Membership Information

"Members Doing Business with Members"

The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is one of the country's largest and most influential trade groups.  The membership includes over 80% of the more than 115,000 hotel rooms in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties, as well as hundreds of organizations which do business with the hospitality and tourism industries.

If you are interested in becoming a member of CFHLA, there is valuable information throughout this website, including an online membership application. Get to know what CFHLA can do for you!

If you have further questions that are not covered on the web site, please call Erin Walsh, Membership Services 407-313-5012.

Why Should YOU join CFHLA?
First and foremost, we are part of the community. We live, work, play and contribute right here in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. We vote, pay taxes, support community organizations, and participate in civic activities.  Our industry is at the forefront of the Central Florida economy, providing goods and services to the local community, as well as to the millions of visitors who contribute billions of dollars into our economy.  Our unified voice is capable of influencing decisions that affect our industry.

Our membership is dedicated to supporting the industry in Central Florida.  Members learn to be better at industry and allied jobs, socialize with the "who's who" of the local hospitality industry and have a voice in the governmental, social, cultural, and charitable fabric of our community.

Political Influence

• Industry "watch dog" for Orange, Osceola, and Seminole Counties Tourist Development Tax to ensure legal use of funds
• Instant communications and "call for action" emails to hoteliers relating to legislative and governmental updates
• The CFHLA Political Action Committee (PAC) interviews all Central Florida candidates and endorses those "hospitality friendly" individuals that represent owners' assest and the tourism industry
• Scheduled monthly meetings and orientations with elected officials
• Ongoing relationships with organizations such as local convention and visitors bureaus, FLA USA, Hospitality Industry Council, TDC, EDC, and Osceola resort area council
   

CFHLA Member Activities:
General Membership Luncheons
Conducted throughout year, our luncheons showcase speakers and topics relevant to the hotel community. Join us for an excellent opportunity to network with your peers.

Hospitality Expo and Tradeshow ( HEAT )
Held each year, this annual event features an exciting educational component teamed up with what has been described as "the best buy in trade shows." Each year, the Expo averages 150 booths.

Allied Relations Council
Allied members (suppliers) have their own Council that provides representation on the CFHLA Board of Directors and meets regularly to provide networking opportunities with lodging members.

Engineers Council
Consists of hotel Chiefs and Directors of Engineering who coordinate educational and certification opportunities for Lodging members and networking with Allied members.

Food & Beverage Council
Consists of hotel Food & Beverage Directors and Chefs who meet regularly to promote education, quarterly "After Hour" events for all members and community projects. 

Security & Safety Council
Consists of hotel safety & security personnel, as well as local law enforcement, who meet monthly to conduct Intelligence Briefings, and network and coordinate crime prevention.

Why  CFHLA...
Business and Social Networking
Numerous opportunities exist for our members to live up to our motto "Members doing business with members." We always encourage our members to utilize our membership lists when making purchases.  We also provide opportunities for networking with our "After Hours" events.  

Committee Participation
Members are encouraged to participate in the various CFHLA committees to enhance the member's networking opportunities.

Community Involvement
CFHLA takes pride in its commitment to the community. The CFHLA Educational Trust distributes monies each year to local schools with hospitality educational programs. The funds are raised through the annual Bacchus Bash, known as "Orlando's Biggest Street Party."  CFHLA members also partner with Central Florida's Public Schools through the Adopt-A-School Program to support education with direct interaction with the children.  

CFHLA Events
Every spring, CFHLA hosts over 140 golfers at the St. Patrick's Day Golf Open and in the fall, the Halloween Golf Outing. These tournaments and luncheons,held at name courses, offer fantastic opportunities to meet other members. The last event each year is the CFHLA Hospitality Gala. This formal Dinner Dance is an opportunity to celebrate and thank CFHLA's loyal members.

CFHLA Lines of Communication
Reports/Bulletins of interest to our membership are distributed by email on an as-needed basis.

Governmental Affairs Newsletter (Tourisms Voice) is distributed twice monthly by email.  It discusses CFHLA issues relating to governmental affairs. This publication also features CFHLA policy positions.

Back of the House, CFHLA's most popular newsletter, is distributed weekly via email. It features highlights - in "bullet" format - of upcoming activities, membership milestones and industry updates.

Mark your Calendar is distributed via email the last week of each month. It will feature events and activities for the upcoming month.

Who can be a member of CFHLA?
There are five membership categories:

Lodging Members are the owners or general managers of individual hotel/motel properties. Dues are based on the number of rooms the hotel operates.

Construction Members are the owners or general managers of individual hotel/motel properties under construction. Dues are based on the number of rooms planned.

Allied Members do business with lodging members as well as one another and pay a fixed amount as determined by the CFHLA Board of Directors.

Management Company Members are principals with hotel management companies located or doing business in Orange, Seminole and Osceola Counties. Dues are a fixed amount determined by the CFHLA Board of Directors.

Student Members are enrolled in hospitality related courses at local educational institutions and pay a manageable fixed amount as determined by the CFHLA Board of Directors.