(November 19, 2014) After 15 years at the helm of the Washington Lodging Association, President & CEO Jan Simon Aridj will retire at the end of March 2015. The news was shared with members November 10 at the Annual Convention & Trade Show, with a distinguished group of past chairs of WLA’s Board of Directors paying tribute to her talented leadership.

Columbia Hospitality Vice President Andy Olsen, a long-time Board director and chair from 2011 to 2012, called Jan “the star of Washington’s lodging industry.” He spoke of her dogged commitment to advancing the interests of hoteliers across the state, and he credited her skillful leadership with building WLA into the highly effective and professional trade association that it is today.

Andy was joined in his heartfelt recognition of Jan’s accomplishments by Past Chairs Howard Cohen, CHA, Vice President of Clise Properties; Shaiza Damji, Managing Director of 360° Hotel Group; Paul Ishii, General Manager of Mayflower Park Hotel; Karl Ruether, CHA, CFBE, General Manager of Icicle Village Resort; and Cindy Fanning, Director of Operations for Silver Cloud Inns & Hotels. They expressed their regret that Jan was leaving the Association and spoke eloquently about her stewardship and ability to deliver key wins for members and the lodging industry as a whole.

Howard Cohen, who served as chair 2001-2002, applauded Jan’s many achievements and recalled her quick response to a Washington Department of Health inspector inappropriately telling him that he could not place water glasses on doilies as required by his brand. Jan immediately called DOH and the issue was resolved by the end of the day. Shaiza Damji similarly spoke of Jan’s effectiveness on all kinds of issues, particularly when it came to challenging the Department of Revenue’s collection of sales tax on the purchase of guest room amenities, which were being taxed again when guests paid for their rooms. Jan helped WLA raise over $90,000 to challenge DOR in court, and the decision in hoteliers’ favor has saved the industry hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Other examples of the accomplishments cited by the past chairs included establishing reasonable rules for carbon monoxide monitors, keeping inspectors out of rented guestrooms and fifteen years of promoting tourism with the publication of the Washington State Visitors’ Guide. In addition to her successful defense of industry interests, Jan was also celebrated for being a mentor to the directors on WLA’s Board and for her gracious friendship. Calling her a symbol of Washington hospitality, the past chairs presented Jan with a Stars of the Industry Award in recognition of her service.

Upon receiving the award, Jan thanked the leaders on the stage, current and past directors, and WLA members for all they have done to make the Association successful. “Today WLA’s Board is more engaged, and we have a larger, more professional staff and a team of professional partners delivering incredible programs to our members all because of the commitment and passion of leaders like these past chairs,” she said.

“We’ve been able to accomplish so much together thanks to the support, leadership and truly engaged participation of immensely talented directors and officers, and thanks to WLA’s tremendous members and partners. It has been an honor and a privilege to work with such smart, generous and dedicated stewards of our industry.”

Jan also expressed confidence that the strength of WLA will not diminish when she retires, noting that the achievements during her tenure will serve as the foundation for delivering even more value and benefits to WLA’s members and the industry.

A plan for transitioning to new leadership has not yet been announced and will be shared with members as soon as it is in place. WLA’s Board of Directors is in discussions with the Washington Restaurant Association about establishing a combined trade association to represent the hospitality industry, and the transition plan will address the possibility of a merger.

Jan is planning to travel extensively in Europe after retiring and hopes to walk the nearly 500-mile Camino de Santiago trail in Spain. She is also considering extending her travels to live abroad and teach English as a second language, and possibly continuing to work in the hospitality industry on a project basis.

 

Photos by WLA allied member Karen Mullen Photography