Hotelier Weekly
January 12, 2023

AAHOA News
  
AAHOA Members and AAHOA staff came together for #WearBlueDay, a day to raise awareness for human trafficking.
 
Why wear blue? Blue is the international color for human trafficking awareness, and #WearBlueDay is part of the Department of Homeland Security's Blue Campaign. This campaign educates the public, law enforcement, and other industry partners to recognize the indicators of human trafficking and how the public can respond to possible cases appropriately.
 
Dozens of AAHOA Members sent in photos of their family, friends, and hotel staff wearing blue to show their support for the #WearBlueDay campaign. AAHOA is proud to lead the charge in fighting human trafficking - check out AAHOA's new Human Trafficking Prevention landing page that contains human trafficking webinars, fact sheets, and resources to help save lives and protect your businesses.
 
Hoteliers are in a prime position to lead the fight against sex and labor trafficking, and AAHOA is committed to educating hoteliers and their employees on how to spot and report suspected instances of human trafficking. Sign up for BEST Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Training, Sponsored by AAHOA, a completely FREE digital certificate for all AAHOA Members and their employees. You can earn your certificate in less than an hour, it's available in English and Spanish, and satisfies many state mandated training requirements. Earn your certificate today.
 
To further underscore the importance of human trafficking awareness, AAHOA has recently released a new video, now available to watch on YouTube, in honor of January being Human Trafficking Prevention Month.
 
Although Human Trafficking Prevention Month may only be one month out of the year, AAHOA's mission to be at the forefront of hospitality's battle against human trafficking is never-ending.
  
Every year, AAHOA recognizes leaders for their contributions to the industry. Winners are chosen by an independent awards review committee, and recipients are acknowledged and celebrated on stage during the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show.
 
Do you know a hotelier who has gone above and beyond in their efforts? Are YOU that hotelier? Now is the time to nominate him or her for one of seven awards to be bestowed at AAHOACON23, April 11-14, in Los Angeles, CA. The deadline to submit nominations is February 10, 2023, and you do not need to be an AAHOA Member to submit a nomination, but you must be an AAHOA Member to receive an award.
 
See the list of awards below:
  1. AAHOA Award of Excellence
  2. Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
  3. Outreach Award for Philanthropy
  4. IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award
  5. Outstanding Women Hotelier of the Year Award
  6. Outstanding Young Professional Hotelier of the Year Award
  7. Political Forum Award for Advocacy
  
AAHOA is proud to recognize Lifetime Member and Education Committee Chair Raman (R.P.) Rama for being selected to serve on the Central Florida Hotel & Lodging Association Board and the Greater Orlando Sports Commission Board.
 
Rama has more than 40 years of experience in the hospitality industry. As President of Sarona Hotels, Investments & Holdings and owner of the company, R.P. Rama is responsible for the operations of a multi-sector conglomerate of investments in more than 22 hotels and several technology startup companies. His story is full of inspiration, hard work, and perseverance. Born in Malawi, Africa, and educated in India, Rama moved to the U.S. in 1981 without any money, having to borrow from relatives, friends, and banks to grow his hotel portfolio. Today, he is heavily involved in the hospitality industry and serves on various Boards to promote and empower hoteliers, including AAHOA’s Education Committee. 
 
With more than half of the hotels in Florida owned by AAHOA Members, Rama’s involvement on the CFHLA Board and GO Sports Commission Board will continue to strengthen hotel owners in the Central Florida area. Additionally, his involvement in these local organizations is an excellent example of the active role AAHOA Members play in propelling the industry forward.
Fortis Payment Systems, LLC
Charter Communications Operating, LLC
Featured Content
  
AAHOA closed out the year by releasing Point 6 of the 12 Points Webinar Series. It's hard to believe we are already halfway through, but there's much more content on the horizon!
 
Point 6 promotes full Franchisor disclosure and greater accountability concerning marketing expenditure, loyalty rewards program, and reservation fees collected from Franchisees. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake sheds light on nine questions that can help Franchisees facilitate conversations with their Franchisors on various topics, including loyalty programs.
 
Remember to download the AAHOA 12 Points Educational Primer for extensive details on each of the 12 Points of Fair Franchising. We also invite you to review the webinars for Points 1-5 on the 12 Points Webinar Series Landing Page. That way, we can continue to promote fairness in the franchise industry in 2023.
Red Roof Inn
Ascentium Capital , LLC
Events and Happenings
  
The Tri-State Regional Conference & Trade Show will kick off the Regional Conference & Trade Shows of 2023 and will be held on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at the Whispering Woods Hotel and Conference Center Olive Branch - Memphis in Olive Branch, MS.
 
The first Regional event of the year will provide a unique place for three regions to come together to showcase the best of the industry and hear from political leaders who support America’s hotel owners. Arkansas Regional Director Danny (Chintu) Patel, Gulf Regional Director Vimal Patel, and Mid South Regional Director Harikrishna (HK) Patel have been working hard behind the scenes to make this event possible, and AAHOA is looking forward to bringing hoteliers together at the first Regional of 2023 for a full day of education, networking, and exploring what our amazing vendors have to offer.
 
