American Friends of Jamaica Announces $1 Million Relief Effort
By Todd McElwee
Aiding in relief efforts following the cataclysmic landfall of Hurricane Melissa, the American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) has established a $1 Million Matching Fund.
Created and underwritten by the association’s board of directors, the
initiative will match dollar-for-dollar all donations made through official donation channels. AFJ is a 501(c)3 dedicated to supporting Jamaican charitable organizations and social initiatives.
“Every contribution helps deliver life-saving food and water to families displaced by flooding, landslides, and
Destinations International Introduces Several Initiatives at Summits
By Jonathan Trager
Destinations International (DI) kicked off several empowering initiatives during its 2025 Business Operations Summit and Thrive: The Community Vitality Summit 2025, both held October 28–30.
Nearly 200 destination leaders gathered in Jackson, Mississippi, for the two events, which aim to “strengthen innovation, enhance workforce resilience, advance impactful leader-
ship, and foster destination stewardship across the global travel and tourism sector during an era of uncertainty and rapid transformation.”
“Our Thrive and BizOps Summits are about building strong leaders and healthy organizations that can sustain the future of our industry,” said Don Welsh, President & CEO of DI. “These resources give our members the tools to grow their teams, measure
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storm damage,” the association said. “Your support enables AFJ to sustain its emergency response and rebuild efforts in the days and weeks following Hurricane Melissa.”
AFJ said it is coordinating with local and international partners and activated its emergency response Please turn to page 5
Author Publishes First-of-Its-Kind Book on Black Hoteliers
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Adjusting the Volume on a Trip to Seattle
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Adam Grant Opening Convening Leaders 2026 with Main Stage Keynote
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Family of Grandfather ‘Boiled Alive’ in Hotel Shower Files Lawsuit
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Salish Lodge & Spa Blends Modern Luxury with Sacred History
Visit Anchorage Assists Relocated Natives After Devastating Storm
By Jonathan Trager
Visit Anchorage played a key role in accommodating hundreds of Alaska Natives who were forced to flee from flooded villages in the aftermath of a typhoon earlier this month.
The remnants of Typhoon Halong that roared into western Alaska created the worst coastal surge in decades, submerging homes and destroying entire neighborhoods. The storm impacted 52 communities, with the hardest-hit including Kipnuk and Kwigillingok.
More than 650 Alaskans had to be airlifted to safety in Anchorage— about 500 miles east of the battered villages. They came aboard military and chartered aircraft, according to the state Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, which ranked among the largest mass air evacuations ever in the state.
“While the distances between our communities are measured in hundreds of miles, Alaska is a tightly knit place,” Jack Bonney, Vice President of Communications for Visit Anchorage,
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Association Forum Foundation Launches Member Support Fund
By Todd McElwee
The Association Forum Foundation is launching the Member Support Fund, a $75,000 investment to help professionals stay connected, re-skill, and grow through challenging times.
The charitable organization has also announced the recipients of its 2025 scholarships, recognizing professionals who are shaping the future of the association industry.
“At Association Forum,
we know that empowered professionals build elevated, resilient organizations,” said Artesha Moore, FASAE, CAE, President & CEO of Association Forum. “This fund is about more than financial relief—it’s about making sure every professional has access to the skills, connections, and opportunities that keep our community strong. When we invest in people during challenging times, we strengthen the future of our entire profession.”
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John Tanzella (middle row, far right), President & CEO of the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA), and his team during the association’s Global Convention in Palm Springs. See related story on page 6
HOTS Pumpkin Pontoon… Oregon’s annual giant floating pumpkin race brought spectators from all around to cheer on costumed captains as they paddled their pumpkin boats across the finish line at Tualatin, Oregon’s annual West Coast Giant Pumpkin Regatta held on October 19. The race was first held in 2004 and has been put on by an Oregonian association of gardeners called the Pacific Giant Vegetable Growers. The regatta feature racers who carve out massive pumpkins—themselves a spectacle as they are moved by crane and fork lifts—to use as floatation devices. Race participants told the outlet that scooping out as much of the pumpkin guts as possible was a
Publisher & Executive Editor 1982 – 2021 Anne Daly Heller
Publisher-Emeritus Ross E. Heller ross@usaenews.com
sound tactic to make the floating winter squash a little more buoyant, they told the Associated Press. The winner of the first race of the festival, Gary Kristensen, dressed up as Buddy the Elf from Will Ferrell’s holiday classic Elf as he paddled a 936-pound pumpkin across the watery finish line. Kristensen told AP that he has participated in the event since 2013. “You’ve got an exciting activity that crowds love, you’ve got the costumes, cheering people, spectacle, pumpkins sinking, it has everything,” said Kristensen in an interview with AP after his victory.
HOTS sends congratulations to all the pump-kings from this year’s regatta!
HOTS 60th Celebration for a Nut…
The Ohio State University celebrated the 60th birthday of its mascot, Brutus Buckeye—yes, a literal nut—by breaking the Guinness World Record for the most conical party hats (those old school triangle ones that give absolutely everyone a double chin) at one single event. According to UPI, the university gathered 1,923 people on October 29 at the Recreation and Physical Activity Center on the school’s
campus. Brutus’ party beat out the previous record holder, Britain’s Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls, which won the record in 2019 with 1,161 people in party hats. According to Dave Isaacs, spokesperson for the Office of Student Life at OSU, the idea to reach for the new record was inspired when the office started brainstorming ways they could top Brutus Buckeye’s 50th celebration held in 2015. “This was one of the ideas that came up,” Isaacs told local news outlet WSYX-TV. “We ran with it and here we are.” HOTS thinks it’s Brutus’ party and he can rob a girls school of their record if he so pleases.
