CEO Resignation

With progress towards the proposed merger of the Australian Hotel Association/Tourism Accommodation Australia and the Accommodation Association well underway, the Accommodation Association today announced the resignation of CEO Dean Long.
 
Mr Long has been in the role since June 2019 and has led the Association under the Board’s stewardship through an unprecedented period of growth and achievements despite the many challenges of COVID-19. These achievements include:

• Ensuring the sector’s need for support during COVID was understood through collaborative campaigning with other key Industry Peak Bodies to secure employee support programs such as JobKeeper and JobMaker and the various Government relief measures for businesses; and 
• Increasing and enhancing member services;
• Evolving the Association’s approach to advocacy including via local member engagement and a local MP approach for key seats resulting in increased political and bureaucratic understanding of the positive impacts of the regulated accommodation sector across Australia;
• Conducting a comprehensive review of the Association including the development of a three-year strategy and aligned business plan.

 
Mr Long has a three month notice period and will be departing in October or earlier by mutual agreement.  During that time the association will either find a new CEO or will be amalgamated with AHA/TAA.  Advocacy and member services will continue with the normal effectiveness.
 
Quotes attributable to Accommodation Association Chair Julian Clark
“The Accommodation Association is very grateful for the strong and strategic leadership Dean has provided during his time as CEO and especially during the unprecedented and extraordinarily difficult challenges that COVID has thrown at accommodation providers since March 2020. In our industry’s time of greatest need it has been fantastic to have Dean at the helm steering the ship and liaising with government on an ongoing basis.”
 
“Dean has been tireless in his role and his support of the sector and Accommodation Association members. He also leaves a strong legacy in terms of a much strengthened team. We thank him for his contribution and know that he will always be a champion of Australia’s accommodation sector.”
 
Quotes attributable to Accommodation Association CEO Dean Long
“My time as CEO of the Accommodation Association has been both extremely rewarding and challenging thanks to COVID-19 restrictions, border closures and travel bans.”
 
“This is a sector full of wonderful, generous people and businesses and never has this been more on show than via the fact that so many hotels and team members stepped in very early on to support the Government’s COVID Isolation Program and through it returning Australians, frontline medical staff, and some of the most vulnerable in our community. These teams and properties have continued to provide this important support quietly, behind the scenes and despite little thanks. It’s this commitment to going above and beyond that makes this sector so very special.”
 
“I am also very grateful for the ongoing support and leadership of the Accommodation Association Board.”
 
Media contact: 
Accommodation Association 
LJ Loch 0488 038 555 or ljloch@alphaconsulting.global