At AAHOACON23, when I was the incoming chairman, I shared on the main stage of general session that I felt it was my responsibility to share certain experiences on behalf of AAHOA Members to help create positive change for the largest hotel owners association in the world.
I’ve lived the hospitality journey and walked in the shoes of nearly every person who has worked in this industry. I talked about how I’ve rented rooms, cleaned rooms, and can relate to everyone in this business.
When I got involved with AAHOA, I was looking for a sense of community, for networking, and for resources on how to run my hotel business better. Many AAHOA Members joined for the same reasons.
This marks the end of my tenure as AAHOA Chairman, and I am proud to say I believe AAHOA accomplished much more than I could have imagined. From attending the Diwali celebration at U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris’ residence in Washington, D.C., the Historic State Visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, AAHOA hosting U.S. Presidential Contender Vivek Ramaswamy for the Industry Forum, and obtaining mainstream media coverage regarding the proposed Choice Hotels/Wyndham Merger, AAHOA was in the national spotlight many times.
AAHOA Members helped prevent the City of Los Angeles from implementing a mandatory homeless voucher program, conducted tremendous advocacy work for the New Jersey Assembly Bill, held state advocacy events at capitals nationwide, held conducted hundreds of meetings with public officials, and traveled to Washington, D.C., for the biannual advocacy conferences. And, AAHOA assisted members with their most pressing local issues, ranging from proposed increases in occupancy taxes to significant minimum wage hikes to new STR legislation.
AAHOACON23 welcomed nearly 8,000 attendees to the Los Angeles Convention Center and included 30+ innovative education sessions, more than 89,000 net square feet of exhibit space, and 520+ exhibiting companies.
AAHOA Members made more than $500,000 in Political Action Committee contributions and held several AAHOA Back-of-the-House Tours to develop relationships with influential elected officials.
Jointly with the American Association of Franchisees and Dealers, and the Coalition of Franchise Associations, AAHOA hosted a webinar, affording attendees to listen in on a discussion with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). AAHOA had the privilege of being joined by FTC Chair Lina Khan and FTC Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter.
“Making advocacy the focal point of AAHOA’s mission and vision was my ultimate goal as Chairman, and as I reflect on all we have accomplished together, I’m proud to know I gave it my all and did all I set out to do.”
AAHOA welcomed nearly 5,000 hoteliers to 25 Regional Conferences & Trade Shows, participated in the top industry conferences, and held five charity golf tournaments, raising nearly $350,000 for charity, a 26% increase from 2022.
AAHOA held its Second Annual HerOwnership Conference & Retreat and launched HYPE Ownership, Helping Young Professionals Evolve, and launched the AAHOA Charitable Foundation to support disaster relief and charitable initiatives across the country.
It’s hard to believe my year as Chairman is coming to an end. Making advocacy the focal point of AAHOA’s mission and vision was my ultimate goal as Chairman, and as I reflect on all we have accomplished together, I’m proud to know I gave it my all and did all I set out to do.
As I pass the torch to Miraj S. Patel at AAHOACON24, I know he will continue to advocate for America’s hotel owners and find new ways to renew AAHOA’s Members’ sense of belonging to AAHOA.
