Today puts us at exactly one week from the full launch of AAHOACON21 – the Super Bowl of the hospitality industry. Are you excited? We are!

We’re looking forward to an atmosphere reminiscent of a family reunion as AAHOA Members, exhibitors, media, and more converge on Dallas for the first in-person AAHOACON since 2019. For more than 30 years, hotel owners have found at AAHOACON the inspiration, insight, and network they need to help their businesses reach their full potential. Today, these elements are more important than ever, which is why we are all looking forward to seeing one another in Dallas.

Here’s to an amazing convention where we can reconnect with old friends, make new connections, get a better picture of the issues affecting us all, and move forward together. 

We would like to reiterate our commitment to providing a safe, healthy, and rewarding experience for everyone in attendance. From the onset of planning, AAHOA has put together an event that takes into account all recommendations from the CDC, local hosts, and Texas health authorities. 

Here’s a quick overview of what you can expect:

Sanitization stations
AAHOA has partnered with ECOLAB, an AAHOA Club Blue Industry Partner and a trusted partner in cleaning, disinfection, and infection prevention to provide hand sanitization stations throughout the convention. Thanks to ECOLAB, we can “Be Wise and Sanitize” throughout the event. Thank you, ECOLAB!

Routine sanitizing procedures
Seating and rooms will be sanitized in between sessions, and the Trade Show floor will be sanitized each evening.

The wearing of face masks
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, everyone in attendance will be required to follow all health and social-distancing guidelines issued by the CDC and event hosts – including the wearing of masks at all times. 

Wider floor aisles
Social distancing will be encouraged through seating, traffic flow, and wider aisles. This year, there will be more space on the Trade Show floor to encourage safe networking practices. And while navigating the exhibition floor, attendees and exhibitors are encouraged to “elbow-bump” instead of greeting one another with handshakes.

Safe food and beverage measures
Different from previous years, the food and beverage service will allow attendees to have a safe and memorable dining experience. 

Ample signage
Friendly reminders regarding health and safety measures will be placed strategically throughout the event, reminding attendees to wear their masks to protect themselves and others, practice social distancing, wash their hands frequently, and more.

For more info on all the steps we’re taking to ensure the safety of our guests, please visit the health and safety page of the AAHOACON21 website here.

Share your excitement about attending AAHOACON21 by taking pictures of you and your friends at AAHOACON21 and tagging AAHOA on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #AAHOACON21. The best way to spread AAHOA cheer is to broadcast it on social media for all to hear!

We can’t wait to see you, and so many of your colleagues feel the same way. Here are a few quick notes from a small sample of past attendees who all are counting the minutes until this year’s installment kicks off:

	Biran Patel AAHOA Chair, 2020-2021 "I'm looking forward to seeing so many familiar faces from our membership and industry at AAHOACON21 in Dallas. After the year we have had to endure, it makes me appreciate my peers even more. The social interaction and networking at our conference this year is more valuable than ever. Cant wait!"
	Vinay Patel AAHOA Vice Chair "I’m looking forward to seeing and meeting all my fellow hoteliers in person. This will give me an opportunity to learn, see new products at the Trade Show, and simply have fun!"
	Nishant (Neal) Patel AAHOA Treasurer "AAHOA has been the pinnacle when it comes to an industry conference. Looking forward to meeting with our hoteliers and learning how each one adapted their models during the pandemic to protect their NOI."
	Bharat Patel, CHO AAHOA Secretary "I'm looking forward to meeting and listening to our fellow hoteliers. It's been a long year, and I'm Zoomed out. AAHOA in-person events and AAHOACON21 will be the kick-off event for AAHOA Members, kind of like the Daytona 500. Let's make it an epic convention in Dallas, signaling the end of the pandemic and ushering in a new era of travel and tourism."

General Session takes place 9-11 a.m. CDT Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. Our list of speakers for AAHOACON21 is unrivaled and features a star-studded lineup of heavy hitters that you can’t afford to miss.

• Chris Nassetta, President & CEO, Hilton
• U.S. SBA Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman
• Troy Aikman, Three-time Super Bowl Champion
• Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX)
• Jim Alderman, CEO, Radisson Hotel Group Americas
• David Kong, President & CEO, Best Western Hotels & Resorts
• Teague Hunter, President & CEO, Hunter Hotel Advisors
• And many more!

AAHOA will host a Welcome Reception to open AAHOACON21 with a celebration of the much-anticipated reunion of members and the industry. Slated for Tuesday night in a venue within walking distance of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center Dallas and coinciding with “Wear Your AAHOA Shirt Day,” the Welcome Reception will give all of us the chance to reconnect with old friends and, hopefully, make some new ones!
 
This indoor/outdoor venue features 19 different food and drink options to choose from, live music, innovative tech experiences, and so much more. What a way to open our first in-person convention since 2019!

If you’re planning on extending your trip to Dallas – arriving early or staying late – or if your family is along for the trip and is looking for a fun time, the city and its surrounding areas offer a wealth of must-see attractions, food, and activities. Thanks to our good friends at VisitDallas, here’s a quick look at just a handful of the highlights this area has to offer.

	Dallas World Aquarium Located less than a mile from the site of AAHOACON21, this attraction features a lush rainforest, a broad diversity of marine life, endangered animals, and cultural exhibits. More info here.
	John F. Kennedy Memorial Sitting a stone’s throw from AAHOACON21, this stark and simple memorial honors America’s 35th president. Located in the Dallas County Historical Plaza, this site is visited by hundreds of thousands of people annually and serves as a reminder of a difficult chapter in American history. More info here.
	Downtown Dallas With shopping, dining, and entertainment choices galore, downtown Dallas offers countless attractions for visitors of every type. More info here.
	AT&T Stadium Tours Want an up-close look at one of the largest and most-modern events facilities in the world? Look no further than the home of the Dallas Cowboys, which hosts concerts, art exhibits, corporate functions, and much more. More info here.

Be sure to check out visitdallas.com for a full list of activities and links to discounted rates especially for AAHOA Members. Some are free, some are kid-friendly, but all are an amazing way to spend a few hours, a couple of days, or even a week.

AAHOA would like to thank all our valued sponsors for their support, partnership, and participation at AAHOACON21! You are a vital part of making this event possible. We couldn’t do it without you.