European Hotel Managers Association

What European Hotel Managers Association does

European Hotel Managers Association (EHMA) is a non-profit professional association founded in Rome in 1974, dedicated to general managers of deluxe and first-class hotels of international repute across Europe. The association curates a membership community of 500+ senior hotel executives spanning 24 European countries, collectively representing more than 1,200 luxury hotels, 86,000 rooms, and 66,000 employees. Its core deliverable is a portfolio of membership services: an Annual General Meeting that rotates across European cities, four prestigious annual award programs (European Hotel Manager of the Year, Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement Award, Sustainability Award by Diversey, and Best Practices Award), educational initiatives such as Young EHMA, Emerging Leaders, and a webinar series, and publications including Hotel Management International and a monthly newsletter. Operations are governed by an elected President, Vice Presidents, and Treasurer, supported by a small Rome-based secretariat and an outsourced press office (Ingenia Direct).

EHMA does not operate proprietary technology platforms; its infrastructure relies on standard digital communication tools — a WordPress-based website, email, social media channels (LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter), webinar platforms, and PDF publications. The association's value to members is grounded in peer-validated status, exclusive networking access to elite European hotel general managers, advocacy via the HOTREC alliance, and recognition through its named awards. Revenue is generated through recurring membership dues and event-related fees and sponsorships; pricing is not publicly disclosed and the organization operates as a non-profit.

The association's strategic posture emphasizes ecosystem partnerships over capital-intensive moves. Active alliances include Preferred Hotels & Resorts (announced February 2024, extending reach to over 600 hotels in 80 countries), HOTREC (formalized September 2022, embedding EHMA within 47 national European hospitality associations), Diversey/Solenis (annual Sustainability Award sponsorship), and hotel school collaborations with EHL Hospitality Business School Lausanne and Cornell University. Membership growth is constrained by eligibility criteria rather than commercial sales targets, and the organization has no funding rounds, acquisitions, or material headcount expansion.

Name

European Hotel Managers Association

Legal name

European Hotel Managers Association

Website

https://ehma.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The European Hotel Managers Association is a non-profit professional association founded in Rome in 1974 for general managers of deluxe and first-class hotels across Europe, serving 500+ members across 24 countries with networking events, awards programs, and educational initiatives.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Roma

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: EHMA generates revenue through annual membership fees from its 500+ members who are general managers of luxury hotels across 24 European countries. Membership fees fund the association's operations, events, awards programs, and educational initiatives.
2. Event Registration Fees: Revenue generated from the Annual General Meeting and other events. The 52nd AGM in London (March 2026) and regional chapter meetings across Europe attract participation fees from members and sponsors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

EHMA is a non-profit professional association that provides membership services to general managers of luxury and first-class hotels across Europe. Its offerings include an invitation-only membership program (500+ members), the annual flagship General Meeting, four award programs, educational initiatives such as Young EHMA and webinars, and publications including Hotel Management International. Members must have at least 10 years of hospitality experience and currently serve as General Manager of a deluxe or first-class hotel of international repute in Europe.

Product overview

EHMA (European Hotel Managers Association) is a non-profit professional association established in Rome in 1974 for Hotel Managers operating first-class and luxury hotels across Europe. Rather than a technology platform, EHMA offers a portfolio of membership services including an annual flagship event (Annual General Meeting), multiple award programs (European Hotel Manager of the Year, Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement Award, Sustainability Award by Diversey, Best Practices Award), education initiatives (Young EHMA, Emerging Leaders, Webinars), and publications (Hotel Management International, Newsletter). The association represents over 500 members managing more than 1,200 luxury hotels across 24 European countries, with the core value proposition being networking, knowledge sharing, and professional development for senior hospitality leaders.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• EHMA Membership Program Association membership for hotel general managers with at least ten years of industry experience managing deluxe or first-class hotels of international repute in Europe. Currently has over 500 members across 24 European countries, providing professional networking, recognition, and educational access.
• Annual General Meeting (AGM) Annual flagship event bringing together general managers from Europe's most prestigious luxury and premium hotels for networking, education, and knowledge sharing. The 52nd AGM was held in London in March 2026 under the theme 'Transforming Hotel Hospitality for a Thriving Future'.
• European Hotel Manager of the Year Award Prestigious annual award granted to an active EHMA member who has achieved outstanding results in hotel management during the previous year and throughout their career. Andreas Keese of Hotel Sacher Wien was the 2026 recipient.
• Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement Award Distinguished award honoring outstanding EHMA retired General Managers who have significantly contributed to the improvement of the hotel business and the Association over their lifetime career. Named after Hans E. Koch (EHMA President 2013-2019).
• EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey Annual sustainability award established in collaboration with Diversey (A Solenis Company), recognizing exceptional dedication to sustainability while upholding the highest standards of luxury and guest experience.
• EHMA Best Practices Award Award recognizing outstanding, guest-centred approaches to sustainability, ESG initiatives, and innovative practices that strengthen service quality while protecting the essence of human hospitality. The 2025 award went to Andreas Keese of Hotel Sacher Wien for a project on IoT and AI in guest experience.
• Education Programs (Young EHMA, Emerging Leaders, Webinars) Educational initiatives including the Young EHMA program, Emerging Leaders development, and webinar series on topics such as Mind Health and Self-awareness, Psychological Safety, and Compassionate Leadership, delivered in collaboration with member experts and hotel school partners.
• Hotel Management International (HMI) Quarterly publication featuring insights, trends, and best practices in luxury hospitality management, available for download on the EHMA website.
• EHMA Newsletter Monthly newsletter keeping members informed about association news, industry developments, member achievements, and upcoming events.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500+ members managing 1,200 luxury hotels with 86,000 rooms and 66,000 employees

