OHLA
September Enews

Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons Regional Recap


Thank You for Attending the Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons!

Thank You for Attending the Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons!

To everyone who has attended our first two Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons, your presence has made these events unforgettable, and we congratulate the winners and nominees for their outstanding contributions to the industry.

The luncheon series is almost complete, but two more opportunities remain to join us. Columbus is happening tomorrow, and we’ll wrap up in Cincinnati next week. We look forward to seeing you there for more recognition and celebration!

Click here to register for Cincinnati

September 17 – Hilton Netherland Plaza



We want your donations!



Our WIL committee has been collecting donations for the female veterans' clothing drive at our Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons, and all donors will now receive a $10 Starbucks gift card!



Thank you to our Stars of the Industry Regional Luncheon Sponsor....

BMS Cat



Mark Your Calendar


Deadline To Nominate Your Ohio Stars & ULO Property of the Year Is Quickly Approaching

Deadline To Nominate Your Ohio Stars & ULO Property of the Year Is Quickly Approaching

Nominating your employees for the Ohio Stars of the Industry Awards or ULO Property of the Year goes beyond showing appreciation—it’s a meaningful way to elevate morale and inspire greater productivity. With statewide nominations now open, there’s no better time to celebrate and reward the exceptional talent and dedication that drive your success.

The deadline to place your nominations is September 23rd.

Click here to place your Ohio Stars nominations

Click here to place your ULO Property of the Year nominations



Thank you to our Stars of the Industry Presenting Sponsors...

IGS Energy LogoSedgwick





Register for the 2024 Annual Conference & Gala!

Register for the 2024 Annual Conference & Gala!

Join the largest annual gathering of hoteliers in Ohio! Featuring educational sessions on front desk safety, onboarding, remote work and MORE. Experience our Allied Network tradeshow with solutions to help make properties and those in them more successful. And as always, we are excited to celebrate associates at the Stars of the Industry Gala.

We will have something for everyone - the possibilities are endless!

click here to register for conference

Government Affairs Update


Advocating For You & Your Hotel

Advocating For You & Your Hotel

OHLA Supports Effort to Increase Lending to Hotels

OHLA has signed on to an effort to increase the maximum loan amount for the Small Business Administration 7(a) program from $5 million to $10 million. Doubling the existing cap would open up opportunities for new loans to more of the hotel industry.



State Program Offers Tax Credit for Mixed-Use Developments

Ohio wants to increase mixed-use construction and building improvements with a tax credit that can be used to finance new construction or renovations of vacant buildings, including land acquisition, demolition, construction, site work, and more.



For more information, click here to see the full report.

Membership Insider


Allied Member Directory – Updates are due October 16!

Allied Member Directory – Updates are due October 16!

Make sure your listing is up to date for the 2024/2025 Allied Member Directory.



Send us your pics for our media library!

Send us your pics for our media library!

We are always looking for pictures of your properties and events to use for our e-communications and social media. Please send all pictures to Emily Squance at emily@ohla.org



Elevate your organization by sponsoring OHLA events!

Elevate your organization by sponsoring OHLA events!

OHLA’s event attendees include decision makers and industry influencers and our biggest and best events are happening within the next three months. From our Stars of the Industry to our Annual Conference, there are packages and options that can get you in front on Ohio’s great brands. For more information, contact Melissa DeGraw at melissa@ohla.org or click here for more information.

The Community Corner


Place your ULO Property of the Year Nominations Today!

Place your ULO Property of the Year Nominations Today!

Showcase the Best of Ohio: Nominate a Unique Lodging Operation for the ULO Property of the Year Award! Whether it's through impressive statistics, glowing community testimonials, or prior accolades, highlight a property that truly stands out.

Click here to nominate



Emerging Professionals Corner

Emerging Professionals Corner

Join Emerging Professionals for this month's Third Thursday!

Housekeeping appreciation week is almost here, and we want to keep the party going longer! This Third Thursday focuses on honoring those who work behind the scenes, keeping the hotel looking its best, and keeping guests coming back.

September 19 | 4:30 – 6:30 p.m.

