AAHOA | May 30, 2023

ATLANTA, Ga., May 25 – New Jersey lawmakers today voted in favor of legislation to help restore balance to the relationship between hotel Franchisors and Franchisees, advancing a bill backed by the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) that would ensure greater fairness in the system and strengthen protections for franchise businesses. New Jersey’s Assembly Bill 1958, which passed the Assembly today, supports AAHOA’s four core pillars of franchise advocacy to reform rules for mandated vendors, rebates, loyalty programs and new fees. AAHOA represents more than 60% of U.S. hotel owners and nearly half of all New Jersey hot...

HFTP to Host AAHOA President/CEO for a Virtual Legislative Update

AAHOA | May 11, 2023

May 11, 2023 (Austin, Texas USA) — Later this month, Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®) is featuring Laura Lee Blake, president and CEO of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA), for an HFTP Virtual Education webinar: “U.S. Legislative Updates from AAHOA.” The webinar is scheduled for May 23 at 1:00 p.m. CDT and is complimentary to all industry stakeholders. This exchange is part of a deepening partnership between the associations with a shared pursuit to advance the hospitality environment to the benefit of their members and the overall industry. “This webinar is an example of our asso...

AAHOACON23 Breaks Various Records in AAHOA History

AAHOA | April 20, 2023

ATLANTA, Ga., Apr. 20 – The 2023 Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles last week broke various records in the association’s history. AAHOA, the largest hotel owners association in the world, hosted its annual Convention & Trade Show, AAHOACON, with nearly 8,000 attendees at the Los Angeles Convention Center for what is dubbed the “Super Bowl” of hospitality events. There were 20+ education sessions, 500+ exhibiting companies, an immersive do-it-yourself product demo experience, top-level keynote speakers, and four networking events, including the Welcome Reception at the w...

AAHOA Announces 2023 Award Winners at AAHOACON23

AAHOA | April 19, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Apr. 19 – On the final day of the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, the association recognized achievement and excellence in the hospitality industry with its annual awards. Each year, AAHOA honors hoteliers who go above and beyond in service to the hospitality industry. Winners are chosen by an independent awards selection committee, and recipients are acknowledged and celebrated on stage during the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show. The annual AAHOA Awards Program recognizes the best of the best, and AAHOA is honored to highlight this year’s award winners’ service and commitment to excellence. Their hard ...

Bharat Patel Becomes Newest Chairman of AAHOA

AAHOA | April 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Apr. 17 – Florida hotelier Bharat Patel, CHO, CHIA, is the new Chairman of AAHOA’s Board of Directors. Patel became chairman at the conclusion of the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles, Ca., which set a record level of booth sales for the Trade Show, making it the largest in AAHOA history. “I am honored to serve America’s hotel owners as the newest AAHOA Chairman,” Patel said. “Like the theme from AAHOACON23, I look forward to honoring the past and creating a bolder future by working with AAHOA’s nearly 20,000 Members to ensure we reestablish strong partnerships with our state association...

AAHOA Announces New Secretary and Board Members at AAHOACON23

AAHOA | April 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Apr. 17 – Rahul Patel of Bradenton, Florida, is the new AAHOA Secretary. Patel is the Proprietor of Wisdom Group, LLC. AAHOA Members also elected the following ten members to the Board of Directors: Arkansas Regional Director: Danny (Chintu) Patel Florida Regional Director: Chetan (Chris) Patel Georgia Regional Director: Vikesh (Vik) Zaver Greater Los Angeles Area Regional Director: Naresh (ND) Bhakta North Central Regional Director: Bhavesh N. Patel North Pacific Regional Director: Ankit Panchal North Texas Regional Director: Dhiren Masters Director at Large Western Division: Nalin (Neil) Pate...

Virdee Wins Annual Tech Pitch Competition at 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show

AAHOA | April 17, 2023

LOS ANGELES, Ca., Apr. 17 – Virdee is taking home the top prize in the AAHOA Tech Pitch Competition, Co-Powered by HFTP A panel of five judges with expertise in technology and hospitality chose Virdee’s guest experience technology platform from a field of eight finalists. Virdee Virtual Reception Software is aimed at helping properties become more efficient. Whether it’s to help front-of-house staffing, provide guests with their keys, or help them pay for their stay, their goal is to free up staff in a way that allows them to deliver a true guest experience. The competition is designed to help identify and elevate companies with i...

LA $25 Wage Proposal Puts Politics Over Policy, Say CHLA, AAHOA, HALA

April 13, 2023

SACRAMENTO, Calif., April 13, 2023 -- The $25 an hour minimum wage proposed today by Los Angeles City Council Member Curren Price is a short-sighted, industry-specific mandate for political gain, that ignores accepted living wage policies and far less pay for teachers and city workers. "Why is it that city leaders push onerous financial burdens on our still fragile hospitality community, without demanding similar pay for Los Angeles teachers and city staff?" said Lynn S. Mohrfeld, President and CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association (CHLA). "It is proposals like these that have led to the city's reputation as a diffic...