The Small Business Administration (SBA) recently announced that it is reopening the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) this week. All participating lenders are expected to gain access to the program on or after January 13. New PPP borrowers can submit your application today.

If you have already exhausted your first PPP loan, the process for second draw is now available. We encourage all AAHOA Members seeking to participate in the PPP to contact your lenders if you have not already done so. Visit AAHOA's website for more information.

We're nearly midway through National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month, but there's still a lot of important work to be done. Our most effective weapon in the war to stop trafficking is training. "Education and prevention are effective ways for hotels to serve as a frontline asset in the fight against trafficking," AAHOA Chairman Biran Patel said in this month's issue of Today's Hotelier. "AAHOA has trained thousands of hotel owners and their staff in person and online to date, yet our efforts will continue to ensure that the entirety of our industry is well versed to identify, report, and prevent human trafficking." To learn more about human trafficking and its impact on children in particular, join us at 3 p.m. EST Thursday, January 28 for "Understanding Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation." Then, if you haven't already done so, register yourself and your team for our BEST Inhospitable to Human Trafficking Training Sponsored by AAHOA online training.

AAHOA is looking for motivated members who are ready and willing to help us achieve the goals laid out in our 2021-2023 Strategic Plan, "Three Years, One Vision: AAHOA's Strategic Vision for the Future.” Serving on the AAHOA Board of Directors provides a rewarding opportunity to help drive the strategic direction of a national association dedicated to advancing and protecting the interests of hotel owners. If you missed President & CEO Cecil P. Staton's Board Service Interest Meeting in December, you can watch the on-demand video to learn more about the strategic plan and what service on a national nonprofit board requires. The nomination period runs through March 8, and there are 12 open positions. For a list of open positions and eligibility requirements, check out AAHOA.com/2021candidates.

The impact that the coronavirus pandemic has had on the hospitality industry is palpable, leaving many asking, "Where do we go from here?" and “How do we come back from this?” AAHOA Chairman Biran Patel and Secretary Nishant (Neal) Patel will be among the featured speakers who will answer those questions and more at Hotel Optimization Part 3, set for January 27. This virtual event series, created in partnership with AAHOA, will provide clear insight, opinion, and forecasting to help you better understand your options of getting back to profitability... and fast. Your FREE pass to the third installment of this virtual event series gives you access to four expert panels discussing:

There also will be a chat room to talk strategy with your peers, a Q&A tab to submit your questions to speakers, and resources to help you power through this challenging time. Don't miss out, view the agenda and register today for your free pass!

AAHOA takes seriously our commitment to giving back to the communities our members serve. What better way to honor that commitment than with a fun-filled day of golf and networking, all in the support of worthwhile causes? AAHOA has released its 2021 Charity Golf Tournament shedule and registration will be open soon, so save the dates and join us on the greens for a masked, socially distanced, and safe day of golf as we tee off for charity.

AAHOA is bringing you a series of COVID-19-related webcasts that will keep you informed and help determine next steps for your business. We have educated more than 50,000 hoteliers to date and feature more than 200 webcasts separated by category in our library. AAHOA makes these webcasts available to the industry, so share with those in your network, whether they're an AAHOA Member or not. 

• Strategies to Boost Topline Revenue at Your Property and Generate Your Way Back, 11-11:30 a.m. EST, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021
• Getting Back to Business: Understanding the Intricacies of Hotel Valuation, 1-1:30 p.m. EST, Jan. 21, 2021
• What Employers Can Expect from the New Administration, 11-11:30 a.m. EST, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021
• Hotel Valuation Outlook: What to Expect in 2021, 3-3:30 p.m. EST, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021
• Understanding Human Trafficking and Child Exploitation, 3-4 p.m. EST Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021

In a recent Morning Consult survey, a whopping 72 percent of respondents said concerns about cleanliness and sanitization affect their decision on whether to stay in a hotel. AAHOA has partnered with P&G Professional to create the AAHOA/P&G Professional’s Training in Hotel Sanitization and Cleanliness. This all-digital program covers what hoteliers need to know as it relates to the effective sanitization of your property. This program is completely FREE and is available to the entire hospitality industry. Download our infographic to learn more and sign up for this valuable training today!

Truist Securities (formerly SunTrust Robinson Humphrey) reports, “Economy (-1.6%) was the relatively strongest chain scale for branded hotels; Upper Upscale was the weakest at -72.5%. Upscale (-51.7%) underperformed the industry average; Upper Midscale (-35.8%) outperformed. While early January's normally low occupancy (51.7% same week last year) offers easier comparisons vs. 2021 (37.0% last week), with a similar impact to ADR, we remain unconvinced of any material return in business travel -- either transient or group. There is at least one piece of good news to point out. Economy occupancy was +1.1% y/y with ADR -2.6%. RevPAR was almost flat at -1.6 Branded economy hotels materially outperformed Midscale at -18.5% RevPAR followed by the more consistent weak results exhibited in select-service and full-service since the pandemic. Washington, D.C., hotels had unusually strong performance mid-last week and we can attribute this outperformance in part to the storming of the Capitol and related rallies.”

Ecolab, the global industry leader in hotel cleaning and sanitization, offers preferred pricing to AAHOA Members. Save on laundry, housekeeping, kitchen, pool and spa chemical programs, and more! For more information, please visit the website, then contact Michael Pfister or call 952-852-0926 today!

At FreshAir Sensor, we use novel, patented sensor technology for the real-time detection of hazardous airborne chemicals. We help customers prevent unauthorized smoking and create a safer and healthier environment for residents and guests. Check out the website, then contact Matt Henson today!

The members of AHIA specialize in hospitality industry legal issues and have a minimum of five years' experience for in-house counsel and 10 years' experience for outside counsel. All AHIA members are committed to promoting professionalism, continuing education, and improved communication, which creates a network of competent experienced attorneys committed to improving legal services throughout the hospitality industry. Access their nationwide directory to find a hospitality industry lawyer near you.

Prior to COVID-19, there was increasing interest in new technology for the hotel industry. However, the pandemic pushed new technology to the front of the conversation as contactless and faceless interactions became necessary for health and safety.

Lockdowns and travel restrictions slammed the hotel industry, so the COVID-19 vaccine is another step toward recovery. Access to rapid and accurate testing for the virus was a huge step for industry recovery, but a vaccine brings even more hope. 

As the COVID-19 vaccine promises to get travelers back into hotels, the pandemic has drastically changed what guests will require. According to data gathered from GlobalData, the hospitality industry should expect more extended stays, the need for work-friendly rooms, and more into 2021.