Increased competition and operating costs are impacting the success of business in the hospitality industry. Chairman Hitesh (HP) Patel and President & CEO Chip Rogers will both provide their insights on day-to-day challenges facing hoteliers in a Fireside Chat on June 20 at HITEC. For more information on HITEC and to learn how to receive a complimentary pass to the HITEC Trade Show, click here.

Jay H. Shah, AAHOA Member and CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust, has been nominated for the HOTELS Magazine 2018 Hotelier of the World Award. Now in its 38th year, the awards recognize individuals who have contributed to the greater good of the global hotel business. The winners will be profiled in the November issue of HOTELS. Click here to learn more and cast your vote today.

The AAHOA Women’s Development Day at Hilton this week was a great success! Women hoteliers from across the country joined Hilton executives--including SVP Global Head Tru by Hilton Alexandra Jaritz, SVP Development Americas Bill Fortier, and SVP Global Head Hampton by Hilton Shruti Gandhi Buckley--to learn about the brand and its plans for the future. Interested in similar events? Click here to register for upcoming brand development days.

By popular demand, AAHOA's Top Webinar of 2017 has been expanded into a 1-day workshop in Houston on June 28. Learn how to generate revenue for your hotel without a dedicated sales team, capitalize on incoming inquiries, and foster a sales-focused culture in your staff. Seats are limited to the first 60 registrations. Register today!

What did you miss this week? Check out the AAHOA Facebook page to view photos of our members doing great things! This week we covered the Hotel Business Roundtable with The Wall Street Journal, the Gulf - Little Rock Regional Meeting, a Town Hall Meeting in Greensboro, NC, and more.

AAHOA members in the Northwest region are joining together in Camas, WA to play golf, network, and raise money for three deserving charities: BEST Alliance, Make-A-Wish Oregon, and the Doernbecher Foundation. Following the tournament, AAHOA will host an auction, dinner, and awards ceremony with plenty of great prizes. Click here to learn more about playing and sponsoring.

AAHOA Gulf Regional Director Girish (Gary) Patel and the Gulf Regional Ambassadors held their first regional meeting of the 2018-2019 year in Little Rock, AR. With more than 301 attendees and 43 booths on the trade show floor, the event was a smashing success. Click here to see when a regional meeting is coming to your area.

In partnership with the American Hotel & Lodging Education Institute, ICHRIE, and STR, AAHOA is pleased to offer members-only access and a steeply discounted rate to the Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) program. The CHIA is the only hotel-related certification for industry professionals focused on analytics. See below for the upcoming programs and register now:

July 31-August 1 – Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (Dallas, TX)
August 8-9 – Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (Detroit, MI)
October 10-11 – Certification in Hotel Industry Analytics (Oklahoma City, OK)

June 20 - The Importance of Cleaning and Proper Procedures in Delivering Outstanding Guest Satisfaction

Indiaspora and Pratham USA are conducting a comprehensive survey of Indian-American philanthropic engagement. The purpose of this survey is to gain an understanding of the perspectives, preferences, and ideas of the broader Indian-American community, and to understand the level of engagement by first and second generation individuals of Indian descent. Click here to complete this anonymous and confidential survey.

Waldorf Astoria is repositioning their brand through the launch of a marketing campaign that highlights the brand's unique experience. "The majority of luxury campaigns in hospitality look the same; however, luxury consumer preferences continue to change," says Kellyn Smith Kenny, chief marketing officer of Hilton. (Source: Travel Pulse)

Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson shares insights on some of the big tech giants that may be a threat to the hospitality industry. "We are in an absolute war for who owns the customer," Sorenson says. (Source: TechRepublic)

A recent publication takes a close look at today's soft brand business landscape. As the soft brand movement is growing, there are multiple factors hotel owners should take into consideration if thinking about joining a soft brand. George Jordan, SVP of operations of Oxford Hotels and Resorts shares insight on individually owned and soft brand hotels. (Source: Skift)