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| | Join us for the inaugural OHLEF Golf Classic on July 23, 2026, at Golf Club of Dublin! This exciting new event supports the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation’s mission to invest in the future of hospitality, funding training programs, career development, and education initiatives across Ohio. Gather your team or register individually for a great day on the course, complete with a shotgun start, on-course contests, and an awards dinner to wrap it all up.
July 23, 2026
8:00 AM - 3:00 PM
The Golf Club of Dublin
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Top | | Thank you for submitting your Regional Stars of the Industry Awards nomination and helping us celebrate the people who make hospitality shine.
This year's theme, Rising Stars, Bright Futures, is more than a tagline—it's a reflection of the incredible talent, dedication, and leadership found throughout our industry.
By taking the time to recognize a colleague, mentor, or team member, you're shining a spotlight on the individuals whose passion inspires others and helps shape the future of hospitality. We look forward to celebrating these outstanding professionals with you!
Statewide Nominations - Keep 'em coming!
Deadline for Ohio Stars: September 28 |
Top | | Mark your calendars for OHLA’s signature events celebrating and advancing Ohio’s hospitality industry. Save the date for the Stars of the Industry Luncheons, where we honor exceptional hospitality professionals, and the Annual Conference, bringing together industry leaders for education, networking, and insights that help shape the future of hospitality.
Greater Dayton Stars of the Industry Luncheon
August 27, 2026
Greater Cleveland Stars of the Industry Luncheon
September 3, 2026
Greater Columbus Stars of the Industry Luncheon
NEW DATE: September 17, 2026
Greater Cincinnati Stars of the Industry Luncheon
NEW DATE: September 22, 2026
2026 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala
November 23 & 24, 2026
Hyatt Regency Columbus |
Top | | Our recent Northwest Regional Membership Mixer held at the Maumee Bay Brewing Company, Toledo brought together property members and allied partners for an afternoon of connection. In a relaxed happy hour setting, attendees enjoyed complimentary drinks and appetizers while building meaningful connections, exchanging ideas, and strengthening relationships with fellow industry professionals. |
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Southeast
Thursday, August 6th 3-5 pm (Open Now)
Akron/Canton
Thursday, October 15th 3-5 pm
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Top | | Highlights from recent legislative activity include renewed federal and local proposals to significantly increase minimum wages and eliminate the tipped wage credit, creating potential impacts for hotel operators, employees, and consumers.
Updates also cover recent wage policy developments in New York City and Los Angeles, growing voter pushback against mandated wage increases, and industry efforts to advocate for market-driven compensation policies while continuing to invest in competitive wages and employee benefits.
See more details in the full report. |
Top | | Continuing your membership ensures uninterrupted access to the advocacy, connections, and resources that support your business and strengthen Ohio’s hospitality industry.
Our regional Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons and the Annual Conference & Gala are just around the corner. Renew your membership today so you don't miss all that these annual favorite events have to offer.
For your convenience, you may pay your dues online at OhioLodging.com. Access your account via the orange myOHLA tab, log-in, and click on the orange ‘Pay my Dues’ button.
Your renewal investment was due by June 30. If you have not yet renewed or need assistance, please contact us at (614) 461-6462 or info@ohla.org.
Thank you for your support of OHLA and Ohio’s lodging community. |
| | Has your team grown or recently changed? Have you welcomed new managers, sales professionals, or department leaders to your property?
Help us keep our membership database current so your team receives the latest OHLA news, event invitations, educational opportunities, and member benefits. |
| | Hoteliers, have you considered how you can purchase advertising, décor, pool/spa maintenance, and employee gifts/incentives for your hotel without using cash? We would like to introduce you to IMS Barter. Trade your unsold room nights for what you need! Our experienced brokers are versed in client relationships to foster great trade, so YOU can focus on running your property while maximizing every available room.
INSPIRE partners with hotels and convention centers as their in-house audiovisual and event technology provider, supporting 155+ properties nationwide. Through a consultative, property-specific approach, INSPIRE works alongside hotel teams to align AV services with operational goals and enhance the overall guest experience. |
Top | | Showcase your brand, connect with key decision-makers, and position your company as a leader in our state’s hospitality industry. Sponsorships are selling quickly, so don’t miss your chance to secure your preferred events and opportunities. Reach out today to reserve your spot and be part of a standout year ahead. |
Top | | Be in the presence of a star! We will be welcoming Antoinette Peterson of IHG, who recently won the AHLA North Star Award this past January. Pick Antoinette’s brain during this low-key Q&A session. Join us to network with other emerging professionals in the Cleveland area.
