We are thrilled to announce that registration is now open for AAHOACON21 – our first in-person convention and trade show since 2019! It’s been an unprecedented year for our industry, and there’s never been a more important time to gather at the industry’s largest hospitality event of 2021. With leading names in the industry, incredible insights from experts you trust, inspiration around every corner, and the chance to network, learn, and make deals on the trade show floor – all in person – you do not want to miss this year’s event, set for August 3-6 in Dallas, TX. The road to recovery runs through AAHOA, and at AAHOACON21, you’ll have the chance to meet with incredible vendors who are ready to help you prepare for the resurgence of travel, learn about the economic landscape from experts in the field, hear the latest updates out of Washington, D.C., and advocacy initiatives aimed at recovery, and so much more. It’s time to make plans to travel, see old friends and make new ones, and gather together for what will be a historic and unforgettable event this summer. We can’t wait to see you there!
Reminder: Lifetime Members, you're eligible for complimentary registration to the convention if you register on or before Sunday, June 4.

The deadline to register for our first two charity golf tournaments is tomorrow, so there's not much time left to register for the AAHOA Southeast Texas Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament (April 6) and the AAHOA Southwest-Phoenix Charity Golf Tournament (April 8). This is your chance to join us at two of the country’s top golf courses as we come together to support local charities and ongoing COVID-19 relief efforts. It also will be a great opportunity to network in person once again while enjoying a beautiful day of competitive golf. Event participants’ well-being, health, and safety at our AAHOA Charity Golf Tournaments are our No. 1 priority, so we are taking all necessary precautions to keep you safe. Don't delay, sign up today!

Here’s how you can get involved:

We have a goal for this critical information to reach 50,000 hotel employees by March 31, so if you haven't already taken the Pledge, please do so today.

We all know these past 12 months have been unlike anything we've ever seen. But this is just one of the many reasons AAHOA exists – to unite behind a common cause and weather any storm together. And the more hoteliers we can help – and the more hoteliers we represent – the more we can help hotels across America thrive. Help us build a stronger AAHOA by renewing your hotelier annual membership. If you do so by June 30, you will be eligible to win roundtrip coach airfare to Dallas and three nights’ accommodations at the Omni for AAHOACON21.* The drawing to determine the winner is July 1, and there is no requirement to register for convention to enter the sweepstakes.

AAHOA launched a brand-new virtual event series exclusively for Young Professionals yesterday. The inaugural event in the three-part series was 2021 Young Professional Hoteliers Leadership Series: Succession Planning and Transitioning. The series explored the most common challenges encountered by hoteliers as they transition into management in their family-owned businesses, the expectations and optics of being seen as a “rookie,” how to redefine yourself as a “professional hotelier” in charge of the family business, and more. Watch the on-demand video.

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) wrote, “Last week’s result was up against a -69.5% comp in the comparable week in 2020 vs. and -32.8% in the prior week’s results. On a 2-year run-rate, RevPAR was down 31.5% vs. down 43.4% in the prior week’s 2-year run-rate. Upscale was +132.6% and -40.3% over 2 years, y/y outperformed the industry average; Upper Midscale was +103.5% and -24.3% over 2 years, y/y underperformed the industry average. While the 2-year result improved substantially week-over-week, by far the largest share of improvement was seen in warm weather markets such as LA, Miami, Oahu, and Texas, whereas gains were less pronounced in markets such as Boston, DC, NYC, and SF.”

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!

AAHOA is pleased to announce a partnership with new Platinum Member Merchaneer, a Discount for Cash credit card processing company based in Chattanooga, TN. “We are pleased to join with Merchaneer to bring new money-saving opportunities to our members," AAHOA President & CEO Cecil P. Staton said. "Over the past year, hoteliers faced their most daunting economic challenge since the 2008 financial crisis. Platforms such as the one offered by Merchaneer can help hoteliers, especially independent hoteliers, keep credit card processing costs down.” 

 

“I look forward to continuing to work with AAHOA Members and the professional staff to help hoteliers save money and protect their investment,” Merchaneer CEO Bob Ekman said. “We developed this technology over a two-year period of time and now have numerous clients. We are  excited to make the benefits of Merchaneer available to the nation’s hoteliers.”

PMC Commercial Trust offers conventional and SBA loan programs for the acquisition, refinancing, renovation and construction of businesses with commercial real estate throughout the country as principal lenders. PMC has been granted Preferred Lender (PLP) status from the SBA, which allows for a faster turn-around time at the SBA. Since the early 90’s PMC’s focus has been on the hospitality industry, assisting start up individuals as well as multi property owners in obtaining the financing that best fits their needs. Visit the website, then contact Kristi Lewis-Hodge to get started.

Special savings for AAHOA Members:

Visit www.mydigitaloffice.com/contact and reference this deal for more information.

Travelers and hoteliers alike should expect to see a rise in travel-related costs on the horizon as more people are vaccinated and a year of pent-up demand results in increasing numbers of vacations and business trips being booked.

Though the hospitality sector is hardly enjoying a full-blown recovery, there are still numerous reasons for optimism. Five leading experts across hotels, restaurants, bars, live music, and short-term rentals predict what comes next in America’s first post-pandemic year.