Wealth Protection Strategies President and CEO and AAHOA Secretary Jagruti Panwala was published in the November issue of "Boutique Design," where she offered predictions on what’s up next for hotel design and operations.

AAHOA members in the North Texas and Southeast Texas regions volunteered in their respective communities recently to offer support for low-income families and individuals. Southeast Texas volunteers donated a mobile eye-care van for patients who cannot afford to visit a doctor, and AAHOA North Texas members spent a day helping out at Life Message Thrift Store in Rowlett, Texas. 

Earlier this week, Ohio Gov. John Kasich signed Senate Bill 331, which blocked a bid to increase Cleveland's minimum wage to $15 from the current rate of $8.10.

Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) was nominated this week to be the new Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). In yesterday’s press release, AAHOA’s President and CEO Chip Rogers offered congratulatory remarks: "Congressman Mulvaney has long been a friend of AAHOA’s for his steadfast leadership and common-sense approach to issues — something his constituents in South Carolina, including many AAHOA members, know well. We know he’ll bring a critical eye to federal spending to root out fraud, waste and abuse and wisely manage the hard-earned tax dollars that Americans send to Washington. We congratulate him on this exciting new role and applaud President-elect Trump for nominating him."

Have you paid close attention to President-elect Trump’s cabinet nominations? Click here to see the men and women who have been chosen to implement the new president’s agenda. 

Chip Rogers will speak on the "Update from D.C.: The Aftermath of this Historic Election and What it Means for Your Business" Panel, which covers "opportunities and challenges the hotel industry will face from a new Administration and Congress, as well from shifting majorities in state capitals and city councils across the country." 

The WLP internship will run from June 10 – August 4, 2017. All students who are either U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents are encouraged to apply. Selection to the WLP is highly competitive and not limited to students pursuing majors in social sciences. The backgrounds of past participants have ranged from medical school to art and social work. Interns will receive a total stipend of $2,000 and will be required to complete two to three short writing assignments during the internship. The deadline to apply for the WLP is January 19, 2017. Finalists may be contacted for a telephone interview and all applicants will be notified of final selections in March 2017. Should you have any questions or would like further information about the program, please contact us at wlp@thewlp.com. [From the WLP website.]

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The emergence in the past 20 years of online travel agencies as a distribution partner has had a profound effect on the hotel industry. That relationship continues to grow and change. 

The 2017 outlook for U.S. hotels offers mixed blessings, with near record occupancy levels projected while average daily room rates (ADR) are expected to continue leveling off. According to the recently released December 2016 Hotel Horizons® forecast report, CBRE Hotels' Americas Research is projecting that the U.S. lodging industry will achieve annual occupancy rates of 65.3 percent in 2016 and 65.0 percent in 2017. 

On Nov. 8, American voters witnessed the biggest political upset in recent memory. The heir apparent to President Obama, Democratic candidate, and former First Lady, Senator and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton conceded victory to a brashly outspoken Republican nominee with no military or political experience. Donald J. Trump, president-elect of the United States, will take up residence in the White House on January 20, 2017.

Flag selection is one of the most critical decisions you have to make when building a new hotel or rebranding, outside of location and financing. It can have sweeping impacts on just about every operation, and yet there are few guides available, apart from speaking to each firm’s sales folks and eliminating those brands in immediate geographic conflict.