By Rahul Patel, AAHOA Chairman (2026-2027)
Ten years ago, Today’s Hotelier published its first issue under the leadership of Past Chairmen Jay (Jimmy) Patel (2015-16) and Bharat (Bruce) Patel (2016-17). In a joint editorial, they wrote:
“Where our predecessors were united by nationality and culture, the AAHOA of today rests upon the bedrock of unified vision and common struggle. Today’s AAHOA Member is not just a hotelier. We are an organization of entrepreneurs, job creators, innovators, philanthropists, and leaders whose current and future success is by design.”
Ten years later, those words feel as relevant as ever.
Over the last decade, AAHOA Members have faced challenges that few could have anticipated. A global pandemic disrupted travel. Labor shortages strained operations. Inflation increased costs. New regulations, insurance pressures, and legal challenges created uncertainty for hotel owners across the country.
Yet despite those challenges, AAHOA did not stand still.
Our association grew stronger. Our advocacy efforts expanded. Our voice became more influential in Washington, D.C., state capitals, and local communities. We strengthened our educational programs, expanded member services, increased our industry partnerships, and continued creating opportunities for hotel owners to succeed.
Most importantly, we remained true to the values that built this association in the first place.
The past decade was not without challenges for AAHOA itself. We experienced leadership transitions, industry disruption, and moments when some questioned our direction. We saw brands, partners, and stakeholders come and go. Through it all, however, AAHOA remained focused on serving hotel owners and protecting the entrepreneurial spirit that defines our membership.
Today’s Hotelier has documented that journey at every step. It has celebrated victories, chronicled challenges, and preserved the stories of the people who make this association what it is.
Over the life of this publication, AAHOA has been guided by 10 Chairmen and our first Chairwoman, Jagruti Panwala. Each inherited different opportunities and different challenges. But each shared the same responsibility: To leave the association stronger than they found it.
Looking back, I believe they succeeded.
Today, AAHOA represents nearly 20,000 members who own the majority of hotels in the United States. We are stronger, more influential, and better positioned than we were 10 years ago. That success did not happen by accident. It happened because generations of members, volunteer leaders, and industry partners stayed committed to a common vision.
Jimmy and Bruce wrote that our success would be built on a unified vision and a common struggle. The last decade tested that belief in ways none of us could have imagined.
The good news is that they were right.
AAHOA’s story is still being written, and I am confident the next chapter will be even stronger than the last.
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