BHA Incorporates

A "WELCOME" ADDITION: Bluegrass Hospitality Association Incorporates

(Lexington, KY - November 11, 2004) - The Bluegrass Hospitality Association, Inc. (BHA), formerly the Greater Lexington Hotel Motel Association (GLHMA), has incorporated to become the area's preeminent hospitality association in Kentucky.

BHA represents and establishes strategic direction for the hospitality and tourism industry in the bluegrass area. Members include top executives in the lodging and tourism industries. The following were elected 2004-2005 officers:

More than fifty members attended BHA's first membership meeting held Tuesday, November 9th at the Holiday Inn North to hear about the association's new strategic plan, accomplishments and objectives. The goal of the organization is to foster relationships between regional hospitality/tourism organizations to attract individuals and corporations to make the Bluegrass their preferred destination for vacation and business travel.

"We are very excited about the direction of BHA and the fact that the organization represents the inclusion of all regional hospitality providers," said Mark Jeffrey, BHA President and General Manager, Marriott's Griffin Gate Resort. "BHA wants to open the communication so that all hospitality partners are working together to provide the highest quality travel experience. We want Lexington and the bluegrass region to become the destination of choice for everyone."

Accomplishments to date include:

	contracting with AMR, Inc., a Lexington-based full service association management firm
	development of a new Strategic Plan (see attached)
	establishment of the BHA brand, including logo, website (www.bluegrasshospitality.org)
	hosting of a golf event fundraiser for future tourism scholarships
	establishment of a 2004-2005 annual budget
	establishment of the 2005 Calendar of Events
	involvement in local, regional, and commonwealth issues such as the proposed beverage serving ordinance, the tourism branding campaign for Kentucky, and the LexTran referendum
	organizational support of the United Way, Lexington Campaign for the Arts, Southern Lights, etc.

For more information please contact Nancy Howard at 859-514-9213.