Author Publishes First-of-Its-Kind Book on
By Jordan Bradley
Author and hospitality industry veteran Calvin Stovall Jr. released his new coffee table book on Black hoteliers throughout American history, Hidden Hospitality: Untold Stories of Black Hotel, Motel, and Resort Owners from the Pioneer Days to the Civil Rights Era, on October 21.
The book features more than 125 vintage black and white photographs and the stories of pivotal Black hoteliers beginning in the late 1700s.
For Stovall Jr., the project has been a long time in the making.
While attending graduate school at the Cornell University Nolan School of Hotel Administration in 1993, Stovall Jr. had been asked to pursue a project on Black hotel ownership from a historic perspective by Evan Frazier, co-founder of the National Society of Minority Hoteliers. Through the course of his research, Stovall Jr. became immersed in the world of Black hoteliers, eventually submitting the 100-page
Black Hoteliers
book of research and photographs as his graduate monograph.
Fast forward to 2020: Stovall Jr. stumbled upon the black-bound graduate monograph then titled “Hospitality Historiography” when a friend was visiting. His friend became curious and inspired by the project, and as she flipped through the monograph, Stovall Jr. realized he wasn’t done with the project yet and that it deserved to be published for a wider audience.
So he began the arduous process of publishing. He found a publisher out of Dallas, Brown Books, that specialized in coffee table books. When he reached out with his proposal, Brown Books was interested and looked for similar products already in circulation, Stovall Jr. said, but there was “nothing else out there like that, so they jumped on it.”
“I felt it was a God-led project,” Stovall Jr. said. “We know about the Hiltons and the Marriotts of the world—who have done fantastic things for the hospitality industry, of course—but I just felt like these pioneers never got their due, and they built some beautiful properties during a challenging time in America. So I just felt like it was great to lift them up and let people know: hey, we made a huge impact as African Americans to this industry as well. Because I always like to say that African American history, Black history is American history.”
The finished book begins in the 1700s with Rachel (sometimes spelled Rachael) Pringle Polgreen, who owned and operated a ho -
tel called the Royal Navy Hotel ion Bridgetown, Barbados, through the Civil Rights Era and the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated. The book ends with a final chapter on modern African American hoteliers, including Salamander Hotels’ Sheila Johnson, real estate developer and hotelier Don Peebles, and Marriott’s Vice President of Lodging Development for North America Norman Jenkins.
Stovall Jr. said throughout his research two things surprised him: the amount of stories he had been able to find and how few of these hotels were still standing today, something he attributes to the transition that happened after the Civil Rights Act went into effect in 1964.
“That’s when African Americans, Blacks—we could [stay] wherever we wanted to, and what ended up happening is most of those hotels ended up going out of business,” Stovall Jr. said.
When Stovall Jr. talks with people about the book, many ask him what he thinks of these closures.
Calvin Stovall Jr.
By Todd McElwee
In my imagination, Seattle has always been a wonderfully noisy place—a coffee-fueled metropolis crisscrossed by Boeing jets blaring Nirvana.
I may have been a bit off.
Actually, my thoughts weren’t wrong, just incomplete and, admittedly, a bit cliched.
What I found during my first visit to the Emerald City this fall was a place where the spirit of my flannel-clad grunge idols isn’t overpowering but complementing to the natural splendors that help define the town.
What I found was balance.
As previously noted, grunge is my thing. Many of the genre’s best songs are constructed around the template of calm, quiet verses morphing into loud, boisterous chorus and then returning to a more tranquil verse. My experiences during Visit Seattle’s Mother Nature’s City fam followed a similar pattern, or vice versa.
In my imagination, saunas are steamy, tiled rooms tucked away at the back of a gym or spa and populated by older, heartier gentlemen in towels or maybe less.
Again, I may have been a bit off.
Selecting a plush bath robe, I climbed the ladder to the top deck of the Wild Haus Floating Sauna and settled into an oversized lounger as the vessel slipped off the dock and into Lake Union. The Space Needle and city skyline were starboard (right), with charming lakefront cottages hugging much of the shoreline and a fantastic brewery, Gasworks Brewing, a few hundred yards from the bow. My first sauna experience was occurring on a handsomely appointed wooden boat resembling a small Scandinavian forest cabin.
The question quickly became “Go
Adjusting the Volume on a Trip to Seattle
into the sauna or into the lake?” Off the robe came, and off the top deck into Lake Union I plunged. The water temperature wasn’t tropical, but it wasn’t arctic either. Floating with boats all around—though I believe it’s a no wake zone—and with downtown seemingly within reach, I barely heard a sound. For the most part, my world was quiet.
Climbing onboard, I grabbed a water and went to the sauna, where I joined a few Visit Seattle reps and fellow journalists. “What should we listen to?” somebody asked. “We can connect through Bluetooth.” “Nirvana,” I said without hesitation.
