The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has announced the appointment of Steven Okuley as its new Senior Vice President of Conferences and Events. Okuley brings a wealth of experience to this role, having previously served as Director of B2B Customer Engagement & Communication at American Airlines, where he oversaw global sales and distribution tradeshows, internal meetings, customer events, sales incentives, and advisory boards. Prior to his tenure at American Airlines, Okuley held the position of Director of Global Meetings & Events at Starwood Hotels & Resorts, further solidifying his expertise in the hospitality industry.
Okuley will officially join AHLA on September 30, 2024, leading a dedicated team responsible for organizing and delivering high-value events that enhance member engagement and deliver significant returns for sponsors and partners. His arrival coincides with AHLA’s continued expansion of its event offerings, both through its own initiatives and collaborations with partner organizations. This growth has established AHLA as a leading voice in hosting top-tier industry events, attracting key stakeholders and facilitating valuable networking opportunities.
“As the leading organization representing every segment of the hotel industry, AHLA serves an important role in convening hoteliers, vendors, and other stakeholders to network, learn, and make deals that create jobs and prosperity,” stated AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “Steven’s track record of planning and executing industry-leading experiences will help us continue to grow and improve our amazing lineup of conferences and events, which are key to our membership value proposition and help drive the revenue and contributions that support our advocacy and charitable work.”
Okuley’s appointment signifies AHLA’s commitment to delivering exceptional value to its members through engaging and impactful events. His expertise and leadership will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success of AHLA’s conference and event portfolio, fostering growth and innovation within the hospitality industry.
