Lodging Member Benefits
The Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association is the largest regional hospitality association in the United States. Our membership includes nearly 129,500 hotel rooms throughout the Central Florida Region (including but not limited to Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties), and nearly 500 "supplier" organizations that 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 contact CFHLA Senior Vice President of Membership and Industry Relations, Erin Walsh at 407-313-5012 and/or erin.walsh@cfhla.org.
Why Should YOUÂ Join CFHLA?
First and foremost, we are part of the community. We live, work, play and contribute to Lake, Orange, Osceola, Polk and Seminole Counties. We vote, pay taxes, support many non-profit organizations and participate in community activities. The hospitality and tourism industries are at the forefront of the Central Florida economy, providing services, products and memorable experiences to the local community, as well as to the millions of visitors who contribute billions of dollars into our local economy. Our unified voice is capable of influencing decisions that affect our industry.
Secondly, our membership is dedicated to supporting the entire hospitality and tourism industries throughout Central Florida. Members will have the opportunity to increase their network within the hospitality community, meet the leaders of the industry, and have a voice in the governmental, social, cultural, and charitable fabric of our community.
CFHLA Member Opportunities:
Membership Breakfasts & Luncheons
Throughout the year, we host several breakfasts/luncheons that showcase speakers and topics relevant to the hospitality industry and our community. Join us for an excellent opportunity to network and learn more with your peers.
Hospitality Expo and Tradeshow (HEAT)
Held each year, this annual event features an exciting educational component teamed with what has been described as "the best buy in trade shows." Each year, the HEAT averages 200+ booths and hosts nearly 800+ hoteliers.
Engineers Council
Consists of hotel Chiefs and Directors of Engineering who coordinate educational and certification opportunities for Lodging members and networking events with Allied members.
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, as well as many other opportunities throughout the year.
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 Foundation has now awarded more than $1.2 Million in hospitality student and family member scholarships since its inception in 2000. Additionally, the CFHLA Foundation supports our local schools with hospitality and/or culinary programs, as well as our higher education partners, through educational grants each year. The funds are raised through the annual CFHLA Gives Program. The Hospitality Blood Drive Challenge for Florida's Blood Centers raises over 5,000 pints - Central Florida's #1 supply of blood. CFHLA members also partner with Central Florida's Public Schools through the Adopt-A-School Program to support education and more than 100 local schools and children.
CFHLA Events
Every spring, CFHLA hosts over 144 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 celebration is a great opportunity to celebrate our organization's success and to thank CFHLA's loyal members.
Political Influence
As an Industry "watch dog" for the Central Florida Region's Tourist Development Tax, CFHLA ensures legal use of these funds. We also have 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' assets and the tourism industry. Also, scheduled monthly meetings and orientations with elected officials and ongoing relationships with organizations such as local convention and DMO's, Visit Florida, Brand USA, Regional TDC's, the Orlando Economic Partnership, and more to keep our ties strong to the political heart beat of the Central Florida Region.
CFHLA Communication
The following newsletters are distributed by email to our members on an as-needed basis.
"The Insider" political e-newsletter, is distributed 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.
What are CFHLA's lodging categories? There are five lodging 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.
Vacation Ownership Members are the resort managers of individual timeshare resort properties. Dues are based on number of rooms the resort has.
Vacation Home Rental Members are the owners or resort managers of vacation home rental properties. Dues are a fixed amount determined by the CFHLA Board of Directors.
Construction Members are the owners or general managers of individual hotel/motel properties under construction. Dues are based on the number of rooms planned.
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.