Hyatt House Columbus Osu / Short – North



*Raffle Alert*

Attending housekeepers will be entered to win a complimentary night courtesy of AC Hotel Downtown and SpringHill/TownePlace Suites Easton!

Click here to register



What's Up With WIL

What's Up With WIL

Contribute to the Women in Lodging Clothing Drive!

Support Women Veterans: Donate Gently Used Professional Clothing at the Stars Luncheons to Help Them Secure Employment—Urgent need for scrubs! Anyone who donates during the Stars of the Industry Awards Luncheons taking place tomorrow and next week will receive a $10 Starbucks card, and there’s also a need for scrubs—please consider contributing!

*Final Donations Accepted at September's Cocktail CONNECTions.*



Register today for the upcoming WIL Cocktail Connections!

Come network with fellow colleagues about topics most important to you.

September 25 | 4:00 – 6:30 p.m.

Click here to register

Allied Member Network


Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter

Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter

Protect Hearing, Ensure Safety: Why Monitoring Workplace Noise is a Must for Employee Safety.



Minimize the Impact of Major Claims: Discover How the CIRP Program Helps Employers Manage Costs and Protect Their Experience Rating



The Sustainability Corner

The Sustainability Corner

Looking to break through barriers, go for that promotion, or reinvent yourself? If so, you won't want to miss this new episode of the Sustainable Hospitality Podcast.

Tune in to hear host Amy Wald interview Anick Levesque, Managing Director of Green Key Global, North America’s leading sustainability certification program,



Introducing Your Guide to Greener Hospitality Success...

Check out the new Greenluxe Newsletter, click here to sign up today!



Allied Council Corner

Allied Council Corner

New sponsorship and advertising opportunities are available! Check out these upcoming options here!

Reach out to melissa@ohla.org with any questions and increase your company visibility today!

Education & Workforce Development Updates


OHLA Welcomes New Director of Education, Workforce & Foundation

OHLA Welcomes New Director of Education, Workforce & Foundation

Following the bittersweet news of the retirement of Cindy Sams, OHLA is excited to announce that Amanda Peltier has joined the organization as of Sept. 3 as our new lead on education and workforce initiatives, including our education committee.



OHLA Educational Foundation

OHLA Educational Foundation

In late 2023, OHLA established, for the first time, the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (OHLEF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit entity specifically for the benefit of Ohio’s hotels, the professionals that work in them and the individuals interested in entering our industry.

Click here to donate

Remembering 9/11


Remembering one hotel and its team on 9/11

Remembering one hotel and its team on 9/11

On the 23rd anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, we remember those impacted on that day and since. Read about one hotel’s role in saving thousands on the day of this attack by clicking here

Thank You To Our Premier Partners!


With imagination and talent, the latest technology, and a passion for excellence, encore creates innovative event solutions.

With imagination and talent, the latest technology, and a passion for excellence, encore creates innovative event solutions.

As a global leader in end-to-end event planning, creative, production, and technology, Encore is proud to be the exclusive onsite event provider of choice at more than 2,100 leading global venues – from the boardroom, general session ballrooms and breakouts to courtyards and stadiums.



Through innovation, investment and approach —  IGS Energy drives and celebrates every step to make reliable, affordable, clean energy available to everyone

Through innovation, investment and approach — IGS Energy drives and celebrates every step to make reliable, affordable, clean energy available to everyone

IGS Energy uses a consultative style because listening and understanding each customer's needs allows them to guide you through options that make sense for your home/business and budget. The result is energy that’s not only best for you but also a smarter energy future.

Upcoming Events

September 12, 2024
11:00AM - 2:00PM

2024 Greater Columbus Stars of the Industry Luncheon

Renaissance Columbus Downtown

50 N 3rd St, Columbus, OH 43215

September 17, 2024
11:00AM - 2:00PM

2024 Greater Cincinnati Stars of the Industry Luncheon

Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza

35 W 5th St, Cincinnati, OH 45202

September 19, 2024
4:30PM - 6:30PM

Emerging Professionals Third Thursday - Housekeeping Appreciation Event

Hyatt House Columbus Osu / Short – North

633 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201