The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has promoted two longtime hotel industry leaders. Troy Flanagan was named EVP, external government affairs and industry relations, and Chirag Shah was appointed EVP, federal and political affairs & counsel.
In his role, Flanagan will serve as the strategic leader of AHLA’s integrated outreach to public officials, while strengthening the association’s partnerships with allied groups. He will also lead AHLA’s engagement and lobbying with state and local governments, legislatures, gubernatorial offices and related organizations. He joined AHLA in 2014 and previously served as the organization’s SVP, government affairs & industry relations. In that role, he helped score a number of key advocacy wins for hoteliers, including recent laws protecting hoteliers from onerous labor mandate ordinances and legislation ensuring a level playing field between hotels and short-term rentals in numerous states and localities.
In his role, Shah will lead the strategic outreach, engagement and alignment of AHLA’s lobbying activities, advocacy priorities and political affairs. He will manage the federal lobbying and political affairs teams with oversight on congressional relations, regulatory issues and political engagement. He previously served as AHLA’s SVP, federal affairs & policy counsel. A 10-year industry veteran, Shah has helped record significant victories on critical issues facing hoteliers throughout his career on workforce and labor relations, tax reform, relief from predatory litigation, championing human trafficking prevention and securing economic stimulus in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
“Troy and Chirag aren’t just exemplary employees; they are hotel industry leaders,” said Chip Rogers, president/CEO, AHLA. “I am proud to announce their well-deserved promotions and confident they will continue building on their substantial legacy of accomplishments for our industry in their new roles.”
The promotions announced are part of a growing AHLA team that has played an increasingly critical role on behalf of the hotel industry, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. In the last two years, the organization has grown from 44 to nearly 70 employees.
