Our Core Values

We believe that:

  • Tourism is a vital component of economic development
  • Tourism contributes to the overall quality of life in the region
  • Together we are stronger
  • Communication and education are key to our mutual success
  • Employment in the tourism industry is a noble profession

Message from the President

On behalf of the Bluegrass Hospitality Association, thank you for your interest in our organization. I have worked in the hospitality and tourism industry for my entire career and appreciate the hard work that it takes to help visitors experience the best of Lexington and I do it every day because of my love for this community and the entire state of Kentucky. Our hospitality ranks above the rest – our only obstacle is that some haven’t found us yet!

To our current members, thank you for your continued support of the association. We hope that you will continue to take an active role in our mission of advocacy, investment and celebration. Committees are always looking for additional help with our initiatives. If you are not a current member, please consider joining us. Our membership consists of Lexington and regional members from hotels, tourism groups, attractions, the food & beverage industry. A full list of benefits can be found in the MEMBERS section. Please reach out if I can answer any questions for you.

Julie Schickel
BHA President

Follow us on Twitter @BHAhospitality, Instagram @bha.lex and like us on Facebook @bhahospitality to stay informed about important industry issues, upcoming event and activities.

About BHA
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We Are

The Bluegrass Hospitality Association (BHA) represents a diverse membership of hospitality professionals, including hotels, restaurants, breweries and distilleries, tourist attractions, and strategic partners. If you are a stakeholder in the hospitality sector and want to positively impact the Bluegrass hospitality industry, then membership in BHA is a must!
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Our Mission

The Bluegrass Hospitality Association is the unified voice of the hospitality industry; committed to advocating for our members, investing in our future leaders and celebrating the impact of the Hospitality community in the Bluegrass.
Through cooperative partnerships, the Bluegrass Hospitality Association strives to be an advocate for the hospitality industry and promotion of travel and tourism in the Bluegrass.

2023-2024 BHA Board of Directors

Officers

President – Julie Schickel, VistLex
President Elect – Amy Stamper, Hilton Downtown
Treasurer – Joe Fields, Central Bank Center
Secretary – Lauren Simmerman, Blue Grass Airport
Past President – Sarah Fink, Keeneland

Directors

Joe Kuosman, West Sixth Brewing
Manish Patel, Holiday Inn Express
Kyndall Lanter, Bluegrass Hospitality Group
Rich Byrd, Marriott City Center
Lauren Campbell, Bluegrass Community & Technical College
Sarah Thacker, Marriott Griffin Gate
Trish Bauermeister, The Campbell House

Be part of a larger, stronger voice on issues and legislation that affect the hospitality industry in the Bluegrass.