2013-07-25 — /travelprnews.com/ — Minaz Abji, executive vice president of Host Hotels and Resorts, Inc., contributed $10,000 to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Foundation (AH&LEF) 2013 Annual Giving Campaign, which supports key research and workforce development initiatives for the hospitality industry. This is Abji’s second donation at the Leadership Gift level. Abji previously made five consecutive donations at the six-diamond level. Abji is currently the chair of AH&LEF’s board of trustees and was chair of AH&LEF’s Fund Development Committee from 2008 to 2009.
The Annual Giving Campaign is the Foundation’s key yearly fundraiser that supports its core missions, including providing scholarships to hospitality management students, funding important research in areas such as room tax and ADA requirements, as well as promoting hospitality as a career of choice and workforce development initiatives.
“We are fortunate to count Minaz as a long-time supporter and volunteer of the Foundation,” said AH&LEF COO Joori Jeon. “As a strong advocate for the Foundation’s mission, his efforts have been instrumental in building awareness among his peers to increase industry support for scholarships and research grants.”
AH&LEF is the not-for-profit affiliate of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and is funded solely by charitable donations from progressive hospitality leaders and companies within the industry. In 2012, AH&LEF disbursed $1 million to prepare promising college students for a career in hospitality, to attract and retain talented industry professionals, and to fund valuable research for the industry. Since the Foundation’s inception, more than $17 million has been distributed through its scholarship, education, outreach, and research programs.
All contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. For more information about donating, contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181 or mpoinelli@ahlef.org or visit www.ahlef.org.
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AH&LEF is the charitable fundraising and endowed fund-management subsidiary of the American Hotel & Lodging Association. Founded in 1953, AH&LEF is the premier organization for scholarships, professional certification, and instructional material as well as funding for hospitality industry research. For more information, visit www.ahlef.org.
Serving the hospitality industry for a century, AH&LA is the sole national association representing all sectors and stakeholders in the lodging industry, including individual hotel property members, hotel companies, student and faculty members, and industry suppliers. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AH&LA provides members with national advocacy on Capitol Hill, public relations and image management, education, research and information, and other value-added services to provide bottom line savings and ensure a positive business climate for the lodging industry. Partner state associations provide local representation and additional cost-saving benefits to members.
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