My request was summarily rejected by Cory O’Born, Public Relations Manager, Visit Seattle, who was our DJ. She politely explained Nirvana, even in Seattle, was not the best choice for cruising around a lake in a sauna boat. She wasn’t wrong. There was nothing grungy about the time or place. Something a bit more tranquil was selected, and appropriately so. Eventually, I got The Beatles to play.
Rooftop cannon balls into the lake to lounging in the sauna. Rinse and repeat. Exhilarating to calm. Calm to exhilarating.
Wild Haus Floating Sauna was the quiet. The 5 Point Café was the loud.
Opened since 1929 and 24 hours a day, the self-described “dinner and dive bar” was a short walk from the truly wonderful 1 Hotel Seattle where I stayed. Everything about the 5 Point Café is charmingly amplified. There’s neon lights outside and much, if not most, of the interior is adorned with stickers from breweries and bands and bumper stickers both praising and condemning a variety of political stances. There’s signs with words and phrases unrepeatable in polite company and a soundtrack of punk, grunge and metal. Yet, it’s family friendly— down the bar from me a family with
Best of all, the French toast, hash browns, and over easy eggs were delicious and arrived shortly before I finished my initial cup—which was consistently topped off—of rich, black coffee. I’d like to think someone has spent a full 24 hours at the 5 Point Café, and if not, somebody will soon.
The historic Paramount Theatre and state-of-the-art Seattle Convention Center Summit Building are neighbors, situated directly across Pine Street from each other. Nirvana played the former in 1991, a heralded show that’s been captured as the concert film/album Live at the Paramount—a constant play at my house. Amazon held a conference at the latter a few days before I toured the facility. Music, tech, the past, present and future all on one corner.
Mother Nature is omnipresent through the Summit building and at no place more than the glass-enclosed wooden Hillclimb staircase. Scaling the length and height of the building, it was designed as a place to convene during breaks in a conference goer’s day with access to power outlets and cushions. It’s possibly the most stunning architectural feature I’ve seen in a
convention center, and only enhanced by the view.
The Paramount, downtown, surrounding neighborhoods, Pike Place Market and the Puget Sound are all visible from the Hillclimb. It’s not all of Seattle, but many of the best bits. Though it was empty when I visited, I
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U.S. Travel Pens Sign-On Letter
Urging End of
Shutdown
Says Action Needed Before Thanksgiving
By Todd McElwee
Concerned the Thanksgiving travel season will be cooked by the federal shutdown, the U.S. Travel Association is circulating an industry-wide sign-on letter to congressional leaders urging action to prevent disruption to air travel, protect federal workers and avoid billions in additional economic losses. The deadline to join is end of the day on November 3.
“With Thanksgiving, the busiest travel period of the year, imminently approaching, the consequences of a continued shutdown will be immediate, deeply felt by millions of American travelers, and economically devastating to communities in every state,” the letter states.
Addressed to the majority and minority leaders of both chambers, the letter notes the nation’s travel economy has already lost more than $4 billion due to the shutdown, with losses growing significantly with each passing day. It added that last
year during Thanksgiving week, more than 20 million passengers took flights in the United States and that the shutdown places an extraordinary strain on federal personnel—from Transportation Security Administration officers to air traffic controllers, who are forced to work without pay.
“The American people expect and deserve a fully functioning federal government during the peak holiday travel season,” the letter said. “Congress must act without delay to pass a clean continuing resolution to reopen the government immediately and ensure full federal operations are restored in advance of the Thanksgiving travel period. The cost of continued inaction will be felt by families, workers, businesses, and communities in every part of the country. Now is the moment to demonstrate leadership and prevent a Thanksgiving travel crisis. Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.”
Find more information at ustravel.org
Wild Haus Floating Sauna.
The Hillclimb staircase in the Seattle Convention Center Summit Building
NEWS NEWS
Adam Grant Opening Convening Leaders 2026 with Main Stage Keynote
By Todd McElwee
PCMA believes in the hidden potential of Convening Leaders 2026 (CL26) in Philadelphia.
Adam Grant, organizational psychologist at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, #1 bestselling author of Hidden Potential and host of the “WorkLife” and “Re:Thinking” podcasts will facilitate CL26’s opening Main Stage Keynote.
Grant will deliver “Hidden Potential: Unlocking Excellence in Yourself and Others” on January 11. PCMA’s tentpole event runs through January 14.
“As a Philadelphia native and one of the world’s foremost thinkers on human potential, Adam will no doubt
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plan to provide immediate support to those affected by Hurricane Melissa. Aid efforts include the distribution of food, water, and hygiene supplies, as well as logistical support for shelters and local response teams.
On its aid page, AFJ said it is working closely with the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (ODPEM), Global Empowerment
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imagine it’s a calm, though likely noisy, space, where one can retreat from the hurry and hubbub of convention business.
Levels 2 through 5 have a 6-foot tall translucent number indicating the floor. Each is filled with items representing
challenge us to see potential not just as talent, but as growth in motion,” said Sherrif Karamat, CAE, PCMA and CEMA President & CEO. “When we open Convening Leaders 2026 kicking off 70 years of making history together, Adam’s message will inspire our community to unlock excellence within themselves and their organizations—fueling transformation across the global business events industry and beyond.”