Named customers10 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Preferred Hotels & ResortscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2024Partnership connecting EHMA's prestigious association of Luxury Hotel General Managers in Europe with Preferred Hotels & Resorts, the world's largest independent hotel brand representing more than 600 distinctive hotels, resorts, and residences across 80 countries. The partnership creates mutual opportunities in high-end hotel industry including networking, visibility, promotion and communication. Both organizations will work closely to develop talent in Europe through existing partnerships with hotel schools.
• HOTRECcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2022Collaboration with HOTREC, the umbrella Association of Hotels, Restaurants, Bars and Cafes and similar establishments in Europe, bringing together 47 National associations in 36 countries. EHMA receives monthly HOTREC insights on topics including facts, figures and trends on industry related issues. A round table is organized at EHMA AGMs with EHMA executive committee and HOTREC's representation to elaborate synergies and exchange best practices.
• Diversey (A Solenis Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDiversey sponsors the annual EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey, recognizing exceptional dedication to sustainability while upholding the highest standards of luxury and guest experience. Christoph Steindorf, Business Development Leader Diversey Europe presents the award. Diversey's Creating Shared Value programs like Linens for Life, Soap for Hope, and Soap Recycling have been highlighted through EHMA initiatives.
• Ingenia DirectcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerIngenia Direct handles EHMA's digital communication, website development and management, and press office functions. They produce video content, manage social media presence, and coordinate press releases. Gianni Buonsante from Ingenia Direct serves as EHMA Press Office contact and produces member success story videos.
• EHL Hospitality Business School LausannecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEHMA maintains collaboration with EHL for education and career development. EHMA coordinates presence at EHL Career Fairs, members mentor students, and EHMA presents the Dario dell'Antonia Award to deserving EHL graduates at the school. The partnership supports development of future hospitality leaders.
• Cornell UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEHMA members participate in Cornell University's General Managers Program and maintain alumni network connections. Several EHMA leaders including Juha Mähönen have completed Executive education at Cornell, contributing to leadership development within the association.
• Frette 1860minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrette, a luxury Italian linen brand with 164-year heritage, has been featured in EHMA interviews and content. CEO Filippo Arnaboldi discusses luxury linens and their role in hotel hospitality. Frette is found in over 1,500 of the world's most luxurious hotels.
• Diversey (A Solenis Company)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarthCheck partnership noted for sustainability certification. Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin became first hotel in Netherlands to achieve EarthCheck Gold Certification in 2025 under Diversey's support and EHMA's sustainability focus.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Others

• Hospitality Net: Long-running industry portal providing hospitality news, jobs and networking features. Functions as an adjacent digital community layer competing for EHMA members' attention.
• STR (CoStar): Hospitality benchmarking and analytics firm providing performance data to luxury hotels worldwide. Adjacent ecosystem participant serving the same EHMA-member customer base with data products.
• Cornell Hotel Society: Alumni society of Cornell's School of Hotel Administration, focused on networking and professional development for hospitality leaders. EHMA members participate in Cornell's GM Program, making it an academic-network peer.

Direct peers

• Preferred Hotels & Resorts: World's largest independent hotel brand with 600+ luxury hotels in 80 countries. Directly comparable luxury hospitality positioning and an active strategic partner of EHMA.
• Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP): International non-profit association serving hospitality finance and technology professionals. Closely comparable professional association model focused on specialised hospitality careers.
• Les Clefs d'Or: International professional association of hotel concierges founded in 1929. Comparable professional society structure serving senior luxury hospitality specialists, with similar chapter-based networking.

Regional players

• HOSPA: UK-based professional association for hospitality finance, revenue management and technology professionals. Uses a similar member-led association model but serves a UK-centric audience.
• American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA): Largest US hospitality trade association. Mirrors EHMA's membership-based model for hotel industry professionals but is focused on the US market rather than Europe.
• Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association (CHTA): Regional umbrella body representing hotels and tourism operators across the Caribbean. Offers similar association-based member services but operates in a different geography.

Broad incumbents

• HOTREC: Umbrella association of hotels, restaurants, bars and cafés across 36 European countries. Serves as a policy and advocacy body rather than a GM peer group, but overlaps with EHMA's industry-representation role and is an active EHMA partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/EHMAssociation
• Facebookfacebook.com/EHMAssociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/european-hotel-managers-association
• Instagraminstagram.com/ehmassociation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about European Hotel Managers Association