The voice of the lodging industry since 1914
For over a century,
The San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association has been a vibrant partner in San Antonio’s growth as a travel destination. We work hard every day to provide additional value to our members by championing discussions that spur progress, connect industry leaders, and promote the contributions of our businesses and our workforce to the city.
mission
The mission of the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association is to tell the story of our industry’s impact by advocating with a unified voice, supporting educational opportunities, and serving as a trusted resource.
vision
To be the resource for activating San Antonio hospitality at its best.
Our Team
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Michelle Madson
President & CEO
Michelle (Whitlow) Madson has been with the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association since May of 2016.
Previously, Madson worked at Spurs Sports & Entertainment as Premium Services Account Executive managing relationships and account services for AT&T Center Suite and Courtside Seat holders. As an added bonus, she was thrilled to be part of the organization when the Spurs won their 5th NBA Championship!
Prior to her time at the Spurs, Madson served as Director of Leadership San Antonio and Public Affairs Coordinator for the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. During which time she coordinated a number of special events including the Mayor’s State of the City Address and the Bexar County Judge’s State of the County Address and was responsible for the daily operation of The Chamber’s leadership development program, Leadership San Antonio (LSA).
Michelle holds a B.S. in Public Relations with a Minor in Business Administration from University of Texas at Austin. She is originally from Southeast Texas (Port Neches) and loves playing fetch with her Mini Goldendoodle, Gryffin, who serves as the unofficial SAHLA Mascot. Madson’s husband, Don, serves in the Air Force and works at Lackland Air Force Base. In June of 2023, they were thrilled to welcome their first baby, Charlotte.
Angelica Martinez
Director of Communications & Events
Angelica Martinez has been with the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association since March of 2022.
Martinez has been an Guest Services Associate at Embassy Suites Landmark and an early childhood education Instructional Assistant at Northside ISD. She also has experience as an event planner at the San Antonio Botanical Gardens
Angelica holds a B.A. in Communications from University of Texas at San Antonio. She is a San Antonio native and a proud dog mom of Shih Tzu, Colt.
A Brief History of the
San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association
by Barb Machado
San Antonio’s first hotel organization had its beginning in the early 1900s. First known as the Keepers Association, it officially became the San Antonio Hotel Men’s Association in 1914. This small group of hotel managers representing seven downtown properties played an active role in the creation/improvement of our annual Rodeo, Fiesta Week and the first stages of development on our now famous Riverwalk.
Pieces of our past currently being gathered from old newspaper articles identify numerous hoteliers who left their mark on our industry and our city. In the 1930s, Jack White, Plaza Hotel Manager, (now the Granada Apartments on Villita Street) led the first civic committee to plan and create the Riverwalk. He also served two terms as Mayor of San Antonio and has a street named in his honor!
San Antonio hoteliers served on high level federal commissions during both World Wars which helped strengthened the important role the industry played during these critical times.
San Antonio’s designation as a “Destination City” was the result of the 1968 World’s Fair: HemisFair. The resulting hotel development and construction of the first Convention Center set us on the path we travel today.
For more than 100 years, local hoteliers have played a critical role in developing our international status within the convention and travel industries and forging San Antonio’s reputation for hospitality!
Barb Machado served as the Executive Director of the San Antonio Hotel & Lodging Association from 1991-2003