Achievements & Awards:
President at Trini Blakeney, Inc.
Owner of 5 UPS store locations
2022 Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority Local Champion Award Winner
AAHOA Lifetime Member
2015 AAHOA Chairman's Award
2014 AAHOA Advocacy Award
2005-2008 AAHOA North Carolina Regional Director and Board Member
Q: Could you share some specific projects you have been a part of that brought new attention to Charlotte or the hospitality industry in Charlotte?
Jay: It was great being a part of the team that helped bring AAHOACON to Charlotte in 2007. AAHOACON put Charlotte in the minds of more hoteliers and vendor partners. I was also part of the efforts in bringing the Best Western National Conference in 2006. This year, Charlotte is hosting The UPS Stores Convention for its 5,000 store network and looks forward to working with Best Western for its convention in 2024 or 2025. Red Roof is also looking to host its regional conference and national conference in Charlotte in the future. It’s an exciting time in Charlotte. All these events create jobs and state-of-the-art experiences for residents and tourists alike.
Q: I’m so impressed that you not only have hotel investments, but you have also been a franchise owner of multiple The UPS Stores for over 25 years. How do you find time to make hotel investments and run UPS stores?
Jay: I’m a hotel investor, so even though I am not involved in the day-to-day operations, I keep up with trends impacting the hospitality industry. I look for ways these two types of industries can work together. For many years, the Charlotte Convention Center had minimal business services to help conference attendees and exhibitors. Back in 2018, I opened a The UPS Store franchise inside the convention center, and it has become a significant asset for the convention center. Attendees and exhibitors appreciate having their packages delivered to the store and printing any documents they need for the events.
Q: What do you enjoy most about being a part of AAHOA?
Jay: The relationships with hoteliers and industry influencers are valuable. AAHOA members own 60% of the hotels in the United States. That’s a lot of opportunities to learn from other members and receive innovative ideas about how you can best run your business. I contributed to Charlotte’s hospitality industry because of AAHOA’s network and resources.
Q: What advice would you give to new or seasoned hotel owners on how AAHOA can help them?
Jay: Hospitality is more than just renting a room; it is an experience. From the time a guest enters a hotel room to the moment they check out, excellent guest experiences create wins for your business. As an AAHOA Member, I network and learn from hoteliers and vendor partners and get first-hand knowledge on what innovative industry service or product is making a difference in their business operations. AAHOA helps you build industry connections, so your hotel properties stay competitive, effective, and create remarkable guest experiences.
Q: How can new and seasoned AAHOA Members best take advantage of the AAHOA Membership?
Jay: When you are a member of AAHOA, you become a part of an organization that wants the best for the hospitality industry and your business. AAHOA hosts hundreds of events every year, such as the annual AAHOACON and Regional Conferences. In addition to attending these exciting and educational events, I also encourage members to get to know their local AAHOA ambassadors. AAHOA values the power of grassroots advocacy. I encourage you to schedule a meeting with your local AAHOA ambassadors and bring up any issues or concerns affecting your business. You may just be one person, but combining your efforts with the AAHOA organization helps hoteliers be proactive and seek solutions.
Q: What does the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA) Local Champion Award mean to you?
Jay: It is an honor to have been awarded the Local Champion Award. Working with CRVA to bring visitors to our city is a way of giving back to my local community. I was born and raised in Trinidad, a small island in the Caribbean. Moving to a bigger city, like Charlotte, more than 30 years ago meant adapting to a new way of life and opportunities to grow as an individual and entrepreneur. It has also been amazing to watch Charlotte grow from a small town to one of the fastest-growing cities in the country over the years. My family and I are blessed to live, work, and give back to the Charlotte community.
Q: CRVA shared that they had become a better partner with AAHOA because of you. How were you the bridge to strengthen the relationship between AAHOA and Charlotte?
Jay: I have been a member of AAHOA since its inception. That’s over 30 years of advocating for the hospitality industry, working with hotel owners across the country, and enhancing members’ experience with practical knowledge. I am constantly looking for ways to improve the hospitality industry and help businesses in Charlotte. In 2007, AAHOACON was held in Charlotte, and I was the regional director. Because of the hard work and connection we have with Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority (CRVA), AAHOA had one of the highest revenue conventions at the time in Charlotte. These events advance the knowledge of business and professional communities, increase tourism and give people a chance to enjoy unique events in Charlotte and across North Carolina.
"We are proud of our local membership of AAHOA and what their members have done for our hospitality community over the years. Key members have advocated with substantial results ensuring our elected leaders understand the value of the hospitality community and their support of the CRVA.” - Mike Butts, Executive Director, Visit Charlotte & VP of Sales, Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority