Troy Flanagan, Senior Vice President, American Hotel & Lodging Association
The Eric Friedheim Tourism Institute and the Department of Tourism, Hospitality & Event Management are grateful for the contribution of the industry leaders who are part of our Industry Advisory Board. We take this opportunity to thank all members who have been with us for the past years sharing their experiences and insights with our faculty, researchers, students and staff. We are excited to continue expanding our board and welcoming new insights and perspectives in the field.
The tourism, hospitality and event management industries benefit immensely from research and training the next generation of professionals. Our Industry Advisory Board continues to contribute to research projects, curriculum adjustments, and student opportunities. This month, we welcome Troy Flanagan to our board.
Troy Flanagan serves as senior vice president of government affairs and industry relations for the American Hotel & Lodging Association. He brings over 20 years of experience to the role as a policy advocate who works closely with AHLA’s broad array of brand, REIT, management company and state association members and industry allies on issues critical to the hotel industry.
Troy came to AHLA from Orlando-based Align Public Strategies (previously known as Parquet Public Affairs), where as a partner he represented numerous service industry brands and trade associations that dealt with many of the same issues facing the hospitality industry. Through Parquet-managed coalitions, he also helped develop comprehensive, industry-wide solutions to the various public affairs threats posed to the service and hospitality sectors.
Previously, he was director of government relations at International Franchise Association (IFA), where he focused on state and local policy threats to franchised industries, including lodging. Troy’s experience as an issue advocate also includes government relations roles at ConAgra Foods, Inc. and the Grocery Manufacturers Association. He began his career serving in various staff positions of the Florida Legislature, both in the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Troy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Florida and a Master of Arts in International Commerce & Policy from George Mason University. In 2019, Troy obtained the Institute for Organization Management (IOM) designation from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Troy previously served Gator Nation as the President of the DC Gator Club and as a member of the UF Alumni Association Board of Directors.
