OHLA Innovation & Technology Initiative

The OHLA Innovation & Technology Initiative seeks to find solutions for the lodging industry that support five key areas. Sustainability, health & wellness and automation/robotics are part of the committee's core values.

1. Labor 
2. Supply Chain/Inventory Management
3. Communication
4. Property Management
5. Guest Experience/Delivery

To learn more about the OHLA Innovation & Technology Initiative. Check out our Innovation & Technology White Paper.

Innovating Together: Meeting Recaps & Resources

As incidents of crime, trespassing, break-ins, and theft continue to impact the hospitality industry, it's more important than ever for hotel and lodging businesses to explore innovative solutions to strengthen security.

On March 27, 2025, the Innovation & Technology Committee convened to explore the power of smart surveillance and the role of predictive AI and video analytics in building proactive, effective security strategies.

A special thank-you to our expert presenters, Gaby Batshoun and Ketan Pema, for equipping attendees with valuable tools, knowledge, and insights to help address these ongoing challenges.

Click here to see what was discussed at the meeting. 

Past Projects & Pitch Programs

Ideation Workshop, powered by    

The purpose of the Ideation Workshop is to reinvent what a lodging experience looks like with sustainability, health & wellness, and automation/robotics in mind, creating immediate, short term, and long term solutions that operationalize workflow, grow revenue and improve the guest and employee experience.

The Ideation workshop was held at none other than the Idea Foundry in Columbus, OH where creators live and work and create.  Home | Idea Foundry

To learn more about the Ideation Workshop and Ideation process, you can review the Awaken Koala Proposal. 

Knightscope Roadshow

The Innovation & Technology Committee hosted the Knightscope Roadshow on May 4, 2022 at the Marriott Columbus OSU. Knightscope produces Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) which is the future (now) for safety and security. Why ASRs?

• Crime and public safety have a direct impact on economic recovery, especially in downtown/urban areas
• Safety concerns impact workforce
• Business must drive safety & security advancements
• New technology can be part of how we tackle this challenge

To learn more about how an ASR could provide a safety & security solution for your property or facility, contact Sue Graves, Experience Alive. To find an upcoming Roadshow near you, check out the Knightscope Roadshow Pod Visits!

The Ohio State University Makeathon

OHLA Sponsored the 2022 OSU OHI/O Makeathon seeking creative solutions for some of the lodging industry's greatest challenges. The Association gave two challenges and the students had one weekend to produce a hardware solution for cleaning a shower or automation in laundry.

Three teams chose to tackle our challenges. You can review their solutions below:

1. Shower Scrubbing Robot - Click Here to Watch  
2. A device that folds laundry, towels and rags - Click Here to Watch
3. Automatic Laundry Reactor - Click Here to Watch 

OHLA Innovation & Technology Committee

Chair

Ketan Pema, Armoureye, Columbus