Perspectives from your AAHOA Officers on the power of unity and the key challenges hoteliers face today
Will business travelers return en masse anytime soon? Is “bleisure” really a thing? Do guests expect COVID-era cleanliness standards to continue once the virus subsides?
Much like the traveling salesman of the early 20th Century, anyone claiming to have all the answers or a miracle cure is selling something. And lying. But, there is value in looking ahead and consulting those with extensive experience when confronting a problem.
With that in mind, what follows are insights from the 2021-2022 AAHOA Officers on the current state of AAHOA and how the association can best serve its members, as well as the actions the industry needs to take, and the role AAHOA will play, in the continued march toward recovery.
Vinay Patel, Chair
GIVEN THE TRANSITION AAHOA HAS BEEN THROUGH DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WHAT’S IN STORE FOR AAHOA’S FUTURE AND WHERE IS THE ASSOCIATION HEADED?
Any change is disruptive in the beginning, but the future looks bright for AAHOA. COVID-19 had a big impact on us personally and on our industry as a whole. The transition and organizational changes happening at AAHOA are also a direct result of this, so we must pivot to meet today’s needs and make AAHOA better than ever.
HOW ARE AAHOA MEMBERS BETTER OFF THROUGH THEIR MEMBERSHIP?
We are the voice of hotel owners, working with our brand and vendor partners so we can solve complicated issues together. Additionally, we educate our members on the latest implications and trends in our industry, and we advocate at every level of government to protect the best interests of our members and entrepreneurs everywhere.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN ADVOCACY GROUPS LIKE AAHOA CHANGE THE INDUSTRY FOR THE BETTER?
We are the boots on the ground, and we speak up when there are issues that impact us all. United, we are stronger together than we are alone, so having a loud voice that speaks in unison puts our concerns at the forefront to make a difference for everyone.
WHAT INDUSTRY TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE COMING YEARS?
I’m looking forward to watching how technology continues to change and reshape the industry. Capabilities and the pace of change are accelerating, and we have a lot to look forward to in this area.
WHAT COULD THE INDUSTRY BE DOING BETTER TO ADDRESS LABOR SHORTAGES?
I’d like to see us all use technology to improve the experience for our existing team members. Also, we need to find way to motivate and excite new people who are thinking about joining the industry and help our teams look at our industry as a lifelong career path instead of a just a “job.” There are so many powerful stories out there to celebrate this, and as an industry, we have to do a better job of telling these stories.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I wish I knew how to better manage people. We are a people-centered business, and we have many different types of personalities in our industry. Managing it all isn’t easy, and it took me a while to figure that out.
Nishant (Neal) Patel, CHO, Vice Chairman
GIVEN THE TRANSITION AAHOA HAS BEEN THROUGH DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WHAT’S IN STORE FOR AAHOA’S FUTURE AND WHERE IS THE ASSOCIATION HEADED?
The past two years have certainly been a time of extreme change and challenge, but I’m proud to say that AAHOA has continued to evolve and remain innovative despite everything. We must find ways to cater to the next generation of hoteliers, giving members what they ask for and need, and continue to be the resource we say we are.
HOW ARE AAHOA MEMBERS BETTER OFF THROUGH THEIR MEMBERSHIP?
During the pandemic, every hotelier had to pivot on what has felt like a daily basis. But AAHOA was on the forefront of advocacy and leadership, ensuring members had the necessary resources during a time of extreme uncertainty.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN ADVOCACY GROUPS LIKE AAHOA CHANGE THE INDUSTRY FOR THE BETTER?
We are stronger together, and we can make meaningful changes within the industry when we work alongside one another to advance interests that seek to protect our businesses. For example, AAHOA worked with the FTC to bring fairness to our hotels – leveling the playing field for everyone with the goal of helping owners make a higher ROI on their investment.
WHAT INDUSTRY TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE COMING YEARS?
Moving forward, I see two primary concerns. True, the labor shortage is the biggest challenge we’re facing, but I’m excited to see how technology can help alleviate some of that pain and make us more efficient and productive. Prior to the pandemic, the industry looked at technology a bit differently and more cautiously, but we were forced to adopt new offerings that we might not have explored in a stronger economy.
WHAT COULD THE INDUSTRY BE DOING BETTER TO ADDRESS LABOR SHORTAGES?
We need to be relying more heavily on technological solutions that will allow us to streamline operations, while also advocating to bring in labor from outside the U.S.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I would have liked to have known the basics of building a team. As part of the younger generation of hoteliers, we thought we knew everything about hotel operations, and we failed multiple times. Being able to build a proper team that we could trust could have prevented a lot of setbacks. It’s important to not be the smartest person in a room, and if everyone feels like they’re experts, no one really is. Be humble and be open to other ideas. Trust the real experts and don’t be above seeking help when you need it.
