The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Legislative Action Summit (LAS) will feature several members of the United States Congress and top lodging industry CEOs. Now in its 11th year, the conference will take place April 14-15, 2008, at the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Attendeeswill be briefed on current industry issues by some of the most influential policy makers currently serving in Congress and the Administration, and will receive a preview of the fall elections for the White House, the House of Representatives, and the Senate.

On Tuesday, April 15, LAS attendees will be addressed by Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), and Representative Ric Keller (R-Fla.) on the upcoming legislative year.  Later that morning, and for the first time in the history of the conference, LAS will feature a panel of top lodging CEOs providing their perspectives on current legislative trends and the impact the congressional agenda may have on the travel and tourism industry.  Panelists include Robert Alter, executive chairman of Sunstone

Hotel Investors, Inc., Geoffrey A. Ballotti, president and CEO of Group RCI, Yvonne La Penotiere, chief branding officer of Carlson Hotels Worldwide, and Stevan Porter, president, The Americas, InterContinental Hotels Group.  The panel will be moderated by Kathleen Matthews, executive vice president, global communications and public affairs for Marriott International, Inc., and former award-winning anchor, reporter, and producer for WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C.

In addition to the briefings by members of Congress and the CEO panel, conference attendees will participate in a closed-door briefing by senior Administration officials at the White House complex. Additionally, AH&LA’s bipartisan political action committee, HotelPAC, will host a reception and dinner featuring congressional speakers including Representatives Dan Boren (D-Okla.) and James Clyburn (D-S.C.). As with past conferences, grassroots lobbying will be the central component of LAS, as hoteliers present the industry’s position on key issues to the members of their House and Senate delegations and highlight the significant and positive impact lodging has on their congressional districts.