PCMA said Grant will build on Hidden Potential in sharing how to build the character skills, structures, and systems that accelerate learning and elevate excellence.
“Rooted in the CL26 theme ‘Making History, Together,’ he will show how
Mission (GEM), Food For The Poor Jamaica, and the Sanmerna Foundation to ensure the most vulnerable communities are served quickly and efficiently. Long-term recovery assistance is also in the works.
Founded in 1982 by Jamaicans and Americans who loved Jamaica and wanted to see it prosper, New York City-based AFJ has raised nearly $20 million to date for the island’s nonprofit and charitable organizations, its website said.
Find more information at theafj.org
aspects of Washington State—history, timber and aerospace to name a few. Level 4 was my favorite. Level 4 is music, specifically cassette tapes from artists with local connections. Nirvana, (I know you’re like, “Okay, we get it, you’re a 90’s grunge kid.” Imagine what the poor folks from Visit Seattle had to endure), Pearl Jam, Alice in Chains, Soundgarden, Jimi Hendrix. They’re all there.
Parks and recreation officials don’t like gravel paths in Discovery Park, Seattle’s largest. Too noisy. They prefer the soft padded moss that covered much of the ground or dirt. The officials who guided us on a hike through the woods, during which I saw what I believe to be the largest tree I’ve ever encountered, did however love the staccato racket of a woodpecker we came briefly came across. Quiet, loud and back to quiet. Balance.
Visit Seattle’s Joey Thompson, Public Relations Manager, Meetings; Sierra Takushi, Public Relations Specialist; and Cory O’Born, Public Relations Manager, are the best trio from the city since Nirvana. They’re true rock stars and perfect ambassadors for the town. Cheers and thank you!
unlocking hidden strengths can drive transformation and lasting impact across the global business events community and beyond,” organizers said.
Grant earned his Ph.D. in organizational psychology from the University of Michigan and his B.A. from Harvard University. He’ has received awards from the Academy of Management, American Psychological Association, and the National Science Foundation.
The opening main stage is supported by New Orleans & Company and New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center. CL26 is marking PCMA’s 70th anniversary.
Find more information at conveningleaders.org
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told USAE
The destination organization for Alaska’s capital city has been helping find temporary space to house the displaced individuals, which includes use of the Egan Civic & Convention Center, Bonney said. It has also worked to identify available hotel space across the community, with the municipal government arranging for spaces elsewhere, including recreation centers and the Alaska Airlines Center.
Tourism-focused entities have also contributed to the relief effort in other ways, Bonney added.
The Alaska Native Heritage Cen-
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“I always say that I think it was great that we were able to go wherever we needed to stay, and I think that freedom is great, but I just wish we had paused for a moment and said, ‘Hey, what about all these hotels that kept us safe and accommodated us during these times?’” he said. “I just think there was a lot of generational wealth that was lost because of that.”
For Stovall Jr., the project was an exciting source of inspiration that allowed him to highlight incredible hoteliers with interesting lives and significant contributions such as William “Curly” Neal and his wife, Annie Neal, who opened the Mountain View Hotel in Oracle, Arizona, in 1895, and Joseph Lee, who not only owned the Woodland Park Hotel in Auburndale, Massachusetts, but also ran a catering business and eventually invented the automatic bread-kneading and
ter became a collection point for donations of traditional foods. The statewide tourism conference hosted by ATIA in Anchorage raised more than $40,000 for storm relief. Alaska Airlines, Royal Caribbean Group and Northern Alaska Tour Company each matched $10,000 to make an even greater impact.
“Put simply, it has been a community-wide effort,” Bonney said.
Officials last week began moving evacuees from congregate shelter spaces in the city into longer-term housing such as apartments and hotels, the Anchorage Daily News reported. It’s unclear when those who were displaced will be able to return to their villages.
bread crumb machines in 1894 and 1895, respectively.
Stovall Jr. has had a successful career in hospitality himself, beginning with a turn at a Holiday Inn in downtown Chicago, before eventually spending a decade with Hilton Worldwide, most recently as Vice President of Brand Marketing before he shifted gears to work as a brand marketing strategist in the nonprofit sector for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Now, alongside his time writing Hidden Hospitality, Stovall Jr. delivers keynote speeches and workshops worldwide through his ICONIC Presentations company, and acts as Director of Executive Programs for The Advance Leadership Institute.
“There’s a lot I love about hospitality,” Stovall Jr. said. “I just really love the service aspect of it, and really creating experiences for people. I think it’s so important. Memories are everything.” Hidden Hospitality is available for purchase online through Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
Adam Grant
The giant trees of Discovery Park
Family of Grandfather ‘Boiled Alive’ in Hotel Shower Files Lawsuit
By Jordan Bradley
The family of a man who died in a San Jose, California, hotel shower filed a lawsuit against the property alleging the hotel and its management were responsible for the man’s wrongful death.
Terril Wade Johnson Sr., 72, traveled with family from his home in Los Angeles to San Jose on May 22 to attend his granddaughter’s graduation from San Jose State University, according to the lawsuit filed by the Johnson family in Santa Clara County Court on October 15.
After checking into his room at the Fairfield Inn & Suites San Jose Airport, a Marriott International branded property, “Terril entered the shower in his hotel room and never came out alive,” the suit alleges.
