Hospitality Companies Pledge to Support Marginalized Communities Through Employment

The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Procure Impact, a B2B marketplace supporting underserved communities, have announced a significant step in their Dignity of Work Pledge. Twenty-three hospitality companies have committed over $7.4 million in purchases, aiming to create 100,000 hours of paid employment for individuals who face obstacles to employment.

Procure Impact connects businesses with products made by vendors employing overlooked populations, including people with disabilities, refugees, veterans, and those affected by poverty, mental health issues, homelessness, trauma, incarceration, and addiction. Over 100 suppliers across various categories, like food and beverage, retail, furniture, and art, are part of the platform.

One such supplier is Cameron’s Coffee & Chocolates, which employs 30 people with disabilities. Thanks to the Procure Impact platform’s demand, it has reached 90 hotels. Procure Impact also tracks the impact of each transaction, providing companies with monthly reports to measure progress.

Participating companies manage more than 1,800 hotels nationwide. By joining the Dignity of Work Pledge, they have committed to increasing their purchases from vendors on the Procure Impact platform and reporting their progress regularly. This information is shared via AHLA’s Responsible Stay website, an initiative promoting sustainability principles like responsible sourcing and waste reduction.

The hospitality sector’s commitment to this pledge is seen as a significant step in fostering economic opportunities for people facing barriers to work. In the future, Procure Impact aims to create one million hours of work across all industries by 2030 by recruiting partnerships with corporate leaders interested in leading the social procurement movement.