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AAHOA welcomed nearly 8,000 attendees and 500+ exhibiting companies to AAHOACON23, which took place April 11-14 in Los Angeles, CA. AAHOACON23, also known as the “Super Bowl” of hospitality events, broke various records, including the largest trade show in AAHOA’s 34-year history.
AAHOA thanks its members, exhibitors, industry partners, and the following key brands for helping to make AAHOACON23 a record-breaking event:
- Best Western Hotels & Resorts
- G6 Hospitality
- Red Roof
- Sonesta
- Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
- Cobblestone Hotels
- Extended Stay America
- hihotels by Hospitality International
- My Place Hotels
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AAHOA Past Chairman Neal Patel (2022-2023) recognized Lifetime Member Raman (R.P.) Rama with the Innovation Award on the final day of the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Los Angeles, CA. The Innovation Award is for individuals who have gone above and beyond introducing technology to AAHOA Members and the industry at large.
AAHOA Members own 60% of all hotels in the world, yet the hospitality industry has been slow to adopt new technology.
R.P. Rama is a pioneer in the industry and has always been a big advocate for AAHOA, and an even bigger advocate when it comes to technology.
“The first time I was introduced to Mr. Rama was when he led a seminar and education session on technology at the San Antonio AAHOA Convention,” said Neal Patel, AAHOA Past Chairman (2022-2023). “It changed our perspectives because many AAHOA Members are used to doing business the same way for a long time, and they don't really change their best practices. Technology has only helped improve our bottom line, and AAHOA is committed to helping with those improvements.”
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Thousands of AAHOACON23 attendees enjoyed spectacular fireworks and an epic drone show at the Welcome Reception in the LA Coliseum thanks to impeccable convoy coordination on the first day of AAHOACON23.
According to the sergeant in charge of the California Highway Patrol motor escort, the convoy of motor coaches to move AAHOACON23 attendees to and from the LA Coliseum for the Welcome Reception was the largest motor escorted convoy for a private event that they have ever been a part of for the City of Los Angeles.
This observation was corroborated by two senior leaders at Los Angeles Tourism and the security chief at the Los Angeles Convention Center. With 30 motor coaches moving 3,000 attendees in escorted convoys shuttle-style, the CHP briefly shut down Interstate 110 to move all AAHOACON23 busses in waves from the LA Coliseum back to the Los Angeles Convention Center at the conclusion of the Welcome Reception.
AAHOA thanks the City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department, LA Tourism, the South Park District, and CHP for their incredible coordination and fearlessness in achieving the goal of moving such a large convoy of AAHOACON23 attendees safely, and with minimal disruption to the public enjoying the other highly popular sporting events.
This experience is another first for AAHOA, but being the first and largest is no surprise to our organization!
Franchising has been a feature of American capitalism for decades, allowing brands to grow quickly using investment from entrepreneurs who commit their own capital in exchange for a business plan and a logo that consumers might recognize. The Federal Trade Commission requires Franchisors to disclose factors including start-up costs and the company's financial performance to those considering buying a franchise, and some state laws govern considerations like transfer rights.
But much of the relationship is largely unregulated — changes a Franchisor can make to contracts, for example, and which vendors can be required.
Laura Lee Blake, the chief executive of the 20,000-member Asian American Hotel Owners Association, said hoteliers had reached desperation. “There comes a point when you’ve tried and tried to meet with the Franchisors to ask for changes, and they refuse to listen,” she said.
The panelists discussed the influence of emerging technologies, like ChatGPT, short-term rentals, economic and market factors, and more.
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As someone who is new to the hotel industry, we've really had a chance to see the tremendous amount of support and, for me, coming to AAHOA, with seven or 8000 other hoteliers, one thing that's really unique I think about the hotel industry and about AAHOA, is everyone's willingness to help and they're so incredibly supportive. They're so incredibly helpful. And for myself, I feel really blessed really fortunate to be able to be a part of that AAHOA Family.
-Dr. Ruby Dhalla, Hotelier
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Are you having trouble keeping up with the latest drive by litigation for ADA website accessibility? Frustrated that there aren't enforceable website accessibility regulations? Learn about trends in website litigation, best practices for enhancing the accessibility of your website, and what you can do to minimize your potential liability.
Presenters: Stephanie Moot, Partner, K&L Gates and Carol Lumpkin, Partner, K&L Gates
AAHOA Members, get 5 percent off all your everyday purchases when you use the Lowe’s LAR business credit card. There’s no annual fee, and you can make purchases by phone, fax, or at LowesForPros.com. You’ll also be able to take advantage of exclusive cardholder promotions and receive discounted delivery on your purchases! Click here for more details, then contact Anthony Ruiz ( Anthony.ruiz@lowes.com) to get started.
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PMC Commercial Trust offers conventional and SBA loan programs for the acquisition, refinancing, renovation and construction of businesses with commercial real estate throughout the country as principal lenders. PMC has been granted Preferred Lender (PLP) status from the SBA, which allows for a faster turn-around time at the SBA. Since the early 90’s, PMC’s focus has been on the hospitality industry, assisting start up individuals as well as multi property owners in obtaining the financing that best fits their needs. Visit the website, then contact Kristi Lewis-Hodge ( loans@pmctrust.com) to get started.
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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, visit AAHOA.com/lifeinsurance. To schedule an appointment to review your life insurance options, please visit www.calendly.com/aahoa.
With technologies like ChatGPT continuing to dominate headlines, hoteliers are getting in on the trend and finding that implementing cutting-edge tech solutions can pay dividends down the road.
(Source: Bizz Buzz)
When compared against February 2023, hotels, on average, reported better performances in average daily rate (+19.1%) and revenue per available room (+14.4%), though occupancy experienced a slight dip (-4%).
(Source: Hotel Management)
WIth guests expressing an increasing interest in seeing sustainability efforts implemented in hotels, many properties are navigating the balance between delivering on expectations while avoiding a negative bottom-line impact.
(Source: National Geographic)
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APRIL ISSUE
The April 2023 issue is out now! This month, we're examining a wide variety of topics, with a special focus on AAHOACON23 including 5 things to know AAHOACON23 edition, a quick look at just some of the key events and offerings at AAHOACON23, 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.
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Truist Securities reports, “Overall U.S. RevPAR was +6.6% y/y for the week ending 4/22/2023, per STR, down from the prior week's result of +8.6%, and below the trailing 10-week average of +8.2%. And, vs. 2019, RevPAR was +17.4%, slightly up from the prior week’s result of +17.1%, and above the trailing 10-week average of +12.9%. Last week's results reflected easy comps due to the April holiday shifts in 2019/2022/2023. Easter Sunday fell at the start of 2022's and 2019's comparable weeks, resulting in high Group-driven RevPAR growth in 2023 (Group RevPAR was +47.1% y/y vs. running 28-day average of +8.9%, and +40.9% vs. 2019 compared to running 28-day average of -8.2%). Upscale RevPAR: +13.0% y/y and +14.1% vs. 2019; Upper Midscale RevPAR: +7.1% y/y and +15.3% vs. 2019.” For more, read the full report here, and read the China/Europe report here.
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Oklahoma: The Hospitality Day at the Capitol and a "Tasteful Affair" Legislative Reception
