Ok, this seems like an interesting event, I’ll attend. I can’t remember the last time I was in DC anyway.
This was my main thought as I looked into attending AH&LA’s Legislative Action Summit in DC (Hyatt Regency at Capitol Hill). This came at a time when I had left the hotel industry and was wondering if I had reached my limits and didn’t know what to do next. I enjoyed working in hotels but told myself I would try food and beverage in other areas to see if there was anything I liked. But during this time I was drawn to keep researching and keep observing and I discovered the Under 30 Gateway Group, a group dedicated to connecting young and emerging professionals in the hotel industry.
I’ve always had an analytical style, a love of “how things get done,” the steps it takes to get things done, and the obstacles that often arise right behind them. I felt like that could be a good (or at least fun) combination. Being able to share how things get done in hotels, share those insights with members of Congress on Capitol Hill, and hear from them how our industry is perceived is quite eye-opening.
Not only was this my first industry conference, but the day before I attended my first industry reception; one was for those under 30. When the doors opened, I was surprised to find a group of 40 to 60 people from all walks of life in the hospitality industry. From students graduating, to people in leadership positions, to (to my surprise) hotel general managers. This was the first time I realized there was a bigger world. I met people who faced the same challenges I did, others who overcame them, and many whose career paths I never thought possible until I saw them with my own eyes and met people like Omari Head, Ashli Johnson, MS, CHT, CGSP, Andrew Quinto, Christopher Henry, CAHTA, ISHC, and Davonne Reaves.
It was intimidating at first. When you come here, you realize that many titans of our industry are proud to represent and share their stories about their journey in the industry. I often wondered how important my voice was. Over time, I realized that it mattered to them that I came to continue to learn, to get involved, to stay engaged and to share my experiences to help Congress understand that what they do really impacts what happens in our real estate.
In this industry, it’s easy to experience a few setbacks and eventually feel like a nobody or think the grind of everyday life is the only thing you have to look forward to. However, those days of learning, touring the Capitol, and understanding the importance the hospitality industry makes to its local community left me changed and renewed because I left DC with these facts.
- “I can be somebody in this industry.”
- “In the world of hotels/hospitality, there are so many opportunities to take advantage of.”
- “There is a place for me here.”
- “I see others walking the same path as me.”
- “I have something to contribute.”
As I continue to visit, I am struck by what I notice (senior-level executives who are used to driving the conversation in the markets) and what I don’t notice: the operations managers who are in the hotels, making hires, dealing with guests and the situations that come up and bring our industry to life.
- Where is the housekeeping/room/F&B manager who struggles to find qualified staff to clean rooms and serve guests?
- Where is the engineering manager who has to deal with supply chain issues and processes that mean that repairs in hotels are always only possible in the next four months?
- Where is the hospitality professional that someone has identified as their new market leader and whose vision they want to expand?
Every year I ask myself if I wish more people who currently work in operations came to DC. It’s really your voice that Capitol Hill needs to hear: what started your journey in this industry, what guests say as they come in and out of your home, and the employees who have built careers and enrich lives on a daily basis. Consider the following:
In December 2018, the government shut down for 35 days until funding bills were passed. I used to think, “I still have guests making dining reservations and checking into hotels, who cares if Congress can’t get its act together.” However, during the government shutdown, federal parks must close, which means people are canceling hotel stays and not checking into rooms across the US. And how many hoteliers in DC/VA/MD also had to cancel/put on hold conference room blocks and banquets until the issue was resolved? Here’s a link shared by @AAHOA on other issues a government shutdown is causing for the hotel industry: America’s Hoteliers Highlight Government Shutdown’s Impact on Industry (hospitalitynet.org).
- In 2019, one of the topics we presented to Congress was the rise of online booking fraud and how it was affecting hotel stays and causing problems for hoteliers not only financially but also in terms of the guest experience. It sounds silly until I told my story about an angry guest in our bar who claimed he booked our property because he was told it had a pool. The pool had not existed for at least 3 years and was replaced by a rooftop bar
- In 2023, the VISA and H2B challenges were shared with Congress and we came to DC to ask for their help in increasing the number of international/seasonal workers (or at least streamlining the process). Typically, hotels and resorts are only allotted 66,000 H2B (seasonal worker) visas to fill open positions, even though there are over 67,000 hotels in the US. For some larger beach hotels and resorts, the need can range from 10 to 200 international team members depending on the size of the property and the needs of their department. I shared with Congress that we have international team members who have worked with us for YEARS and have built relationships with guests and members. Guests have asked me, “Is Travis coming back?” or “We look forward to seeing Aleisha and Reynaud every year when we come for our anniversary trip, why aren’t they here?” I have been asked by guests how they reacted when I asked if they enjoyed the food.
LAS/Hotels on the Hill remains on my calendar, starting as a first-year freshman to becoming an annual attendee, because of what I learn, who I meet, and most importantly, what it has meant to my hotel career. I urge more from the operations side to join me in DC, be present, and speak their minds. It seems scary to step away from day-to-day operations to talk about issues that feel so far away and are happening outside of our buildings, but that’s exactly why it’s so important: Tell your elected officials “I have traveled far away from my guests to tell you what is happening in your state/district and why we need your help.”
Hoteliers across the country offer travelers more than just rooms, meeting spaces and meals: our vision is to enrich the lives of travelers who trust us with their time with friends and loved ones. In addition, we want to enrich the lives of the men and women who work in our properties to make those memories special.
I’m sure we can all agree that it never hurts to bring a little more hospitality to Capitol Hill, especially in this climate.
Andrew Hopson
