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 AAHOA issued the following statement in response to the tragic murder of Hemant Mistry (59), a respected AAHOA Member and veteran hotel owner/operator from Oklahoma City, OK.
- What Happened: According to police reports, a 41-year-old suspect was arrested and is now in custody following an altercation on Saturday, June 22, during which he punched Mistry, who passed away on Sunday from the impact. Local sources indicate that Mistry had asked the suspect to leave the property. This incident bears a heartbreaking resemblance to the murder of Pravin R. Patel, owner of the Hillcrest Motel in Sheffield, AL, who was killed under similar circumstances in February.
- The Big Picture: AAHOA urges hoteliers to prioritize safety protocols and consider the risks of handling confrontational situations independently. Hotel staff should engage law enforcement when faced with potentially volatile encounters to mitigate risks to personal safety. This recommendation is further underscored by the Surgeon General's recent report on the escalating public health crisis of gun violence, emphasizing the need for heightened vigilance and professional intervention to prevent the unnecessary loss of innocent lives.
- Go Deeper: "Our hearts go out to Hemant's family, including his wife and children," said AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel. "For many AAHOA Members, hotels are not just businesses; they are homes and places of refuge. It is unimaginable to our community that such a senseless act of violence could occur. As someone who grew up in my family's hotel in Texas, I understand the fear and dread that comes with such violent situations."
Get ready to live "la dolce vita" at the 2024 HerOwnership Conference by AAHOA!
After the incredible success of last year's Barbie-inspired Pink Party, sponsored by HBO, we're bringing a whole new vibe to this year's reception to honor the beauty of Redondo Beach.
- You're Invited: Join us for an enchanting outdoor reception, exclusively for HerOwnership Conference attendees, as we transport you to the Italian Coast.
- The Big Picture: Together, we'll celebrate our successes, empower one another, and embrace the true spirit of hospitality. Your journey in this industry is unique, and this evening is all about celebrating you and embracing "la dolce vita" to live the sweet life to the fullest
We hope to see you there!
 What Happened: AAHOA Director of State Government Affairs Rachel Stone recently attended the U.S. Conference of Mayors Summer Meeting, where key topics affecting our cities were discussed. Here’s a summary of some of the important issues and solutions explored:
- Economic Mobility
- Ohio Model grant helps individuals re-enter society, secure jobs, and offers liability waivers for employers.
- Child Care
- Initiatives to help mothers return to work by supporting childcare programs.
- Homelessness
- Mayor Karen Bass: Critiques Supreme Court case on criminalizing homelessness. Solutions need to address root causes and support year-round housing.
- DC Fly-in Recap: 48 bipartisan mayors advocate for:
- Exempting Veterans Disability Benefits from rental assistance calculations.
- Increasing Project-Based Vouchers flexibility and HUD budget.
- Raising CDBG cap for public services to prevent homelessness.
- Addressing racial disparities in homelessness.
- Gun Violence
- Bipartisan efforts are needed.
- Focus on mental health investment and state/federal support.
- Supreme Court case on semi-automatic weapons under review.
The South Central Texas Hotel Owners Conference & Trade Show was hugely successful! Shoutout to Regional Director Vikash Patel and the Ambassadors for their incredible planning and hard work.
- Why It Matters: Welcoming over 160 attendees, the event gained 16 new Annual Members and raised nearly $7,000 for AAHOA PAC.
- Empowering Women: The event started with an inspiring “Power Brunch: Her Path to Ownership” in San Antonio, bringing together nearly 50 women hoteliers. Women are the backbone of our industry, and AAHOA is committed to creating more opportunities and opening doors through the HerOwnership Initiative. Thank you to Wyndham’s Women Own the Room for co-hosting and kudos to Shetal Zina Patel, Women Hoteliers Director Western Division, the Women Hoteliers Committee, and Ambassadors for making this event possible.
Thank you to Past Chairman Bhavesh Patel (2017-18) for representing AAHOA at the Cradle of Liberty Corporate Campfire Event. AAHOA contributed a sponsorship amount to the event, which is hosted by the Cradle of Liberty Council.
- Why It Matters: The Corporate Campfire recognizes business and community leaders who exemplify the ideals of the Scout Oath and Law. This event brings together leaders from the construction and real estate, health and pharmaceutical, communications and media, and legal and consulting industries to recognize leaders in their fields.
Act NOW to claim your share of the $5.54 billion Visa/Mastercard settlement.