Bharat Patel, CHO, CHIA, Treasurer
GIVEN THE TRANSITION AAHOA HAS BEEN THROUGH DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WHAT’S IN STORE FOR AAHOA’S FUTURE AND WHERE IS THE ASSOCIATION HEADED?
Our future’s so bright, I want to wear shades. We have new leadership with plans, processes, and goals designed to help members make money, save money, and protect our investments. This is an opportunity to get back to basics, and that’s what we’re doing. What can we do to help you? What can we do to introduce new ways of thinking in your business? How can we protect your investment?
HOW ARE AAHOA MEMBERS BETTER OFF THROUGH THEIR MEMBERSHIP?
We are stronger when we are united, and if we act with one voice as one group on issues, there’s really nothing we can’t accomplish. We are better together than we are individually, but we only accomplish our goals when ego is put aside and we act in the group’s best interest.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN ADVOCACY GROUPS LIKE AAHOA CHANGE THE INDUSTRY FOR THE BETTER?
I always ask whether anyone really believes government isn’t going to be in our business tomorrow or putting their hands in our pockets. Advocacy is important because even the most in-touch government representative doesn’t know our businesses like we do. There is no one better positioned to advocate for hotel owners and tell our stories than hotel owners.
WHAT INDUSTRY TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE COMING YEARS?
Like a lot of people, I’m eager to watch hoteliers make better use of technology and improve the experience from an operations and guest-experience perspective. I’m not against having people at the front desk, for example, but we need to be thinking critically and leveraging technology in the smartest ways possible.
WHAT COULD THE INDUSTRY BE DOING BETTER TO ADDRESS LABOR SHORTAGES?
Aside from exploring technology-based solutions, we have to re-evaluate immigration rules. You can have temporary workers. Scholarship opportunities. Students who are making decisions about their career path should know that the hospitality industry provides so much opportunity for career development, advancement, and satisfaction.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I wish I had known more about the financial difficulties hoteliers face. During my career, I’ve experienced the challenges of 9/11, the Great Recession, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, and the pandemic. But being able to face obstacles with fellow hoteliers and belonging to a group like AAHOA makes overcoming those challenges truly rewarding.
Miraj Patel, MBA, CHO, CHIA, Secretary
GIVEN THE TRANSITION AAHOA HAS BEEN THROUGH DURING THE PAST 18 MONTHS, WHAT’S IN STORE FOR AAHOA’S FUTURE AND WHERE IS THE ASSOCIATION HEADED?
We’ve been through leadership changes and the pandemic simultaneously, but we have continued to work through it together. As for what’s on the horizon, we are continuing to explore solutions for resetting how we do business, including addressing hidden fees, brand mandates, NOI, and much more. Everything is on the table, and we want to see the legacy of hotel ownership continue for future generations.
HOW ARE AAHOA MEMBERS BETTER OFF THROUGH THEIR MEMBERSHIP?
AAHOA is the definition of the American Dream. We truly have a platform of unity, but you have to be engaged to help solve problems and make a difference. As a member, you get so much more, including greater access to vendor partners, networking opportunities with your peers, and political advocacy. Honestly, I don’t see any other association that’s as valuable as AAHOA.
HOW HAVE YOU SEEN ADVOCACY GROUPS LIKE AAHOA CHANGE THE INDUSTRY FOR THE BETTER?
AAHOA has been an advocacy powerhouse, but I want to ensure we’re the most powerful advocacy group there is, achieving real and lasting results. On the federal side, we were able to help push through PPP and EIDL, working hand in hand to make sure members knew how to take advantage of resources. But we need to be as strong on the state and local sides, even if that means modifying how we do things. With the data from the Oxford Economics Study, we have more leverage than ever at every level – federal, state, and local.
WHAT INDUSTRY TREND ARE YOU MOST EXCITED TO SEE PLAY OUT IN THE COMING YEARS?
I think we’re seeing a trend of simplifying operations and offerings. Rather than continuing to offer services guests might not really want, we can work more closely with the brands on determining which services do and don’t make sense from a cost-benefit perspective. Overall, though, it seems like brands are understanding the importance of simplification.
WHAT COULD THE INDUSTRY BE DOING BETTER TO ADDRESS LABOR SHORTAGES?
Certainly, we are all being forced to be more creative, and we need to urge legislators to create policies that support and create hotel jobs. Many hoteliers have been struggling with this issue since before the pandemic began, and we need to urge legislators to craft job-creation policies. Yes, working with the government can be challenging, but it’s necessary.
WHAT DO YOU WISH YOU KNEW WHEN YOU FIRST STARTED OUT IN THIS INDUSTRY?
I’ve learned a lot since just starting in the industry, but I wish I had known what I know now after living and operating a business through the COVID-19 pandemic. The past several years highlighted not only my struggles, but our members as well and we as a team had to learn how to strategize to combat these struggles, such as about being able to evolve quickly to keep up with ever-changing economic factors, and getting back to the basics of the business and being able to execute those basics really well.
