The AHLA launched a special section on its web site to cover the 9/11 events. It is offered to AH&LA members and other professionals in the lodging industry as a communication tool -- share ideas, provide your perspectives, and find out how the industry is coping after the September 11th tragedies. The information on this site can be read by everyone by visiting . However, you will need to sign up/login (click on link in upper right corner) to participate in discussions and surveys.

Click here for Joe McInerney's 2nd October Update

Joseph A. McInerney, CHA
President/Chief Executive Officer AH&LA

Joseph A. McInerney, CHA, is president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Prior to joining AH&LA in October 2001, McInerney served as the chief executive officer of the Pacific Asia Travel Association since 1997.

As president and CEO, McInerney implements and directs AH&LA's service to the U.S. lodging industry, providing leadership and guidance in developing programs and activities of value to association members. He works directly with the officers, board of directors, and member state associations in determining the direction of the industry.

McInerney brings strong association, corporate, and lodging credentials to AH&LA. As a 35-year veteran of the hospitality industry, he served in top executive positions for Forte Hotels, Inc.; ITT Sheraton Corporation; and Hawthorn Suites.

McInerney is an honor graduate of Boston College. He also is a Certified Hotel Administrator by AH&LA.

McInerney gives lectures about the various opportunities available in the hospitality industry at several colleges and universities across the United States and Thailand.

McInerney has been recognized with several industry awards, including the "Tourism Man of the Year" award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association; the 1999 Stephen Brener, Silver Plate Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospitality Magazine; and the 1994 Economy Lodging's "Person of the Year," by AH&LA.

About AH&LA

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), is a 91-year-old federation of state lodging associations throughout the United States with some 12,000 property members worldwide, representing more than 1.7 million guest rooms. AH&LA provides its members with assistance in operations, education, and communications, and lobbies on Capitol Hill to provide a business climate in which the industry can continue to prosper. Individual state associations provide representation at the state level and offer many additional cost-saving benefits.

Kevin Heilbronner is the US Editor for hsyndicate.com, wiredhotelier.com and hospitalitynet.org, providing content for these websites in the form of articles and both audio and video interviews.

Based outside of Washington DC, Heilbronner has worked with Hospitality Net to conduct interviews at several hospitality trade shows in the US and Europe over the last year.

A familiar voice in Washington, DC, Heilbronner is the stadium announcer for the NBA's Washington Wizards, WNBA's Washington Mystics, WUSA's Washington Freedom and DC United of MLS. He resides in Centreville, VA and can be reached via at [email protected]