Good morning, AAHOACON24! If you’re reading this just as it's being delivered, you may be one of the brave souls who continued the celebration from last night’s Welcome Reception into today, or perhaps you’re one of the early risers who is already formulating your plan of attack. Regardless of how you're making the most of the week, kudos to you for already making this year's AAHOACON an experience to remember.
We hope everyone is excited for a full day of activity, and if you feel yourself dragging, there will be plenty of opportunities to grab some caffeine and a snack to power through the day. Let's make it a great day in Orlando!
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AAHOACON’s General Sessions are always filled to the brim with do-not-miss presentations, speakers – and so much more – and you definitely won’t want to miss this morning’s session. Be sure to join us as world-renowned businessman and TV personality Kevin O'Leary returns to the AAHOACON stage for a second time to help us help us launch into AAHOACON24 as our first keynote speaker during the morning's general session!
What: AAHOACON24 General Session
When: Today, 9-11 a.m.
Where: OCCC Valencia Ballroom
Sponsored by: DISH Business
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For all of the women hoteliers in attendance, please make special plans to join us later this morning for the HerOwnership Women Hoteliers Luncheon & Session, where we'll hear from keynote speaker Rashmi Airan, a once-distinguished lawyer who ended up serving a one-year prison sentence due to an ethical blind spot. Airan's story is truly inspiring, and she'll talk about the importance of creating intentional awareness, as well as the importance of empathy and accountability, and much more.
What: HerOwnership Women Hoteliers Luncheon & Session
When: Today, 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m.
Where: OCCC W224
Sponsored by: G6 Hospitality, Red Roof, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
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Come hear from special guest speakers Jagruti Panwala, President & CEO Wealth Protection Strategies, and Past AAHOA Chairwoman (2019-20); Nishant (Neal) Patel, Managing Partner, Blue Chip Motels, and AAHOA Immediate Past Chairman; and Sanjay Patel, CEO, MHG Hotels, LLC, who will help show you how to lead as a young professional, make the most of your network, develop confidence, and create a name for yourself in the industry. You won’t want to miss it!
What: HYPE: Helping Young Professionals Evolve Education Session
When: Today, 3:30-5 p.m.
Where: OCCC W224
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Also, be sure to join us tomorrow evening for a very “chill” get-together with your industry cohorts at a special reception held just for AAHOA young professional members. ICEBAR Orlando is the most popular year-round ice bar in the world. In addition to spectacular ice sculptures, everything from the seating to your glass is made out of hand-carved ice. After chilling at the ICEBAR, warm up in the Fire Lounge.
What: HYPE Young Professional Hoteliers Reception
When: Tomorrow, April 4, 6-7 p.m.
Where: ICEBAR Orlando
Sponsored by: Avendra, DISH Business, Gauthier Murphy & Houghtaling, HBO/Max
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In 2021, 80 percent of the sex trafficking cases reported in the United States involved a victim who was exploited at a hotel. But there is something hoteliers can do to help stop human trafficking. Attend one of our free human trafficking prevention training sessions offered at AAHOACON24.
| BEST's Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Awareness training, sponsored by AAHOA, is an effective tool that enhances hotel safety. Human trafficking has devastating effects on its victims and poses significant safety risks to guests and employees. Additionally, it can leave businesses exposed to substantial legal and financial liabilities. By training yourself and your staff, you can gain the knowledge needed to help prevent human trafficking at your hotel and get certified in human trafficking prevention! |
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AAHOACON24 is hosting two sessions of this training:
- Wednesday, April 3, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
- Thursday, April 4, 4:30-5:30 p.m.
Your session facilitator, Violeta Vega, is the Senior Program Manager for Businesses Ending Slavery and Trafficking. She will help you learn how to spot the indicators of human trafficking in hotels so you can safely report it. This can help survivors get connected to the resources they need to rebuild their lives and keep your community safe from the crime of human trafficking.
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AAHOA Elections will be held tomorrow. Are you ready to vote? Polls will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. EDT tomorrow only, with candidates making their pitch as to why they deserve your vote during tomorrow morning's General Session.
