WASHINGTON (March 25, 2021) – The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG) today announced that the two organizations have signed an agreement for HTNG to formally become part of AHLA to better serve and support the evolving needs of the global hospitality industry as it looks toward recovery.
This synergistic alignment, which has been unanimously approved by the Boards of both AHLA and HTNG, provides significant benefits to both organizations and their members. AHLA will gain additional expertise in technology, which continues to be a critical aspect of both hotel operations and advocacy. HTNG will continue its expansion and impact globally through greater resources and access to C-suite level decision makers.
“AHLA and HTNG have developed a close partnership and have collaborated to champion evolving technologies that provide guests and operators with the best possible solutions and experience. This focus is more important than ever with the rapid transformation of technology and the rise in technology-related public policies we’ve seen in the last year alone, which reinforced our desire to bring them under the AHLA umbrella to better serve our respective members and support the industry as it looks toward recovery,” said Chip Rogers, president and CEO of AHLA. "By aligning ourselves with the HTNG community and their invaluable knowledge, we deepen our technology expertise and advance our strategic direction."
“While HTNG has been at the forefront of technology’s growth in the hospitality industry throughout the years, combining forces with AHLA will truly serve as a positive stride in the natural evolution of our organization,” said Michael Blake, CEO of HTNG. “This shift will allow us to leverage AHLA’s membership and advocacy platforms, and I couldn’t think of better individuals to advance our mission with.”
Upon the closing of the agreement, which is expected to be completed before the end of April, AHLA will retain the HTNG brand with the current staff transitioning to AHLA. HTNG will also have representation on the AHLA Board of Directors and Executive Team. The combined staff will merge tools and resources to shape and strengthen the industry over the next year, building on their strong history of collaboration which include AHLA’s 5-Star Promise and Safe Stay initiatives.
"AHLA's alignment with HTNG creates new growth opportunities for technology-focused Allied members as well as new technology conferences and events, offering AHLA and HTNG members additional resources and benefits," said Kevin Carey, chief operating officer & executive vice president of AHLA. "Our organization is excited to welcome Michael Blake to our Executive Team, as well as the broader HTNG staff to the AHLA family. Together, we look forward to build on the momentum both groups have already worked toward to achieve and advance the future of hospitality."
“Technology plays a critical role in hotel operations and the guest experience,” said Floor Bleeker, president of HTNG and group chief technology officer of Accor. “Being a part of AHLA will now elevate technology’s seat at the leadership table and allow us to have a larger voice and much greater reach to deliver additional resources and overall value for HTNG’s members. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to join such a wonderful organization and a board of esteemed executives.”
About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the U.S. lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the hospitality industry was the first industry impacted and it will be among the last to recover. That is why AHLA is committed to promoting safe travel while also creating a standardized safety experience nationwide through the Safe Stay initiative. With an enhanced set of health and safety protocols designed to provide a safe and clean environment for all hotel guests and employees, hotels across America are ready to welcome back travelers when they are ready to travel. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
About Hospitality Technology Next Generation (HTNG)
The premier technology solutions association in the hospitality industry, HTNG is a self-funded, nonprofit organization with members from hospitality companies, technology vendors to hospitality, consultants, media and academic experts. HTNG's members participate in focused workgroups to bring to market open solution sets addressing specific business problems. HTNG fosters the selection and adoption of existing open standards and also develops new open standards to meet the needs of the global hospitality industry.
Currently more than 400 corporate and individual members from across this spectrum, including world leading hospitality companies and technology vendors, are active HTNG participants. HTNG's Board of Governors, consisting of 22 top IT leaders from hospitality companies around the world, itself has technology responsible for over 3 million guest rooms and world-leading venues. HTNG publishes workgroup proceedings, drafts and specifications for all HTNG members as soon as they are created, encouraging rapid and broad adoption. HTNG releases specifications into the public domain as soon as they are ratified by the workgroups. For more information, visit www.htng.org.