“Within minutes, his family found him unresponsive, partially submerged in water so dangerously hot that they could not touch him without burning themselves,” according to the lawsuit. “As they struggled desperately to save him, they were forced to watch in horror as his skin peeled away from his body.”
The family is suing the hotel property, Marriott International, and the companies that own and manage the hotel: Hanford Hotels, Inc.; Hanford, LLC; and Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Inc., a Delaware corporation owned by hospitality management company Aimbridge Hospitality, LLC, for wrongful death as a result of negligence and emotional distress “for the severe trauma inflicted upon the family members who witnessed their beloved husband, father, and grandfather be
IGLTA Hosts Record Annual Convention in Palm Springs
By Todd McElwee
The International LGBTQ+ Travel Association (IGLTA) reported on October 28 the 2025 edition of its Global Convention was the largest yet.
Approximately 750 delegates and 465 businesses representing 30 countries and territories attended the convention in Palm Springs from October 21–25. In 2023, IGLTA celebrated its 40th Anniversary Global Convention in San Juan with a then-record 700 attendees. Osaka, Japan, hosted in 2024.
“At a time when our visibility is being challenged, we showed up stronger than ever. Seeing our industry stand together with such pride and purpose is a powerful reminder that representation isn’t just important, it’s essential,” said John Tanzella, President & CEO, IGLTA. “This year’s convention was truly a community effort and would not have been possible without the incredible support of Visit Greater Palm Springs. As a local resident, I could not be more proud to see my city welcome our global community with such heart.”
Visit Greater Palm Springs served as the official Host City Partner.
“Hosting the IGLTA Global Convention in Greater Palm Springs was an incredible honor for our destination,” said Scott White, President & CEO of Visit Greater Palm Springs. “Welcoming LGBTQ+ travel professionals from around the world allowed us to showcase what makes
effectively boiled alive in what should have been the safety of the his hotel room,” the suit reads.
According to the lawsuit, both California Plumbing and Uniform Pluming Codes require water to be delivered no hotter than 120°F from hotel room water fixtures. However, the suit alleges that Johnson was exposed to “scalding hot water measured at 134–136° Fahrenheit” that is “known to cause third-degree burns within seconds.”
The Santa Clara County Medical Examiner conducted a forensic examination, including toxicology and histology, determining that Johnson suffered “severe scalding burns” over 33.5% of his body, listing this as his cause of death.
“The statutes and regulations were enacted to prevent precisely the type of injury suffered here: fatal scalding burns caused by unregulated, over heated water in guest bathrooms,” the
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our community so special—our inclusivity, creativity, and genuine warmth. The energy, collaboration, and inspiration shared throughout the week truly reflected the spirit of Greater Palm Springs, and we’re so proud to have been part of advancing global LGBTQ+ tourism together.”
Global Convention Highlights:
• Two-day Buyer/Supplier Marketplace with buyers representing an estimated $700 million in tourism business
• Launch of the Gender Diverse Travel Advisory Group’s guide, a resource for navigating global travel
• Recognition of the 2025 IGLTA Foundation Fellowship recipients, five emerging voices in global LGBTQ+ tourism leadership
• Nearly 70 global LGBTQ+ travel media in attendance, marking the convention’s largest-ever media turnout
• Women’s Leadership panel celebrating visibility, empowerment, and collaboration
• The IGLTA Foundation’s most successful Voyage fundraiser to date. Held at the Dinah Shore Estate, it raised more than $120,000 to support inclusive travel initiatives
• Arenas District Gilbert Baker Pride flag dedication and a permanent public art installation, the Pride Monument
• IGLTA’s 2026 Global Convention will take place from November 17–21 in Seville, Spain.
Find more information at iglta.org
lawsuit said.
According to the lawsuit, the family commissioned a private autopsy, which further confirmed the medical examiner’s cause of death.
“This was not a freak accident,” the suit reads. “It was the direct result of Defendant’s gross negligence and failure to meet even basic safety obligations.”
Johnson was a retired Marine Corps veteran who served in the Vietnam War, according to the suit. In 1971, he married plaintiff Linda Donita Johnson. The Johnson family moved to California in 1984, where Johnson had accepted a position with the Fuller Theological Seminary, before eventually working as a senior lead technician with the Los Angeles Metro Transit Authority until his retirement last year.
Marriott and Aimbridge Hospitality officials did not return USAE request for comment prior to deadline.
what matters and ensure that travel truly benefits everyone in our communities.”
Initiatives launched during the summits include the following: Pathways to Success Scholarship and Professional Development Program: A thoughtfully expanded evolution of the former HBCU Scholarship, the program is designed to broaden access and opportunity, supporting students pursuing careers in hospitality and tourism management at accredited colleges and universities across the United States and Canada. The program is supported by the DI Foundation.
“This initiative is about meeting people where they are and ensuring that opportunity in our industry is welcoming and accessible to all who may be interested in a career in the travel and tourism industry,” said Sophia Hyder Hock, DI Chief Impact Officer. “Pathways to Success creates a roadmap that celebrates individual growth and opportunity while strengthening our collective impact as an industry.”
Updated Social Impact Lexicons: Updates to the original lexicon
issued in 2023 reaffirm the role of destination organizations as stewards of place and people. The Social Impact Lexicons highlight 25 words used to articulate the significance of creating welcoming spaces. The 2025 iterations for the United States and Canada structure words by identity, action, and outcome. U.S. words are identified through analysis of language used by elected officials and media.
