The Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association (VRLTA) Day on the Hill 2025 was held January 27-28, 2025, in Richmond. The event allowed students and advisors to take part in a Legislative Breakfast and Issues Briefing, a Taste of VRLTA Reception, and face-to-face meetings with legislators at the Virginia General Assembly. Attendees also participated in member meetings, a luncheon, and received introductions in the Virginia Capitol's gallery. Program Director Dr. Kristin Lamoureux and Professor Candace Fitch escorted MSBA-HTM Students Niharika Adhikari, Joshua Denoo, Ghassan Alfadly, and Rukayat Adeniron to the event. “Attending the VRLTA Legislative Day on the Hill sharpened my understanding of the legislative process. Direct involvement in policy decisions stood out the most, highlighting the critical role of advocacy in shaping industry regulations. Legislative decisions are not made in isolation; organizations and industry leaders play a critical role in shaping law,” Ms. Adhikari said.

Program Director Dr. Kristin Lamoureux and MSBA-HTM student Sarah Dempsey participated in the American Hotel & Lodging Association's (AHLA) Hotels on the Hill for 2025 which took place May 13–14, 2025, in Washington, D.C. This advocacy event brought together over 200 hotel industry professionals to meet with members of Congress, discuss key issues such as labor, consumer protection, and tax policy, and network with other industry leaders. Attendees advocated for policies that support the hospitality industry, including the Closing the Workforce Gap Act, the extension of the pass-through tax deduction, and the maintenance of like-kind exchanges.

“Engaging students in events like the AHLA Hospitality on the Hill or VRLTA's Hotel on the Hill not only exposes them to the real-world complexities of industry legislation, tax and workforce policies, but also gives them opportunities to engage directly with leaders shaping the hospitality sector. That exposure bridges theory and practice, inspires critical thinking, and helps students see how their future careers can influence broader system-level change,” says Dr. Lamoureux.