AAHOACON25 is thrilled to welcome Rohan Oza, known as “Hollywood’s Brandfather,” as a keynote speaker! 🌟

A branding visionary behind household names like Vitaminwater and Smartwater, Rohan’s expertise in celebrity equity deals and trendsetting strategies has earned billions for both brands and celebrities. With appearances on Shark Tank and Squawk Box, Rohan will share inspiring insights to help you elevate your hotel brand, enhance the guest experience, and thrive in today’s competitive landscape.

This is an incredible opportunity to learn from one of the best in the business! 🚀

AAHOA is searching for cutting-edge technologies designed to elevate the guest experience while helping hotel owners optimize costs. We're inviting you to apply to be considered for the AAHOACON25 Tech Pitch Competition, powered by HFTP!

We welcome applications from tech companies focused on innovations such as digital locks, smart remotes, smart thermostats, and other guest-centric solutions that contribute to enhancing hoteliers' profitability.

The selected finalists will pitch to seasoned professional judges with expertise in technology and hospitality. The winner will receive a complimentary booth at AAHOACON26, unparalleled exposure to over 6,000 attendees in New Orleans in April 2025, and much more!

The deadline to submit applications is Friday, January 31, 2025.

AAHOA Lifetime Members, lock in your spot at AAHOACON25, the most anticipated event for hotel owners, at an unbeatable rate! Register by February 15, 2025, and take advantage of the Early Access Rate of $199.

Here’s the Best Part:

By registering early, you’ll automatically be entered into Round 2 of the Lifetime Member Sweepstakes for a chance to win:

• Complimentary registration for you and your spouse.
• A three-night stay at the host hotel in vibrant New Orleans.

Join us to connect with industry leaders, gain insights to drive your business forward, and experience the heart of hospitality and innovation in New Orleans. Early registration not only guarantees the best rate but also puts you in the running for this exclusive prize package!

Register Now and Enter to Win!

This exclusive offer ends at 11:59 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 15, 2025. Act fast to secure your spot and elevate your AAHOACON25 experience.

For official sweepstakes rules, click here.

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 as an AAHOA Ambassador, on the 2025-2026 AAHOA Board of Directors, or on an AAHOA Committee.

We're seeking dedicated members who want to see AAHOA thrive and make a difference in our industry.

Board of Directors Nomination Deadline: Saturday, February 15, 2025



Learn more about the 2025 AAHOA Elections and Candidates here. Submit nominations here.

Ambassador Application Deadline: Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Apply to be a 2025 AAHOA Ambassador here.

Committee Application Deadline: Thursday, April 17, 2025

Apply to join a 2025 AAHOA Committee here.

Every year, we have the honor of recognizing the incredible hoteliers and properties that make our industry shine. The annual AAHOA Awards aren't just about celebrating success - they're about spotlighting the people and places that inspire all of us to aim higher.

Do you know someone whose leadership, service, or dedication deserve to be celebrated? Now's your chance to nominate them for one of AAHOA's prestigious awards.

Nomination Details:

• Deadline: Friday, February 14, 2025
• Process:
• Complete the Awards Nomination Form before the deadline to submit a nomination.
• You do not have to be an AAHOA Member to submit a nomination. However, nominees must be AAHOA Members to receive an award.
• Award recipients will be announced and celebrated during AAHOACON25, happening April 15-17 in New Orleans.

AAHOA Mid South Ambassador Ralpesh (Kal) Patel has been actively working to address key issues affecting the hospitality industry in Kentucky, collaborating with policymakers and industry initiatives.

As part of the Kentucky Businesses Against Trafficking initiative, Kal joined Kentucky Secretary of State Michael Adams to support efforts against human trafficking, reflecting the industry’s commitment to addressing this serious issue.

Kal also met with Kentucky Senate Majority Leader Max Wise in Bowling Green, KY, to discuss priorities for the hospitality sector, including:

• Preserving the 1% statewide transient room tax for marketing efforts to promote Kentucky’s tourism economy.
• Ensuring tax parity for short-term rentals, creating a fair competitive environment for hotel owners.
• Collaborating on anti-human trafficking measures to protect vulnerable communities.

These efforts demonstrate how AAHOA Members are engaging with lawmakers to advocate for policies that benefit the hospitality sector and the broader community.

Join us March 11-12, 2025, in Washington, D.C., for AAHOA's Spring National Advocacy Conference (SNAC). This is your chance to shape the future of hospitality by engaging directly with lawmakers and advocating for policies that matter to hotel owners.

SNAC kicks off with a legislative learning session to prepare you for productive meetings with senators, representatives, and their staff. Advocacy Day puts you face-to-face with policymakers to discuss critical issues like access to capital, credit card competition, and regulatory reform. Don't miss the Congressional Reception, where you can connect with leaders in a relaxed setting.

Be part of the change—register now at bit.ly/SNAC2025 and make your voice heard!

From groundbreaking partnerships and impactful events to our unwavering commitment to the hospitality industry, 2024 was a year to remember.

Check out a recap of AAHOA's 2024 highlights and accomplishments that shaped our journey, and see how AAHOA continues to empower hotel owners and uplift the industry.

AAHOA recently announced a new partnership with the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA) that will help establish unified sustainability standards, benchmarks, and performance metrics for the hotel and lodging industry.

"This partnership between AAHOA and EEA marks a transformative step for the hospitality industry," AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake said. "By championing the creation of transparent and actionable sustainability standards, we are equipping hotel owners to meet evolving global demands while strengthening their competitive edge."

Learn more about the partnership and the strategic process for creating sustainability standards here.

Hotels are a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week business, and when the average guest room incurs nearly $2,200 in energy costs annually, resource optimization is key.

In the latest issue of Today's Hotelier, Erin McDannald, CEO of Lighting Environments and its sister companies, Elevated and Environments, details how artificial intelligence (AI) and smart building software can identify energy usage trends, provide educational insights and data, enhance the guest experience.

Read more in Today's Hotelier to leverage AI to reduce wasted energy and lower costs.