OHLA
June enews

Serving Up Fun for a Cause


OHLA’s 6th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament

OHLA’s 6th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament

On May 31, OHLA members gathered at Woodland’s Backyard in Columbus for the 6th Annual Charity Volleyball Tournament—a high-energy day of competition, camaraderie, and community impact. Hospitality professionals from across the state came together for some friendly action on the sand courts, enjoying great food, drinks, and networking in the sun. The tournament continues to grow as a favorite OHLA tradition, bringing fun and team spirit to the forefront of our industry.

Congratulations to our winners!

🏆1st Place - Hyatt Regency Columbus

🏆2nd Place - InterContinental Cleveland

🏆3rd Place - Riley Hotel Group

🏆Team Spirit - Ivy Hospitality #2

Don’t Miss the Opportunity to Celebrate Excellence


Recognize Your Outstanding Team Members Today!

Recognize Your Outstanding Team Members Today!

The OHLA Stars of the Industry Awards are your chance to spotlight the exceptional talent within your organization. Honoring your associates through this prestigious program isn’t just a gesture—it’s a powerful way to validate their hard work, express gratitude, inspire continued excellence, and strengthen team morale. A nomination can make a lasting impact on an employee’s career and loyalty. Submitting is quick, simple, and completely free.

Submit your nominations here.

Deadline for Regional Nominations (Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Dayton): June 23

Are You Ready to Move Her Forward?


Step Up & Lead with Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

Step Up & Lead with Ukeme Awakessien Jeter

Registration is now open for the 2025 WIL Statewide Leadership Luncheon

Join us on June 26 for an inspiring afternoon focused on fearless leadership, featuring keynote speaker Ukeme Awakessien Jeter and a powerhouse panel of women in hospitality.

From bold stories to actionable insights, this event is your opportunity to connect, grow, and lead with purpose.

Click here to register.

2025 Events


Where Local Insight Meets Industry Expertise – OHLA Regional Events

Where Local Insight Meets Industry Expertise – OHLA Regional Events

Experience a fresh approach to staying informed and involved with Ohio’s lodging community. Held five times a year across the state—in Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest, and Central Ohio—these regional meetings offer valuable, location-specific insights tailored to your area. Each event features timely industry updates from OHLA, expert perspectives from local Convention & Visitors Bureaus, and focused content designed for hotel associates, as well as ownership and management professionals. It’s your chance to connect, learn, and lead—right in your own region.

Up Next

Northeast Ohio Regional Summit

🗓️ Date: July 22

🕰️Time: 9 am - 12 pm

📍 Location: John S. Knight Center

🌐See full calendar here.

Government Affairs Update


Advocating For You & Your Hotel

Advocating For You & Your Hotel

Government Affairs Update

From key tax policy proposals in Ohio’s state budget to direct advocacy on Capitol Hill, OHLA continues to represent the interests of Ohio’s lodging industry at every level. This update covers potential changes to lodging tax laws, support for economic development tools like the Ohio Film Tax Credit, and highlights from the national Hotels on the Hill event in Washington, D.C., where OHLA led a strong delegation to meet with members of Congress and advocate for pro-hospitality policies.

Click here to read the full Government Affairs Update.

Membership Insider


Don’t Miss a Beat—Renew Now

Don’t Miss a Beat—Renew Now

Let’s keep the momentum going—renew your membership and continue building a stronger hospitality industry together.

Your OHLA membership gives you access to powerful tools, trusted advocacy, and a statewide network committed to your success. From navigating industry regulations and recognizing top talent to expanding your professional connections, membership helps you stay informed, engaged, and ahead of the curve.

Click here to see if your membership is up to date.

The Community Corner


What's Up With WIL

What's Up With WIL

Register for the Cleveland Coffee Chat on June 12th

8 - 9:30 a.m. | Hilton Cleveland Downtown

This casual yet powerful gathering is all about fostering community, sharing experiences, and inspiring one another toward personal and professional growth. Hosted at the Hilton Cleveland Downtown, it’s your chance to connect with like-minded women in a welcoming and supportive space.

Click here to register.



