OHLA
December Enews

Thank you for unleashing the Power of Possibility!


2024 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala

2024 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala

OHLA's Annual Conference was definitely one to remember as attendees helped us discover the possibilities for our industry's future!

We welcomed nearly 350 lodging professionals, Allied Members, speakers, students and industry partners from across the country to the Champion Mill Conference Center & Warehouse Hotel in Hamilton, Ohio. Only the second of its kind in the country, attendees got the chance to experience the full conference center, a Unique Lodging of Ohio hotel property, retail shops and sporting complex totaling over one million square feet.

Click Read More for the full synopsis & list of nominees!

The OHLA professional staff would like to thank the host venue, sponsors, volunteers, and all who helped make the conference possible.

Shoutout to our Presenting 5-Diamond Sponsor

Serv Pro Large

ServPro of Northeast Columbus



We need your feedback - 2024 Annual Conference Event Survey

We need your feedback - 2024 Annual Conference Event Survey

Thank you to those who attended the 2024 OHLA Annual Conference & Gala! We hope you enjoyed the education, connections, & celebrations the conference had to offer. If you were an attendee please take a brief moment of your time to complete this online survey to provide your confidential, honest feedback about the event program, sessions and details. 

Click here to take the survey.



Thank You To Our Conference Sponsors

Thank You To Our Conference Sponsors

Serv Pro Large

 

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2025 OHLA Events


What would you like to learn in 2025? Take our Survey

What would you like to learn in 2025? Take our Survey

It is that time of year - OHLA & the events committee are diving into planning for 2025! Using the form below we encourage you to recommend speakers you would like to hear and propose new, innovative topics for you & your team to engage in. We are YOUR association and we want to hear from you!

Give Us Your Input Here or email michele@ohla.org

Government Affairs Update


Advocating For You & Your Hotel

Advocating For You & Your Hotel

Government Affairs Update

Stay informed with the latest updates impacting Ohio’s lodging and tourism industries. Learn about the federal court’s decision on overtime changes, delaying scheduled threshold increases, and how Ohio's travel economy associations are advocating for funding to boost state tourism marketing efforts. Explore these critical developments and their implications for the industry.

See more details in the full Government Affairs Update.

Membership Insider


Elevate your organization by sponsoring OHLA events!

Elevate your organization by sponsoring OHLA events!

OHLA’s event attendees include key decision-makers and industry influencers, and gives you a chance to shine and connect with Ohio’s top brands through exclusive packages and opportunities that will put you in the spotlight!

Contact Melissa DeGraw at melissa@ohla.org or click here for more information.



As a member, did you know you have access to our Owner/Management Report?

This exclusive report gives a breakdown of Owner/Management groups and the properties they manage. If you are interested in receiving a copy of this report, please email Melissa DeGraw at melissa@ohla.org



Special Offer For OHLA Members

Special Offer For OHLA Members

As a thank you for everything you do to make Central Ohio a wonderful place to live and visit, service industry professionals will receive a complimentary ticket with the purchase of at least one specially-priced ticket! Additional tickets can also be purchased at a preferred price!

The Community Corner


What's Up With WIL

What's Up With WIL

A big thank you to the WIL Advisory Council members who volunteered at the 2024 OHLA Annual Conference! Your contributions made a lasting impact. We also appreciate everyone who joined Rachel Vandenburg’s breakout session, exploring strategies to ignite brilliance and overcome obstacles.

Shoutout to those who attended Sunday’s dinner with the Unique Lodging of Ohio (ULO) community at Agave and Rye in Hamilton—we hope you enjoyed the chance to connect and unwind before the conference. Your participation made this event truly special!



Emerging Professionals Corner

Emerging Professionals Corner

We're wrapping up the year on a high note, and we’d love for you to join us! Connect with fellow EPs at our final event of the year—a festive morning of networking and connecting with like-minded professionals.

Enjoy your favorite holiday beverage while mingling and taking part in a fun, hands-on activity that’s sure to get you in the holiday spirit. Don’t miss this opportunity to celebrate and make meaningful connections!

December 19, 2024 | 8:30 am - 10:00 am

Winans Coffee & Chocolate

611 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215

Register here.

Allied Member Network


The Sustainability Corner

The Sustainability Corner

Join host Amy Wald as she sits down with Dr. Keenan Adams, a seasoned Wildlife Biologist and Ecologist, to explore the future of sustainable tourism and regenerative travel in Puerto Rico. From reforesting agricultural lands to green initiatives like Road Verde, they delve into innovative ways to ensure Puerto Rico’s tourism grows responsibly. Dr. Adams shares his insights as a government leader, CEO of a regenerative farm and glamping business, and advocate for eco-friendly development, offering a compelling vision for balancing tourism with sustainability.

Did you miss Amy's Secrets to Sustainable Hospitality Masterclass? Don't worry, you can gain all the valuable information on demand here



Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter

Sedgwick Monthly Newsletter

Employee Engagement In Safety

When employees actively engage in safety efforts, they're more likely to follow protocols, identify hazards and contribute to a culture prioritizing well-being. There are a number of ways to do this, so it is important you find out what works best for yours.

C-159 Recreational Activities Waiver

Celebrate the season of giving with community volunteer events! These activities bring us together and strengthen our commitment to serving others. To ensure safety and peace of mind, Sedgwick encourages employers to have participants sign the Ohio BWC C-159 recreational activities waiver, helping protect against workers' compensation claims for injuries.

Education & Workforce Development Updates


OHLA Educational Foundation

OHLA Educational Foundation

Thank you to those who contributed and/or bid on items in our silent auction! We are still working to determine the amount raised for the Ohio Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (OHLEF) and will share that with you soon!

OHLEF was established in late 2023 as 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



Education & Workforce Development Updates

Education & Workforce Development Updates

Thank you to the committee members who volunteered to participate in the student sessions at the annual conference and share their insight and advice with students from Ohio State University and the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH).

The next committee meeting is Tuesday, December 10, at 11 a.m., and it will be virtual. If you are considering membership on the committee and would like to attend this meeting, please contact Amanda Peltier at amanda@ohla.org.

Allied Member Spotlight


ITA Audio Visual Solutions

ITA Audio Visual Solutions

Since 1982, ITA has been proud to call Cincinnati, Ohio, home. What started as a small operation focused on providing audiovisual support to local venues has grown into a national leader in event production and AV rentals. With their headquarters firmly rooted in the Queen City, they've expanded across the country, delivering exceptional service and technical expertise to clients nationwide.

Thank You To Our Partners!


2024 Conference Presenting 5-Diamond Sponsor - ServPro of Northeast Columbus

2024 Conference Presenting 5-Diamond Sponsor - ServPro of Northeast Columbus

SERVPRO® of Northeast Columbus understands the stress and disruption created by a fire or water disaster in your home or business. They aim to help minimize the interruption to make it feel "Like it never even happened." Without them, we couldn't have made our 2024 Annual Conference & Gala happen. We thank them for their continued partnership and support.



Lasting Impressions Event Rentals

Lasting Impressions Event Rentals

Lasting Impressions offers event consultation and meeting services, CAD drawings, and on-site planning, all with a commitment to exceptional service. They aim to provide a convenient "one-stop shop" for their customers. We’re grateful to have had Lasting Impressions as a valued sponsor of this year’s conference—thank you for your support and dedication to making this event a success!

Upcoming Events

December 19, 2024
8:30AM - 10:00AM

Emerging Professionals Third Thursday Networking

Winans Coffee & Chocolate

611 N High St, Columbus, OH 43215