On Wednesday, the AHLA Foundation brought survivors, experts and industry leaders together at its annual No Room for Trafficking Summit to advance best practices and reaffirm the industry’s commitment to combating human trafficking through collaboration, education and resources to support survivors.
At the event, the Foundation also announced the recipients of its 2025-2026 NRFT Survivor Fund grants, which provide funding to organizations offering services and resources that support survivors. The event coincided with the United Nations World Day against Trafficking in Persons.
"For years, the No Room for Trafficking initiative has leveraged our resources to unite the hotel industry against human trafficking,” Kevin Carey, AHLA Foundation president & CEO, said in a statement. “The NRFT Summit serves as a powerful call-to-action, bringing together the industry and our partners to strengthen our commitment and drive meaningful change.”
The Summit featured several keynotes and panel discussions, including insights from lived experience experts on the complexities of survivor employment, as well as sessions with vendors and industry stakeholders focused on amplifying human trafficking prevention efforts.
The NRFT Survivor Fund continues to provide support to community-based, anti-human trafficking organizations and initiatives. Since 2023, the Survivor Fund has awarded more than $2.35 million to support programs across 27 organizations nationwide. This year’s grantees include two survivor-founded organizations and several others advancing prevention and survivor support efforts, including:
- 3Strands Global Coalition to Abolish Slavery & Trafficking
- Empowered Network
- Hoola Na Pua
- New Friends New Life
- Rebecca Bender Initiative
- Restore NYC
- Safety Compass
- Salt & Light Coalition
- UMD Safe Center
- Wellspring Living
- WillowBend Farms
"The organizations supported through the No Room for Trafficking Survivor Fund are doing critical work to prevent human trafficking and support survivors on their path forward," said Joan Bottarini, chief financial officer at Hyatt and chair of the NRFT Advisory Council, composed of 12 leaders across the hospitality industry. "Their expertise, especially the voices of those with lived experience, continue to shape how our industry shows up as part of the solution to this global crisis.”
The NRFT Advisory Council and Survivor Fund supporting companies includes Aimbridge, Choice Hotels, Extended Stay America, Hilton Global Foundation, Hyatt Hotels Foundation, IHG Hotels & Resorts, The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Marriott International, Real Hospitality Group, Red Roof, Sonesta, Summit Foundation, Vision Hospitality Group and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Learn more about the AHLA Foundation’s No Room for Trafficking initiative here.