About the Columbia Lodging Association

The Columbia Lodging Association (CLA) is an alliance of the city’s hotel general managers and ownership that meet monthly to discuss local and legislative issues affecting the lodging community. The association began in the mid 90’s as a networking tool to meet Columbia leaders, and has since grown and developed into a rising organization focusing on partnership, consistency, and recognition.

One of the major projects that the CLA has succeeded with is producing a citywide map in conjunction with the Columbia Hotel Marketing Association (CHMA). These maps are placed on the front desks of Columbia Hotels and approximately 66,000 are produced per year.

The CLA also realizes that hotel safety is an issue for staff working and guests staying at hotel properties. The association works closely with the police department and has formed a safety committee that meets quarterly. The committee sponsors conference calls with night auditors to talk about any citywide concerns they may have, while also creating a phone tree for hotels to call in emergency situations.

In the future, the CLA strives to be a viable force and leader in the community of Columbia. Through involvement with such organizations as the Missouri Hotel & Lodging Association (MHLA) and the Columbia Hotel Marketing Association, the CLA has a much stronger voice and lobbying power within the city and state government.