Delavan Lake Lawn Management LLC (DLLM) corporate executive Brandon McConnell has been appointed to the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) inaugural national committee, which is focused on independent and boutique hotels nationwide and includes Wisconsin as a whole.
The Wisconsin Hotel & Lodging Association (WHLA) and the state’s lodging leaders unanimously endorsed McConnell, who will be instrumental in determining the lobbying goals of AHLA, encouraging grassroots involvement, and tackling major issues affecting the independent and boutique hotel industry. With more than 20 years of award-winning experience and commitment to the hospitality business, McConnell’s broad industry knowledge will be invaluable in furthering AHLA’s purpose and meeting the particular requirements of independent and boutique hotels around the country.
According to McConnell, he was incredibly honored to be named to The American Hotel & Lodging Association’s National Independent & Boutique Hotel Committee. This committee will allow him to continue representing and defending some of the most exquisite hotels and resorts in the nation while also delving deeper into the support of the particular and frequently complex issues that this vertical faces. In order to continue creating dynamic and industry-leading hospitality experiences for visitors, staff members, and employers across tens of thousands of hotels and resorts across our country, he looks forward to working with like-minded, brilliant industry veterans.
With two of DLLM’s properties undergoing major renovations, McConnell is making tremendous progress at the time of this remarkable achievement and appointment. Located in the Geneva Lakes region, which is a popular tourist destination, the AHLA statement was made the same week as Lake Lawn Resort and Delavan Lake Resort finished different parts of their redesign projects. Phase two of the renovation is underway at Lake Lawn Resort and McConnell, with plans for a grand reopening with a completely renovated environment that is expected to be finished in the early summer of this year.
Being identified as One of the top young hoteliers to take over the industry in the next decade and included in Hotel Management magazine’s 30 Under 30 and InBusiness Magazine’s 40 Under 40″ lists, Brandon McConnell is a seasoned professional in the hospitality field. He currently holds leadership and development positions on state and federal boards in the hospitality, food and beverage, and human resources sectors. In addition, he has had writing published in a number of national trade publications and The National Center of Generational Studies in Washington, D.C.
Mr. McConnell is enthusiastic about education and lifelong learning while promoting collaborative settings in the workplace. He completed his executive education at Cornell University, the University of Notre Dame, and the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute.
As the lead for the AH&LA U30 Gateway, he previously had the honor of speaking on behalf of over a million young professionals and students in the hospitality industry across the United States. He still travels and speaks to a variety of audiences at some of the most prestigious conferences and educational institutions in the nation, addressing everyone from students and professors to business executives. His tenure with Disney Worldwide Services, along with his expertise with both independent and branded hotels, has given him a unique perspective on the day-to-day operational problems faced by a variety of hospitality business models. Strategic career development, leadership succession planning, organizational structure and development, government affairs, and hospitality law are among Mr. McConnell’s areas of knowledge and love.
The AHLA is the biggest hotel association in the United States, with members from every corner of the country’s hospitality sector. As the exclusive voice for the entire hotel sector, they speak for big chains, independent properties, management firms, real estate investment trusts (REITs), bed & breakfasts, business associates, and more. In order to create a thriving and cohesive hospitality sector that drives the American economy, AHLA aspires to be an essential resource serving, promoting, and advocating on behalf of the hospitality industry in the United States.
Serving every facet of the hotel and lodging industry nationwide, including 80% of all franchised hotel properties with more than 3.2 million rooms, AHLA is proud of the services it provides to its members. As an association, they support laws that safeguard and promote visitors, enhance visitor satisfaction, provide employment opportunities, and enable companies to encourage staff development and professional progress.
Situated on two miles on the shores of Delavan Lake, Lake Lawn Resort is the ideal all-year destination for leisure travel, business gatherings, retreats, weddings, and other events. The Lake Lawn Resort, which is located in the Lake Geneva region and is only 90 minutes from Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Rockford, is situated on more than 250 acres of breathtakingly scenic lakefront land. Majestic Oaks Golf Course is an 18-hole lakeside golf course. Other features of the property include three pools, a retail outlet, a fitness center, Calladora Spa, 271 roomy and well-appointed guest rooms, an outdoor space in 22 meeting rooms, an 18-hole lakeside golf course, a 261-slip full-service marina, a 76′ tour boat, The Lake Lawn Queen, and boat and water sports rentals.