Tourism for All : A self-paced certificate program that enables destination leaders to build welcoming, community-driven tourism through expert-led education and guided learning. Participants gain the tools, insights and frameworks they need to align their organizations and communities around shared values and sustainable economic growth. The virtual program will roll out in early 2026 with the involvement of HospitableMe, Tourism Cares, The Culturist Group, Wheel the World, and Tripadvisor.
“Each of these resources is about creating pathways, whether for career growth, shared understanding or broader access,” Welsh added. “They represent our belief that the future of destinations is strongest when it is shared by all.”
Salish Lodge & Spa Blends Modern Luxury With Sacred History
By Jordan Bradley
The Salish Lodge & Spa atop the Snoqualmie Falls in Washington State—about 30 minutes southeast of Seattle—is wrapping up a six-year, three-phased renovation this month.
The luxury lodge also marked the sixth anniversary of a culturally significant transaction that placed the property’s deed back into the hands of the Snoqualmie Tribe, whose ancestral lands the lodge has lived on since its first iteration in 1916.
The Salish Lodge first hosted guests as the Snoqualmie Falls Lodge in 1916, offering just eight rooms. In 1988, the building was completely remodeled, expanded and renamed the Salish Lodge. Fans of the cult classic David Lynch TV series Twin Peaks, which aired in the early ‘90s, will recognize the lodge as the setting for many scenes.
On October 31, 2019, the Snoqualmie Tribe reached an agreement with the Lodge’s then-owners, the neighboring Muckleshoot Tribe, also known as the First People of Seattle, which purchased the property to diversify its assets in 2007. During its 12 years as stewards of the property, the Muckleshoot Tribe invested in the luxury property, providing guests with lavish spa experiences, award-winning meals, and stunning views.
After several discussions and negotiations between the pair of sovereign nations, the Snoqualmie Tribe purchased the lodge, the nearby Snoqualmie Falls Gift Shop, and 45 acres of Snoqualmie traditional territory for $125 million.
For the Snoqualmie Tribe, the falls and surrounding land are culturally significant and “central to the history, spiritual practice, and the identity of the Snoqualmie people,” the tribe said. “Its preservation is of the highest importance to the Snoqualmie Tribe.”
Alan Stephens, General Manager of the Salish Lodge & Spa, joined Columbia Hospitality, the property’s management company, since 2006, he told USAE. It was a part of the opening team at the property when the Muckleshoots purchased the lodge. He has been general manager for the property for the last decade.
“Having worked with the Muckleshoots, they’re a great ownership group, very supportive,” said Stephens. “But this is not their sacred waterfall that’s right behind the lodge. [That waterfall] is part of the creation story of the Snoqualmie tribe. Their connection between heaven and earth is the sacred waterfall in our backyard.”
Most recently, the 86-guest room Salish Lodge has been enduring a three-phase renovation. The first phase reinvigorated the lodge’s entrance with a new, more welcoming lobby complete with a lounge, which opened on Thanksgiving in 2023. The second phase of the renovation was completed this April, which expanded
the lodge’s restaurant and terrace bar, as well as installed a brand new kitchen. This part of the renovation, Stephens said, was pivotal in its transformation, because it now brings guests much closer to the stunning Snoqualmie Falls.
“One of the things that our guests were always dying for—and boy, it drove me nuts—is that you come to the edge of these gorgeous falls and you couldn’t sit outside and experience it,” Stephens said. “So that was just something that absolutely needed to be fixed, and the commitment from our ownership was, ‘Yeah, let’s do that. Let’s find a way.’”
Now, the lodge offers visitors and guests an enclosed pergola with a 180-degree view of the falls.
“You can experience the powerfulness of the falls and the mist without getting soaked at the same time,” Stephens said.
The final phase of the renovation,
Forum Fund
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Association Forum said it recognizes that job losses and shrinking professional development budgets are making it harder for talented professionals to access the learning and connections they need most. Through the fund, members and recently active professionals who are experiencing financial hardship, can apply for grants to cover registration for Holiday Showcase, Association Forum membership, participation in select 2026 learning programs and more.
Applications opened on October 29 and are due by November 17. The review period will take place from November 18–24, with notifications to recipients to be sent on November 26. Another round of applications will
wrapping up this month, is the addition of a new, 120-person ballroom. Above the ballroom, Salish will also have three new suites dubbed the Waterfall Suites, which look directly over Snoqualmie Falls and will offer stunning sunset views, Stephens said.
Stephens has been with the property in some capacity for the better part of the last 15 years, he told USAE, and the best word he can think of to describe the lodge and its location is “magical.”
“There’s a piece that can’t be described in sitting there on the edge of that waterfall,” Stephens said, “in experiencing that power. It’s almost magical – I can’t think of a better for than that for those falls. They’re twice the height of Niagara Falls, and when we have big rains, you can feel the building shaking with that power, so there’s something that’s just really impossible to describe. There’s a reason why it’s so sacred to the tribe.”
open at the top of the 2026 calendar year. These two rounds of funding will add up to the total investment of $75,000.