July 14, 2026
4:00 - 6:00PM
InterContinental Cleveland - Table 45 |
Top | | What Cogwheel’s Saying: Smart Takes Worth Reading
Google’s Demand Gen campaigns are reshaping digital advertising by combining the intent-driven power of Search with the visual engagement of Display and social-style content. Designed to reach travelers across YouTube, Shorts, Discover, Gmail, and the Google Display Network, Demand Gen helps hotels capture attention before potential guests even begin searching.
Unlike traditional Search campaigns that rely on keywords, Demand Gen uses images, videos, and audience targeting to build awareness and drive conversions at a lower cost per click.
When paired with Search and Display campaigns, it creates a more complete marketing strategy that engages travelers throughout every stage of the booking journey. |
| | AI is changing how guests plan and experience travel, but it cannot replace the human instinct that makes hospitality memorable.
This month, I’m sharing a clip from my conversation with Michelle Exarhos, President of Les Clefs d’Or Denmark and Head Concierge at One Hotel Copenhagen. We discuss the evolving role of the concierge, the importance of local knowledge, and why emotional intelligence may become one of the most valuable skills in hospitality.
For Ohio hoteliers, this is a relevant conversation as properties think about how to modernize the guest experience without losing the personal connection that keeps people coming back. Technology can support service, but people still create the story guests remember. |
| | Workers' Compensation & Safety Updates
This month, Sedgwick highlights practical strategies to help employers reduce workers’ compensation costs while maintaining safe workplaces. Employers can learn how settlement agreements, disability relief, and subrogation opportunities may lower claim expenses and premiums, while also gaining a better understanding of OSHA’s General Duty Clause and Ohio PERRP requirements, which require employers to address recognized workplace hazards even when no specific standard exists.
Together, these articles provide valuable guidance to help employers control costs, remain compliant, and proactively protect their workforce. |
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After more than two decades in hospitality, Suzanne Via reflects on how people-first leadership and real partnership shaped her journey to HotelPro. |
| | Ohio’s hospitality industry has made strong strides with recycling, but today’s guest expectations call for a more comprehensive, zero-waste approach that prioritizes reducing waste first, followed by composting and then recycling. By tackling high-impact areas like food waste, especially in full-service hotels, properties can significantly cut hauling costs while strengthening their sustainability story. |
Top | | The WIL Advisory Council is kicking off their collection drive for students transitioning into the workplace by collecting small items that can help them walk into their first interviews and first days with confidence.
Collections will be held at the Regional Stars of the Industry Awards and Annual Conference. |
| | The Women in Lodging Annual Leadership Luncheon, Beyond the Horizon: Women Breaking Barriers, brought together 150 hospitality professionals and leaders on June 18 at Embassy Suites by Hilton Columbus Dublin for an afternoon of inspiration, connection, and meaningful conversation. Hosted in partnership with the Women in Lodging CONNECT community, the event celebrated women who are leading with purpose, navigating challenges, and shaping the future of hospitality.
Attendees heard from an engaging Barrier Breaker panel and keynote speaker Regan Walsh, whose message encouraged guests to shed expectations, trust their instincts, and continue breaking barriers with confidence and authenticity. |
| | Join OHLA Women in Lodging for a Coffee Connection designed to inspire wellness, networking, and professional growth. This engaging event features Dana Textoris of Cleveland Public Adjusters, who will lead participants through an energizing mat Pilates session suitable for all experience levels. Connect with fellow hospitality professionals, enjoy great conversation over coffee, and leave feeling refreshed, empowered, and recharged.
August 4, 2026
8:00 - 10:30AM
Hilton Cleveland Downtown
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Upcoming Events
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July 14, 2026
4:00PM - 6:00PM | InterContinental Cleveland - Table 459801 Carnegie Ave, Cleveland, OH 44106 |
| July 16, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM | Online Webinar |
| July 23, 2026
8:00AM - 4:00PM EST | The Golf Club of Dublin5805 Eiterman Rd, Dublin, OH 43016 |
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