Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) today visited with hotel employees in Omaha as she went on a Heart of the House hotel tour of the Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown. The tour, of the 249-room hotel, also included a meeting with the future of the hotel industry: Omaha Public Schools high school youth participating in a school-to-work program. Fischer expressed her appreciation for the hotel's contribution to local economic growth and job creation.
Hotel employees are the backbone of the lodging industry in Nebraska, which generates $269 million in tax revenue for state and local governments and provides more than 7,600 jobs resulting in $148 million in employee wages. As Americans marked Labor Day honoring the workforce, Embassy Suites General Manager Susan Madsen provided Senator Fischer and her staff an opportunity to see first-hand the impact the hotel industry has on jobs in her state.
"I'm thankful for the opportunity to go behind the scenes at the Omaha Embassy Suites and meet the hardworking staff at the heart of the hotel. The great work performed by these employees ensures that guests have comfortable visits and is the secret to this business's ongoing success. The hotel industry plays a key role in creating good jobs for young people and seasoned workers alike here in Nebraska and I appreciated the opportunity to learn more." said Senator Fischer.
Project SEARCH, a program implemented at the Embassy Suites Omaha Downtown/Old Market last August provides a unique, business-led, one-year, school-to-work program for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. While on the tour, Senator Fischer had the opportunity to meet with graduates of the program who are now employed at the hotel.
"We are thrilled to have Senator Fischer tour our property and meet with staff who represent the heart of our industry," said Madsen. "Her encouragement of youth participating in Project SEARCH will be a powerful incentive for them to work harder and continue their path toward success."
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.8 million-employee lodging industry, working together with state associations 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 impact the lodging industry has on the local, state and national economies.