Hotelier Weekly
May 18, 2023
Legendary Capital
AAHOA News
  
Later this month, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is featuring AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake for an HFTP Virtual Education webinar, “U.S. Legislative Updates from AAHOA.”
 
The webinar is scheduled for May 23 at 1 p.m. CDT/2 p.m. EDT and is complimentary to all industry stakeholders. This exchange is part of a deepening partnership between the associations with a shared pursuit to advance the hospitality environment to the benefit of their members and the overall industry.
 
“This webinar is an example of our associations’ synchronized partnership at work to advance our industry,” said HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe, CAE. “AAHOA represents 60% of hotel owners in America and works tirelessly on behalf of its individual members and the industry to improve hospitality as a profession, to maintain our attractiveness as an investment opportunity, and to preserve the American dream.”
 
The AAHOA session will address its initiatives on the U.S. Federal level, as well as state and local government levels. These efforts are to ensure the sustainability of hotels and the broader American travel industry. Blake will cover policy recommendations that address the industry's labor shortage and SBA loan limits.
  
AAHOA Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel spent Wednesday, May 10, in Washington, D.C., on Capitol Hill meeting with Members of the United States Senate and United States House of Representatives discussing strategic AAHOA advocacy priorities related to access to capital and building coalitions with industry leaders to save on the bottom lines for AAHOA Members.
 
Specifically, he spoke with Members and Congressional staff about the need to increase the limit on the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program from its current cap of $5 million.
 
“It is imperative elected officials in Washington, D.C., and their staffs, hear directly from AAHOA about the issues the hotel industry is facing. I visited Capitol Hill in both the United States House of Representatives and in the United States Senate speaking directly with the elected officials on key committees about the need to increase AAHOA’s access to capital within the SBA 7(a) program,” KP said.
  
AAHOA's 2023 charity golf tournaments are fast approaching!
 
Since its inception, AAHOA has engaged with local communities by supporting charitable organizations that provide services ranging from education and disease research funding to humanitarian efforts. Thanks to the generosity of our vendor partners, members, and sponsors, AAHOA has been able to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to charities that touch lives and make the world a better place.
 
Last year, AAHOA Vendor Partners and Members helped us raise more than $333,000 for local charities across the U.S.
 
AAHOA’s charity golf tournaments serve as an important component of advancing our mission through community engagement. They provide a great opportunity for vendors and members to network, enjoy the outdoors, and come together for great causes.
 
Join us once again in 2023 at some of the country’s premiere golf courses as we come together to support local charities and network in person while enjoying a beautiful day of competitive golf.
 
Check out the upcoming charity golf tournaments:
Charter Communications Operating, LLC
AAHOA Advocacy in Action
 

AAHOA is continuously striving to be the foremost advocate and resource for America's hotel owners. Through the educational resources we provide our members, specifically those that focus on Franchise Advocacy, hotel owners continue to gain a better understanding of their rights as Franchisees.

Along with the iconic 12 Points of Fair Franchising, AAHOA's best-practice approach to designing, developing, and implementing best-in-class, mutually beneficial franchise systems, AAHOA has introduced 4 Core Pillars of Franchise Advocacy.

AAHOA officially released its 4 Pillars of Franchise Advocacy video, which is ready to watch now on YouTube! Hear from AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel as he breaks down each pillar, and how they impact Franchisees.

The 4 Core Pillars:

  1. Mandated Vendors: Brands should not mandate specific vendors when there are multiple vendors selling goods of comparable quality at comparable prices.
  2. Rebates: Brands should disclose all vendor "rebates," which can also be called "discounts," "refunds," or "allowances," and should be returned to Franchisees through appropriate accounts.
  3. Loyalty Programs: Brands should reasonably compensate Franchisees when the brand sells loyalty points for cash and then allows travelers to stay at hotels owned by Franchisees.
  4. New Fees: Brands should not unilaterally or arbitrarily impose new fees on Franchisees that were not disclosed in the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) without the approval of the Franchisees or a properly elected Franchise Advisory Council (FAC).
Red Roof Inn
Member Testimonial
  
"Going to D.C., going to the state capitals, we have a lot more youngsters joining in AAHOA, and they actually are participating and are into what AAHOA has to offer. So, it's a great atmosphere to be in. It's a great time to be with AAHOA."
 
