FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ALASKA HOTEL AND LODGING ASSOCATION, INC.
P.O. Box 241628, Anchorage, AK 99524-1628
www.akhla.org | Contact: Board of Directors, info@akhla.org
ANCHORAGE, AK – SEPTEMBER 23rd, 2025 – The Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association Board of Directors welcomes Silvia Villamides as their new Executive Director.
Villamides is an accomplished executive and distinguished community leader based in Anchorage, Alaska, recognized for her visionary leadership and advocacy in the hospitality industry and civic engagement.
She serves as the Executive Director of Alaska Hospitality Retailers, representing over 450 members in the hospitality sector, and has held the position of President of the Downtown Community Council since 2021. Additionally, she leads the Anchorage Hospitality Foundation and the Anchorage Responsible Beverage Retailers Association, where she addresses critical issues such as homelessness, public safety, and economic development while advancing policies that support local and statewide businesses in the hospitality industry.
Renowned for her exceptional communication skills and fluency in English and Spanish, Villamides is adept at articulating the priorities of the hospitality sector in public forums and policy discussions. Her leadership has been instrumental in streamlining business regulations, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, and driving initiatives in public safety, sanitation, education, and workforce development. She actively contributes to community advancement through her service on various boards and her role in co-convening task forces focused on homelessness and urban safety.
Villamides has earned widespread recognition and commendations from state and municipal leaders for her unwavering dedication to community development and her ability to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders. Her strategic vision and commitment to progress have established her as a key decision-maker and advocate for Anchorage’s neighborhoods and the hospitality industry, solidifying her reputation as a leading figure in Alaska’s civic and business landscape.
In addition to her vast leadership and experience, her addition to the association will also bring new energy and opportunity to expand the associations’ benefits and value in the industry. We are excited for what’s going to come and know that Silvia is the right leader for the job.
About the Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association –
The Alaska Hotel and Lodging Association is a voluntary nonprofit organization made up of industry professionals and allied business leaders. Our members recognize they have a stake in the hospitality business and have joined together to advance the industry. Together we coordinate ideas, energy and financial resources to accomplish collectively the success none of us could achieve individually. Membership in AkH&LA is vital to hotel operators because we protect the rights and interests of the Alaska lodging industry, ensuring that your property has the greatest potential to flourish. We accomplish this by lobbying in Juneau and Washington DC, representing our industry’s interests, forging relationships with key legislators and keeping an eye on the big governmental picture.