Other Hotel Industry Issues
Legislative Representation
The primary purpose of the Tennessee Hospitality Association is to provide legislative advocacy for its members and to protect the interests of Tennessee’s second-largest industry from excessive government involvement and from unintended consequences from unrelated government actions.
TN HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION has three paid lobbyists who represent the Association at the General Assembly at the state Capitol. In addition, through our involvement with the American Hotel & Lodging and the National Restaurant Associations in Washington, advocacy is extended to the federal level, as well.
It is estimated that over 95% of our lobbyists work is geared toward defending unintended consequences of various legislative initiatives. Without these efforts, the cost of doing business to our members would increase hundreds of dollars per room each year and thousands of dollars for each restaurant in the state. Your investment in the legislative process is an investment in lowering your operating costs.
The Tennessee Hospitality Association’s Political Action Committee (THLPAC) is an unincorporated, non-profit organization supported by the collective interest and generosity of hospitality industry professionals and related industry friends.
THLPAC has a very simple and well-defined mission: to help elect qualified individuals to the Tennessee State Legislature and Governor’s Office who recognize the importance of the lodging industry to Tennessee’s economy, and who will give our concerns a fair hearing.
Through the participation of members of Tennessee Hospitality Association, THLPAC is now the 9th largest business PAC in the state according to The Tennessean. This strength has provided the lodging industry with an influential voice at the State Capitol. However, each year – especially in election years- THLPAC distributes tens of thousands of dollars to candidates for statewide office, so we need your continued support.
The contributions made by THLPAC to these candidates are the first crucial steps in the political process that allows the Tennessee Hospitality Association to effectively represent the collective interests of the hospitality industry in Tennessee.
State Law precludes corporate contributions. However, non-corporate entities such as partnerships, LLC’s and PLLC’s, as well as individuals may make contributions. All contributions to THLPAC are voluntary and are NOT tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
TN HOSPITALITY ASSOCIATION has established a Government Relations budget line item that will accept corporate donations. These donations will be used for Government Relations expenses that are NOT contributions to political candidates. Such expenses include those for Lobbyist fees and special events.
The American Hospitality Association has established HOTELPAC to address the federal and national political and government relations activities.
TN Jobs Coalition
The Tennessee Hospitality Association is a founding member of the Tennessee Jobs Coalition.
The Tennessee Jobs Coalition, a group of businesses and business associations that provide and create jobs for Tennesseans, recognizes the role of the workplace and the individual employee in creating new jobs, personal wealth at all levels and economic prosperity for all Tennesseans. The Tennessee Jobs Coalition is dedicated to encouraging current and future investment, development and jobs growth in all business sectors in Tennessee. The Tennessee Jobs Coalition is focused on providing leadership to insure that the workplace is effective, efficient and productive.
Other Founding Members include: Associated Builders & Contractors of Tennessee, Tennessee Farm Bureau, Tennessee Retailers Association, Tennessee Business Roundtable, Tennessee Chambers of Commerce & Industry, Tennessee Grocers Association, National Federation of Independent Business and the Tennessee Oil Marketers Association. We all work together for the common good of Tennessee businesses while providing a dynamic and significant voting block on critical issues that impact everyone in the hospitality industry.