The global hospitality industry turns to the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEI) for the best in training and education for all segments of hospitality. For more than 70 years, AHLEI has worked to provide hospitality organizations and schools with quality resources to train, educate, and certify hospitality professionals, first as the educational arm of the American Hotel & Lodging Association and since February 2017 as part of the National Restaurant Association’s Training & Certification Division. AHLEI serves the world from its headquarters in Orlando, Florida, with additional offices in Lansing, Michigan; India; and China.

Certifications

AHLEI administers 20-plus professional certification programs for all levels of one’s hospitality career, from line-level to general manager, as well as for educators and hospitality suppliers. With training and certification in guest service and six certifications for front-line employees, AHLEI also offers workforce development agencies strong foundational programs to start new employees on a hospitality career.

Colleges, Universities, and High Schools

Many Florida colleges and universities use AHLEI’s hospitality textbooks and courses to educate future hospitality leaders. Post-secondary hospitality programs can use individual Educational Institute textbooks or adopt one or more of AHLEI’s turnkey curriculum packages. Students have the opportunity to earn AHLEI’s academic course certificates in addition to the credentials offered by their academic institutions. AHLEI’s high school curriculum, Hospitality and Tourism Management (HTM), introduces Florida high school students to the vibrant world of hospitality and prepares them to enter the workforce or continue their academic studies in hospitality at the college level. The 2nd edition launched in 2021.

Hospitality Training

AHLEI provides industry-developed and recognized training materials that prepare managers and staff in the hospitality industry to function at a higher level, become more productive, create better-run companies, and enhance the guest’s positive experience. Several of our training programs prepare learners to earn industry-recognized professional certifications.

• Guest Service Gold® teaches trainees how to anticipate guest needs, deliver memorable experiences, and turn around difficult situations. No time in position is required to earn the Certified Guest Service Professional (CGSP) certification, making it ideal for onboarding new employees.
• Leadership, one of five courses in AHLEI’s new Hospitality Manager online training suite, empowers managers to build a positive workplace culture, align day-to-day operations with organizational goals, and use emotional intelligence to connect with employees.
• ServSafe Workplace provides training to create a positive, safe work environment for everyone. These online programs, with versions for managers and employees, address key workplace issues such as Sexual Harassment Prevention and Understanding Unconscious Bias.
• Supervisory Skill Builders helps supervisors meet expectations for productivity and quality guest service, solve everyday workplace challenges, and gain respect, trust, and support from the people who work for them. Those who complete the program are prepared to sit for the Certified Hospitality Supervisor (CHS) exam