Emerging Professionals Corner

Emerging Professionals Corner

🌟 Ignite Your Hospitality Career with OHLA’s EP Community! 🌟

This vibrant community is built for young professionals who are eager to grow, lead, and make an impact. Whether you're expanding your network, exploring mentorship, or diving into exclusive events and industry experiences, you'll gain the tools and support to shape your future—and the future of hospitality in Ohio.

Upcoming Events with EP

Coffee to Move Her Forward: Networking before the WIL Luncheon

June 26 | 8:30 - 10:00 am

Starbucks (Corner of 14th & High Street)

1784 N High St, Columbus, OH 4320


Join fellow EPs from the Columbus area and throughout Ohio for a unique opportunity to network, share insights, and build lasting professional relationships. This is a great chance to engage with others and expand your circle within the industry. Many attendees will also be heading to the Women in Lodging Luncheon immediately following the meetup—making it the perfect lead-in to an inspiring afternoon of connection and celebration.

Register here.

Allied Member Network


The Sustainability Corner

The Sustainability Corner

Webinar Save The Date

5 Mistakes Luxury Hotels Make When Attracting Eco-Conscious Guests

June 25th | 11 a.m. EST

Many well-meaning luxury hotels are quietly losing bookings, brand equity, and guest loyalty—without realizing it. The culprit? A sustainability story that’s unclear, inconsistent, or invisible to the guests who care most.

Join Amy Wald, founder of Greenluxe, for a free, fast-paced webinar designed to help you avoid the five most expensive mistakes hotels make with eco-conscious travelers—and learn how to turn your efforts into guest loyalty, revenue, and recognition.

👉 Click here to register for the free webinar and discover what it takes to stand out with today’s green-minded guests. Stick around until the end for a game-changing opportunity—exclusively for those ready to lead.



Meet HotelPro: A Trusted Leader in Hospitality Staffing

Meet HotelPro: A Trusted Leader in Hospitality Staffing

In today’s hospitality landscape, hiring compliance is more than a legal requirement—it’s a strategic advantage.

HotelPro’s latest article explores how proper hiring practices protect hotels from legal risk, improve operational efficiency, and support inclusive workplace culture.



Cogwheel Marketing: Insights in Motion

Cogwheel Marketing: Insights in Motion

Marketing to Pet Owners: Tips from Cogwheel

With pet-friendly travel on the rise, hotels need more than just a policy—they need a plan. In this article, Cogwheel Marketing outlines practical strategies to help properties stand out to pet owners through digital marketing, website optimization, and creative packages.

Click here to read the full article



Sedgwick Monthly News

Sedgwick Monthly News

Sedgwick Safety Services

Discover how Sedgwick’s safety consultants can help your business build a safer, more compliant workplace through customized risk management support.

Education & Workforce Development Updates


Boost Your Data Skills with CAHTA

Boost Your Data Skills with CAHTA

Take your hospitality career to the next level with STR’s CAHTA course—scholarships bring this $595 course down to just $295 for the first 25 to register.

📅 Course Dates: Tuesdays, July 8 – August 5

🕐 Time: 1:00 – 3:00 pm (EDT)

💻 Format: Online

📩 Reserve your spot today by emailing sharecenter@str.com



Campus Visits on the Horizon

Campus Visits on the Horizon

OHLA is hitting the road this fall to visit hospitality programs across Ohio, building stronger connections with students and educators. See which colleges and regions are on the itinerary—and how you can get involved!

Want to get more involved with the Education & Workforce Development Committee? Contact Amanda Peltier at amanda@ohla.org to learn more!

OHLA Educational Foundation


Golf for a Greater Cause: OHLEF Golf Classic

Golf for a Greater Cause: OHLEF Golf Classic

Swing into action at the first-ever OHLEF Golf Classic! Enjoy a day on the green while supporting education, training, and career growth for Ohio’s future hospitality leaders.

Click here to sign up.

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.

Upcoming Events

June 12, 2025
8:00AM - 9:30AM

OHLA Women in Lodging (WIL) Coffee Chat

Hilton Cleveland Downtown

100 Lakeside Ave E, Cleveland, OH 44114

June 23, 2025

Regional Stars of the Industry Nomination Deadline

Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, & Dayton -- Submit your nominations on or before June 23

June 24, 2025

Registration Deadline for Certification in Advanced Hospitality & Tourism Analytics (CAHTA)

OHLA x STR Certification Course