Get to know AAHOA’s 2022 Award Winners
These leaders are paving the way for the hospitality industry and continue to persist with their innovative ideas, hard work, and love for the industry. AAHOA is proud to have dedicated and innovative leaders who light the path for future generations and bring attention to important industry topics such as government affairs, challenges, diversity, and leadership.
VIMAL PATEL
AAHOA Award of Excellence
“It’s a tremendous honor to be recognized at a national level – especially in a post-COVID, tumultuous hotel industry. It’s significant because this recognition is also part of the effort to engage and change the system. It was a special effort to bring attention to the plight of hoteliers.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“The membership platform allows me to network with fellow hoteliers and vendors and a way to communicate with franchisors. AAHOA is also a big help with the legislative action and laws that may be difficult for small hotel owners and gives us a voice in Washington.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“I especially want to mention my uncle Narottammama in Africa and my cousin Kevin here in the U.S. who helped me in my journey to success.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Vimal hopes to continue to make a positive impact in the hospitality industry by standing up and voicing concerns for the fair franchising. He seeks to continue fighting against unjust business practices and passing these ethics on to future generations.
MANHAR (MP) RAMA
CEO, Sima Hospitality
AAHOA Past Chair (2005-2006)
Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
“In my eyes, I’ve won so much more than an award. I’ve won admiration and respect – both short and long term – and the combination of these lead to a much bigger prize than the award itself. We are all born to help each other no matter how difficult it is and to give something back to the collective society.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“AAHOA allowed me to develop myself professionally and as a person. The AAHOA membership gave me an opportunity to expand my skills and the ability to think ahead and handle more responsibilities. Not only was I able to improve my skills, but with time and commitment I learned from my colleagues and clients.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“Mahatma Gandhi inspires me. He lived for the welfare of people and advocated truth and peace. He also stressed the importance of literacy and lived his life with the values of being persistent, adaptive, confident, optimistic, and trustworthy.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Manhar hopes to continue to make a positive impact in hospitality by focusing on keeping up with trends. He believes innovation is the key to success and future generations will take family businesses to new heights.
TARAN PATEL
Managing Principal, A1 Hospitality Group
AAHOA Northwest Regional Director
Outstanding Young Professional Hotelier of the Year Award
“It means a lot to me to be selected among a group of many deserving nominees. At the end of the day, all the credit goes back to my team. Having a strong support system behind me has allowed me to give back time to this industry.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“AAHOA has provided me with tools and resources that have contributed to my personal and professional growth. Through networking, advocacy, and engagement, I’ve been able to take advantage of the opportunities AAHOA presents to its members.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“I was blessed with front row seats to witness the hard work and sacrifices my parents made as immigrants to the U.S. The two of them worked hard to ensure a better future for me and my sister. Without their guidance and support, I wouldn’t be in a position to receive this award.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Taran wants to continuously be involved in the hospitality industry and do his part to ensure we are evolving in a positive direction. Looking at the industry, he notes the significant growth in the past 10 years and wants to be part of the continued change.
BABU PATEL
Trustmark Park Hospitality
Outreach Award for Philanthropy
“I’m extremely honored to be receiving such an important award and am grateful for the recognition I’ve received for my 43 years of work. Winning this award wouldn’t have been possible without the inspiration I’ve received and support from my parents, wife, and colleagues.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“I’m a proud lifetime member of this strong organization that has given me plenty of educational tools to become a better hotelier. We had many ups and downs during the pandemic, but we all made it through and emerged stronger and better. COVID-19 relief PPP and EIDL was very much appreciated, and I would like to thank the Government Affairs team as well.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“My parents, my family, and my wife are all my heroes. Also, I’d like to mention Prime Minister Shri Narendrabhai Modi who has been a role model for me for the last 21 years. His positive thinking, lifestyle, proactiveness, and leadership skills are unmatched.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Babu hopes to continue to share knowledge with others in the hospitality industry. He wants to demonstrate the benefits of using technology to make a positive impact. Additionally, he is committed to giving to the AAHOA PAC and the positive benefits that result from doing so.
PINKY P. BHAIDASWALA
SSN Hotel Management, LLC
Outstanding Woman Hotelier of the Year Award
“In the early days running a motel in Upstate New York, we couldn’t even imagine being in the position we are today. Winning this award is a vindication of the 25-plus years of hard work, sacrifice, and commitment. I couldn’t have done it without the support of my family.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“When the pandemic hit, the entire industry was in freefall. We’d never seen anything like it. AAHOA became a community where we could come together to understand and solve the crises as an industry, rather than as individuals. Membership in AAHOA helped take away a lot of that initial fear to know that we aren’t alone.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“I have to thank my husband for constantly supporting, challenging, and encouraging me. His courage to dream is what pushes us forward each and every day.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Pinky hopes to foster an environment where young women are not only invited to join the hospitality industry, but also supported in their hospitality careers. She wants to prove that hospitality is no longer a Boy’s Club and we all prosper when we can leverage diversity.
ARMAAN PATEL
AGA Hotels
Outstanding Young Professional Hotelier of the Year
“The honor to be one of the recipients gave me validation of the past three years of some sleepless nights working toward my company, AGA Hotels. It was a very humbling experience as the youngest to ever win the award. I hope this pushes more young entrepreneurs to pursue a career in the hotel industry.”
HOW HAS AAHOA MEMBERSHIP SHAPED YOUR GROWTH?
“Without AAHOA, I wouldn’t be able to exhibit my hotel franchise and expand. Looking at past AAHOA conferences opened my eyes on how businesses operate outside Los Angeles. I’ve reached out to many connections I met at AAHOA for advice and knowledge about the hotel industry and used it to scale my business.”
IS THERE SOMEONE WHO INSPIRES YOU?
“I’d like to thank my dad for introducing me to this industry at age 16. We had many late-night conversations with him advising me of new business opportunities. He has been there every step of the way giving me advice on how to learn from mistakes rather than dwell on them and continues to motivate me to strive for the best.”
WHAT’S NEXT: Armaan aspires to influence young individuals to establish their interests and begin to feel comfortable taking risks for their passion. He hopes to help young entrepreneurs gain knowledge from their highs and lows rather than setting them back while working to become a positive influence on young and upcoming entrepreneurs by guiding them where to begin and how to expand.
