Little Rock, Ark., Aug. 2 – Dozens of hoteliers from across Arkansas gathered in Little Rock for the 2023 Arkansas Regional Conference & Trade Show, part of the regional conference series hosted by AAHOA, the Asian American Hotel Owners Association.
The event featured local hoteliers and vendors for a day of networking, a trade show, education, and a reception. Several attendees took steps to save lives and protect their hotel businesses and communities by participating in the on-site BEST Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Training, Sponsored by AAHOA.
AAHOA Members heard from Arkansas Lt. Governor Leslie Rutledge and Attorney General Tim Griffin. Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders and Congressman French Hill of Arkansas’ Second District addressed the conference by video.
AAHOA Members own nearly 90% of hotels in Arkansas, which is the highest concentration of AAHOA Member-owned hotels in all 50 states. Earlier this year, Arkansas hoteliers successfully advocated against a proposed statewide law that would have stripped localities of the ability to regulate short-term rental properties.
“The AAHOA Regional Conferences & Trade Shows are a great way for AAHOA Members and other local hoteliers to learn, network, and grow with one another,” said AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel. “We appreciated the insights from our esteemed speakers. We’re grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with leading business and public sector leaders to advance the hospitality industry.”
As the voice of more than 20,000 hoteliers, representing more than half of the industry, AAHOA has been advocating for policies that uplift small businesses, address workforce shortages, and help entrepreneurs gain access to capital and other tools they need to build their businesses and protect their investments. AAHOA leaders continue to meet with federal and state lawmakers and their offices around the country to help create a climate for success and underscore the importance and impact of hotels in local communities.
“As members of an industry founded on relationships, hoteliers understand how important it is to forge and reinforce these connections to the policymakers who are so important to supporting small businesses,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “It’s important to remind elected officials that their decisions affect small business owners like our Members – and the relationships we’re developing today will make a difference tomorrow.”
