Yesterday, Rep. Charlie Crist (D-FL) and Sen Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Save Hotel Jobs Act, which would provide hoteliers with tax credits and payroll grants up to $20 million. This bill is the first proposal to offer direct, targeted relief to hotels so they remain open and keep employees on payroll until the industry recovers. As travel returns, many hoteliers have had difficulty rehiring and staffing out their teams. This is a critical piece of legislation to address the ongoing labor crisis our industry faces. We urge you to contact your members of Congress to request their support for the Save Hotel Jobs Act. Joining the campaign takes only moments, so act now!

The American Rescue Plan has set aside $350 billion for state, local, and tribal governments toward economic relief. Twenty-five percent is allocated toward hospitality industry relief, but the legislation does not specify how governments should meet this goal. Every state has different guidelines on how to spend federal funds. (For example, some states prohibit using federal funds for grant programs.) AAHOA is working with state hospitality associations to prioritize these funds for hoteliers. We also have created the American Rescue Plan Toolkit to help our members take action in their own local communities.

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! You must register to attend, so sign up today! Also, don’t miss the Atlanta Hospitality Meetup for Hotel Professionals, hosted by AAHOA Member Rupesh Patel 7-9 p.m. May 10. Register today for details.

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.

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.

The road to recovery runs through AAHOA, so we are bringing you a series of webcasts that will keep you informed and help determine next steps for your business as you bounce back from the COVID-19 pandemic. We have educated more than 50,000 attendees 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 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, “On a 2-year run-rate, RevPAR was down 30.1% vs. down 27.5% in the prior week’s 2-year run-rate and consistent with the -27% to -32% range we have seen for the past several weeks. We add that outside of holiday calendar shifts, we have yet to see a material pick-up in corporate demand especially for Upper Upscale. Upscale RevPAR was +235.1% y/y and -36.9% over 2 years; Upper Midscale was +226.9% and -21.8% over 2 years.”

Independent public adjusters are invaluable members of your insurance claim settlement team for help in dealing with commercial or residential catastrophic loss. Negotiating a claim after a devastating event such as a fire, flood, earthquake, hurricane, or any natural disaster is a monumental task. The insurance company will use their team to attempt to minimize your loss. That’s where we come in. WorldClaim Global Claims Management is a 33-year-old international firm of public insurance adjusters advocating on behalf of commercial, institutional and individual policyholders. We provide the highest level of claims management services to clients around the globe. For more information, visit our website, then contact Russell Heath today.

Guest Supply a Sysco Company is the leading provider of operating supplies and equipment to the lodging industry. With product development and design, manufacturing, and a direct to property sales force, Guest Supply is the only vertically integrated company in the industry. From sixteen company owned and operated Sales and Distribution Centers, Guest Supply services over 26,000 hotels in the United States with a comprehensive product line that meets the needs of hotels at all market levels. For more info, contact Justin Haggart or visit the website.

AAHOA Members receive a 10% discount on CBRE’s Hotel Horizons econometric forecast reports of 60 major markets in the United States. Click here to view additional benefits, then contact CBRE Client Services to claim your discount or call 855-223-1200.

Hotel guests increasingly expect a widening array of tech options during their stay, including contactless, safety, and integration offerings. Here are several key trends to be aware of when considering your guests' needs and wants. 

As travel continues to increase throughout the country, it's becoming increasingly clear that staffing to adequate levels continues to be a major challenge. In some cases, this has led to hotels leaving rooms unoccupied simply due to staff shortages.

On the heels of a devastating year for hospitality, rebuiding trust with guests is quickly becoming a top priority for the industry. Here are several tips for properties trying to pull themselves back up by their bootstraps.