100 rooms located in 21 states and the District of Columbia. RLJ Lodging Trust hotels operate under well-recognized global brands, including Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Hilton Garden Inn, Homewood Suites by Hilton, Hyatt Place, and Embassy Suites.

"Consistent with RLJ's commitment to increasing educational opportunities, I am pleased to contribute to the AH&LEF's efforts to provide financial support to hospitality management students and to increase diversity throughout the hospitality industry," said RLJ Lodging Trust President and CEO Thomas J. Baltimore, Jr. "We commend the AH&LEF for their focus on the future of this dynamic industry and look forward to continuing our participation in its initiatives."

"We are grateful to RLJ Lodging Trust for their continued support in funding programs that promote the industry's future growth," said AH&LEF President/CFO Joori Jeon. "We need more industry leaders like them who understand that their financial contributions ensure the future of our industry.

AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2013, AH&LEF disbursed more than $1 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for the industry. Since the Foundation's inception, more than $18.5 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.

All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org or visit www.ahlef.org.

# # #