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Conrad N. Hilton College of Global Hospitality Leadership

About

Joseph A. McInerney

President & CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association

McIneryJoseph A. McInerney, CHA, is president and chief executive officer of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA). As the head executive of the largest trade association representing the U.S. lodging industry, McInerney implements and directs AH&LA's services as well as provides leadership to association members. He also works directly with the volunteer officers, board of directors, and partner state associations in determining the direction of the industry.

Since his appointment in July 2001, McInerney has reorganized the association to streamline efficiency and strengthen its core operations, including consolidating its two affiliates to form the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation—the only educational dollar-dispensing, not-for-profit premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for key industry research. Additionally, McInerney spearheaded the changing of the membership structure from a federation to a dual membership format, streamlined the board of directors, and clarified the organization's mission.

With nearly 50 years of experience in the hospitality industry, McInerney is well versed in the various skills needed to operate in association, corporate and lodging environments. Prior to AH&LA, he was president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Forte Hotels, Inc., Hawthorn Suites, and ITT's Sheraton franchise division.

McInerney is an honor graduate of Boston College. He also is a Certified Hotel Administrator via the Educational Institute (EI), an affiliate of AH&LA.

McInerney has been recognized with several industry awards, including the 2009 J. Patrick Leahy Lifetime Achievement Award from the Illinois Hotel and Lodging Association; the 2007 Above and Beyond Award at The Lodging Conference; Tourism Man of the Year award by the Pacific Area Travel Writers Association; the 1999 Stephen Brener, Silver Plate Lifetime Achievement Award from Hospitality Magazine; Travel Agent Magazine's 1998 Pacific/Asia Person of the Year, and the 1994 Economy Lodging's Person of the Year from AH&LA.