- Deadline Approaching: You have until Sunday, June 30, to file your claim. Ensure you're a part of the settlement and file early! Complete the form today.
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When America's hoteliers take action, Congress listens.
- What's New: Last week, AAHOA launched its new Advocacy Action Alert Center on AAHOA.com!
- Why it Matters: AAHOA's Advocacy Action Alert Center provides you the resources you need to contact your representatives, tell your story, and promote AAHOA’s top legislative priorities. When we each play a small role, we can have a great impact.
- More Advocacy Updates:
Stay tuned for further updates as AAHOA works to keep members informed.
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AAHOA announced that registration is NOW OPEN for the Third Annual HerOwnership Conference by AAHOA!
- Why it Matters: In its third year, the HerOwnership conference is one of AAHOA’s most popular annual events, dedicated to networking, wellness, women empowerment, and education for women in hospitality. It provides an incredible opportunity to connect with industry leaders and fellow women entrepreneurs.
- What You Need to Know: Registration is FREE for AAHOA Members, and non-members can attend for $199, which will convert to an Annual AAHOA Membership after attending the Conference.
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Join our insightful webinar explicitly designed for hotel owners to master the intricacies of reconciling OTA booking commissions.
- Learn the common pitfalls and how failure to properly reconcile these commissions has become an industry-wide epidemic.
- Review proven manual processes and learn how new, automated procedures can improve both efficiency and accuracy.
The best and fastest way to improve your profitability is by not paying unnecessary expenses. Don't miss this opportunity to hear how you can boost your bottom line.
Creating an effective employee handbook is crucial for setting clear expectations, policies, and procedures within your hotel. And while no states require employers to have an employee handbook, the larger question is what to include if you do have an employee handbook. Join us to hear more about this, arbitration agreements, and other employment law updates affecting hotel owners.
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AAHOA Members, get 5 percent off all your everyday purchases when you use the Lowe’s LAR business credit card. There’s no annual fee, and you can make purchases by phone, fax, or at lowes.com/l/Pro/AAHOA. You’ll also be able to take advantage of exclusive cardholder promotions and receive discounted delivery on your purchases! Click here for more details, then contact Julie Patel ( julie.patel@lowes.com) to get started.
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.
We created the economy lodging segment in 1962 and we continue to lead it today. And thanks to a strong strategic plan and new goals to propel us forward, the light is still on and burning brightly.
We believe everyone should have a right to travel, so we give people an affordable, welcoming place to rest wherever their journey takes them. For 60 years, we’ve been known as the best place to find a clean, comfortable room with great service at a fair price.
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With the U.S. facing increasingly tougher barriers to entry for foreign guests, experts warn of a long-term market depreciation as travelers choose locations with less red tape.
(Source: CoStar)
To preempt potential government regulation and promote healthy business practices, Hospitality and Technology Financial Professionals is researching and, ultimately, creating a digital responsibility code for use in the hospitality industry with help from Past AAHOA Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel (2022-2023).
(Source: Asian Hospitality)
As part of his campaign platform, former President Donald Trump is promising to eliminate taxes on workers' tips, which could have a major effect on the hospitality industry, though the proposal has been met with mixed reaction.
(Source: Axios)
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Empowering the Next Generation of New Hoteliers
There are few industries that provide the entry-level opportunities afforded by hospitality. It’s possible to start out as a front desk agent and ultimately become a hotel owner.
The very real people behind these success stories understand hotel ownership isn’t just about managing rooms and reservations; it’s about fostering a culture of excellence, where every team member understands the importance of hospitality as a genuine expression of care. It’s also about a commitment to creating a heaven for travelers – a place where comfort, satisfaction, and personalized service converge.
Read more
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As Truist Securities wrote, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was -2.3% y/y for the week ending 6/22/2024, per STR, below the prior week's result of +0.3% y/y and below the trailing 10-week average of +1.3%. Juneteenth fell on a Wednesday this year versus a Monday last year. Due to the holiday timing, business travel was unsurprisingly light and in particular corporate group. We did not sense that holiday-related events provided a materially positive benefit to Top 25 market demand (something we are monitoring for a relatively new federal holiday although holiday event impact in the midweek is difficult for us to discern at a macro level). Upscale RevPAR: -2.8% y/y; Upper Midscale RevPAR: -3.0% y/y”.
For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.
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2024 Northeast Hotel Owners Conference and Trade Show | Springfield, MA
