The American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation is expanding its No Room for Trafficking initiative through a new partnership with Hotels Canada in an effort to combatting human trafficking through education, industry collaboration, workforce engagement and survivor support.
Formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, the partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Association’s (AHLA) Canadian counterpart establishes a framework for collaboration between the AHLA Foundation and Hotels Canada, aligning their respective anti-trafficking initiatives to further strengthen industry participation and advance coordinated efforts across borders.
"Human trafficking knows no borders and our response should not either," Kevin Carey, president & CEO of the AHLA Foundation, said in a statement. "By partnering with Hotels Canada, we are reinforcing our shared commitment to equipping hotel employees with the training and resources they need to help identify and prevent trafficking. Together, we can build a stronger, more united hospitality industry committed to protecting vulnerable individuals."
"Human trafficking is a complex issue that requires collective action," said Beth McMahon, president & CEO, Hotels Canada. "This partnership will create a stronger, more coordinated international response by expanding awareness, increasing access to resources, and strengthening our industry's capacity to help prevent and combat human trafficking."
The Foundation also expanded its NRFT Advisory Council, with the appointment of top executives from Red Roof Franchising and Accor. Gerrod Bede, general counsel of Red Roof, was named co-chair. Bede’s leadership in shaping Red Roof’s anti-trafficking strategy reflects the company's commitment to continuous improvement and partnering with industry organizations to advance solutions that help raise awareness and confront human trafficking. Bede will serve alongside current Co-Chair Joan Bottarini, Chief Financial Officer at Hyatt Hotels Corporation, to help guide the strategic direction of the NRFT initiative and support collaboration across the hospitality industry.
"I am honored to have been selected as co-chair of the No Room for Trafficking Advisory Council," said Bede. "The hospitality industry has the opportunity to bring awareness to the crime of human trafficking, and I look forward to working alongside the AHLA Foundation, Hotels Canada, and industry leaders across North America to expand our impact and continue advancing this important work."
Accor’s Marina Elsener, executive director, sustainability, Raffles & Fairmont will join the Advisory Council.
The announcements come ahead of the AHLA Foundation's 2026 No Room for Trafficking Summit, taking place July 30 in Arlington, VA. The 5th annual summit brings together hospitality leaders, survivor advocates, law enforcement officials, policymakers and nonprofit organizations to share best practices, strengthen partnerships and advance solutions to combat human trafficking. Since its launch, the AHLA Foundation's No Room for Trafficking initiative has mobilized the hospitality industry through education, survivor-centered programming and strategic partnerships, that can help hotels better recognize, respond to, and prevent human trafficking.