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Your Weekly AAHOA Wrap-Up for Friday, March 4, 2022

Message from the Chair

“AAHOA is proud to continue to create opportunities and events, like the Women’s Reception, to empower female hoteliers across the country.”

March is here, which means it is officially the start of Women’s History Month. Women have achieved significant strides in many industries, including the hospitality industry. To help kick off this month-long celebration, Female Director Eastern Division Lina Patel and Female Director Western Division Tejal N. Patel hosted a Women's Reception on Tuesday during the G6 Conference. It was wonderful to see more than 140 women attend this event. AAHOA is proud to continue to create opportunities and events, like the Women’s Reception, to empower female hoteliers across the country. ICYMI, Lina and Tejal also graced the cover of the March issue of Today’s Hotelier, which also hit newsstands on Tuesday. 

Earlier this week, Vice Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel, Secretary Miraj S. Patel, and I had a productive time at the G6 Conference, including hosting a Brand Alliance Meeting. On Wednesday, I had the honor of taking the main stage to share AAHOA’s latest initiatives, advocacy priorities, significant findings from the Oxford Study, and much more. G6 has been one of our longtime partners, and we are thankful for the support they have given AAHOA Members and the hospitality industry over the years. 

Important AAHOACON Announcements and Deadlines

AAHOCACON22 is about 6 weeks away. As part of this year’s excellent lineup of programming and content, I’m excited to announce that we have locked in Jay Shetty, a life coach, author, and former Hindu monk, as one of our keynote speakers. We are thrilled to hear Jay’s perspective on his personal and business life, and we look forward to announcing more exciting keynote speakers in the coming days. 

Reminder: If you are a Lifetime Member, don’t miss your last chance to secure complimentary registration for this year’s convention in Baltimore. You must register by 11:59 p.m. ET TONIGHT. I encourage all Lifetime Members to take advantage of this incredible membership benefit and register now! 

There are only 11 days left to renew your annual membership and enter to win roundtrip coach airfare and three nights’ accommodations to AAHOACON22. You must renew by March 15 to be eligible for the sweepstakes. March 15 also is the deadline to contribute to eligibility requirements to vote in the 2022 electronic elections. You can help us build a stronger AAHOA when you renew today.

Finally, on behalf of AAHOA, a big congratulations to Past Chair Bhavesh Patel on his opportunity to serve as chairman of the New Jersey Restaurant & Hospitality Association for a second term. Bhavesh has worked hard to help hoteliers thrive, and his leadership at NJRHA will continue to move the hospitality industry forward.

We are Team AAHOA, and we are on our way to another record-breaking year.

Vinay Patel

AAHOA Chair

Top 10 Things to Know This Week

10 CNN Health: New CDC COVID-19 Metrics Drop Strong Mask Recommendations for Most of the Country

Most people in the U.S. live in areas where those who are healthy do not need to wear masks indoors, according to new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance, a sweeping change from what earlier COVID-19 metrics recommended. New CDC metrics indicate that about 28% of people in the U.S. live in a county where they need to wear masks indoors. 

9 TODAY IS THE LAST DAY for Lifetime Members to Get Comp Registration!

Lifetime Members, this is your LAST CHANCE to get complimentary registration for AAHOACON22, set for April 12-15 in Baltimore, MD. You still can secure complimentary registration if you register by 11:59 p.m. TODAY, March 4! Our convention boasts leading names in the industry, insights from experts, and the chance to network and make deals on the Trade Show floor. Take advantage of this incredible membership benefit, and register today!

8 A Franchise Relations Update for February '22 from AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel

AAHOA’s franchise relations efforts and communications continue to remain a top priority for the association. In January, we resumed our monthly email updates as we continue to enhance our commitment to keeping our franchisee members informed on all we are doing on their behalf. A critical part of this work includes frequent discussions with executive leadership at major hotel brands in the industry. Recently, all the AAHOA Officers were joined by members of our Executive Leadership Team at a meeting with Red Roof executives, including President George Limbert, Chief Development Officer Matthew Hostetler, and SVP Franchise Operations Fouad Malouf, on behalf of our members. Among the issues discussed were labor shortages, increasing profits for owners, OTAs, and much more.

