The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has won the 2007 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Associations Advance America Award (AAA) of Excellence for its…
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) has won the 2007 American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Associations Advance America Award (AAA) of Excellence for its Hurricane Katrina crisis communications program. AAA recognizes association and industry partners that advance American society with innovative programs in education, standard setting, citizenship, and community service.
AH&LA competed with nearly 100 entrants to become one of only 15 organizations nationally to be honored.
In the wake of the disaster which affected properties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama, AH&LA became the center of communications by effectively channeling information and aid to affected hotel owners, operators, and employees. The association mobilized to assist the affected partner state associations, served as a clearinghouse for relief agencies, issued daily updates to members and media, coordinated aid provision, and established a job board in partnership with Hcareers. Additionally, AH&LA coordinated with hotels, government, travel and tourism organizations, and allied members to provide assistance; especially shelter, relocation support, and employment to evacuees.
AH&LA also worked closely with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to secure housing for evacuees, with hotels across the nation stepping forward to make available more than 200,000 guestrooms.
“AH&LA’s program truly embodies the spirit of the award criteria. It is an honor and an inspiration to showcase this activity as an example of the many contributions associations are making to advance the American society,” said AAA Committee Chair Charles A. McGrath, CAE, managing partner, client services at Bostrom Corporation.
The hotel industry continued to provide follow-up support as the short-term lodging program administered by FEMA came to an end. As the program deadline approached, AH&LA and its members assisted with the effort to transition evacuees to permanent housing. They facilitated communication among evacuees, FEMA representatives, and guests; offered resource and social services information for evacuees; and coordinated housing and meals for on-site FEMA staff.
The entry is now in the running to receive a Summit Award, ASAE and The Center’s top recognition for association programs, which will be presented at the ASAE 8th Annual Summit Awards Dinner on September 25, 2007, at the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C.
“We are honored to accept this award on behalf of an industry that was both personally devastated and uniquely positioned to shelter and aid thousands of evacuees,” said AH&LA President/CEO Joseph A. McInerney, CHA. “Throughout this year, we`ve continued to make preparedness and response a top priority for the industry, sustaining our commitment to inform and equip hoteliers for the myriad issues they confront.”
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