AAHOA Members reflect on the significance of AAHOACON26
By AAHOA Staff
As hoteliers and industry leaders convene in Philadelphia – the city where our nation was born – for AAHOACON26, they do so at a landmark moment in American history. In 2026, the United States marks its 250th anniversary, a milestone that invites reflection on the role AAHOA Members play in the American story.
This year’s theme, “Liberty, Leadership & Legacy,” resonates with members whose entrepreneurial journeys embody the very values this country was founded upon. Liberty speaks to the freedom to build and take risks. Leadership reflects the responsibility to serve employees, guests, their families, and the communities they live and work in. And legacy highlights the impact of multi-generational, family-owned business and the future of AAHOA.
We asked members of AAHOA’s Board of Directors to reflect on the significance of meeting in Philadelphia during this historic occasion, how their personal and professional journeys mirror the American Dream, and the legacy they hope to shape for the next 250 years.
Kamalesh (KP) Patel
Chairman
What does it mean to you to gather in Philadelphia – where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed – during the United States’ 250th anniversary?
Gathering in Philadelphia during this milestone anniversary is incredibly meaningful. It’s a reminder that freedom, innovation, and perseverance are at the heart of our country’s story, and they’re just as central to the story of hotel owners. For AAHOA Members, this gathering is more than a convention; it’s a chance to celebrate independence in business, connect with peers, and reflect on how far we’ve come together. It’s about honoring history while shaping the future.
Rahul Patel
Vice Chairman
How does your story and entrepreneurship journey reflect the AAHOACON26 theme of liberty, leadership, and legacy?
My journey has always been about the work. Liberty to me is the simple freedom to take a risk on a property and put in the hours to make it successful. Leadership isn’t about being out front or making speeches; it’s about making the hard decisions when the numbers are tight so your employees stay paid and your doors stay open. As for legacy, I don’t think of it as a monument. I think of it as a well-run business that my children can one day take over if they choose, knowing it was built on integrity and many late nights.
Pinal S. Patel
Treasurer
Looking ahead, what do you hope the next 250 years will hold for future generations and AAHOA?
I hope the next 250 years see us move from being the ones who bought into the dream to the ones who are defining it. I want the future generations of AAHOA to be the absolute disruptors of this industry – the innovators and the icons. As a father, my biggest hope is that the barriers we faced are no more than a memory for them. I want my daughters to inherit an association that has so much influence and respect that their path to the top is limited only by how big they choose to dream.
I hope the next two centuries see AAHOA Members not just owning the most hotels but leading the most change. Most importantly, I hope that 250 years from now, our descendants look back at our time and say that we were the leaders who protected the American Dream so well that it stayed alive and vibrant for every generation that followed.
Vimal (Ricky) Patel
Secretary
What does it mean to you to gather in Philadelphia – where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed – during the United States’ 250th anniversary?
Being in Philadelphia during this 250th anniversary is especially meaningful. It reminds me of the opportunity this country offers – freedom to build, to take risks, and to lead. As someone who came to the U.S. at age 21 and immediately found my calling in hospitality, this gathering emphasizes the spirit that drives so many AAHOA Members: The chance to build something of your own and make it stronger every day.
Laura Lee Blake
President & CEO
What values do AAHOA Members bring to the American story today?
AAHOA Members are central to the American story. They bring a bold entrepreneurial spirit, a commitment to serving their communities, an unwavering desire to succeed, and an optimistic belief in the future. They are the quiet leaders who keep the lights on in every corner of this country. In a legal sense, they are the stakeholders of the American Dream, proving that with hard work and a clear vision, the promises made 250 years ago are still being kept today.
Neil Patel
Alabama Regional Director
How does your story and entrepreneurship journey reflect the AAHOACON26 theme of liberty, leadership, and legacy?
Standing here, it hits you that our own little journeys are part of this much bigger story. As hotel owners, we’re not just running properties; we’re creating jobs, taking care of our communities, and helping keep that American promise alive. Celebrating this milestone right where it all began just feels like the perfect full-circle moment.
For me, it lines up perfectly. Hospitality gave me the liberty to build something of my own. I took the risk, put in the hours, and made it work. Leadership just means showing up every single day for my team, my guests, and the people around me. Legacy? That’s about planting seeds that keep growing, creating opportunities that outlast me, and setting up the next generation for success.
Naresh (ND) Bhakta
Greater Los Angeles Area Regional Director
What does it mean to you to gather in Philadelphia – where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed – during the United States’ 250th anniversary?
Gathering in Philadelphia during America’s 250th anniversary is an absolute honor and a moment of deep appreciation. This city is more than historic: It is the birthplace of an idea. Standing where liberty was first boldly declared reminds us that freedom is not just symbolic; it is a responsibility earned through sacrifice, protected through unity, and sustained through service.
