The American Hotel & Lodging Association
1910-2010
As AH&LA prepares to celebrate its 100th anniversary, each month Lodging Magazine is spotlighting a decade, and a coffee table book will be released in November. If you are interested in contributing to this book, click here for more details about getting involved. Additional activities to celebrate this milestone are in the planning stages.
At the turn of the century, there were fewer than 10,000 hotels in America with no more than 750,000-800,000 rooms, employing around 300,000. In 1913, near Douglas, Arizona, an auto camp was constructed; by the mid-20s, there were thousands of such places.
In 1910, 60 operators formed the American Hotel Protective Association in Chicago. Its purpose was protection against deadbeats, check forgers, dishonest and undesirable employees, and crooks of all descriptions. Sam Dutton of Denver was the first president. In 1917, the name is changed to the American Hotel Association and the scope was broadened to include promotional, legislative, and educational programs.
In 1924, the association became a federation of state associations, welcoming Washington State, Montana, Ohio, Illinois, Mississippi, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Delaware, New York, Pennsylvania, California, and New Hampshire. In 1940, membership totaled 5,784, with 600,000 rooms. In the ‘40s, dues were raised from 5 cents to 15 cents a room. At the 1946 convention, dues were more then tripled to 50 cents a room for smaller hotels, 75 cents for medium-size hotels, and $1 for larger properties.
The Resort Committee is the longest standing of the association, established in 1934.
In 1942, a formal Washington office was established, headed by Maurice “Bud” Ryan. Labor and tax issues were in the forefront and the biggest effort was to maintain the exemption for the industry contained in the 1938 federal wage and hour law. Other areas of concern included the reduction and repeal of the cabaret tax, unfair competition, and the treatment of tips under various tax laws. In 1971, the association established a political action committee.
In 1951, AHA President J.B. Herndon announced the formation of the Educational Institute with Arthur Landstreet as president. In 1953, the Foundation was created as a charitable, not-for-profit affiliate initially focused on providing scholarships to a small group of promising hospitality students.
In the late ‘50s, AHA created a universal credit card, which eventually became the American Express Card. In 1966, the Stars of the Industry awards were created. Lodging Magazine was authorized as the official publication of AH&MA in 1975.
In 1962, AHA changed its name to the American Hotel-Motel Association. In 1972, the logo was changed from the original four-point star created in 1913 to the current “house” logo. In 2000, the name was changed to the American Hotel & Lodging Association. In 2002, the association’s governing model was changed from a federation structure to dual membership model.
Three times in history have two members of the same family served as president or chairman. In 1960, Vernon Herndon of Chicago held the office; nine years earlier, his brother, J.B. Herndon, was president. John Green served in 1962; his father, Tom Green served in 1925. Michael Handlery served in 2003; his father, Paul Handlery served in 1974.
In 1793, the first building to be called a hotel was constructed in Washington, D.C., the Union Public Hotel.
The Eastern Exchange Hotel in Boston pioneered the use of central heating in 1846.
The first passenger elevator (vertical railway) was installed in the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City in 1859.
The Prospect House in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, first used electric lights in 1881.
When New York City’s Plaza Hotel opened in 1907, it offered room telephones and pincushions.
In 1908, Gideons International placed their first Bible in the Superior Hotel in Montana.
In 1919, Conrad N. Hilton purchased The Mobley Hotel in Cisco, Texas.
The first use of the term “motel” is attributed to a California facility erected in 1925.
In 1927, the Hotel Statler in Boston became the first hotel to offer radio programs free to guests; 1,300 rooms were originally equipped with individual headsets to receive broadcasts from a central control room. The hotel also first introduced private baths, full-length mirrors, and free morning newspaper for each guest.
The Great Depression caused 88 percent of hotels to go into some form of receivership between 1929-1936. Hotels post the lowest average occupancy rate on record, 51 percent.
In 1929, Western Hotels, now Westin, starts with 17 hotels in the Pacific Northwest and establishes the first U.S. hotel management company.
In 1934, the Hotel Statler is the first to have a central system to air condition every public room.
In 1939, Quality Courts, later Choice Hotel International, is formed by seven motel operators.
By 1940, many motels were featuring air conditioning and swimming pools.
In 1945, Sheraton is the first hotel corporation to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
In 1946, M.K. Guertin and 54 friends found Best Western. Westin debuts the first guest credit cards.
In 1947, New York City’s Roosevelt Hotel installs television sets in all guestrooms.
In 1949, Hilton becomes the first international hotel chain with the opening of a property in Puerto Rico.
In the 1950s, a group of California properties evolved into the first chain, TraveLodge.
In 1952, Kemmons Wilson opened the first Holiday Inn, named after a Bing Crosby movie.
In 1954, the first Howard Johnson opened.
Motel 6 opened in 1962. Curt Carlson buys shares of The Radisson Hotel in Minneapolis.
In 1957, J.W. Marriott opened his first hotel in Arlington, Virginia, and Jay Pritzker buys his first hotel in Los Angeles.
In the early ‘50s, the first black and white television sets were placed in hotel lobbies or other public spaces.
In the 1958, Sheraton pioneers the use of an 800 number for toll-free reservation calls and the first automated electronic reservations system.
In 1967, the Atlanta Hyatt Regency opens, featuring the first atrium.
In 1969, Westin is the first to implement 24-hour room service.
In 1969, EconoLodge was established.
In 1970, Cecil B. Day opens the first Days Inn on Tybee Island, Georgia.
1973, the Sheraton Anaheim is the first to offer free in-room movies.
1n 1983, Westin is the first chain to offer reservations and checkout using major credit cards.
In 1984, 62 percent of all rooms in the U.S. were under chain operations.
In the 1980s, the all-suite concept was introduced.
In 1991, Westin is the first to provide in-room voicemail.