OHLA Emerging Professionals
OHLA Emerging Professionals is a community open to industry professional members. Emerging Professionals offers resources, networking, and education designed to ensure young, emerging professionals have the career development opportunities to move up in the lodging industry. Our mission is to provide a community that supports emerging hotel & lodging industry professionals and cultivates the next generation of leaders.
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Develop Your Craft We strive to offer resources and build opportunities to hone the skills, knowledge and professional acumen of our emerging leaders. |
Foster Discussion & Innovation We cultivate an open space to discuss issues and developments that impact the travel and hospitality industry. |
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Grow Meaningful Relationships We enable our members to grow meaningful connections through providing opportunities to engage in a social setting. |
Offer Encouragement We build up our members to strengthen and uplift the next generation of leaders. |
What does Emerging Professionals do for you?
- Provides education
- Leadership Skills
- Career Advancement
- Facilitates Networking Opportunities
- Third Thursday events with hotel & lodging industry
- Group outings to local attractions
- Giving Back Events
- Encourages Career Development
- Trainings & Certification Opportunities - Coming Soon!
- Educational Scholarships Available to you
- Fostering Connections
- Exclusive Facebook Group for EP Community Members to connect
- Buddy System – Never feel alone in attending events!
- Explores Mentorship
- Opportunities to connect with collegiate students
Want to join us on this journey?
How to Join:
1) Complete
Must be a current OHLA member to be eligible. Any questions can be directed to michele@ohla.org.
2) Await confirmation of the received form & welcome email
2025 Schedule of Events
Event details are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information check OHLA's Full Calendar here.
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January - Third Thursday Networking January 26, 2025 Time: 8:30 - 10:00am Place: Freedom a la Cart Cafe Register Here |
July - Third Thursday Networking July 17, 2025 Time: Place: Cleveland, Ohio Register Here |
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February - Third Thursday Networking February 20, 2025 Time: 4:30 - 6:00pm Place: Seventh Son Brewing |
August - Third Thursday Networking August 21, 2025 Time: Place: Columbus, Ohio Register Here |
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March - Third Thursday Networking March 20, 2025 Time: 4:30 - 6:00pm Place: Canopy Columbus Downtown |
September - Third Thursday Networking September 18, 2025 Time: 10:30am -12:00pm Place: Cincinnati, Ohio Register Here |
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April - Third Thursday Networking April 17, 2025 Time: 1:00-3:00pm Place: Franklin County Dog Shelter |
October - Third Thursday Networking October 16, 2025 Time: 4:00-6:00pm Place: OHLA Offices Register Here |
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May - Third Thursday Networking May 15, 2025 Time: 12:00-1:00pm Place: Online Webinar |
November - Third Thursday Networking November 20, 2025 Time: TBD Place: Columbus, Ohio |
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June - Third Thursday Networking - Coffee to Move Her Forward June 26, 2025 Time: 8:30-10:00am Place: Starbucks (Corner of 14th & High Street)
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December - Third Thursday Networking December 18, 2025 Time: 4:00-6:00pm Place: OHLA Offices Register Here |
Meet the EP Committee!
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Bailey Laverty, Chair Bailey is currently a Senior Sales Manager at the AC Columbus Downtown! She began her career in hospitality five years ago as a front desk agent at the Westin Downtown, working her way through the operations side of things to her current position. Bailey loves hospitality because it gives her the chance to create exceptional, memorable experiences for people on a daily basis! |
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Lauren Butterfield, Vice Chair Lauren is a Dual Director of Sales and Marketing at the SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites Columbus Easton Area. As a seasoned hotel/hospitality professional in operations and sales, she is proudly effective in capturing new business opportunities and building relationships with clientele. |
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Emily Maddox, 2nd Vice Chair Emily is the Design & Construction Project Administrator for Red Roof in New Albany, Ohio. With her background in entertainment, she's now bringing her skills to the hospitality industry. Emily is eager to connect with her fellow Emerging Professionals and make new friends through events and programming. |
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Samira Abeeb, Committee Member Samira currently works at Hyatt Regency Columbus as a Human Resources Coordinator! She has been in the hospitality industry for 15 years. Samira is a recent graduate from Franklin University where she completed her MS in Human Resources Management. Originally from Somalia, moving to Columbus where diversity, equity & Inclusion in hospitality, especially Hyatt Regency Columbus has given her a chance to gain new skills & personal development. |
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Kishen Das, Committee Member Kishen is a commercial real estate broker specializing in hotel sales, with a deep-rooted background in owning and managing franchise hotels. He combines this experience with over a decade in corporate finance strategy, three years of professional work in Milan, Italy, and membership in various real estate and hotel-related organizations, offering a unique perspective to the OHLA Emerging Professionals Committee. |
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Rachel Hissam, Committee Member Rachel is the Sales Administrator for Visit Cincy, representing the Cincinnati Region of Ohio. She specializes in executive business management, with her strength in navigating complex initiatives and assessing cross-functional impact while ensuring agility. In her time out of the office, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and exploring the city! |
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Kristine Jones, Committee Member Kristine Jones is the Executive Manager of Community Services at Jerome Village in Plain City, where she oversees community engagement, event planning, and property management. With a decade of experience in the hospitality industry—spanning banquets, event planning, and food and beverage—she brings a guest-focused approach to homeowner’s association management. She views her role as similar to managing a hotel, where the "guests" never leave, ensuring a thriving, well-maintained community that enhances property values and attracts new homeowners. As a committee member for OHLA Emerging Professionals, she is passionate about fostering growth and connections within the hospitality industry. |
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Rhea Patel, Committee Member Rhea is currently the Sales & Marketing Director for AAAR Hotels based out of Cincinnati, Ohio. Rhea has been exposed to the hospitality industry since a very young age as her family owned and operated multiple properties growing up. Since graduating from the University of Cincinnati, Rhea has joined multiple organizations to learn more about the industry and help others who may be interested in joining. Rhea sits on the Board of Trustees for OHLA, she is a regional ambassador for AAHOA and sits on AAHOA’s women’s committee. She is excited to bring in new ideas to the OHLA EP committee and looks forward to meeting OHLA members! |
Interested in getting more involved? The Emerging Professionals Committee wants YOU!
We are looking for individuals who want to get involved on a deeper level with OHLA and who have a passion for developing meeting content, helping others climb the ladder, and offer their skills & knowledge to be a part of the Emerging Professionals Committee. If you are interested email, intent of participation to michele@ohla.org. Interested parties will be reviewed by the existing committee before decision is made.
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