Dean Michael Johnson; Tom Pritzker, Executive Chairman of Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Margot Pritzker, and Penny Pritzker at the Cornell Hospitality Icon & Innovator Awards — Photo by Robert Barker, Cornell University Photography

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) congratulates Penny Pritzker on her confirmation today as the 38th Secretary of the Department of Commerce following an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 97-1 by the U.S. Senate.

AH&LA had strongly endorsed President Obama's nomination of Pritzker, chairman and CEO, PSP Capital Partners and Pritzker Realty Group, co-founder and chairman, Artemis Real Estate Partners, and part of the founding family of Hyatt Hotels and a member of the Hyatt board of directors.

"We celebrate today with Penny Pritzker on her successful confirmation to be the next Secretary of Commerce, and are grateful to the members of the Senate for their strong support of her," said AH&LA President and CEO Katherine Lugar. "This tremendous bipartisan vote serves to reinforce what both the President and the business community already recognized: that Pritzker's extensive experience with job creation, business growth, and civic involvement is exactly what is needed at this time for our economy."

"The lodging industry looks forward to working with Secretary Pritzker in the time ahead to develop and implement policies that will continue putting people to work and drive further growth," continued Lugar.

About the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.