The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), a U.S.-based trade association representing hotel brands, franchised hotels, owners, management companies, vendors, and suppliers, has appointed Brett Horton as its Chief Advocacy Officer. Horton will officially join the organisation on 1 December 2025.

Horton brings a decade of experience as Chief of Staff to U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA). In the newly created role, he will lead AHLA’s federal, state, and local government affairs strategies, managing direct lobbying, political action committee (PAC) initiatives, grassroots campaigns, coalition building, and issue advocacy.

The appointment reflects AHLA’s strategic expansion of advocacy capabilities. Horton will work alongside the association’s senior team, including Chirag Shah, Executive Vice President and General Counsel for Policy, Regulatory, & Legal; Troy Flanagan, Executive Vice President of External Government Affairs and Industry Relations; Marilou Halvorsen, Senior Vice President of State and Local Government Affairs; and Matt Carrier, Senior Vice President of Federal Government Affairs.

AHLA focuses on advancing legislative and regulatory priorities across the U.S. hotel sector. These include addressing workforce challenges, supporting small business operations, protecting the franchise business model, and promoting policies that drive travel demand. Horton’s leadership will reinforce the association’s role as the primary industry voice in shaping policy and regulatory frameworks.

The role is intended to enhance AHLA’s engagement with lawmakers and industry stakeholders while strengthening advocacy campaigns on key operational and economic issues affecting hotels nationwide.

Read the full story for detailed coverage of AHLA’s advocacy expansion and leadership strategy.