Professional Hotel and Real Estate associations:
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) / Educational Institute (AHLEI)
Main Europe office: Washington, DC, USA. Member designation: Various certificates via AHLEI including executive certifications of CLO – Certified Lodging Owner, CHA – Certified Hotel Administrator
Founded in 1910 an industry trade group including members representing hotel brands, owners, management companies, REITs, independent hotels, B&Bs, state hotel associations and industry partners and suppliers. AHLA roles include the publication of hotel directories, market research, support of standardization, public or political advocacy for the interests of hotel owners and the establishment and promotion of training programs and facilities for hotel personnel.
Boutique & Lifestyle Leaders Association (BLLA)
West Hills, California, USA. Member designation: None. Property/owner membership subscription.
BLLA is the voice of the world’s independent boutique and lifestyle hotels, founded in response to a demand for a collective voice for this fragmented industry. Today the association has more than 750 members and is primarily dedicated to creating greater economic success for independent hoteliers by helping them level the playing field against larger brands and chains, including the ‘boutique’ sub-brands of the big chains
Hospitality Asset Managers Association (HAMA)
Main Europe office: London, UK (affiliates also USA, Japan, Asia Pacific, China, Middle East & Africa) Member designation: CHAM – Certified Hotel Asset Manager
A formal non-profit organisation, HAMA Europe is an association of professional individuals dedicated to the enhancement of hotel and hospitality asset values. HAMA Europe was founded in 2014 to provide European hotel asset managers with intensive semi-annual forums, industry communications and education. HAMA Europe promotes ethical standards of conduct and mutual respect among members and the hospitality industry. HAMA Europe members are involved in asset management, acquisition, financing and disposition of hotels and resorts and are directly responsible for making decisions concerning capital investments, renovations, asset repositioning, operational policies and brand and management selection.
Main Office: London, UK. Member designations: AIH – Associate, MIH – Member, FIH – Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality
The Institute of Hospitality is the professional body for managers and aspiring managers working and studying in the hospitality, leisure and tourism industry. The institute has members working in every sector of the industry and over 100 countries around the world. The primary purpose is to promote professionalism through lifelong learning, achieved through engagement with hospitality educators around the world, through knowledge library resources and a programme of professional development events.
International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC)
Membership Committee Office: Atlanta, Georgia. Member designation: ISHC – Member
Established in 1988 by a small group of leading hospitality consultants with the objectives to promote the awareness and the advancement of the hospitality consulting profession and to foster a high ethical standard for the industry. Membership is by invitation only and all members are required to abide by the ISHC Code of Conduct. Through its scholarship program, awards program and participation in industry research projects and publications, ISHC is committed to giving back and making a contribution to the hospitality industry. Many ISHC members also serve on prominent industry boards and as mentors and guest lecturers at leading colleges and universities worldwide.
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
Main Office: London, UK. Member designations: AssocRICS – Associate, MRICS – Member, FRICS – Fellow of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors. MRICS & FRICS are Chartered Surveyors.
RICS is an independent professional body originally established in the UK by Royal Charter. Since 1868, RICS has been committed to setting and upholding the highest standards of excellence and integrity – providing impartial, authoritative advice on key issues affecting businesses and society. RICS’ main roles are: Advancing the highest ethical and technical standards for professionals in land, property and the built environment. Protecting and providing benefits to consumers by enforcing standards and codes of best practice. Providing expert impartial advice to governments, business and the public. Equipping RICS members with leading edge advice, market insight and professional training. Promoting RICS status and standards in key worldwide markets as the mark of property professionalism.