Emily Burnett, Society of Women Engineers, is the Association Forum CAE Scholarship recipient. The Emerging Leaders Program Scholarship honorees are Mahjabeen Ahmed, American Association of Neurological Surgeons; Annalie Garcia, Society of Actuaries; Caitlin Griffin, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; Pam Rosenberg, American College of Rheumatology; Clarissa Oquendo, American College of Rheumatology; Hazel Oreluk, American College of Healthcare Executives; and Jackie Throop, HR Source. Anastacia Barbosa-McBride, Bostrom, is the Bree Anne Sutherland Scholarship recipient. Find more information at associationforum.org
Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, is wrapping up the final phase of a six-year process of renovation this November. Credit: Salish Lodge & Spa
The new front entrance to the Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie. Photo credit: Salish Lodge & Spa
NEWS NEWS
Brady Closson Stepping Down as Head of Fredericksburg CVB
By Jonathan Trager
Brady Closson, who has served as President & CEO of the Fredericksburg CVB in Texas for three years, will step down from the position on November 7.
Closson will take on a new role at the Grapevine CVB as Assistant Executive Director, returning to the organization he worked at prior to joining the Fredericksburg CVB.
“As I prepare to transition from this meaningful chapter, my heart is filled with gratitude for my dedicated team and the steadfast support of our Board of Directors,” said Closson.
Closson cited a number of initiatives accomplished during his tenure, including the “Love, Fredericksburg” campaign, which “beautifully showcases local tourism stakeholders and their authentic stories”; the Resident
Sentiment Study, which identified the essence of that campaign; the Tourism Master Plan, a guiding document; and a reimagined Visitor Information Center, with new technology to “enhance the guest experience.”
“And to our remarkable staff—your passion and professionalism shine every single day,” Closson added. “We are incredibly fortunate to represent such a special place, and your energy and enthusiasm bring Fredericksburg’s true spirit to life with every guest you welcome.”
search. In the interim, the Executive Committee will work closely with the CVB’s leadership team.
David Shields, PhD, Chairman of the Fredericksburg CVB, extended the “sincere gratitude” of the board for Closson’s “outstanding leadership.”
David Shields, PhD, Chairman of the Fredericksburg CVB, extended the “sincere
gratitude” of the board for Closson’s “outstanding leadership.”
The Board of Directors for the CVB has begun the process of identifying new leadership through a nationwide
“Brady brought a sophisticated and forward-thinking lens to our work, applying cutting-edge data in creative ways that helped our town’s unique charm shine while always keeping resident sentiment and balanced growth at the heart of every decision,” said Shields. “His kindness, humor, and sharp intelligence made collaboration a true pleasure— we will miss his professionalism and
wish Brady’s wife Lindsay and their two boys Caiden and Cameron the very best in their next chapter.”
Jamaica Hotels Weather Onslaught of Hurricane Melissa
By Jordan Bradley
Hotels in Jamaica are undertaking significant restoration efforts in the wake of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall on the island on October 28.
Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is one of the strongest storms ever recorded, according to officials. Reports show hotels across Jamaica flooded or severely damaged and at least 28 people throughout Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic have been reported dead in the aftermath as of October 31 press deadline.
Guests at the luxury all-inclusive resort Iberostar Hotel in Montego Bay shared photos and videos of the resort after Melissa, showing plant debris strewn across walkways, and damaged ballrooms littered with broken furniture, a partially fallen-in ceiling and broken windows.
In an October 30 letter to the public, the Iberostar property said all of its staff and guests were safe and that recovery was underway.
“In these challenging days following Hurricane Melissa, caring for our people has been our priority,” Iberostar said in a social media post. “While we assess the damage, we are deeply relieved to confirm that all our colleagues and guests are safe. We extend our most sincere gratitude to every team member for their exceptional professionalism, strength, and solidarity—qualities that make us incredibly proud and clearly reconfirm the great family we are.”
The property added it was hopeful it will be able to welcome guests again beginning November 10, though it ex-
pects some services and amenities will be unavailable.
A couple from Virginia Beach who had been vacationing in Montego Bay at the Excellence Oyster Bay was subsequently stranded when Hurricane Melissa hit. Shari Watts-Ankeny told 13News Now, a Virginia Beach outlet, that she and her husband spent an entire day and night in the hotel’s storm shelter.
“In fact, we are still here,” she told the outlet. “We are safe, but from what the staff tells us, the resort is destroyed.”
Watts-Ankeny said guests were not able to go to their rooms or walk the resort because of all the broken glass and debris strewn across the property. Still, the staff was able to provide hot meals and non-alcoholic beverages, and Wi-Fi service on the resort had returned by October 29.
Sandals Resorts, operates 17 resorts throughout the Caribbean, with seven resorts located in Jamaica.
In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, Sandals shared in a social media statement that all of its teams and guests came through the storm unscathed. The resort company also thanked guests for contributing during preparation for Melissa to make landfall.
“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the guests who joined our teams in careful preparation and followed every protocol in Jamaica. Your cooperation, compassion, and sense of community lifted spirits and brought comfort during a challenging time,” Sandals said.
Sandals also noted its giving arm, the Sandals Foundation, “initiated
proactive relief efforts across the island” of Jamaica.
Hilton released storm updates leading up to Melissa’ October 28 landfall in Jamaica and followed up the same evening to share that all staff and guests made it safely through the storm.
