The Pennsylvania Tourism and Lodging Association is known by the acronym PTLA. It is a Pennsylvania based non-profit trade group using 501 (c) 6 status. The PTLA is a membership based organization consisting of lodging owners and people in the tourism trade. The PTLA is managed by a Board of Directors made up of 36 members elected annually by the membership.
The PTLA membership consists of various business owners from the tourism industry. These businesses include lodging, amusement parks, tourist promotion, ski operations, retail stores, colleges and universities.
According to information on their website, the PTLA was established by the merger of the PA Hotel and Motor Inn Association and the PA Attractions and Travel Association in 1981.
The organization functions as an advocate, support system and promotion arm of the tourism and lodging industry in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The organization provides members with statewide lobbying, educational and support resources. According to the PTLA, the mission of the association is to ensure the industry and members experience ongoing growth and success.
There are seven standing committees that handle administrative, policy, advocacy and operating issues of the PTLA. The committees include finance, food and beverage, human resources, liquor issues, sales/marketing, tax legislation and unique lodging. Most of the committees meet twice or four times per year via meeting or conference call. Specific committees handle conferences for members and non-members to provide help on sales, marketing, food and beverage topics. Other committees handle recommendations and lobbying efforts aimed at legislation regarding liquor control, federal per diems, state allowances and regulations on taxes affecting the industry.
One of the activities of the PTLA is lobbying efforts which provide favorable legislation and regulations for the tourism industry within Pennsylvania. These efforts include lobbying members of the General Assembly and state regulatory agencies; working with the American Hotel and Lodging Association to lobby Congress and federal regulatory agencies; promotion of economic and social contributions of the industry to state government; and creating opportunities for members to become involved in political actions.
