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| | Part of the excitement of OHLA’s Annual Conference & Gala is the opportunity to elect members to its statewide Board of Trustees. Current board members are also recognized at this event for their leadership and service. Associations rely on the volunteer involvement of these dedicated and selfless individuals who commit their time and energy on behalf of all members and the entire industry. Roughly half of the OHLA board is elected in alternating years.
New members joining the board for the term beginning January 1, 2026, are:
Michael Cooney, Radius Hospitality
Wade Riedman, Rolling Hills Hospitality
Amy Wald, Greenluxe (as Allied Officer)
Brian Wipprecht, Commonwealth Hotels
Members reelected for a new term are:
Chad Bortle, SJB Hotels
Holly Hollingsworth, Cogwheel Marketing
Nancy Howard, Hilton Columbus/Polaris
Jennifer Ruiz, Embassy Suites Akron Canton Airport
Stephen Stewart, Hyatt Regency Columbus
Thank you to all of our volunteers and leaders! |
| | The 2025 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala once again brought together Ohio’s lodging professionals for two days of learning, networking, and celebration. With hoteliers, staff, vendors, educators, and aspiring professionals from around the state in attendance, the conference delivered a rich mix of education, industry insights, and community-building, all set at the Hilton Columbus at Easton on November 24–25.
The conference lived up to its promise as “the largest annual gathering of hoteliers in Ohio.” Attendees had access to a robust agenda spanning leadership, operations, hospitality industry policy, and guest-service excellence.
However, the OHLA Conference would not be complete without its cornerstone, the Ohio Stars of the Industry Gala. This awards dinner showcases outstanding individuals and teams across Ohio’s lodging sector, and this year was no different!
20 associates and teams were recognized for their exceptional contributions to our industry! To see the full list of winners, click "Read More."
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| | Thank you for joining us at the 2025 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala! We hope you enjoyed the sessions, networking, tradeshow, and celebration of our Stars of the Industry. As we begin planning for next year, we want to ensure the event continues to meet — and exceed — the expectations of Ohio’s lodging community. Your feedback is essential in helping us improve.
🌐Complete the Survey
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Top | | At the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Association (OHLA), we believe that professional growth drives stronger teams, better guest experiences, and a more successful industry overall.
As we plan our 2026 event calendar, we want your input to ensure our programs meet the real needs of Ohio’s lodging professionals.
By taking just a few minutes to complete the survey you’ll help guide the topics, formats, and opportunities we offer in the year ahead. Your feedback directly shapes workshops, webinars, and conference sessions that make a difference for your property and team.
🌐Complete the Survey
Thank you for sharing your voice — and for continuing to elevate Ohio hospitality through your partnership and participation. |
Top | | We Raised $6,000 for the OHLA Educational Foundation!
Thank you to all who donated items and or bid on items in the 2025 OHLA Annual Conference and Gala Silent Auction. We raised almost $6,000 for the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (OHLEF)!
These funds will be used for scholarships for current and future industry professionals, as well as programs to encourage individuals to enter the industry and initiatives to connect employees and employers. With your support of the auction and other fundraising efforts, you’re making a direct, positive impact on the lodging workforce of today and tomorrow. |
Top Top | | If you love connecting with people and have ideas about how we can grow and engage our association, this is a great way to get involved. If you are interested and want to learn more, or if you have a suggestion of potential committee member, please reach out to Sara@ohla.org |
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Public Speaking Workshop facilitated by speaker coach Brandi Lust
📅 Tuesday, December 9 from 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.
📍Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Dublin
Strong communication is the cornerstone of effective leadership. In this interactive workshop, author and speaker Brandi Lust will guide participants through a practical framework for crafting talks that inform, inspire, and connect.
You’ll learn how to identify stories that reflect your values, shape messages that matter to your audience, and deliver presentations that build trust and engagement.
Whether you’re leading a team meeting, presenting to clients, or representing your organization publicly, this session will help you develop a repeatable structure for creating meaningful talks, and the confidence to deliver them with authenticity and impact. |
| | Throughout the Fall, OHLA’s Women In Lodging (WIL) collected personal care items to support the American Red Cross’s Totes of Hope initiative. Totes of Hope is a nationwide campaign led by the American Red Cross’s Service to the Armed Forces (SAF) program. At annual conference, volunteers packed these items and will now deliver them directly to VA hospitals across Ohio. Thank you to all who donated items and helped stuff totes. With your support, we stuffed over 260 totes!