For a comprehensive overview of everything you need to know before voting, including a full list of the 2024 candidates and their bios, be sure to visit the AAHOA Elections Resource Center.
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Stream the Speeches
If you're not able to attend AAHOACON24 in person, you can still participate, aside from casting your vote. Each candidate will have an opportunity to speak to eligible voters, and there will be a Secretary debate during General Session, which begins at 9 a.m. EDT tomorrow, April 4. As a special service to all out-of-town members unable to attend, AAHOA will also live-stream the candidate speeches and Secretary debate from the AAHOA YouTube Channel.
Last night's AAHOACON24 Welcome Reception was one for the record books as we all let our hair down to celebrate AAHOACON24 and AAHOA's 35th anniversary. Thank you to everyone who hopped in their white Ferrari and donned some vintage '80s fashion to revisit the 1980s with us. The Rosen Centre was awash in neon and teeming with activity as attendees took full advantage of the amazing gourmet food, the exotic car display, thumping music, and unique atmosphere.
We hope everyone still managed to get some decent rest last night, because AAHOACON24 rolls on this morning, starting off with a jam-packed General Session – including a keynote from world-renowned businessman and TV personality Kevin O'Leary – followed by a full day of education sessions, networking opportunities, Trade Show activity, and tonight's AAHOACON24 Block Party at ICON Park.
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There’s no need to go to YouTube. See it live in The AAHOA Garage. Watch as our knowledgeable and resourceful industry partners help you learn what to do and how to do it right when it comes to dozens of everyday projects that always seem to be at the top of a hotel’s maintenance or operations to-do list.
Sponsor and topic presentation times are posted throughout the trade show floor and in the AAHOACON24 app.
What: The AAHOA Garage
When: Today and tomorrow, 1:30-4:30 p.m.
Where: OCCC West Hall C
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The official podcast of AAHOACON24
Hosted by Glenn Haussman, a well-known travel industry personality, renowned industry speaker, writer, and consultant, No Vacancy is the travel industry’s most exciting podcast.
What: The No Vacancy podcast
When: Today and tomorrow, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Trade show level
Sponsored by: Red Roof
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Click here for a one-on-one interview with No Vacancy host Glenn Haussman and AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel where they discuss all things AAHOACON24.
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AAHOA's biggest party of the year!
Get ready to party like never before at the AAHOA Block Party – the ultimate celebration at AAHOACON24! Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, food, and fun under the stars. The party kicks off at 7:30 p.m. at ICON Park. Mix and mingle with industry leaders, enjoy thrilling rides and attractions, and create lasting memories at AAHOA’s biggest party of the year!
The Block Party will give you the perfect opportunity to network with peers, industry executives, and other hospitality professionals after a day of education and deal-making. Don’t miss out on the chance to be part of AAHOA’s most iconic party!
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What: The AAHOACON24 Block Party
When: Tonight, 7:30-10 p.m.
Where: ICON Park
Transportation: Buses will be providing transportation to and from the three host hotels starting at 6:45 p.m. and will begin loading at 7 p.m. sharp! (Click here for the most updated info on transportation.)
Sponsored by:
Thank you to everyone who has tweeted, posted, shared, and celebrated on social media their #AAHOACON24 experience thus far. We're looking forward to seeing more photos of attendees rubbing elbows and having a great time.
Here's a quick roundup of just a few of our favorites.
Don't forget to tag AAHOA in your posts and include the #AAHOACON24 hashtag.
AAHOA would like to thank all our valued sponsors for their support, partnership, and participation at AAHOACON24! You are a vital part of making this event possible. We couldn’t do it without you.
Be sure to pick up your copy of the in-depth printed AAHOACON24 guide, which walks attendees through the ins and outs of everything going on this week. In tandem with the official AAHOACON24 app, the printed guide is the best way to navigate this massive event. Check out the digital version of the guide here and plot out the rest of your week at AAHOACON24.
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