"Brands can increase the number of women hoteliers by increasing the avenues by which prospective hoteliers can access their leadership and learn what it takes to develop the brand." That was the main message Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala imparted during a fireside chat this week at the Radisson Hotel Group Americas Business Conference in Las Vegas. Jagruti, who also spoke at the Women in Leadership Luncheon, cited AAHOA's Brand Development Days as an excellent avenue for connecting women owners and brands to facilitate greater diversity in leadership. Panwala, Vice Chairman Biran Patel, Treasurer Vinay Patel, and President & CEO Cecil P. Staton, along with brand executives, also hosted a Brand Alliance Meeting, which provided an excellent opportunity for AAHOA Members at Radisson to interact with other brand owners, get important brand updates, and learn more about the resources available to owners as both a franchisee and an AAHOA Member.

Thinking about purchasing a new property in California? If so, AAHOA Treasurer Vinay Patel has some advice you need to hear, and he will share it on the "Hotel Due Diligence" panel at the California Lodging Investment Conference March 5 in Orange County, CA. Vinay and five other industry experts will stress the importance of doing a comprehensive property appraisal to establish its assets, liabilities, and commercial potential before purchasing it. CLIC brings together lodging professionals for a day of learning, professional development, and networking.

AAHOA President & CEO Cecil P. Staton will provide the legislative update at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, March 19-20 in Atlanta. On the "Your Government & Your Business" panel, Cecil will give his take as a former legislator on how the election year will shape hospitality and investment and how that will affect hoteliers, other updates from the nation's capital, plus additional state advocacy initiatives. AAHOA also is hosting a Young Professional Hoteliers Networking Reception at Hunter 7-9 p.m. May 18 that will give hoteliers the opportunity to network with other investors and entrepreneurs. Hunter brings owners and investors together in a high-energy setting for education and networking. 

AAHOA's all-new, all-encompassing Certificate in Hotel Ownership^TM (CHO) is just what you need to take your business into the future. The recently launched, reimagined CHO is a completely customizable all-digital platform that offers a deep dive into 12 high-level learning tracks: Accounting, Financing, Front Office, Hotel Ownership, Human Resources, Investment & Development, Leadership, Legal & Compliance, Major Support Departments, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, and Technology. Don't wait! Sign up by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12 using promo code CHOLAUNCH20 to earn your certificate for as little as $149! Read more here.

Dual- and tri-brand developments are popping up more frequently around the nation as hoteliers jump to capitalize on the unique opportunity to increase revenue and streamline operations they offer. Combining multiple lodging choices under one roof may appeal to a broader customer base and offer travelers more flexibility, and the shared amenities and dining venues may provide added value for hotel guests. AAHOA will host a workshop on March 4 in New Orleans to teach you everything you need to know about developinga successful multi-brand property to help you determine if this growing trend is right for you. Register today. 

Tax season is here and, for hoteliers, it can be a stressful time as you may be asking, "How much will I owe this year?" But did you know you don't have to accept your property's tax assessment? AAHOA has partnered with O'Connor Tax Consulting Firm to host a series of Dinner & Learn events across the nation to teach hoteliers the power of banding together and filing appeals to get their taxes lowered. Check the events calendar for one near you and register to attend.

Town Halls offer hoteliers the chance to hear firsthand about the local issues that directly impact their business. They also are a great opportunity to build your professional network and learn more about AAHOA programs and resources available to help you strengthen every aspect of your business. These events are open to all hotel owners, even if you're not yet a member. Make it a point to attend the Town Halls in your area to defend and protect your investment.

AAHOA's exclusive members-only webinars provide insights on the latest topics and ideas in hotel ownership. Accessible via MyAAHOA.com, sign in today to browse topics, track your professional development goals, and review all of AAHOA's educational offerings. 

SunTrust Robinson Humphrey reports, “Luxury (+1.8%) was the strongest chain scale for branded hotels; Midscale was the weakest at -4.4%. Upscale (-2.3%) and Upper Midscale (-2.5%) underperformed the industry average. Last week was a fairly clean comp (ex-some residual benefit from the Valentine's Day calendar shift to Sunday leisure demand). However, overall results were challenged with the only positive chain scale last week being Luxury. Occupancy and ADR weakness were evident from Upscale to Economy. Ex-Economy, we assume supply growth headwinds and macro demand weaknesses are a double whammy to RevPAR performance now. On coronavirus: We continue to see no clear material demand shock-level impact to major inbound gateway markets.”

 

AAHOA Members earn 5 percent of revenue back, reduce OTA fees, and improve your guest-review scores. Plus, get your own personal FREE AAHOA Member app that includes features such as SMS texting, GPS mapping, local-area content, push messaging, and more. This app will help drive more revenue and increase guest engagement at your property. Contact Troy today to get started!

Sonu Satellite is a leading national hospitality supplier of entertainment technology and amenities. Our company has been serving hotel owners from coast to coast for more than 20 years. Our knowledgeable staff, diverse distribution channels, and vast network of technicians are focused on providing top-notch customer service to our ever-growing roster of national accounts. Contact Neil Doshi, visit the website, or call 877-999-7668 for current pricing and promotions on a vast array of hospitality products and services.

AAHOA Members, get preferred access to the market's best rates and terms. Non-recourse bridge and permanent loans, as well as refinance and acquisition hotel loans available. LTVs up to 75 percent off with potential for cash-out. Visit the website, then contact Rushi Shah for a no-obligation pre-approval.

In the quest to better meet the needs of its guests, the hospitality industry is constantly on the front lines of innovation. Here are several examples of bleeding-edge technology that some hotels are implementing to improve the guest experience.

Without the built-in advantage of being located within a city center, hotels outside major metro areas are finding success by offering additional perks and benefits for guests while also taking steps to market their locations as beneficial.

Rising labor costs have put a fright into even the most seasoned of hoteliers. And there's reason for concern: Not accounting for payroll can eviscerate profit. Even though a hotel's revenue performance might be strong, if labor costs suddenly increase or aren't managed well, profits will evaporate quickly. Here are several tips for better managing payroll and annual increases in labor costs.