DHS Secretary to Address Tourists, Terrorists, and Protecting Our Borders

Keynote: The Honorable Janet Napolitano Secretary US. Department of Homeland Security From one end of Pennsylvania Avenue to another, legislative and regulatory proposals are pointing to changes on the horizon - and questions are being raised. At LAS, attendees will learn about the most pressing issues impacting their bottom line in preparation for visits to their members of Congress: A senior executives panel gives the industry's perspective on the potential impacts of Administration and congressional policies in the key areas of immigration, labor, and tourism. Speakers: Glenn Haussman, editor-in-chief, Hotel Interactive (moderator); James Abrahamson, secretary/treasurer, AH&LA, and CEO, Interstate Hotels & Resorts; Debbie Marriott Harrison, senior vice president, governmental affairs, Marriott International, Inc.; and Paul Whetsell, president and CEO, Loews Hotels. Panel: Competing immigration plans have been released, and your access to seasonal workers could be impacted. Who is in your corner - Congress or the President? Confirmed speaker: Tamar Jacoby, president, ImmigrationWorks USA. Panel: What impact will the recent U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on presidential recess appointments to the National Labor Relations Board have on the industry's workforce and labor rulings issued by the NLRB? Confirmed speaker: Kyle Hicks, labor counsel, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Panel: What is being done to reform our visa laws and increase tourism to the U .S.? Confirmed speaker: Nancy Johnson, immediate past chair, AH&LA, and executive vice president, development, Americas, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group (moderator). LAS will also include a luncheon tribute to J. W. "Bill" Marriott, Jr., executive chairman and chairman of the board of Marriott International, Inc., for his work developing relationships with presidents and legislators to highlight the positive impact of the lodging industry. Hoteliers from across the country also will be honored with State Leadership Awards. In addition, the conference will include a special evening reception honoring outgoing AH&LA President/CEO Joe McInerney. Attendance at this reception is included as part of your LAS registration. AH&LA is launching a new endowed AH&LEF scholarship in Joe's name in recognition of his decades of service to the hospitality industry. American Express has generously contributed $25,000 in matching funds for this scholarship. You are invited to be a founding contributor to the fund; visit the fund Webpage or contact Michelle Poinelli, senior vice president of foundation programs, at (202) 289-3181.