Don’t delay! Register for this event today! You can also watch this video and see why AAHOA Members, vendor partners, industry leaders, and elected officials join AAHOA at one or more Regional events.
  
The 2023 AAHOA Florida Hotel Owers Advocacy Summit, taking place on Wednesday, February 8, in Tallahassee, FL, presents the perfect opportunity for hoteliers to have a personal conversation with elected officials. Lawmakers respond best to strength in numbers, so that's why we need you to RSVP to attend and let your voices be heard where they will count most - at your state capitol.
 
If you have any questions, contact Florida Regional Director Rahul Patel (rahul.aahoa@gmail.com). The deadline to register is Friday, January 20. If you need to make changes, please email advocacy@aahoa.com.
 
Fill out the registration form here.
 
dormakaba, Inc.
DIRECTV Hospitality
AAHOA Education
  
Human trafficking not only destroys the lives of its victims, but it also poses a huge threat to your hotel and reputation. Hoteliers face potential risks of fines, litigation, and even losing their property. You can lead your own fight against this scourge; human trafficking awareness training for you and your staff is the first step. Please join us for a special LIVE panel discussion on ways you can protect your business. Mar Brettmann, CEO and Executive Director of Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking (BEST), leads the discussion with a trafficking survivor, a law enforcement officer, a hotelier, and an attorney to provide first-hand insight into the true cost of this human tragedy and what you can do to help end it. Q&A is available at the end of the presentation for any questions you may have for the experts.
 
Presenters: Mar Brettmann, CEO and Executive Director, Businesses Ending Slavery & Trafficking (BEST)
Autumn Burris, Founding CEO, Survivors for Solutions
Justin Bragiel, General Counsel, Texas Hotel & Lodging Association
Bill Weise, General Manager, Silver Cloud Hotel - Seattle Stadium
In the Market
  
Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +21.8% y/y for the week ending 1/7/2023, per STR, up from the prior week's result of +4.2% y/y. We note that the +4.2% y/y result may have adjusted somewhat due to new STR methodology. Upscale RevPAR: +16.2% y/y; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +7.4% y/y. There was an easy y/y Omicron comp for overall demand but especially Group (CES in Las Vegas as one example). Additionally, as we have noted in past research, the timing of the school holiday calendar (later end of the December school period) reduced the number of December vacation days but is a help to January versus 2022.”

For more, read the full report here and read the China/Europe report here.
Hotel Equities
Karcher North America
Featured Club Blue Member
  
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! Check out the website or call 866-AVENDRA and start saving today!


Featured Platinum/Silver Member
  
Champion PTAC manufactures full lines of proprietary PTAC solution systems for the hotel, condominium, apartment, and residential markets. With more than 25 years’ experience in the commercial construction industry, Champion-PTAC brings to the commercial and residential markets for the first time leak-free PTAC systems with its patented and proprietary Champion-PTAC Wall Sleeve Design and Condensate Pellet Delivery System. Champion-PTAC’s delivery systems are backed by their 100% leak-free guarantee. Visit the website for more information to get started!
Featured Member Benefit
  
Group whole life insurance issued by MassMutual offer for AAHOA Members with special underwriting! Elect up to $250,000 with only a few health questions to determine insurability; no medical exam required! (Must be enrolled through BeneChoice.) Also available to AAHOA Members through BeneChoice – additional benefits for your employees that are made available at no direct cost to you/the owner! To learn more, Click Here. To schedule an appointment to review your life insurance options, please visit www.calendly.com/aahoa.
Inn-Flow
ADP, Inc.
Industry News
  
While many hoteliers are vigilant in ensuring their properties maintain ADA compliance, it can be easy to overlook the importance of establishing that same compliance with their websites.
(Source: Forbes Photo credit)
  
After a period of drastic upheaval and a slow return to industry normalcy, the future holds exciting promise for an industry that has proven it can embrace significant change.
(Source: Travel Daily Media Photo credit)
  
Regardless of the market segment in which a hotelier operates, it's clear the key to future success must include a heavy reliance on new and emerging technologies to remain competitive.
(Source CEO World Photo credit)
Best Buy Business
Today's Hotelier: In Case You Missed It

JANUARY ISSUE

The January 2023 issue is out now! This month, we explore crucial workforce issues including scoring big by finding, training, and retaining the best employees; understanding the key components of bank financing for hotels; revealing the secrets to profitability in this new economy; and much more.

Featured Content

Join thousands of AAHOA Members, brand CEOs, and industry professionals by subscribing to our magazine. Receive every digital issue of Today’s Hotelier as soon as it’s released to the public. Click here to subscribe.

 

 

 

Search Past Editions | Advertise

We would appreciate your comments or suggestions.
Your email will be kept private and confidential.