Mahendra (MZ) Patel
Mid Atlantic Regional Director
What does it mean to you to gather in Philadelphia – where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed – during the United States’ 250th anniversary?
It’s very appropriate for AAHOA to meet in Philadelphia because the first three words of the Constitution, which guides our country, are “We the People,” while AAHOA is guided by the concept of “we the owners.” Our association was founded by owners to serve owners. Both America and AAHOA are built on the concepts of pushing boundaries and helping people reach their full potential. Essential for both America and AAHOA are the principles of freedom and equal rights. That’s why we at AAHOA are committed to activities such as fair franchising, advocacy, and financial education. Clearly, the Philadelphia convention will be a powerful reminder of our core mission for members.
Dhiren Masters
North Texas Regional Director
What values do AAHOA Members bring to the American story today?
Members of AAHOA contribute tenacity, entrepreneurial spirit, and an unshakeable faith in opportunity to the modern American narrative. Many are first- and second-generation immigrants who used perseverance, risk-taking, and hard work – values traditionally associated with the American Dream – to build their businesses. As owners of small businesses, they support their communities, create jobs, and boost the economy by helping out when needed. Their success stories show the strength of freedom and upward mobility, and their family-run businesses highlight a dedication to legacy, responsibility, and service. By doing this, AAHOA Members actively influence and reinforce the country’s changing story of opportunity and success in addition to helping the economy.
Preyas Patel
Northeast Regional Director
How does your story and entrepreneurship journey reflect the AAHOACON26 theme of liberty, leadership, and legacy?
My entrepreneurial journey reflects the AAHOACON26 theme of liberty, leadership, and legacy through opportunity, responsibility, and service. Like many AAHOA Members, I pursued entrepreneurship to create economic freedom for my family while contributing to my community. Liberty gave me the chance to build, leadership challenged me to grow through adversity, and legacy inspires me to uplift others along the way. Through hospitality, I have learned that success is not only measured by profit but by integrity, resilience, and the positive impact we leave behind. This journey continues to shape my commitment to leading with purpose and building a stronger future for the next generation.
Taran Patel
Northwest Regional Director
Looking ahead, what do you hope the next 250 years will hold for future generations and AAHOA?
This semiquincentennial moment isn’t just about looking back; it’s about looking forward and recommitting to the values of hard work, family unity, and perseverance that have fueled your unparalleled success. This mindset will charge us forward for the next 250 years and ensure success for generations to come.
Bhavik Patel
Southeast Texas Regional Director
Are there any milestones in your personal or professional life that this anniversary brings to mind?
On a personal level, it reflects the journey of building a life rooted in family values that align closely with the principles on which this nation was founded. Like many entrepreneurs, my path has been shaped by the first generation entering the hospitality industry and persevering. Professionally, it highlights key moments of growth as a business owner and industry leader, including acquiring properties by navigating economic cycles and stepping into leadership roles that enable me to serve others in the hospitality industry. Each milestone represents not just individual achievement but collective effort, mentorship, and community support. Most importantly, this anniversary underscores the continuity. It reminds me that professional success is most meaningful when it contributes to something lasting – supporting employees, strengthening local communities, and preparing the next generation to lead with integrity and purpose.
Dylan Patel
Young Professional Director, Eastern Division
What values do AAHOA Members bring to the American story today?
AAHOA Members represent entrepreneurship, resilience, and community. Many started with limited resources and built successful businesses through hard work and persistence. They also created opportunities for others, whether that’s through jobs, mentorship, or leadership within the industry. Those values are especially important as we think about how to attract and support the next generation of hospitality professionals.
Paavan Patel
Young Professional Director, Western Division
Are there any milestones in your personal or professional life that this anniversary brings to mind?
This anniversary brings to mind several meaningful milestones in both my personal and professional journey. As a second-generation hotelier, I reflect on the moment my family took the risk to invest in their first property, laying the foundation for everything that followed. Professionally, serving as the youngest board member in AAHOA history is a defining milestone that represents not only personal growth but the trust placed in the next generation of leaders. This moment also reminds me of the responsibility that comes with progress: To honor the sacrifices of those before us, to continue building sustainable businesses, and to ensure that future generations have the same opportunity to pursue the American Dream through entrepreneurship.
Purnima Patel
Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division
What do you hope the next 250 years will hold for future generations and AAHOA?
I hope the next 250 years bring continued growth not just in numbers, but in influence and impact. That means stronger advocacy, deeper partnerships, and leadership that reflects the diversity and professionalism of its members. I hope AAHOA remains a gateway to entrepreneurship – especially for immigrants and first-time owners – while evolving with technology, sustainability, and changing travel needs.
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