AH&LA launched its WIL Connect membership drive in March in celebration of National Women’s Month. In addition, top female leaders in a broad range of areas were profiled each month, including CEOs, general managers, food/beverage, and sustainability.
WASHINGTON – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) Women in Lodging Connect, which has more than 2,000 members across the country, is recognizing two state chapters for welcoming the most new members – the Wisconsin Lodging Association and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association.
Two new WIL members – Amy Simchak, regional director of operations for North Central Group; and Cynthia Hollowood, general manager of the Holiday Inn in Saratoga Springs – have been selected to have lunch or dinner with WIL Founder Nancy Johnson, chief development officer, the Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group; and Brooke Barrett, co-chief executive officer, Denihan Hospitality Group.
AH&LA launched its WIL Connect membership drive in March in celebration of National Women’s Month. In addition, top female leaders in a broad range of areas were profiled each month, including CEOs, general managers, food/beverage, and sustainability.
WIL Connect was launched in 2003 as the first industry-wide forum exclusively for female hospitality professionals, providing them with opportunities to connect with top professionals nationwide and gain career momentum. In recent years, the charter has changed to also include engaging women in the political process to ensure a favorable business climate for the lodging industry. Strategic plans for 2013 include increasing legislative involvement and education via driving HotelPAC participation, increasing the number of women on state lodging association board of directors and the AH&LA membership councils, and collaborating more closely with other women’s groups.
The WIL Executive Council is led by Thea Sargent, general manager of Disney’s Contemporary Resort in Orlando, Florida, and Terri Haack, executive vice president and managing director of the Terranea Resort in Rancho Palos Verdes, California.
Membership is free to all women and men employed at AH&LA member organizations. In addition, state WIL chapters provide additional benefits.
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