Catching up with the 2020-2021 AAHOA Officers for their insight on the industry as it stands today, where they think it’s headed, and AAHOA’s role in getting there
Biran Patel, Chairman
WHAT HAS AAHOA ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE PAST YEAR THAT YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
Biran Patel: I’m incredibly proud of how AAHOA helped hotel owners tackle the unique challenges caused by the pandemic. There were so many questions about the virus, and the economic fallout pushed many businesses to the brink. Our education team created more than 200 webcasts with the majority addressing COVID-specific issues that affected hoteliers and their employees, and we pivoted with virtual events. These provided hoteliers, industry partners, brands, and experts opportunities to remain connected and share information and ideas about how to keep the lights on. To that end, AAHOA was also instrumental in urging the administration to grant affiliation waivers that allowed owners with multiple hotels to secure PPP loans for each property.
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT AAHOA’S 2021-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN?
BP: The commitment to improving communication among hoteliers, vendors, brands, and other industry partners is exciting because it will help our entire industry during the recovery process. More collaboration will help spread good ideas and practices, and it will make our partners more aware of the challenges different parts of our industry are facing. This includes our franchise relations efforts to facilitate better understanding between brands and owners. Their mutual success is dependent on a good working relationship, and communication is key to making that happen.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HOTELIERS WILL FACE IN THE LATTER PART OF 2021?
BP: The labor shortage is the most pressing challenge hoteliers will face as America reopens. Competition for workers is fierce. The pool of available workers may increase later in the year as more Americans get vaccinated and enhanced unemployment insurance ends in September, but with airline bookings filling up and occupancy rates increasing, hoteliers need to be competitive in attracting and retaining workers.
HOW IS AAHOA FULFILLING ITS VISION TO BE THE FOREMOST ADVOCATE AND RESOURCE FOR AMERICA’S HOTEL OWNERS?
BP: AAHOA’s educational offerings are key to helping us fulfill this vision. The Hotel Owners AcademyTM, AAHOA Human Trafficking Awareness Trainings, our certificate programs, and our library of hundreds of webcasts are valuable resources for hoteliers. Our advocacy efforts connect hoteliers with their lawmakers, and an informed constituent is the best advocate for their interests. AAHOA education is key to helping hoteliers understand and seek legislative remedies for the issues they face.
Vinay Patel, Vice Chair
WHAT HAS AAHOA ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE PAST YEAR THAT YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
Vinay Patel: I am proud of the education that we have provided our members during the toughest times in our lifetime.
DURING YOUR TIME WITH AAHOA, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE BOARD SHAPE THE ASSOCIATION’S DIRECTION?
VP: Our Board is very engaging and isn’t shy to speak up. This gives us the pulse of our membership, so we can make quick decisions in everyone’s best interests.
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT AAHOA’S 2021-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN?
VP: That we are going to be the foremost resource and advocate for hotel owners on many different fronts, not just legislatively but also with franchisee issues and OTAs, and be the expert thought leaders on issues that impact America’s hotel owners.
IS THERE SOMEONE IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL LIFE WHO HELPED SHAPE YOUR CAREER PATH?
VP: Nancy Johnson, who was with Radisson Hotels, guided me when I was young to get involved with the industry, which taught me how to communicate, how to take advantage of networking opportunities, and give back to the industry that has given us so much.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HOTELIERS WILL FACE IN THE LATTER PART OF 2021?
VP: The biggest challenge for me is the unknown. We are all guessing as to how the industry will change, travel habits, guest expectations, and who will be the first to get it right.
HOW IS AAHOA FULFILLING ITS VISION TO BE THE FOREMOST ADVOCATE AND RESOURCE FOR AMERICA’S HOTEL OWNERS?
VP: We are the subject-matter experts on hotel ownership. We are talking to lawmakers, brands, and our vendor partners to make sure our issues are addressed. We are making an impact at all levels.
Nishant (Neal) Patel, CHO, Treasurer
WHAT HAS AAHOA ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE PAST YEAR THAT YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
Neal Patel: I firmly believe that education is our strongest asset, especially during COVID. I don’t think anyone could touch what AAHOA did when it came to educating members during a crisis. We reached more than 50,000 people across the industry.
DURING YOUR TIME WITH AAHOA, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE BOARD SHAPE THE ASSOCIATION’S DIRECTION?
NP: The development of the Strategic Plan has been a crucial component of AAHOA’ success. We’re more focused on strategically moving AAHOA forward, which is vital because by the time you realize it’s necessary to make changes, it’s too late. I’ve also seen AAHOA fine tune its ability to anticipate member needs and create content based on what membership wanted. We’re not 100 percent there, but we’re trying to improve every day.
WHAT EXCITES YOU MOST ABOUT AAHOA’S 2021-2023 STRATEGIC PLAN?
NP: The member advocacy component is a key piece of the plan, and not only with regards to creating positive relationships with federal and state elected officials but also by continuing to protect our vendor partners. For example, our net operating income (NOI) is shrinking, and AHOA must continue advocating for cutting expenses.
WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE HOTELIERS WILL FACE IN THE LATTER PART OF 2021?
NP: We’re looking at a big challenge with online travel agencies (OTAs). When an OTA takes so much from the top, it doesn’t leave much of anything for the hotel. How can we leverage 20,000 members to get a better rate or partnership for our members to protect the industry?
HOW IS AAHOA FULFILLING ITS VISION TO BE THE FOREMOST ADVOCATE AND RESOURCE FOR AMERICA’S HOTEL OWNERS?
NP: We are leveraging the strength of nearly 20,000 members and creating strong, mutually beneficial partnerships while protecting members’ NOI. Protecting members’ bottom line is AAHOA’s bottom line.
Bharat Patel, CHO, CHIA, Secretary
How is AAHOA fulfilling its vision to be the foremost advocate and resource for America’s hotel owners?
Bharat Patel: I believe the top priority for AAHOA is ROI – return on investment. The work of our volunteer leaders and our staff must absolutely focus on putting more money in the pocket of owners and less money in the pocket of brands, OTAs, and the government. The double and triple-dipping on fees by brands has to be addressed.
DURING YOUR TIME WITH AAHOA, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE BOARD SHAPE THE ASSOCIATION’S DIRECTION?
BP: During the past year, the Board took the first step toward AAHOA’s progress by passing a strategic plan, along with a budget and a timeframe for that plan.
Now we have to take the second step toward progress – namely, we have to act. We have to implement the plan. But I especially want to ensure that what we do at the board level always has relevance and benefit for our members. For me, members aren’t just a priority; they are the priority. Member engagement is vital. Membership being kept informed of what the organization is doing to support their businesses must be communicated often.
WHAT HAS AAHOA ACCOMPLISHED DURING THE PAST YEAR THAT YOU’RE MOST PROUD OF?
BP: I’m confident we have a strong understanding of the problems facing owners in this post-pandemic period, and we also know what needs to be done to solve these problems. I hope in the year ahead, we will focus less on negotiating and debating and more on hammering out answers with the brands and the legislators/regulators who directly impact the bottom line of our members.
