OHLA Emerging Professionals

OHLA Emerging Professionals is a community open to industry professional members. Emerging Professionals offers resources, networking, and education designed to ensure young, emerging professionals have the career development opportunities to move up in the lodging industry. Our mission is to provide a community that supports emerging hotel & lodging industry professionals and cultivates the next generation of leaders.

Develop Your Craft

We strive to offer resources and build opportunities to hone the skills, knowledge and professional acumen of our emerging leaders.

Foster Discussion & Innovation

We cultivate an open space to discuss issues and developments that impact the travel and hospitality industry.

Grow Meaningful Relationships

We enable our members to grow meaningful connections through providing opportunities to engage in a social setting.

Offer Encouragement

We build up our members to strengthen and uplift the next generation of leaders.

What does Emerging Professionals do for you?

Provides education
- Leadership Skills
- Career Advancement
Facilitates Networking Opportunities
- Third Thursday events with hotel & lodging industry
- Group outings to local attractions
- Giving Back Events
Encourages Career Development
- Trainings & Certification Opportunities - Coming Soon!
- Educational Scholarships Available to you
Fostering Connections
- Exclusive Facebook Group for EP Community Members to connect
- Buddy System – Never feel alone in attending events!
Explores Mentorship
- Opportunities to connect with collegiate students

Want to join us on this journey? How to Join

1) Complete OHLA Emerging Professionals Registration Form

Must be a current OHLA member to be eligible. Any questions can be directed to michele@ohla.org.

2) Await confirmation of the received form & welcome email

2024 Schedule of Events

Event details are subject to change. For the most up-to-date information check OHLA's Full Calendar here.

February - Third Thursday Coffee & Networking February 15, 2024 8:30-9:30am Crimson Cup Clintonville	August - Third Thursday Event August 15, 2024 8:00am - 9:30am Parable Cafe Register Here!
March - Third Thursday Happy Hour & March Madness March 21, 2024 4:00pm - 6:00pm Crooked Can Hilliard	September - Third Thursday Event September 19, 2024 TBD
April - Third Thursday Event April 18, 2023 Time: March First Brewing Cincinnati, Ohio	October - Third Thursday Event October 17, 2024 TBD
May - Third Thursday Networking Give Back May 16, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am Canine Companions New Albany	November - Third Thursday Event November 21, 2024 TBD
June - Third Thursday Networking Coffee June 20, 2024 9:00am - 10:00am \| Prior to WIL Luncheon Connecting Grounds at Scott House OSU	November - OHLA Annual Conference November 25-26
July - Third Thursday Networking July 18, 2024 4:00pm -6:00pm Goodale Station Register Here!	December - Third Thursday Event Tentative

Meet the EP Committee!

	Bailey Laverty, Chair AC Columbus Downtown Bailey is currently a Senior Sales Manager at the AC Columbus Downtown! She began her career in hospitality five years ago as a front desk agent at the Westin Downtown, working her way through the operations side of things to her current position. Bailey loves hospitality because it gives her the chance to create exceptional, memorable experiences for people on a daily basis!
	Lauren Butterfield, Committee Member, Vice Chair SpringHill & TownePlace Suites Columbus Easton Area Lauren is a Dual Director of Sales and Marketing at the SpringHill Suites and TownePlace Suites Columbus Easton Area. As a seasoned hotel/hospitality professional in operations and sales, she is proudly effective in capturing new business opportunities and building relationships with clientele.
	Kishen Das, Committee Member CURO BRKG Kishen is a commercial real estate broker specializing in hotel sales, with a deep-rooted background in owning and managing franchise hotels. He combines this experience with over a decade in corporate finance strategy, three years of professional work in Milan, Italy, and membership in various real estate and hotel-related organizations, offering a unique perspective to the OHLA Emerging Professionals Committee.
	Rachel Hissam, Committee Member Visit Cincy Rachel is the Sales Administrator for Visit Cincy, representing the Cincinnati Region of Ohio. She specializes in executive business management, with her strength in navigating complex initiatives and assessing cross-functional impact while ensuring agility. In her time out of the office, she enjoys spending time with her daughter and exploring the city!
	Emily Maddox, Committee Member Red Roof Emily is the Design & Construction Project Administrator for Red Roof in New Albany, Ohio. With her background in entertainment, she's now bringing her skills to the hospitality industry. Emily is eager to connect with her fellow Emerging Professionals and make new friends through events and programming.
	Lucas Tournay, Committee Member SpringHill Suites OSU Lucas is the Sales Manager at the SpringHill Suites Columbus OSU. Originally from Pittsburgh, PA Lucas started in hotels back in 2016. He moved to Columbus in 2023 for a new opportunity in Sales. He loves the industry because it has so many opportunities and it’s always changing.

Interested in getting more involved? The Emerging Professionals Committee wants YOU!

We are looking for individuals who want to get involved on a deeper level with OHLA and who have a passion for developing meeting content, helping others climb the ladder, and offer their skills & knowledge to be a part of the Emerging Professionals Committee. If you are interested email, intent of participation to michele@ohla.org. Interested parties will be reviewed by the existing committee before decision is made.