Who We Are & What We Do
From the President's Desk
Charlotte City Mayor, Vi Lyles, who has been the mayor since 2017, recently announced that she is resigning effective June 30, 2026, while she still has nearly a full term (18 months) left as the mayor.
Allow me to thank Mayor Lyles for her many years of dedicated service as the mayor for nearly 10 years and previously as the city’s Finance Director and also Assistant City Manager for decades. As the mayor, VI has been a great leader navigating Charlotte’s remarkable growth and prosperity, while dealing with growing challenges, a major pandemic, and the ever-changing leadership of Charlotte City Council.
We are so fortunate for her dedication to our community and wish her the best in retirement. Charlotte City Council is finalizing details of appointing a new interim mayor to finish the rest of Vi’s term, which expired in December of 2027. Stay tuned.
Allow me to cover the following items:
1.Extension of Airlines’ contract at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and approval of construction bonds to build a 4th parallel runway
With the clock winding down towards the deadline of June 30, 2026, Charlotte Douglas International Airport took a major step forward by agreeing to extend negotiation with airlines (American Airlines, Delta, Frontier, Southwest and Unites) for up to one year as discussions continue on a long-term agreement.American Airlines, which provides more than 90% flights at CLT, employs more than 16,500 in Charlotte with a payroll exceeding $2 Billion annually. The airline has invested more than $4 billion in infrastructure improvement at CLT over recent years. American Airlines’ Charlotte hub generates over $30 billion a year in economic activities across North Carolina while supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs.In addition to this good news, CLT has also received approval for a $215 million construction revenue bonds for building of a 4th parallel runway and $175 million in revenue bonds for existing runway improvements and terminal upgrades. Revenue bonds are repaid from revenues generated at the airport.Also, CLT recently received $28 million in federal grants to accommodate regional growth.
2.Congratulations to NASCAR driver Daniel Suarez for winning the 2026 Coca-Cola 600 Race, which was held at the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 24, 2026. The Coca-Cola 600 Race was sold out for the 5th year in a row which is an endorsement for economic value of our awesome Charlotte Motor Speedway and their fantastic professional team of experts.
3.Congratulations to Kristoffer Reitan for winning the 2026 Truist PGA Golf Championship which was held at Charlotte’s Quail Hollow Club from May 6-10, 2026.Golf has been a mega tourism and economic revenue generator for the Charlotte region.
4.Congratulations to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets College Baseball Team for winning the 2026 ACC Baseball tournament which was held at our beautiful Truist Ballpark from May 19-24, 2026. The Charlotte Knights AAA Baseball Team are in the midst of their 2026 season (click here for a schedule of events at Truist). Truist Ballpark will also be hosting the Savanna Banana’s from June 4-6, 2026.
5.Soccer, Soccer, Soccer
Bank of America Stadium will be hosting the US Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) for a game on May 31st at 3:30pm as they play Senegal before the start of the World Cup.Our Charlotte FC MLS Team is having a great 2026 season, and the stadium is gearing up to host the 2026 MLS All-Star game on Wednesday, July 29th at 8pm. Click here for a schedule of events at the Bank of America Stadium.Scottish National Soccer Team is currently training at Charlotte FC’s facility and will continue training here during the World Cup Tournament.
6.Congratulations to our Women’s Professional Soccer Team (Charlotte Ascent) for defeating Jacksonville 1-0 to advance to the super league final on May 30th. Click here for more information on Carolina Ascent.
7.Congratulations to our New Women Professional Basketball Team (Charlotte Crown) for winning their inaugural game vs Jacksonville (103-95). Click here for more information on Charlotte Crown.
8.Opening of New Casino in Charlotte Area
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort located almost 30 miles from uptown Charlotte (Kings Mountain) recently opened their first phase of the project with over 1,350 slot machines and 58 tables. When completed by next spring, the $1 billion resort will have a 24-story hotel, plenty of bars and restaurants and many more slot machines. Click here for more information on Catawba Two Kings Casino.
9.Charlotte is proud to have an awesome Sullenberger Aviation Museum which celebrates our community’s aviation history and the role that aviation/airport has in the remarkable prosperity of our region. Click here to check out this fantastic museum and the variety of activities they offer for all ages.
10.Check out what is going on in the fast-growing Ballantyne area and all the exciting and fun activities at the Ballantyne Bowl this summer. Click here for more information.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the 400-plus attendees who joined us for the HTA’s May 5th General Meeting and express my appreciation to the Hilton Charlotte Uptown, General Manager Morgan Smith, and their entire fantastic staff for hosting our event and the follow-up networking reception.
I am grateful to all HTA members for providing us with the pleasure of serving you and your business and hope to see many of you at the following HTA events:
•HTA’s June Corporate Networking Event – for HTA Corporate Members
•HTA’s August General Meeting – Thursday, August 27th from 2:30 PM – 5 PM at the Charlotte Convention Center
•HTA’s September Golf Tournament – Wednesday, September 23rd at Highland Creek Golf Club
Mission
The Greater Charlotte Hospitality & Tourism Alliance (HTA) has been the premier voice of our region's hospitality & tourism industry since it was established by the leaders of the industry in 1994. Over the years the HTA's leadership has proudly and relentlessly been vital in efforts that have made our region a premier destination. We are proud to have been a major part of developing the Charlotte Convention Center, Spectrum Center, the NASCAR Hall of Fame, $200 million Arts & Cultural Complex, Carolinas Aviation Museum, Charlotte Knights Baseball Stadium and many initiatives which have made the Charlotte region a great travel, event and convention destination.
Our Impact
As a full-time membership association representing a variety of different businesses in the Greater Charlotte area, we have proudly become known as a major economic development driver for our region and one of the most effective business organization in the Carolinas. Our mission and specific priorities are simply focused on leading initiatives that are essential in maximizing the bottom lines of all HTA members' businesses. If you are not a member of our very pro-active and members' bottom line oriented association, we would love to have the pleasure of working with you in maximizing your business opportunities.