Members of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Under 30 Council convened for its inaugural meeting last week, outlining a framework for the association’s new Under 30 membership category. The category, launching July 1, will provide resources and tailored programs to facilitate the career advancement of hospitality professionals under age 30.

Benefits of the new membership category include:

• Professional development seminars on topics including age discrimination in the workplace, cross-generation business communication, and more;
• Strategic human resources advice on salary negotiation and career planning
• New networking opportunities, both in-person and through non-traditional outlets;
• Tailored mentorship programs, cultivating successful relationships between young members and established industry executives;
• Achievement recognition opportunities for members, ranging from online profiles to national awards programs;
• Dedicated member eNewsletter with updates on involvement opportunities.

Member benefits will be implemented via guidance of the Under 30 Council, comprised of 23 professionals from various sectors of the diverse hospitality industry. Aged 21 – 30, Council members include hotel owners and managers, financial consultants, governmental affairs executives, and directors of state hospitality associations, among many others.

“Recognizing the influence of young, motivated talent in our industry, the Under 30 Council allows AH&LA to unify the talent and ideas of these emerging leaders to develop resources best suited to advance the next generation,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA.  “The goal of AH&LA’s Under 30 membership category is to utilize success strategies of the Council to create and implement specific programs for attracting and retaining employees to our growing industry, which will need an estimated 300,000 more workers by 2014.”