AHLA Foundation

? Every dollar goes to the heart of hospitality – our people! Make a donation today to help us create opportunities for the workforce that makes it all possible. #StrongIndustryStrongFoundation https://lnkd.in/g9SwDQX9

Before we close out #NAW2024, we celebrate Jaylee Brannon, Lodging Manager apprentice from Omni Hotels & Resorts.?As the current Assistant Front Office Manager at the Omni Dallas Hotel, Jaylee loves working in hospitality to give people memorable experiences.?“I love being able to give everyone I meet that opportunity; it feels good to give and this field allows me this joy every day. This program is such a great foundation for new or young leaders. It gave me the tools and mentors I needed to be great. I am so glad I was able to participate in this program.”

As we close out #NAW2024, please meet Davian Barton, Lodging Manager apprentice at Sonesta Hotels and Resorts at Miami Airport.?Davian got his start in hospitality 14 years ago because he was looking for a job that could accommodate his school schedule. Selected by Sonesta for the apprenticeship program in September 2023, Davian graduated from the program in June 2024.?“The apprenticeship program provided me with a solid foundation in supervising and managing skills. This directly and immediately had an impact to my current role as Assistant Front Office Manager.”

This afternoon we're celebrating #NAW2024 with Peter Messerer, Lodging Manager apprentice from Remington Hospitality!?Peter was selected for apprenticeship in November 2023, and successfully completed the program in June 2024. “The apprenticeship significantly transformed my perspective on management. Shadowing the Director of Front Office at Hilton St. Petersburg provided valuable insights, but the structured approach to leadership offered by the apprenticeship further refined my skills.” Peter’s goal is to become a General Manager, with the long-term aspiration of joining the corporate team as a DVP of Operations.?

?? New talent, career training, endless possibilities! Join the movement to lift up hospitality’s workforce through the Strong Industry, Strong Foundation giving campaign! https://lnkd.in/g9SwDQX9

Continuing our celebration of #NAW2024, meet Daisha Watkins, Lodging Manager apprentice, Omni Hotels & Resorts! Daisha started her career as a high school summer intern at the Omni Dallas hotel. As the current Front Office Manager at the Omni Las Colinas, Daisha graduated from the Manager program in July 2024.?Daisha says, “I love working in hospitality because every day is new and the people you meet are always going to be a surprise. The mentorship and help from department leaders around me was a great light and example of discovering what I could be capable of.”

Missed it? Now's the time to WATCH or LISTEN to AHLA Foundation Anna Blue and Amy Wald discuss equity in the workplace. Whether you're a hospitality professional looking to make a difference, or simply interested in the intersection of social impact and business, this episode is a must-listen. Tune in to learn how you can be part of the movement to create a more inclusive and equitable hospitality industry." "We're seeing it work in some pretty incredible ways. At that first conference, there was 190 people in the room. And five conferences later, we have 900 people in the room. And we had 50% growth just over last year. So we're really seeing the need for this. There is such a huge need for these spaces and this vulnerability and these conversations to exist in our industry." #Executiveleadership, #ERG, #CareerPlanning, #AHLA, #ForWard, #Equity, #FemaleEmpowerment, #Inclusivity, #Partnership, #DEI, #Mentorship, #SeatAtTheTable, #TheRightNarrative

We love our AHLA Foundation champions for change! Thank you Anthony Melchiorri, for being a supporter of all we do.

We love #NAW2024!?Today we celebrate Arnold Davila, Maintenance apprentice from Sonesta Hotels. Arnold successfully completed the AHLA Foundation apprenticeship program in May 2024.?Now the Maintenance Manager at the Sonesta ES Suites San Diego - Rancho Bernardo, Arnold started working in the hotel industry when he was 18 years old.?The apprenticeship program, as he says, “changed my career. Just fixing things in the rooms and seeing the smiles on guests faces makes me proud. I have had several interactions with our long-term guests that have given me the opportunity to make them happy by taking care of their needs.”

As we celebrate #NAW2024, we honor Savannah Thomas, currently enrolled in the Lodging Manager apprenticeship with Remington Hospitality.?As a Front Office Supervisor, Savannah says of apprenticeship: “I love being on property and interacting with guests but have found through this apprenticeship that revenue and financial management are very intriguing. I intend on taking more courses and continuing to learn as much as I can about how to become a better manager and leader.?Some highlights were when I spent the day with our Chief Engineer, getting the opportunity to get hands-on experience and help repair things within my hotel. I also was able to see the daily work of the HR and Sales teams and see how they operate from the “other side” of the hiring, HR and sales processes.?I was also able to shadow one of our other hotel’s General Managers to learn about a different but similar brand and see his leadership and operations style.”