We all have experienced it—Congress or the White House makes a decision or changes an existing law that affects how we run our businesses. Often, as these decisions take hold, we grumble, complain, and think something along the lines of, “If only they had talked to someone who knows.”
Now there is no excuse for any grumbling or complaining. This month, on April 14 and 15, the American Hotel & Lodging Association, along with the Asian American Hotel Owners Association, will travel to Capitol Hill to have that conversation. Representatives from across the hospitality industry will meet with the lawmakers and decision makers who have a direct impact on our businesses. It’s time for them to hear from us directly and loudly. This Legislative Action Summit (LAS) is AH&LA’s most important event of the year.
LAS is an opportunity to tell the story of our industry—an industry that provides entry-level employees the chance to climb the ladder of success. It’s an industry where stories like mine are common in the executive ranks of every major company.
My first job in lodging was as a bellman at a Radisson hotel in downtown Minneapolis. With a little extra drive, as well as the training and educational opportunities available to me over the years, I now manage more than a dozen properties across the country. Today, I’m president and COO of New Castle Hotels and Resorts, an independent third-party hotel manager, owner, and developer with 26 properties. And I’m not the only one; my company employs a number of individuals who have worked their way up the ranks, including a young mom who started at the front desk and is now a general manager.
Personal anecdotes aside, the hotel industry has historically been a driver of economic development and job growth, and I want to see it continue to grow, expand, and provide high-quality jobs and opportunities for young people to launch successful careers. But there are very real threats looming—such as labor policies, extreme wage initiatives, technology and distribution issues, and patent reform—and this is our once-a-year opportunity to educate lawmakers on these issues and make our voices heard.
I’ve witnessed firsthand what a difference these meetings can make. Two years ago, when I participated in LAS, Congress was struggling with the impacts of across-the-board spending cuts imposed by the latest deficit reduction bill. As a result of these cuts, the Federal Aviation Administration was furloughing employees, including air traffic controllers. Several of us sat down with Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and urgently pressed her to take steps to solve the issue. After all, without a functioning aviation system, travel would be limited and hotel rooms would stand empty. Sen. Collins introduced legislation to fix the problem that same day. If this incident isn’t proof enough of the power of our collective voice on Capitol Hill, consider that I was then fortunate to join my colleagues in appealing to the senators from my state of Connecticut to support the legislation. I thought it would be a long shot, but in the end, those senators supported the bill. Participating in this event made a difference when action was needed, and having many people on our side makes a difference for our cause.
Since attending the Legislative Action Summit, I’ve been more connected to what is occurring in Congress. My experience also reinforced my sense of responsibility regarding the need to be an informed citizen and good steward to my industry. This is a responsibility that all of us in the lodging industry share. The more industry representatives who join in this year’s conference, the more powerful our voice will be with Congress and the administration. We intimately understand how actions in Washington, D.C., affect our business and how they can help or hurt our ability to grow and create new jobs. We can explain, using real-life examples, that our industry provides incredible opportunities for individuals to gain work experience and move forward into lifelong careers.
We must tell our story, because if we don’t, others will define our narrative for us. This is our industry—let’s help shape its future and allow it to continue to grow. Come join us and make a difference at LAS.
Gerry Chase is president and chief operating officer of New Castle Hotels and Resorts.
