We want to give the AAHOA community the opportunity to reconnect and continue rebuilding our industry together, which includes gathering safely in person for the 2021 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show. In our committed effort to make AAHOACON21 as rewarding, accessible, and memorable as possible for all attendees, we have moved the convention and trade show to August 3-6 in Dallas, TX. Working closely with Dallas officials and VisitDallas, we’re looking forward to convening in August at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas to learn, get inspired, and network with those we haven’t seen for far too long. Registration will be opening soon, so watch your emails!

AAHOA's virtual Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) is available once again, but space is running 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. 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 hundreds of other benefits. Register today to get your certification!

 

It's time to invest in your professional development by earning your Certificate in Hotel Ownership^® (CHO). AAHOA's completely revamped CHO is a fully customizable, all-digital platform that will help you make better decisions and retain employees; learn effective sales and marketing tactics and strategies; better understand, utilize, and invest in technology to run a more profitable business; and so much more. As one CHO graduate put it, "I loved the program! The best part was you get to select your own topics for the classes. Second, it was easy to navigate on the computer. ... I would definitely recommend to my friends!" Our CHO program offers an in-depth look into 12 learning tracks – Investment & Development, Front Office, Financing, Hotel Ownership, Human Resources, Accounting, Major Support Departments, Leadership, Legal & Compliance, Revenue Management, Sales & Marketing, and Technology – and allows you to work at your own pace.

Registration is now open for the first two events on AAHOA's 2021 Charity Golf Tournament schedule. The AAHOA Southeast Texas Inaugural Charity Golf Tournament will take place Tuesday, April 6, at the Wildcat Golf Club in Houston, TX, while the AAHOA Southwest-Phoenix Charity Golf Tournament will tee off Thursday, April 8 at the Ocotillo Golf Club in Chandler, AZ. We invite players and sponsors to join us at two of the country’s top golf courses as we come together to support local charities and 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. AAHOA will provide face coverings, hand sanitizer, and proper health and safety measures at all of our events.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has reopened the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). All participating lenders have access to the program, so new PPP borrowers should submit your applications as soon as possible. If you have already exhausted your first PPP loan, the process for second draw is now available. We encourage all AAHOA Members seeking to participate in the PPP to contact your lenders if you have not already done so. Visit AAHOA's website for more information.

AAHOA is hosting upcoming virtual events to share the latest updates for America’s hotel owners in various parts of the United States. Add these events to your calendar now. 

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 200 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 (-7.0%) was the relatively strongest chain scale for branded hotels; Upper Upscale was the weakest at -72.8%. Upscale (-52.5%) underperformed the industry average; Upper Midscale (-37.7%) outperformed. While last week was a holiday weekend both in 2020 and 2021 (MLK Day), with WFH in theory leading to longer weekend travel (Sunday occ y/y -22.8% vs. Monday at -29.7%), the most material consideration for last week’s results in our view was Inauguration Week in Washington, D.C. (and selectively elsewhere). While D.C. had a much better week than would have been the case otherwise, the 2021 inauguration was obviously impacted by the virus, virtual evening events, and the city restrictions post-Capitol incident. RevPAR was -4.5% in the nation’s capital last week vs. +156.4% for the Trump Inauguration week and +109.1% for the Obama Inauguration week.”

As North America’s leading hospitality procurement services provider, Avendra offers AAHOA Members competitive pricing from its 800+ supplier contracts. Earn huge savings on engineering, rooms operations, administrative, replacement FF&E, and more! Visit www.avendra.com or call 866-AVENDRA and start saving today!

MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com, then contact Ana Lucia Divins to get started.

AAHOA has partnered with IWBI to support hoteliers in successfully getting back to business, strengthen pandemic recovery efforts, and reassure guests and staff alike with health and safety guidance and education. IWBI recently introduced the WELL Health-Safety Rating for Facility Operations and Management to help organizations get back to business with confidence. AAHOA Members save 25% on WELL Health-Safety Rating enrollment fees. Login to MyAAHOA.com and click on "International WELL Building Institute" in the vendor directory to obtain your discount code and enroll today! (Click the "See More" dropdown to access the code.)

While extended-stay hotels also have been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, these properties have an interesting place in the market. These hotels don't rely on seasonal demand, like many other kinds of properties might, so they tend to be popular with owners and developers.

While a rebound is inevitable, it will remain a few years away. Travel demand remains low, so the 2021 rebound will be slow. However, data for 2022 show an acceleration toward that rebound, showing some light at the end of the tunnel.

With fewer travelers booking rooms, hotels have had to manage increasing competition in the industry. One way to remain competitive in this tight market is by improving the guest experience. From marketing your COVID-19 sanitization plan to utilizing new apps and technology, there are plenty of steps to take to bring in more guests and retain the ones you do have.

*Disclosure: AAHOA receives compensation from Chase.