Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association Celebrates Industry Excellence at Annual Lodging Summit

Oklahoma City, OK – January 21, 2026 – The Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association (OHLA) celebrated the state's hospitality professionals at its Annual Lodging Summit on January 20, 2026, at OKANA Resort & Indoor Waterpark. The premier event brought together lodging operators from across Oklahoma for networking, industry insights, and recognition of excellence in hospitality.
Event Highlights
The summit featured several signature components designed to advance the industry and honor its leaders:
Annual Membership & Board of Directors Meeting – OHLA members elected a new Board of Directors and heard from Amy Blackburn, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, who addressed opportunities in Oklahoma Tourism. Agent Kevin Connolly from the Oklahoma County District Attorney's Organized Retail Crime Ring Unit office also provided insights on fraudulent credit card incidents.
OHLA Expo – Industry professionals connected with leading providers of products and services essential to successful lodging operations, discovering innovative tools and resources.
3rd Annual Heart for Hospitality Celebration – The summit's centerpiece event honored the unsung heroes of Oklahoma's lodging industry for their exceptional contributions to the state's thriving hospitality sector.
Award Recipients
The Heart for Hospitality Awards recognized outstanding individuals and teams for their dedication and service:

• Outstanding Lodging Employee Award: Tracey Siemsen, Northwest Inn-Woodward
• Excellence in Leadership Award: Jeff Hartman, SJS Hospitality-Tulsa
• OHLA Outstanding Volunteer Award: Rebecca Eastham, PHD
• 20 Year Board of Director’s Service Award: Rex Amsler- Atrium Hospitality

Additionally, outstanding Hotel team associates were celebrated for their outstanding contributions and received over $4,500 in prizes.
 
Hotels on the Hill Scholarship Recipients
Three hospitality professionals received scholarships to represent Oklahoma at American Hotel & Lodging Association’s Hotels on the Hill in Washington, D.C.:

• Heather Weides, Skirvin Hilton Hotel
• Jason Clark, The Ambassador, Oklahoma City
• Gerson Velasquez. OKANA Resort and Indoor Waterpark

Leadership Statement
"The Lodging Summit was not only a celebration of Oklahoma's vibrant lodging industry, but also a platform for collaboration and growth," said James Leewright, CEO of the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association. "It was an opportunity to recognize the individuals and teams whose hard work and commitment shape the success of our industry. We were thrilled to bring our community together for another year of innovation, networking, and recognition."
Partner Recognition
OHLA extends gratitude to its partners: Visit Oklahoma City (Exclusive Presenting Partner of Distinguished Awards), Ecolab (Exclusive Partner of the Commemorative Honoree Gift), Auto-Chlor System (Grand Finale Partner), and a host of additional Heart for Hospitality Partners including 110 Events, Clearwater Enterprises, Cory's A/V, McGregor Insurance Group, OKANA Resort and Waterpark, Partners in Hospitality, Precision Linen by Spark Hospitality, Shake Rattle & Roll Audio-Visual, Total Roofing Solutions, and Versacor Managed Pest Solutions.
About OHLA
Incorporated in 1974, the Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association is Oklahoma's trade association for the hotel and lodging industry. The OHLA actively provides pro-active advocacy, education and resources for operators and professionals in all types of lodging businesses throughout the state of Oklahoma. Hotel guest spending in our state equals $5.5 billion, and over 78,000 guest rooms exist in Oklahoma. The OHLA is a state partner of the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA).
Contact: Oklahoma Hotel & Lodging Association- Dawn Norton, Manager, Marketing and Communications [email protected]