Center Stage

At the 2026 HerOwnership Conference, women own their voices

By Jodi Scott & Cathleen Draper

Nashville is known for great music and big talent, but in September, it also served as the backdrop for AAHOA’s fifth annual HerOwnership Conference.

Held September 27-28, the conference brought together women hotel owners and hospitality leaders from across the country to learn, connect, and share what it takes to build a successful hospitality business.

“Being in Nashville, it was hard not to think about Dolly Parton and the example she has set as a woman who built something of lasting value and stayed true to her vision,” AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said. “That same confidence came through at HerOwnership. Women hotel owners know the value of what they have built, and they are making decisions every day about how to grow and protect it. I am incredibly proud to be part of an association that champions women and honors the tremendous contributions they make to our industry every day.”

This year, the agenda focused on the practical side of ownership, covering operations and capital, technology, financial planning, and portfolio growth.

On day one, a series of pre-conference masterclasses set the tone for the education ahead. Three sessions covered the legal issues every hotel owner should have on their radar; hotel financing and lending, sponsored by Club Blue Industry Partner Bridge; and the complete ownership playbook, from daily operations to bookkeeping to establishing wills and trusts.

For first-time attendee and young professional Henna Patel, the masterclasses served as an important learning experience.

“I wanted to attend HerOwnership because I wanted to meet more people who are like-minded,” she said. “I was hoping to gain a really good sense of leadership and looking at other role models in the industry, seeing how they work and how they do things.”

Following the day’s sessions, attendees gathered at the Cambria Hotel in downtown Nashville for the event’s welcome reception, Boots & Beats. Overlooking the Nashville skyline as the sun set over the city, attendees mingled, caught up with old friends, and showed off their line dancing skills to country singer Molly Lovette.

Building Brands, Portfolios, and Purpose

The second day of HerOwnership kicked off with a session on building a brand with purpose, put on by Platinum Industry Partner Red Roof. Moderator Lina Patel, director, strategic franchise initiatives at Red Roof, and Shivani Darsinos, entrepreneur and owner of Cafe Babu in Nashville, took the stage. Named for Darsinos’ grandfather, Cafe Babu celebrates her and her husband’s Indian and Greek heritages, and she spoke to the value of creating a warm and welcoming environment, the importance of hospitality, and honoring one’s roots.

Other sponsored sessions included education on AI by Club Blue Industry Partner M3, which highlighted how hotel owners can discern which technology is worth investing in, and a conversation about portfolio diversification with Primrose Schools, a Silver Industry Partner.

AAHOA Charitable Foundation Board Member and Past AAHOA Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala (2019-20) also moderated a session on leading with purpose. Panelists Dee Patel, managing director of The Hermitage Hotel, Kataki Patel, vice president, operations, Exceptional Hospitality, and Heather Carnes, managing director and founder, Carnes Agency, shared strategies for identifying how to give back.

Addressing attendees, the panelists highlighted why service is important to each of them and how it fits into their leadership roles and styles. They also provided tips on how women can figure out what type of volunteerism they should commit to, and how. Dee Patel asked, “Are you a doer, a donor, or a door opener?” It’s a question she uses to assess what resources she can give and then take action.

The second day rounded out with an interactive discussion on creating long-term hotel value.

“HerOwnership continues to show what is possible when women in our industry have a place to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another,” AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel said. “We heard honest conversations about ownership, leadership, business growth, and the challenges that come with building a career in hospitality. The connections made here will continue long after the conference, and that is what makes HerOwnership so valuable to AAHOA and our members.”

Start Now

One of the most pivotal moments during this year’s conference came when Simi Shah, founder & CEO of South Asian Trailblazers,
took the stage as the keynote speaker.

Shah, the daughter of AAHOA Founder and Past Chairman Nitin Shah (1993-94), launched South Asian Trailblazers, an award-winning media platform, community, and advisory agency focused on elevating South Asian voices, during the pandemic after quitting a job in private equity.

During her keynote, Shah spoke about her path to creating the company, the role her family played in her career and media platform, personal branding, and the importance of AAHOA to the hospitality community. She reflected on the influence of the hospitality industry on her life and career.

“I would not be the person I am today if I had not grown up in this industry,” she said. “I am so glad I grew up in the AAHOA community.”

She recognized the influence of AAHOA’s founders on her work, describing them as the “giants on whose shoulders I stand” as she builds a podcast highlighting the achievements of South Asians.

Shah also spoke candidly on being a female founder and entrepreneur. She shared strategies for launching a new business, including identifying one’s North Star, and how to move the needle toward success, from delegating tasks to making empowered choices and narrowing down the work that needs to be done to achieve one’s dreams.

“I hope from my session attendees take away this idea that it’s never too late to start and the only thing standing between you and your goals is often yourself and that inner voice,” Shah said. “People want to hear from you. The women in this room have amazing expertise, they have phenomenal insights and wisdom to share, and it’s all about just taking the stage and owning that mic.”

A Sense of Belonging

HerOwnership is more than just an initiative or an annual conference. It’s a community – one where women can connect and grow together.

“What I like about this conference is that every year that I go, I make a friend, or I meet somebody who is inspiring, or meet somebody who is actually teaching me something. It’s inspiring to learn from each other,” said Maya Tina Patel, a second-generation hotelier and hotel broker with HREC Investment Advisors, an Allied Member.

“HerOwnership gives women a place to share what is really happening in their businesses and learn from each other,” said Purnima Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division. “Some of the best conversations happen between sessions, when women are talking about the challenges they are facing and sharing ideas and solutions. Those connections are a big part of what makes this conference special.”

The connections women make with oneanother and the work of HerOwnership are pivotal to building an equitable industry. Women comprise more than half of the
hospitality workforce, but they hold less than one-third of leadership roles – opening the door for more women to rise up is essential.

“If each of us opens the door for five women and helps them find their place in this industry, the impact can continue long after this conference,” said Arti Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Western Division. “We have an opportunity to make sure the next woman has someone willing to open that door for her.”