With a new administration in place, two vaccines now available, and a second stimulus package offering help for businesses struggling to stay profitable amid an ongoing pandemic, what do hoteliers need to know to stay on top of the latest changes? Tune in at 3 p.m. EST today for "2021 Industry Outlook One Year Post-COVID: Roundtable with Hospitality CEOs" to hear from our industry's leading association CEOs - Cecil P. Staton, President & CEO, AAHOA; Roger Dow, President & CEO, U.S. Travel Association; and Chip Rogers, President & CEO, AHLA. These three industry leaders will discuss how recent developments are affecting hotel properties across the nation and what you can expect in 2021 and beyond. Don't miss it, register now!

AAHOA is excited to host a Young Professional Hoteliers reception during the 2021 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference, set for May 10-12 in Atlanta. The reception will be 7-9 p.m. May 11 at STATS Brewpub in downtown Atlanta and you don’t want to miss it! The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference brings together the nation’s most influential leaders and investors in the hotel industry to analyze trends, network, and turn prospective opportunities into business transactions. Register now.

In the latest installment of Teague Talks, AAHOA Chairman Biran Patel sat down with Teague Hunter to chat about how AAHOA is assisting members through the pandemic, advising on lasting changes in the industry, and what is to come in 2021. Hunter is President & CEO of Hunter Hotel Advisors, the leading investment advisory firm focused exclusively on the hotel industry. Watch the interview.

 

Hotel owners are relying on the industry more than ever to make critical decisions for their businesses right now. That's why AAHOA's proud to offer Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) virtually, but space is limited and selling out fast. The CHIA is the leading certification for industry professionals focused on analytics. Held in partnership with STR, AHLEI, and ICHRIE, this program teaches you how to read, understand, and interpret statistical hotel data to help you strategically set rates and make business decisions. Make sure you've got all the tools you need in your belt to help navigate this most challenging of seasons. The exam is a timed 90 minutes and will be administered Friday, March 26 through Monday, March 29 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. Registration is capped at the first 50 registrants and only members in good standing can participate. Our exclusive, heavily discounted, members-only rate is $199. Not a member? No problem! It's quick and easy to become one today to unlock this special rate and access countless other benefits. Register today to get your certification!

 

AAHOA is looking for motivated members who are ready and willing to help us achieve the goals laid out in our 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, "Three Years, One Vision: AAHOA's Strategic Vision for the Future.” Serving on the AAHOA Board of Directors provides a rewarding opportunity to help drive the strategic direction of a national association dedicated to advancing and protecting the interests of hotel owners. If you missed President & CEO Cecil P. Staton's Board Service Interest Meeting in December, you can watch the on-demand video to learn more about the strategic plan and what service on a national nonprofit board requires. The nomination period runs through June 7, and there are 12 open positions. For a list of open positions and eligibility requirements, check out AAHOA.com/2021candidates.

AAHOA takes seriously our commitment to giving back to the communities our members serve. What better way to honor that commitment than with a fun-filled day of golf and networking, all in the support of worthwhile causes? AAHOA has released its 2021 Charity Golf Tournament shedule and registration is now open for the first two events, in April. Save the dates and join us on the greens for a masked, socially distanced, and safe day of golf as we tee off for charity. Registration is now open for our April events. 

AAHOA is bringing you a series of COVID-19-related webcasts that will keep you informed and help determine next steps for your business. We have educated more than 50,000 hoteliers to date and feature more than 240 webcasts separated by category in our library. AAHOA makes these webcasts available to the industry, so share with those in your network, whether they're an AAHOA Member or not. 

In a recent Morning Consult survey, a whopping 72 percent of respondents said concerns about cleanliness and sanitization affect their decision on whether to stay in a hotel. AAHOA has partnered with P&G Professional to create the AAHOA/P&G Professional’s Training in Hotel Sanitization and Cleanliness. This all-digital program covers what hoteliers need to know as it relates to the effective sanitization of your property. This program is completely FREE and is available to the entire hospitality industry. Download our infographic to learn more and sign up for this valuable training today!

Truist Securities (formerly SunTrust Robinson Humphrey) reports, “Economy (-14.3%) was the relatively strongest chain scale for branded hotels; Upper Upscale was the weakest at -67.4%. Upscale (-52.1%) underperformed the industry average; Upper Midscale (-40.0%) outperformed. We view the slight calendar shift of Valentine’s Day to Sunday night y/y from Friday a possible slight help to RevPAR comparisons. Complicating factors last week include winter weather (usually a help to hotels, though not entirely clear to us last week) and Super Bowl shifting one week later this year. Tampa RevPAR y/y was +106.5% on Sunday.”

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 visit the website, then contact Michael Pfister or call 952-852-0926 today!

With the best technology in the industry, DISH Business delivers a premium entertainment experience for properties of all sizes. EVOLVE by DISH lets your guests cast personal content, watch live TV and access the apps they love – all on your in-room TV. Get DISH to give your guests the entertainment they want at prices you’ll love. Visit the website, then contact Tyler Floyd to start saving today!

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 contact Seth Walker or call 470-578-2206. To make a tax-deductible contribution to the scholarship endowment, please click here. 

An estimated two-thirds of current hotel employees nationwide are paid below the federal minimum wage of $15 per hour proposed as part of the Biden adminstration's COVID-19 relief program. Is your bottom line in for a shock?

What can we expect to see as far as industry trends go this year? Here, Robert Rauch, CEO of RAR Hospitality, weighs in with predictions. Spoiler alert: Sanitation and cleanliness top the list, but there's much more on this countdown.

As countless industries adjust their models to decrese their environmental impact, hospitality is among those on the front lines of this evolving issue, and there is no shortage of opportunity for change.