Charting AAHOA’s 2023 advocacy successes
In a year marked by relentless dedication and strategic advocacy efforts, AAHOA achieved significant milestones in 2023. With a membership base of 20,000 strong, and made up of diverse generations of family businesses, AAHOA has emerged as a powerful force for change within the industry. Here, we delve into some of the association’s advocacy milestones, from the national stage to local calls to action in 2023. These advocacy wins are some of the ways AAHOA has and will continue to reshape hospitality in the new year.
[L-R] AAHOA Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Chairman Bharat Patel, Secretary Rahul Patel, and Immediate Past Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel attended the historic state visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
ATTENDED HISTORIC STATE VISIT OF INDIAN PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel, Vice Chairman Miraj S. Patel, Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Secretary Rahul Patel, and Immediate Past Chair Nishant (Neal) Patel represented AAHOA’s 20,000 Members as guests at the White House South Lawn welcome ceremony and Prime Minister Modi’s joint address to Congress. AAHOA leaders were honored to represent one of the most important industries to the Indian American community and our nation’s economy.
AAHOA HOSTS U.S. PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER VIVEK RAMASWAMY FOR INDUSTRY FORUM
U.S. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy participated in the first AAHOA 2024 Presidential Candidate Forum. The exclusive interview with Ramaswamy was an opportunity for AAHOA to speak on behalf of the industry with a key Presidential candidate about the issues affecting the tourism and hospitality industry, and America’s small business owners.
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel interviews U.S. Presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.
AAHOA ATTENDS DIWALI CELEBRATION AT VP’S RESIDENCE IN WASHINGTON
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel with Maryland Lt. Governor Aruna Miller at Vice President Kamala Harris’ Diwali celebration.
AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel had the distinct honor of attending a Diwali celebration at the U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ Residence in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, November 8, 2023, on behalf of AAHOA. This extraordinary event was co-hosted by Vice President Harris and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff in collaboration with Indian American Impact. It provided a unique platform to shine a light on Diwali’s cultural and spiritual significance, drawing attention to the rich tapestry of traditions that make it such a cherished holiday for countless Americans and individuals around the world.
HALF A MILLION PAC IMPACT
AAHOA Members made more than $500,000 in Political Action Committee contributions in 2023, which is the most since 2019. These substantial PAC contributions serve as a testament to the unity and impact members can achieve when working together toward shared goals.
MAKING THE VOICE OF AMERICA’S HOTEL OWNERS HEARD
Last year, AAHOA held state advocacy events at capitals nationwide, conducted hundreds of meetings with public officials, and saw AAHOA Members travel to Washington, D.C., for AAHOA’s 2023 Spring National Advocacy Conference and 2023 Fall National Advocacy Conference. Both advocacy conferences featured elected officials and industry leaders as keynote speakers, invited lawmakers to successful evening receptions, and convened productive meetings. While at the Capitol this past fall, AAHOA Members were able to watch the swearing-in of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, from their seat in the House Gallery.
Additionally, AAHOA worked tirelessly to advocate for fair franchising, ensure a level playing field where competition can thrive, secure GSA per diem funding from $98 to $107, promote access to capital, champion a competitive market for credit card “swipe” fees, co-sponsor the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act, address the hospitality labor shortage with H-2B visas, and more.
AAHOA Members at the AAHOA 2023 Fall National Advocacy Conference.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR PROPOSED RULE
In November 2023, AAHOA submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Labor regarding the proposed rule to raise the overtime salary exemption threshold for executive, administrative, and professional employees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). AAHOA’s comprehensive feedback aims to ensure a fair labor market and prevent unintended consequences for small business owners, such as independent hoteliers and franchisee members of the association.
AAHOA Members testified in support of NJ AB 1958.
AAHOA MEMBERS TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF NEW JERSEY BILL ADVANCING FAIR FRANCHISING PRINCIPLES
Last year, as the largest hotel owners association, representing the exclusive interests of America’s hotel owners, AAHOA showed up in New Jersey to testify in support of amendments to New Jersey Assembly Bill 1958 to improve the franchise model. The Assembly Commerce and Economic Development Committee reported the bill out of Committee with amendments in March 2023. Six members voted yes, zero members voted no, and three members abstained. About 30 AAHOA Members attended the hearing and several offered testimony.
BRINGING THE INDUSTRY TOGETHER
AAHOA welcomed nearly 5,000 hoteliers to 25 Regional Conferences & Trade Shows last year. By bringing together hoteliers from across the U.S., AAHOA reinforces its position as a cornerstone for collaboration, education, and empowerment. Many state and local officials attended these regional events across the nation, including Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders (AR), Lt. Gov. Leslie Rutledge (AR), Lt. Governor Jaqueline Coleman (KY), Gov. Kevin Stitt (OK), Gov. Tony Evers (WI), Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta (CA), and many others.
AAHOA Director of State Government Affairs Western Region Rachel Stone (left) and AAHOA Member Shaiza Damji (second to left) at the Washington State Hospitality Conference.
AAHOA continued to strengthen relationships with state associations. AAHOA leadership and the Government Affairs team spoke at many state events, including the Washington State Hospitality Conference, Tennessee Governor’s Conference on Hospitality and Tourism, Southern Lodging Summit in Memphis, and Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association’s Hotel Forecast events in Atlanta and Savannah. We also testified in Los Angeles on the Responsible Hotel Ordinance, protected AAHOA hoteliers from guests who are staying over and refusing to pay, supported new regulations that enable oversight of short-term rentals, and joined the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association in applauding the overwhelming passage of Proposition 4.
NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD (NLRB) JOINT-EMPLOYER RULE
On October 27, 2023, the NLRB issued the final ruling on the definition of joint-employer status. The ruling essentially broadens the definition to any “entity that has an employment relationship with the employees,” and AAHOA and other associations recognize that this final ruling could damage the current franchise business model. AAHOA is carefully reviewing the history of the NLRB Joint Employer rule, along with the new expanded provisions. Based on this broader language, the implementation of the rule will undoubtedly be played out on a case-by-case basis, some of which could favor franchisees who are subject to their franchisors’ authority to control (indirectly and/or directly) matters governing employees’ essential terms and conditions of employment. AAHOA will continue to carefully monitor the path forward, and provide support to AAHOA Members as they address the meaning and impact of these changes with their franchise relationships.
AAHOA Leadership with the GHLA Leadership team at the Georgia Hotel & Lodging Association’s Hotel Forecast event in Atlanta.
RAISING THE BAR IN HUMAN TRAFFICKING AWARENESS AND PREVENTION
AAHOA is actively addressing the critical issue of human trafficking within the industry. With more than 1,500 lawsuits filed against hotel owners and chains in the past year alone, there’s a national imperative to address human trafficking. AAHOA is taking a proactive approach by ensuring that all its members and their staff have opportunities for comprehensive training through the BEST Inhospitable to Human Trafficking 
Training Sponsored by AAHOA. Additionally, the AAHOA Government Affairs Team is diligently working on a 50-state memo, which will be a valuable resource for hoteliers. This memo delves into the specifics of human trafficking lawsuits across all 50 states. Moreover, AAHOA Regional Directors have engaged in meaningful partnerships with state justice departments in California, Missouri, Arkansas, and others. These efforts showcase AAHOA’s commitment to human trafficking solutions and fostering a safer and more responsible hospitality industry.
The groundwork laid in 2023 serves as a solid foundation for ongoing empowerment, education, change, and collaboration in the new year. There is strength in numbers, power in a collective voice, and momentum in community. AAHOA’s dedication to its members and advocacy efforts promise a future where the voice of America’s hotel owners continues to resonate and drive impactful change.
