April 3, 2025

 
 

AAHOA NEWS

Center Stage at AAHOACON25: Your All-Access Preview

 

As AAHOACON25 approaches, we're thrilled to share what's in store on the General Session main stage. This year's lineup is packed with inspiring keynotes, game-changing announcements, and candid conversations with some of the biggest names in hospitality. Here's your day-by-day guide:


Tuesday, April 15: Setting the Stage for AAHOACON25

We kick things off with inspiration, impact, and action. This powerful Opening General Session includes the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, updates from AAHOA Leadership, a Member Open Forum, and a keynote from Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar.


Wednesday, April 16: The Future Starts Here

Big announcements. Bold conversations. And your voice in the future of AAHOA. The Day 2 General Session includes a reveal of new AAHOA initiatives, a can't-miss panel, "Power Players: Insights from Hospitality's Top Leaders," and the 2025 AAHOA Candidate speeches and Secretary Debate.


Thursday, April 17: Closing Out with Insights and Impact

The final General Session celebrates excellence and looks ahead with thought leaders at the helm of global brands. Catch a presentation of the 2025 AAHOA Awards, a dynamic keynote from brand-builder Rohan Oza, and the panel "A View from the Top: Shaping the Future of Hospitality."

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The AAHOACON25 App is Here!

 

Enhance your convention experience with the official AAHOACON25 event app. Stay informed with real-time updates, create your personalized agenda, explore engaging sessions, and seamlessly connect with exhibitors –all from your mobile device.


Download from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.

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Forbes Mentions Indian American Hoteliers and AAHOA Advocacy as "Connective Tissue" in Hospitality Trends

 

A recent Forbes article covered two emerging trends in the Indian and U.S. hospitality industries: Major American hotel brands are expanding operations in India, and Indian tourists are flocking to the U.S., influencing design, staffing, and service in hotels across the country.


Forbes noted one connection between the two trends – Indian American hoteliers, who yield significant economic power and, with the support of AAHOA and its advocacy efforts, increasingly influence policy, regulations, and workforce development. "The ties between our two countries run deep, and no sector reflects that better than hospitality," incoming AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel told Forbes.

READ THE ARTICLE
 
 

AAHOA 2025 Elections: Credentialing Open Until April 11

 

Attention AAHOA Members: Credentialing for the 2025 AAHOA Elections at AAHOACON25 in New Orleans is open until April 11.


To ensure your voice is heard in this pivotal election, it's crucial to complete the credentialing process through the Voatz app by April 11. This process is mandatory for voting eligibility.


Why does it matter? If you skip credentialing, you won't be able to cast your vote. Your participation shapes the future of AAHOA – don't miss out on this opportunity to make a difference.


Watch our video guide on how to complete the voting process for the 2025 AAHOA Elections here.


Stay informed, engaged, and ready to vote for the leadership that will drive AAHOA forward at AAHOACON25.

VISIT THE ELECTIONS RESOURCE CENTER
 

Apply to Serve on a 2025 AAHOA Committee

 

Calling All AAHOA Members!

 

Are you:

  • Energetic and motivated to help AAHOA achieve its goals?
  • A connector who can unite hotel owners and industry leaders with AAHOA?
  • Passionate about serving the hospitality industry?

 

If you answered YES to any of these, it's your time to lead – apply to serve on an AAHOA Committee! We're seeking dedicated members who want to see AAHOA thrive and make a difference in our industry.


Committee Application Deadline: Thursday, April 17, 2025


Apply to join a 2025 AAHOA Committee here.

UPCOMING DEADLINES
 

Bet on Yourself at the Table Recap | 36th Hunter Hotel Investment Conference

 

In an inspiring and interactive discussion at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, bestselling author and entrepreneur Molly Bloom joined Hunter Hotel Advisors Chief of Staff Sarah Moss to explore the power of self-belief and authenticity. Speaking to a room of 300, they encouraged attendees to embrace their true selves, step into any space with confidence, and trust in their abilities.


The session was highly engaging, with both speakers inviting attendees to reflect on their journeys. Table discussions were led by industry leaders, including Laura Lee Blake (AAHOA), Geoff Ballotti (Wyndham Hotels & Resorts), Jagruti Panwala (Wealth Protection Strategies), and Chantal Wu (Costar), along with several other distinguished hosts. These conversations focused on silencing self-doubt, setting bold intentions, and navigating challenges with conviction. Through personal stories and practical advice, hosts showed how authenticity builds confidence and fosters meaningful connections.


Before leaving, each attendee wrote a postcard to their future self – capturing a goal, a reminder, or a message of encouragement. In a special touch, Hunter will mail these postcards when they least expect it, offering a surprise moment of reflection and motivation. Attendees walked away empowered and ready to take bold steps forward with renewed confidence.


Select Hunter Conference sessions are available on demand – log into your attendee hub to watch.

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INDUSTRY PARTNERS

HBO, the oldest and most award-winning premium channel in the U.S., is offering AAHOA Members the chance to earn money back. Members get a rebate of $9 per room (5-year contract) or $7 per room (3-or 4-year contract) when they add or renew HBO at their properties. Click here today to complete the rebate form and get started.

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Red Roof is a leader in the economy lodging industry with franchised, corporate-managed, and corporate-owned properties, serving millions of guests each year. With coast-to-coast locations, Red Roof has over 360 properties in the U.S. The primary goal at Red Roof is to provide customers with savings without sacrificing comfort. The brand recently completed a $150 million investment to renovate and upgrade hotels nationwide with sleek and modern NextGen® redesign elements.

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Featured Member Benefit

Simplify hospitality payments with the Fortis Platform. Our all-in-one solution seamlessly integrates into your property management system, specialty solution, or hospitality interface. Our Guides help tailor our proprietary platform to meet your specific needs and connect you with the right solutions for your guests.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

Short-Term Rentals are Expanding in CT. Their Impact on Housing Availability Concerns Residents.

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IN THE MARKET

U.S. RevPAR +7.0% y/y last week; Easy comp from Good Friday/ Easter holiday calendar shift

As Truist Securities wrote, "Overall U.S. RevPAR was +7.0% y/y for the week ending 03/29/2025, per STR/ CoStar, above the prior week's result of +2.8% y/y and above the trailing 10-week average of +1.4% y/y. Last week was impacted by the Easter calendar shift; last year's comp included Good Friday into Easter weekend. Easter is April 20 in 2025 and was March 31 in 2024. Understandably, last week was an easy comp for business travel, particularly groups. Occupancy and RevPAR y/y growth improved over the course of the week, a reversal of last year's performance. Sunday RevPAR y/y was -7%, Tuesday was +3%, and Saturday was +24%. We await cleaner comps to better assess macro trends. Upscale RevPAR: +8.8% y/y; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +9.1% y/y."


For more, read the full report here.

 

UPCOMING EVENTS

California Hotel & Lodging Action Summit

Sacramento, CA

April 8, 2025

AAHOACON25

New Orleans, LA

April 15-17, 2025

South Central Texas Hotel Owners Conference and Trade Show

Round Rock, TX

May 28, 2025