By Rahul Patel, AAHOA Chairman (2026-2027)
Hospitality has never been a business built by one type of person.
It is built by owners and operators, by family members who step into the business and those who build their own path, by people behind
the front desk and behind the scenes, and by leaders who are willing to learn from one another. Women have always been an important
part of that story.
Our fifth annual HerOwnership Conference in Nashville gave us another opportunity to recognize that.
What stood out to me was not simply the number of women in the room, but the range of experiences and ambitions represented there. HerOwnership has become a place where women at different points in their careers and businesses can come together without needing to be in the same place professionally to
learn from one another.
That was reflected in the conversations throughout this year’s conference. Attendees discussed building a business and brand, finding practical ways to use technology, becoming stronger leaders, evaluating hotel investments, and creating long-term value. They also explored financing, legal considerations, and opportunities to diversify beyond the hotel.
Those are very different conversations, and that is exactly the point. A woman who is just beginning to explore ownership should have a place at the table alongside the woman who has spent 30 years running hotels. A first-time leader should be able to learn from someone who has already navigated the challenges of leading a team. An experienced owner should have the opportunity to hear a new perspective that challenges the way she has always done business.
That exchange is good for all of us.
As an industry, we often talk about the future of hospitality. To me, part of that future means making sure the people who will lead it have opportunities to learn, connect, and grow. That does not look the same for everyone, nor should it.
HerOwnership gives women the opportunity to invest in themselves while also building relationships with others who understand the unique opportunities and challenges of working in hospitality.
Reaching the fifth HerOwnership is something worth celebrating. But I believe the real measure of this conference is what happens after everyone leaves Nashville: The ideas that make their way back to a hotel, the new conversation that leads to a partnership, the lesson that changes how someone approaches her business, or the connection that gives a woman the confidence to take her next step.
That is how we strengthen our industry.
And that is why creating opportunities for women at every stage of their hospitality journey is not simply good for women. It is good for all of hospitality.
There is a difference between reading about a new policy and sitting at your kitchen table trying to figure out what it could mean for your business.
As a hotelier, I know the challenges our industry is facing right now. Rising costs. Workforce pressures. Increasing insurance expenses. The constant need to protect profitability while continuing to invest in our properties, our employees, and our communities.
For hotel owners, these are not abstract issues. They are the conversations happening in our homes, in our offices, and at our front desks every day.
Our Stories Belong in the Room
Last month, I traveled to Washington, D.C., for the AAHOA National Leadership & Advocacy Conference with hundreds of hoteliers. We met with members of Congress and their offices to discuss the issues affecting hotel owners and our ability to operate successful businesses.
When lawmakers hear from a hotelier about the difficulty of accessing capital, managing rising costs, or navigating new regulations, the conversation changes. It’s no longer just about a bill number or a policy proposal, but about the real people and businesses that will live with the outcome.
AAHOA will continue to do its part by monitoring legislative and regulatory issues that could affect our members and keeping you informed about developments. But advocacy can’t belong only to the people who travel to Capitol Hill.
So I will ask you directly: Are you paying attention?
Are you staying informed about the issues that could affect your business? Are you opening the emails, following the updates, and paying attention when AAHOA asks members to take action?
AAHOA works hard to monitor the issues affecting our industry and keep members informed about what is happening in Washington and beyond. But advocacy starts with an informed and engaged membership. We can share the information and create opportunities to make your voice heard, but ultimately, it’s up to each of us to stay involved and take action when it matters.
Don’t Sit This One Out
On November 3, Americans will head to the polls for the midterm elections.
As business owners, we spend a great deal of time making decisions about the future. We evaluate risk. We make investments. We plan ahead.
Voting should be no different.
The people elected this November will make decisions that can affect the environment in which we operate our businesses. Your vote is your opportunity to help shape who is making those decisions.
I understand that hotel owners are busy. But I also know this: If we don’t participate, someone else will make decisions for us.
We have a voice. We have a story. And we have a responsibility to use both.
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