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It's that time again... AAHOA is bringing you a brand-new edition of Today's Hotelier! The June 2023 issue is officially out TODAY, ready to read in print and digital.
This month, we're exploring a handful of topics, with a special focus on staying ahead of design trends, including budgeting for current and upcoming hotel design trends, getting back to basics, and much more.
Check out some of the featured content in this month's article:
Cornell University will be hosting a webinar at 9 a.m. EDT on Wednesday, June 7, to discuss sustainability benchmarking.
Some of what you'll learn includes the benefits and challenges of sustainability benchmarking in the hospitality industry, how hotel brands and owners are tracking and measuring data to set sustainability goals, and how to come together as an industry to increase our impact.
Keynote speakers for this webinar include Rishi Shah, Senior Director of Sustainability at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Emily Smith Markey, Senior Director of Investor Relations and Corporate Responsibility at Park Hotels & Resorts, and Eric Ricaurte, CEO and Founder of Greenview. Click here to view all of the keynote speakers for this webinar.
This webinar is FREE, and AAHOA Members are encouraged to join this webinar to learn more about sustainability benchmarking in the hospitality industry.
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On Tuesday, May 31, more than 310 AAHOA Members showed up for the Florida Regional Conference & Trade Show in Tampa, FL. The attendees had a chance to connect with nearly 80 exhibitors on the trade show floor and receive human trafficking awareness training onsite.
The event capped off with special guest speakers Samantha Padgett, Government Relations General Counsel VP at Florida Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Santiago Corrada, President & CEO at Visit Tampa Bay. The hotel business is a significant driver of Florida’s economy, with AAHOA Members owning 65.2% of hotels in the Sunshine State. Padgett and Corrada taking center stage to share the game-changing work their respective organizations are achieving to protect the hospitality industry was paramount.
Additionally, Florida members raised more than $50K in AAHOA PAC. Over the years, AAHOA has cultivated relationships with elected officials in the Florida State Capitol and Washington, D.C. The PAC funds raised on Tuesday will help guarantee the AAHOA team’s ongoing efforts to support a diverse group of elected officials and leaders who understand how legislation impacts the hospitality industry.
Thanks to the AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel, Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Secretary Rahul Patel, Florida Regional Director Chetan (Chris) Patel, local ambassadors, exhibitors, and sponsors for the support to make this event as successful as it was.
Following this week’s latest developments regarding the U.S. debt ceiling, AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake issued the following statement:
“As small-business owners who contribute more than $300 billion to the economy, AAHOA Members are encouraged by news that Congressional and Administration leaders have reached a deal to avoid a default.”
“We are hopeful that negotiations over suspending the $31.4 trillion debt limit for two years in exchange for spending limits will meet with bipartisan approval in Congress. It is important that the government honors its debt obligations while being fiscally responsible.”
“Members of Congress should consider the spirit of compromise that led us to this agreement in principle when they cast their votes.”
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AAHOA recently released a new informational video about its 4 Pillars for Franchise Advocacy to advance AAHOA’s mission as the foremost resource and advocate for America’s hotel owners. These 4 Pillars for Franchise Advocacy represent the primary issues for which AAHOA advocates on behalf of member-hoteliers.
The 4 Core Pillars:
- Mandated Vendors: Brands should not mandate specific vendors when there are multiple vendors selling goods of comparable quality at comparable prices.
- Rebates: Brands should disclose all vendor "rebates," which can also be called "discounts," "refunds," or "allowances," and should be returned to Franchisees through appropriate accounts.
- Loyalty Programs: Brands should reasonably compensate Franchisees when the brand sells loyalty points for cash and then allows travelers to stay at hotels owned by Franchisees.
- New Fees: Brands should not unilaterally or arbitrarily impose new fees on Franchisees that were not disclosed in the official Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) without the approval of the Franchisees or a properly elected Franchise Advisory Council (FAC).
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SBA has very recently implemented a number of changes to the 7(a) loan program, some of which took effect on May 11-12, and some that will take effect on August 1, 2023. There is a great demand for training on the new changes. To that end, SBA has posted a new Training on Demand page, hosting single-topic recorded trainings on the new rules and procedures. The Training on Demand page offers free public access to training led by SBA subject matter experts, available around the clock. Access it here.
AAHOA Members have long been advocating for an increase of the current maximum 7(a) loan amount. Most recently, AAHOA Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel spoke with Congressional staff on Capitol Hill about the need to increase the limit on the Small Business Administration’s 7(a) loan program from its current cap of $5 million. This maximum amount is set by statute in the Small Business Act. It will require Congressional action to change that cap, or to change the cap on the maximum outstanding guaranteed loan amount to any one borrower and its affiliates, which is set at $3.75 million.
The AAHOA Advocacy team will continue to update our members on any new information we receive regarding changes to the SBA 7(a) loan program.
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"AAHOA is just a major help to any hotelier. It doesn't even have to be an Asian American, even though that's our primary audience. But even without that, AAHOA is always just always trying to meet with state representatives or House officials, no matter who it is. They're always putting the best effort and that's honestly more than a lot of people can say. So just having the backing of an organization behind you is a huge help."
-Aaryan Patel, AAHOACON23 Attendee
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Cultural competence refers to an ability to successfully negotiate cross-cultural differences in order to accomplish practical goals. Join Seema Jain, Founder & CEO of Seva Global, and learn how enhancing your cultural competence can positively impact the customer's experience and drive your bottom line.
HBO, the oldest and most award-winning premium channel in the U.S., is offering AAHOA Members the chance to earn money back. Members get a rebate of $9 per room (5-year contract) or $7 per room (3-or 4-year contract) when they add or renew HBO at their properties. Click here today to complete the rebate form and get started.
MassMutual is a leading mutual life insurance company that is run for the benefit of its members and participating policyowners. MassMutual offers a wide range of financial products and services, including life insurance, disability income insurance, long term care insurance, annuities, retirement plans and other employee benefits. For more information, visit www.massmutual.com, then contact Ana Lucia Divins ( analuciadivins@massmutual.com) to get started.
No Vacancy with Glenn Haussman is the travel industry’s most exciting podcast. It's a fun, fast-paced, genre-bending program that peels back the veneer of the travel business. Click here to subscribe to the No Vacancy Podcast. Follow Glenn on Twitter @TravelingGlenn or visit www.rouse.media.
Brands and independent properties alike in the long-term-stay sector are experiencing a surge in popularity as guests look for a blend of traditional short-term hotel rooms and Airbnb- or Vrbo-styled lodgings.
(Source: Axios)
Despite travel largely returning to pre-pandemic levels, hotels continue to struggle to fill open positions, leading some properties to overhaul on-property culture, hiring processes, and more to fill their ranks.
(Source: HospitalityNet)
More than a flash in the pan, savvy hoteliers are harnessing the power of artificial intelligence to streamline operations, improve customer service, drive bookings, and more.
(Source: CityLife)
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JUNE ISSUE
The June 2023 issue of Today's Hotelier magazine is out now! This month, we're exploring a handful of topics, with a special focus on staying ahead of design trends, including budgeting for current and upcoming hotel design trends, getting back to basics, 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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AAHOA Northeast Regional Conference & Trade Show, Hartford, CT
