OH&LA Membership Benefits

As a member of OH&LA you are also a member of your local lodging council and of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA).  OH&LA and AH&LA are working diligently on your behalf.  Our benefits include:

Government Affairs

• Government Affairs Advocacy!  OH&LA and AH&LA are working to increase per diem rates, receive funding for the Ohio state tourism division, lobbying to defeat mandatory paid sick leave, card check, and other harmful anti-business legislation.
• Victories! Past OH&LA government affairs victories include preventing a statewide lodging tax, updates to hotel licensing laws, and increasing the federal per diem rate in several areas of Ohio.

Education & Workforce Development

• Training Seminars: OH&LA offers affordable seminars throughout the year.  Our topics include: front desk training, ADA information, safety and security, serving alcohol responsibly, revenue management, and more.
• OH&LA Resource Library: OH&LA has an in-house library of training CDs and materials for our members to borrow. A full list of items can be found online at www.ohiolodging.com/membersonly/resource_library.htm
• Education and Training Fund: Employees of OH&LA members may complete an application for scholarship funds for hospitality training. OH&LA provides nearly $5,000 in scholarships annually.  More information and applications are online at www.ohiolodging.com/membersonly/scholarship.htm
• The OH&LA Store!  OH&LA’s Store includes 4 low cost items and 6 member only free items that you can use to operate your property more efficiently. You can download an OH&LA store form online at www.OhioLodging.com/membersonly

Value-Added Allied Partnerships

• OH&LA Premier Partners:  As an OH&LA member you can receive member only discounts on Smith Travel Research information and a free monthly STR Ohio report.  Constellation New Energy may be able to help you save on your electricity bill.  In 2009 nearly 100 OH&LA members saved over $1 million in the OH&LA workers compensation group rating program with Careworks Conslutants Inc. (CC).  Contact OH&LA to learn how to save with each of these groups. 
• Allied Buyers Guide: This online publication is a comprehensive guide of lodging suppliers and consultants who may offer OH&LA members discounts on products and services. The Allied Buyers Guide can be found online at www.ohiolodging.com/membersonly.

Communications & Peer Networking

• Free Listings!  OH&LA members receive a free listing on www.OhioLodging.com, a free listing on www.OhioMag.com, and we submit your information for a free listing in the annual Discover Ohio State Travel Planner.
• e-Newsletter: OH&LA’s monthly e-newsletter keeps you informed of key legislative issues, training opportunities, industry tends and more.
• OH&LA Annual Conference: Every Monday before Thanksgiving OH&LA holds our annual conference and Stars gala where over 300 people gather to learn, network, and celebrate the top employees in Ohio’s lodging industry.

Feel free to contact us with industry questions or for more information.  You can contact us by e-mail at Matt@ohla.org or Kelly@ohla.org, or by phone at (800) 589-6462.  We are your association!  We look forward to working with you and on your behalf.

Sincerely,

Matthew L. MacLaren, Esq.                                        Kelly Jones-Swenson  
Executive Vice President                                            Director of Membership Development
Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association                          Ohio Hotel and Lodging Association