As we wrap up a record-setting 2018, we want to thank you, our many great members, partners, and leaders, who dedicated your time to serving AAHOA and the hospitality industry. Entering the new year, which will be AAHOA's 30th, we are at the strongest point in the association's history, and we look forward to celebrating our successes with you in San Diego this April.

Do all your 2019 shopping in one place with the first annual AAHOA Buyer's Guide. Find the right vendor partners, organized alphabetically and by category, to help you grow your business in the new year. The digital edition is available now. You can expect to receive the print edition along with your January issue of Today's Hotelier magazine.

Town Halls are a great opportunity to build your professional network and to learn more about the AAHOA programs and resources available to help you strengthen every aspect of your business. These events are open to all hotel owners, even if you're not already a member. Coming up soon:

 

 

 

 

The Better Buildings Webinar Series continues with a webinar on January 8 at 3 PM EST focused on the Department of Energy’s Smart Labs Accelerator Program and the first steps for incorporating Smart Labs methodology into your organizations current management plan. Using lessons learned and experts in the field, this webinar will set up your site for creating a Smart Labs Program. Prioritizing energy efficiency in labs can help organizations quickly meet their energy saving goals. Click here to register.

 

AAHOA and MasterCard have partnered to design a card specially to meet the credit needs of successful hotel owners. The AAHOA Business Edition® MasterCard® with Absolute Rewards® has no annual fee, gives you 1.5 points per dollar on all your purchases, and allows you to redeem your points for the rewards you want, including cash back as a statement credit, travel, gift cards, merchandise, and more. Plus, you have three years to use your points before they expire. Click here to learn more and apply.

With more than 870 locations across the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Honduras operating under the La Quinta Inn & Suites, La Quinta Inn and LQ Hotels brands, La Quinta delivers an attractive list of amenities along with a unique customer experience that makes both business and leisure travelers feel assured about their stay. Over the last 10 years, La Quinta has more than doubled the number of hotels. This growth is a testament to the brand’s commitment to guest satisfaction and a strong relationship with its franchise partners.

Ecolab provides comprehensive cleaning programs, combined with unparalleled service and expert training, to help you achieve success in areas most critical to your business: guest satisfaction, operational efficiency, employee safety, and food safety. We partner with our hospitality customers to keep operations running smoothly with regular visits from Ecolab representatives and 24/7/365 customer support.

On Dec. 24, the Washington State Court of Appeals struck down Seattle's planned protections measure for hotel workers that had been approved by voters though an initiative in November 2016. Initiative 124 was determined by the court to have violated Seattle's "single subject" requirement, which restricts the passage of multiple rules in one measure. (Source: Hotel Management)

There were dozens of landmark hotel openings across the United States this past year, and 2019 looks to be even more active, with unique properties launching throughout the country. Both New York and Los Angeles will be home to over a dozen new hotels each in the next year. (Source: Forbes)

Marriott International Inc. and Expedia Group Inc. are in the final stages of negotiations over how much the hotel company will pay the online booking giant, a development that will have broad implications for other hotel operators, property owners, and millions of guests world-wide. (Source: Wall Street Journal)