7 AAHOA Past Chair Bhavesh Patel Gets Second Term As NJRHA Chairman

AAHOA Past Chair Bhavesh Patel (2017-18) will serve a second term as chairman of the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association. His instrumental leadership through 2021 in support of advocacy and sustainability for the New Jersey restaurants and hotels has set the tone for a progressive year ahead. “We look forward to continued guidance, leadership, and sustainability,” NJRHA President & CEO Dana Lancellotti said. “We are grateful to work with Bhavesh Patel on our team at the NJRHA.” Congratulations, Bhavesh, and on behalf of AAHOA, we thank you for your leadership in New Jersey and beyond.

6 MD General Assembly Honors Future Hotelier Neev Saraf for Community Service

AAHOA Future Hotelier Neev Saraf recently received an official citation from the Maryland General Assembly for his community service efforts. Neev, the son of Lifetime Members Prakash and Manjila Saraf, has been involved in community service for the past nine years. He also was the recipient of the AAHOA Youth Volunteer Award. Congratulations, Neev! AAHOA is proud to call you a Future Hotelier!

5 AAHOA Female Directors Grace the Cover of the March Issue of Today’s Hotelier

The March issue of Today’s Hotelier magazine is on newsstands everywhere, and in honor of Women’s History Month, AAHOA Female Director Eastern Division Lina Patel and AAHOA Female Director Western Division Tejal N. Patel are featured on the cover. In the cover story, Lina and Tejal share their perspectives and insights on the strides women have made in the industry and the progress still to come for the association. 

4 AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel Receives White House Briefing

This week, AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel heard from Isabella Casillas Guzman, U.S. Small Business Administrator, Cedric Richmond, Senior Advisor to the President and Director of the Office of Public Engagement, and Bharat Ramamurti, Deputy Director of the National Economic Council on the President’s first State of the Union address.

“The SBA has been an incredible partner in helping AAHOA Members. From PPP to Economic Injury Disaster Loans, the SBA couldn't be a better ally during the pandemic,” said AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel. “We appreciate these opportunities to engage directly with the Biden Administration.”

3 AAHOA Hosts Brand Alliance Meeting, Women’s Reception at G6 Conference in Dallas

AAHOA hosted a Brand Alliance Meeting and a Women’s Reception during this week’s G6 Conference in Dallas. Brand Alliance Meetings are hosted by AAHOA at brand conferences throughout the year, giving hotel owners the opportunity to hear from their brand’s executive leadership teams and AAHOA Officers about the partnership between the two and what AAHOA is doing for its members. AAHOA Members own nearly 70% of G6 Hospitality properties, so there was much to discuss, including franchisor/brand engagement, brand advocacy, feedback from franchisees to brands, and more. 

2 AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel Echoes SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman’s Comments on the Biden Administration’s Efforts to Strengthen America’s Supply Chains

“Hoteliers, like any small business operators, depend on the influx of inventory to keep the lights on and the doors open. While grappling with the pandemic, labor shortages, and other compounding adversities, it is crucial to the basic functioning of small businesses nationwide that supply chains remain reliable. America’s hoteliers applaud the Biden administration and SBA Administrator Isabel Guzman for their results-based actions over the past year to ensure Main Street stays stocked and loaded.”

1 AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel Praises President Joe Biden’s First State of the Union Speech

AAHOA Chair Vinay Patel praised President Joe Biden’s comments made during his State of the Union Speech. “On behalf of AAHOA Members, I can't thank President Biden enough for the American Rescue Plan and the economic life lines it has already provided to hotel owners. The tough work will now be at the state level ensuring that the lodging industry receives the funds it needs to rebuild. AAHOA deeply appreciates the strong working relationship it has with the Biden Administration and looks forward to a continued collaborative future.”

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