Volunteers collect personal-care items, pack them into totes or backpacks, and deliver them directly to veterans in hospitals, shelters, or outreach centers. These kits serve as both a practical lifeline—providing toiletries and warm accessories and a heartfelt reminder that someone cares. |
Top | | Step into your future with OHLA’s Emerging Professionals (EP) program—your pathway to meaningful connections, career growth, and leadership opportunities, built specifically for rising talent in Ohio’s lodging industry.
This vibrant community brings together ambitious young professionals who are ready to make an impact, broaden their skills, and shape the next generation of hospitality leaders. Whether you’re seeking mentorship, professional insight, or chances to lead and collaborate, EP gives you the network and support to grow, succeed, and stand out.
Cocoa & Crafts - An Emerging Professionals Third Thursday Networking
Take a creative pause from the bustle of hospitality at Cocoa & Crafts, a cozy, hands-on event hosted by the OHLA Emerging Professionals! Sip on some hot cocoa while crafting a seasonal keepsake that inspires both relaxation and imagination. This event blends the warmth of hospitality with the joy of making something memorable — a sweet reminder that creativity is at the heart of great guest experiences.
📅 December 18 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM
📍OHLA Offices (Columbus, OH)
🌐Click here to register.
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Top | | December Workers' Compensation & Safety Updates
This month, Sedgwick is highlighting winter safety and ongoing education for employers. Their December articles emphasize safe rooftop snow removal practices during the winter season and provide an overview of their workers’ compensation education program, designed to help employers strengthen their knowledge and better manage claims. Explore the latest updates to stay informed!
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Effective Stress Management Tips for Hotel Managers During High-Demand Periods
Hotel managers face constant challenges navigating fluctuating occupancy and unpredictable demands, which can lead to significant stress and burnout.
This article offers practical strategies—such as prioritizing clear communication, leveraging checklists, encouraging breaks, delegating tasks, and securing reliable staffing support—that help managers maintain focus, reduce pressure, and lead their teams more effectively.
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| | How Eco-Friendly Practices Are Driving Guest Expectations and Boosting Ohio’s Hospitality Industry
As travelers become increasingly eco-conscious, sustainable lodging has evolved from a trend to a business necessity in the hospitality industry. Across generations, guests now expect hotels to implement visible, effective green practices such as energy conservation, waste reduction, and local sourcing. In Ohio, this shift presents a significant opportunity for hotels to gain a competitive edge by adopting environmentally responsible measures, improving guest loyalty, and supporting the state’s booming tourism economy.
Keep Ohio Beautiful highlights the crucial role of sustainability in attracting today’s mindful travelers and offers resources to help Ohio’s lodging sector lead the way in green hospitality. |
| | I’m honored to share that I’ve joined the OHLA Board of Directors! As the founder of Greenluxe and a passionate advocate for sustainable hospitality, I’m excited to help shape resources that reflect the unique needs and strengths of our Ohio and Midwest region.
From our local biodiversity to the expectations of today’s travelers, our market has distinct opportunities—and I’m committed to tailoring support that’s both relevant and actionable. |
| | What Cogwheel’s Saying: Smart Takes Worth Reading
Over eight months, we implemented a strategic SEO optimization plan to help a hotel enhance its online visibility and drive organic search traffic for improved direct bookings. By focusing on technical audits, keyword strategy, on-page optimization, backlink development, and GBP/Google Maps revisions and citations, we transformed the hotel’s online presence and significantly increased organic traffic.
🌐Click here to read the full article
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Top | | On the Road with OHLA: Empowering Hospitality Students
In an effort to build stronger connections to the colleges and universities in Ohio with hospitality programs, OHLA began visits to the programs this Fall, meeting with Baldwin Wallace and Lorain County Community College in November. At the meetings, the schools shared that their priorities are increasing enrollment, developing and strengthening relationships with industry partners, and training career-ready students.
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Top | | Save the date for the 2nd Annual OHLEF Golf Classic, taking place on Thursday, July 23, 2026, at the beautiful Golf Club of Dublin.
Join industry colleagues, partners, and supporters for a day of friendly competition, networking, and community impact as we come together to support OHLEF’s mission. More details, including registration and sponsorship opportunities, will be shared soon!
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Upcoming Events
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December 9, 2025
4:00PM - 7:00PM | Courtyard by Marriott Columbus Dublin5175 Post Road Dublin, OH 43017 |
| December 18, 2025
4:00PM - 6:00PM | OHLA Offices175 South Third Street, Suite 170, Columbus, OH 43215 |
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