AHLA Appoints Brett Horton as Chief Advocacy Officer

Brett Horton has been appointed Chief Advocacy Officer at the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), effective December 1, 2025.

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) has announced the appointment of Brett Horton as its Chief Advocacy Officer. Horton, who has spent the last decade as Chief of Staff to U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Steve Scalise, will begin his new role on December 1, 2025.

In this newly created position, Horton will oversee AHLA’s advocacy, political engagement, and government affairs strategies. His role will include leading direct lobbying efforts, managing the political action committee (PAC) strategy, and coordinating grassroots engagement and coalition-building initiatives. The appointment marks an expansion of AHLA’s focus on advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels.

Horton’s experience includes 15 years on Capitol Hill, where he served in various capacities, including as Counsel and Chief of Staff to Majority Leader Scalise. His work has involved navigating legislative processes and contributing to the development and implementation of policy.

AHLA’s advocacy efforts aim to advance legislative and regulatory priorities that benefit the hotel industry. These include addressing workforce challenges, supporting small business operations, and fostering a favorable environment for franchise models. Horton’s leadership is expected to enhance these initiatives and strengthen the association’s influence in policy discussions.

Horton will join a team of government affairs professionals at AHLA, including Chirag Shah, Troy Flanagan, Marilou Halvorsen, and Matt Carrier, who focus on policy, regulatory, and industry relations. The team works to support the hotel industry’s interests and drive increased travel demand.

The AHLA represents various segments of the hotel industry, including hotel brands, franchised hotels, owners, management companies, vendors, and suppliers. Horton’s appointment is part of AHLA’s ongoing efforts to advocate for policies that support the industry’s growth and sustainability.