AAHOA Members gathered in New Orleans Wednesday to learn more about the dual- and tri-brand developments that are becoming more prevalent around the nation. Gulf Regional Director Nick Zaver opened the event and Director at Large Prashant Patel gave closing remarks as attendees heard from industry experts on the different aspects of these trending developments, including the unique opportunities they offer to increase revenue and streamline operations. The workshop concluded with a tour of a unique dual-branded property featuring one hotel atop the other, rather than the usual side-by-side configuration. To learn more about about multi-branded properties and a wealth of other topics, visit the AAHOA HOTEL OWNERS ACADEMY^TM.

AAHOA’s top priority is the safety and well-being of the thousands of hoteliers and hospitality professionals planning to attend the 2020 AAHOA Convention and Trade Show in Orlando, FL. With the recent domestic cases of coronavirus, we are monitoring the situation to determine what, if any, impact the virus may have on our upcoming event. We remain in constant contact with our venue partners at the host hotels, the convention center, offsite facilities, and with government officials in Florida. While we are taking this issue seriously, we are also looking forward to hosting another extraordinary AAHOA Convention and welcoming our members and partners in Orlando next month. For updates and additional resources, please visit our website.

Today, AAHOA Treasurer Vinay Patel shared his expertise on the "Hotel Due Diligence" panel at the California Lodging Investment Conference in Orange County, CA. He joined other industry experts in urging potential buyers and investors to obtain a detailed and comprehensive property appraisal to establish its assets, liabilities, and commercial potential before making a final decision. CLIC brings together lodging professionalsfor one day of learning, professional development, and networking and is the only conference that focuses exclusively on the California hotel market.

Have you earned your CHO? If not, what are you waiting for? AAHOA's all-new, all-encompassing Certificate in Hotel Ownership^TM (CHO) is just what you need to take your business to the next level. This reimagined CHO is a fully customizable all-digital platform that offers an in-depth look into 12 learning tracks: Accounting, Front Office, Hotel Ownership, Human Resources, Financing, Investment & Development, Leadership, Legal & Compliance, Major Support Departments, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, and Technology. If you sign up by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, April 12 using promo code CHOLAUNCH20, you can earn your certificate for as little as $149, so don't wait! Learn more here.

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 (+3.7%) was the strongest chain scale for branded hotels; Midscale was the weakest at -5.0%. Upscale (-0.3%) and Upper Midscale (-2.6%) underperformed the industry average. Headline U.S. RevPAR of -0.2% not as bad as feared, supported by continued strength (so far) in Luxury (+3.7%). However, Luxury results deteriorated as the week progressed as Sunday and Monday averaged +4%, while Friday and Saturday averaged -2.5%. We strongly suspect that this week’s results, to be released one week from today, will continue to show the pattern of deceleration that began late in the week last week.”

 

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 contact Michael Pfister or call 952-852-0926 today!

At Curve Hospitality, we combine creative design solutions with our ability to manufacture and deliver contract furnishings. Our experienced hospitality interior design team works closely with clients to turn their vision into a marketable commercial product. As a leading manufacturer of contract furnishings, our buying power and expertise translate into competitive pricing to our interior design hotel customers. Visit our website today!

AAHOA is proud to collaborate with Kennesaw State 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 contact Seth Walker or call 470-578-2206. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship endowment, click here.

Customer service seems like it would be an obvious requirement for the hospitality industry – it's right there in the name. However, with the emergence of automation, customer service can take a back seat. Fortunately, there are reminders for hoteliers to keep guests returning that come down to customer service. From being realistic about expectations to always delivering on your promises, hoteliers can be set for success.

Port Miami and Port Everglades had a significant increase in cruise passengers from 2018 to 2019. The uptick in passenger activity means there was an uptick for the hotel industry, too. In addition to filling rooms and increasing room rate, this increase also will capture the interest of investors and developers.

The new year brings an update in what to expect from hotel designers. Climate change and the surge of eco-conscious travelers means the environment for guests and designers alike. In addition to caring for the environment, self-care is coming to the front lines. Guests are looking for holistic stays and rethinking relationships with technology.