-Dhiren Masters, AAHOA North Texas Regional Director
AAHOA Education
  
On Tuesday, May 2, The American Association of Franchisees and Dealers (AAFD), the Coalition of Franchise Associations (CFA), and AAHOA jointly hosted a call for webinar attendees to listen in on a discussion with the Federal Trade Commission.
 
AAHOA had the privilege of being joined by the Honorable Lina Khan, Chair at the Federal Trade Commission, and the Honorable Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, Commissioner at the Federal Trade Commission. Additionally, each of the three hosting organizations' leadership made statements and asked questions of our guests.
 
Nearly 1,000 registrants tuned in. It was an excellent opportunity for current and future franchisees to hear from FTC leadership on how they have focused attention on using the FTC’s authority to improve oversight and education within the franchise industry.
 
Stay tuned for more exciting events, virtual and live, from AAHOA Education.
dormakaba Canada Inc.
DIRECTV Hospitality
Featured Club Blue Member
  
New Orleans-based Gauthier, Murphy & Houghtaling Law has had a leading role in litigation that has shaped the civil landscape in the U.S. for more than 50 years. Their attorneys have extensive experience representing clients in many areas, including business litigation, natural disaster litigation, class actions, insurance disputes, and more and have secured hundreds of billions of dollars (yes, with a "B") in verdicts and settlements for their clients. Check out their website to see how they can help with your legal needs.
Hotel Equities
Karcher North America
Featured Member Benefit
  
AAHOA is proud to collaborate with Kennesaw State University to establish the Michael Leven and Lee Dushoff AAHOA Scholarship for Compassionate Leadership. This annual scholarship will support students seeking an undergraduate degree in hospitality management. For more on the qualifications and how to apply, please call 470-578-2206. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship endowment, please click here.
Featured Platinum/Silver Partner
  
Ecolab, the global industry leader in hotel cleaning and sanitization, offers preferred pricing to AAHOA Members. Save on laundry, housekeeping, kitchen, pool and spa chemical programs, and more! For more information, please visit the website, then contact Michael Pfister or call 952-852-0926 today!
Visual Matrix
Alliance Laundry Systems-UniMac
Industry News
With credit card fraud persisting, and even growing in scope, hoteliers must remain vigilant against the expanding threat of fraud.
(Source: Forbes)
Market research has consistently shown that hotel guests demonstrate a growing preference for properties that implement practices focused on sustainable, eco-friendly initiatives.
(Source: HospitalityNet)
It seems more and more travelers are taking their pets with them on trips, and many hotels are rolling out pet-friendly amenities to attract guests of all varieties, whether they have two legs or four.
(Source: The New York Times)
Intellihot
Today's Hotelier

MAY ISSUE

The May 2023 issue is out now! This month, we're taking a close look at a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on AAHOA's rising stars including how AAHOA’s young leaders are finding success through talent, work ethic, and drive, the allure of independence for younger hoteliers, and much more

Featured Content

Join thousands of AAHOA Members, brand CEOs, and industry professionals by subscribing to our magazine. Receive every digital issue of Today’s Hotelier as soon as it’s released to the public. Click here to subscribe.

In the Market
  
Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +1.3% y/y for the week ending 5/13/2023, per STR, down from the prior week's result of +8.4%, and below the trailing 10-week average of +6.0%. Vs. 2019, RevPAR was +5.2%, down from the prior week’s result of +13.3%, and below the trailing 10-week average of +11.9%. Last week's results were affected by a shift in the timing of Mother's Day resulting in a tough comp. For the week ending 5/13/2023, Mother’s Day occurred on the following Sunday in 2023 but within the comparative week for 2019 and 2023. We can see the impact by day of week at the beginning and end of the week. RevPAR vs. 2019 was +37.1% on Sunday night and -3.1% on the following Saturday night; similarly y/y was Sunday +18.0% and Saturday -13.9%. Upscale RevPAR: +5.3% y/y and +0.6% vs. 2019; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +1.7% y/y and +5.6% vs. 2019.”
For more, read the full report here and read the China/Europe report here.