In response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, the Caribbean Hotel Investment conference & Operations Summit (CHICOS) announced on October 31 it will donate to
international nonprofit All Hands and Hearts to support relief efforts.
“All Hands & Hearts has a track record of stepping in where help is needed most and staying well after the headlines fade,” said Parris Jordan, Chairman of CHICOS. “Our gift is a small gesture compared to the challenge ahead, but we believe that when the Caribbean hospitality community rallies together, meaningful, lasting impact follows.”
TravelAbility Announces 2026 Summit Headed to Tampa
By Jordan Bradley
TravelAbility is headed to beachy Tampa Bay for the 2026 TravelAbility Summit, the organization announced to previous attendees via email on October 29.
The annual summit gathering destinations and hotel representatives, accessibility tech innovators, and advocates for accessibility will be held at the Embassy Suites by Hilton Tampa Downtown Convention Center in downtown Tampa Bay from November 9–11, 2026.
TravelAbility founder and CEO Jake Steinman told USAE that Visit Tampa has been a longtime partner of the organization.
“They’ve been part of our Destination A11y Club from the very beginning,” Steinman said, and Visit Tampa’s leadership has “had a lot of sensitivity to disability.”
Destination A11y Club is an invita-
tion-only consortium of destinations “committed to proactively expanding their inclusivity” for travelers and residents with disabilities or mobility needs. It was established five years ago, according to the TravelAbility website.
Steinman noted that the Embassy Suites hotel will be easy to travel to for attendees, and that the summit programming will include water-related activities, but the details were still in the works.
The last two summits have sold out, Steinman told USAE, with about 200 attendees for each event. He and the TravelAbility team plan to keep the summit small but build on the momentum from this year’s successful event in Sunriver, Oregon, where the conference hosted 21 social media influencers with disabilities, a first for TravelAbility. Steinman said he hopes to have another year of high turnout from content creators in 2026.
Brady Closson
Meet Us in The Heart of the Mid-Atlantic
Meet Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Baltimore, Howard County, Montgomery County, and Prince George’s County—each home to premier meeting sites such as Baltimore, Bethesda, BWI Airport, College Park, Columbia, Gaithersburg, National Harbor, Rockville, Silver Spring, and many more.
Whether you’re seeking a scenic retreat, a city adventure, or a waterfront experience, we’re excited to help you find the perfect destination for your meeting. Maryland — where every event is memorable, and even our crabs say, You’re Welcome.
By Jordan Bradley
The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) recognized top general managers from around the country at the General Managers of the Year Award ceremony at The Hospitality Show at the Colorado Convention Center on October 27.
The award highlight general managers “going above and beyond for their guests and employees,” AHLA said.
“General managers are the heart of every hotel. The best of them are focused equally on the guest and the team, providing excellent experiences for visitors, driving results, problem solving, building careers and community at the same time,” said Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO of AHLA. “This year’s honorees reflect that magic perfectly, building their teams and talent while supporting the communities in which they live and serve
CVB Update
Visit Florida Keys & Key West launched on October 28 VisitFloridaKeys.com , introducing the first AI-powered destination website in Florida that features the “Conchcierge”—a multilingual virtual travel assistant that helps visitors plan trips in more than 45 languages.
Developed in partnership with MMGY Global, the new website will deliver personalized travel experiences and position the Keys for the next generation of digital marketing through intelligent technology, automation, and structured data.
“This launch marks a huge milestone in how we serve our community, partners, and future visitors,” said Kara Franker, Visit Florida Keys President & CEO. “This is a broader evolution in how we market and manage the Florida Keys as a destination.”
The Cobb-Marietta Coliseum & Exhibit Hall Authority announced on October 28 a new name for its mid-size convention venue: Cobb Convention Center-Atlanta
Formerly Cobb Galleria Centre, the venue is rebranding in the midst of a $190 million renovation and expansion project. The expansion is scheduled to be completed in early 2027.
“While the Galleria name served us well for more than 30 years, we feel this new name better reflects our location and purpose,” said Jerry Nix, Chairman of the Authority, which owns and operates the convention center. “As we modernize to better serve our customers and guests, our name has been updated as well.”
NEWS NEWS
AHLA Names 2025 Top General
and making us all so proud to be part of this dynamic industry.”
This year’s winners were selected by a group of independent judges “from various cross-sections of the industry,” the association said.
This year, the Lifetime Achievement Award went to Pete Boyd, General Manager of the Venetian Resort Las Vegas. Boyd was nominated by his colleagues because of his “deep
commitment to people, purpose, and culture over the course of his career,” AHLA said.
Other category winners this year are Extended Stay Property, Wyatt Cardwell, General Manager of the Residence Inn Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C.; Full-Service Property, Trish Drews, General Manager of the DoubleTree Hilton McLean Tysons in McLean, Virginia; Select-Service Prop-
erty, David Gaico, General Manager of the Dolphin Sands (formerly known as Winter the Dolphin’s Beach Club, Ascend Hotel Collection) in Clearwater Beach, Florida; Independent Property, Erik Kreft, General Manager of the One Ocean Resort & Spa in Atlantic Beach, Florida; and Resort Property, Seth McDaniels, General Manager of the Wyndham Grand in Clearwater Beach, Florida.
