The Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association is a member state association of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). Here is a list of other AH&LA Member State Associations.

Serving the hospitality industry for nearly a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, as well as high-visibility networking events and industry-acclaimed publications. Members also receive discounts from the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (EI), the premier provider of hospitality training and certifications worldwide, and on national recognized products and services, increasing operational efficiency and delivering bottom line results. For more information visit www.ahla.com.

Mission Statement:
The Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association exists to advocate, support, promote and enhance the tourism and lodging industry within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. We seek to be inclusive and provide lobbying, education and professional development opportunities, information and other resources as well as value-adding services to our members to ensure their—and the industry’s—ongoing growth and success.

History:
The Pennsylvania Tourism & Lodging Association (formerly the Pennsylvania Travel Council) was created in 1981 when the PA Hotel/Motor Inn Association and the PA Attractions and Travel Association formally merged.

Organizational Structure:
The PTLA is a 501 (c) (6) non-profit trade association (exempt from federal income taxes); articles of incorporation filed with PA Department of State.

Governance:
The PTLA is governed by a 36-member Board of Directors elected annually by the membership. The association's committee structure consists of 10 standing committees.

Strategic Plan
The Board of Directors held a retreat with a discussion facilitator in State College last June (2001) and the full Board approved it in September. The new plan contains a new mission statement and recommendations in 4 areas: primary challenges 2001-04; how the Association can add more value to its members; strategic objectives; and specific goals. Click here for a PDF file of the Strategic Plan.

Membership:
A continually growing membership with categories that include hotels, motels, resorts, bed and breakfasts, ski operators, tourist promotion agencies, amusement parks, retail facilities, colleges and universities, students, and suppliers (businesses offering products and services for the industry).

Membership Services:
The PTLA provides operations, educational, marketing and communications services, plus governmental affairs representation to its membership.

Signing Programs:
Since 1984, the PTLA has been the administrator of the statewide PA Logo Signing Program. In 2001, the PTLA was also selected as administrator of the regional Wayfinding Signage Program in the Laurel Highlands Region.

Association Management Services
Since 2000, PTLA has provided management services for the Greater Pittsburgh Hotel Association. In 2005, PTLA was also selected to provide the management services for the Dauphin County Lodging Association.