GMHLA Strengthens Wisconsin Coalition at AHLA Hotels on the Hill

Members and staff of the Greater Milwaukee Hotel & Lodging Association (GMHLA) joined the Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) in Washington, D.C. for the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) Hotels on the Hill advocacy event—where Wisconsin once again led the nation with the largest single-state coalition in attendance.

Held May 13–14 at the Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill, Hotels on the Hill is the hotel industry’s premier federal advocacy event. The program brings hotel owners, operators, and industry leaders from across the country to Capitol Hill to meet directly with members of Congress and advocate for policies that support the hospitality industry.

GMHLA Represents Milwaukee’s Hospitality Voice in Washington

GMHLA played a key role in representing the Greater Milwaukee hotel and lodging community as part of Wisconsin’s unified delegation. Milwaukee is Wisconsin’s largest hospitality market and a major driver of tourism, convention activity, and business travel in the state.
​
By participating alongside WHLA members, GMHLA helped ensure that the perspective of urban and metro-area hotels was included in national policy discussions. Their involvement strengthened Wisconsin’s overall message and highlighted the importance of both urban and statewide lodging operations in the broader hospitality economy.

Wisconsin Brings Largest State Coalition to Hotels on the Hill

The combined WHLA and GMHLA delegation formed the largest single-state coalition at the event, demonstrating Wisconsin’s leadership in hotel industry advocacy.

Throughout the program, delegates met with members of Congress and staff to discuss key issues affecting hotels, including:

• Workforce shortages and long-term staffing solutions for the hospitality industry
• Joint employer regulations and the need for clear, consistent federal guidance
• Rising operating costs and regulatory uncertainty impacting hotel operations
• Travel and tourism policy that supports growth and U.S. competitiveness

These meetings ensured that lawmakers heard directly from Wisconsin hotel leaders about the real-world impact of federal policy on hotel operations, employees, and guests.

Meetings with Wisconsin’s Congressional Delegation

Wisconsin delegates met with members of Congress and their staff representing districts across the state, sharing firsthand experiences from hotel properties in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin.
​
These conversations focused on strengthening the hospitality workforce, supporting tourism growth, and addressing regulatory challenges affecting hotel operations of all sizes—from independent properties to large full-service hotels.

Why Hotels on the Hill Matters

AHLA’s Hotels on the Hill remains one of the most important advocacy events for the U.S. lodging industry. It provides hotel leaders with the opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and elevate the industry’s most pressing challenges and opportunities.
​
For Wisconsin, this engagement is critical at a time when hotels continue to navigate workforce shortages, rising costs, and evolving travel demand.

Looking Ahead

From Milwaukee to every corner of Wisconsin, hotel leaders are stepping up to advocate for their industry. GMHLA’s participation alongside WHLA at Hotels on the Hill demonstrates the power of a connected, engaged hospitality community.
​
As the industry continues to navigate workforce challenges, rising costs, and evolving travel trends, Wisconsin’s voice in Washington remains more important than ever.