A Conversation with AAHOA’s Leadership Ahead of AAHOACON25
By AAHOA Staff
With AAHOACON around the corner, AAHOA’s elected volunteer leadership is more engaged than ever in shaping the future of hospitality. This year’s convention theme – “New Ideas. New Connections. New Orleans.” – reflects AAHOA’s commitment to innovation, collaboration, and progress.
With a new administration in Washington, evolving economic conditions, and emerging opportunities for hotel owners, AAHOA leaders are leading the charge in advocacy, industry partnerships, and member engagement. They are expanding resources, securing strategic initiatives, and driving meaningful change for America’s hotel owners.
We sat down with Chairman Miraj S. Patel, Vice Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Treasurer Rahul Patel, and Secretary Pinal S. Patel to discuss their most significant accomplishments, goals, and insights. Read on for their perspectives on the challenges, innovations, and opportunities shaping hospitality – and how AAHOA is paving the way for a stronger industry.
Miraj S. Patel, Chairman
What AAHOA accomplishment during the past year are you most proud of?
Hands down, it’s the unprecedented success of AAHOA’s Political Action Committee (PAC). Thanks to our members’ unwavering support, we hit $1 million this year and $1.5 million for the cycle. But this isn’t just about numbers; it’s about the collective influence of America’s hotel owners. Every donation, meeting with lawmakers, and advocacy effort strengthens our voice where it matters most.
What is your biggest goal for 2025?
After an incredible year as AAHOA Chairman, my biggest goal is to shift my focus back to business and family – keeping family, business, and volunteerism balanced is key. Of course, as Immediate Past Chairman, I’ll continue supporting the AAHOA Board as we pursue our goals, continuity, and our strategic plan. I also look forward to staying active in Texas with our state association, the Texas Hotel & Lodging Association.
What membership benefit do you feel brings the most value to members?
Helping hotel owners improve profitability and maximize net operating income (NOI) is the core of AAHOA’s mission. Every benefit – whether it’s advocacy, education, networking, or vendor savings – is designed to help hoteliers make more money, save more money, and protect their investments.
As AAHOA Chairman, my focus has been on tackling the biggest challenges impacting NOI, including:
- Pushing for a free enterprise mindset in brand purchasing mandates.
- Ensuring short-term rentals compete on a level playing field.
- Advocating for revenue-maximizing changes similar to the airline industry.
- Strengthening AAHOA’s fight against policies that harm our industry.
By focusing on profitability and practical solutions, AAHOA helps its members stay competitive, navigate challenges, and drive long-term success.
How can AAHOA use its knowledge and resources to prepare itself to continue to lead the industry?
AAHOA’s greatest strength has always been its members. Our success isn’t just built on advocacy or education alone – it’s built on unity, community, and strength in numbers. To continue leading the industry, we must leverage our knowledge, resources, and the power of our network to drive meaningful change.
What advice would you give to anyone who hasn’t yet considered serving AAHOA in a leadership role?
If you’ve been on the fence about getting involved, now is the time. Getting involved with AAHOA gives you the opportunity to connect with like-minded peers, learn from the best, and influence the policies that shape hospitality. Start by attending events, engaging with members, and seeing firsthand how AAHOA drives change. The more you get involved, the greater your impact.
Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Vice Chairman
What AAHOA accomplishment during the past year are you most proud of?
I’m incredibly proud of the work we’ve done to make AAHOACON25 a high-impact event for our members. As Convention Committee Chair, my focus has been on strengthening relationships between AAHOA Members and Industry Partners, brands, and vendors – because when those connections grow, so does our industry. This year, we’ve expanded vendor engagement and created more opportunities for networking, deal-making, and strategic partnerships that benefit hotel owners. Strengthening vendor relationships also strengthens AAHOA’s bottom line, allowing us to invest more in advocacy, education, and member resources.
What is your biggest goal for 2025?
As the next Chairman of AAHOA, my focus is on our members – engagement, impact, and ensuring everything we do delivers real, tangible value. AAHOA exists because of our members, and they will always be at the heart of every decision we make. I’m honored to carry the torch, building on the initiatives and programs that have strengthened our advocacy, education, and industry influence. But leadership isn’t just about what happens during one term – it’s about continuity and long-term success. That’s why I’ll be working closely with the board, to ensure a seamless transition after my term so AAHOA continues to thrive for years to come.
At the end of the day, my goal is simple: Make my family and AAHOA Members proud – and lay a foundation upon which AAHOA can continue to build for generations to come.
What membership benefit do you feel brings the most value to members?
The greatest value AAHOA offers its members is the power of partnership – success in this industry doesn’t happen alone. That’s the driving force behind AAHOA’s Industry Partner Program, which connects hotel owners with trusted suppliers offering exclusive deals and tailored services to fuel real business growth. It’s about building relationships that help our members thrive. The partnerships we forge today will shape the future of hospitality.
How can AAHOA use its knowledge and resources to prepare itself to continue to lead the industry?
AAHOA’s strength is its members. To stay ahead, we must invest in the next generation, expand opportunities, and create lasting change. My wife, Krishna, has stepped up to run our family business, reinforcing my strong belief in empowering the next wave of hospitality leaders. AAHOA’s HYPE (Helping Young Professionals Evolve) initiative ensures young professionals have the resources to thrive as owners and leaders. As a father to my two children, Aarav, 13, and Akashi, 10, I want to help build an industry where future generations have even more opportunities.
What advice would you give to anyone who hasn’t yet considered serving AAHOA in a leadership role?
I wasn’t always a believer in AAHOA. I thought it was only for the “haves” and not the “have-nots” – until my father became a Regional Director, and I saw firsthand the impact AAHOA makes. At first, I only helped behind the scenes, but when he challenged me to get involved for a year, everything changed. I met hoteliers like me, saw the power of advocacy, and experienced the strength of this community.
My journey from ambassador to Chairman proved that leadership at AAHOA is about stepping up, learning, and making a difference. So, my advice? Give AAHOA a chance. Attend events, talk to leaders, and get involved. Whether you’re new to the industry or a seasoned owner, your voice matters. Take that first step – you won’t regret it.
Rahul Patel, Treasurer
What AAHOA accomplishment during the past year are you most proud of?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is modernizing AAHOA’s technology infrastructure and introducing new tools that elevate how we serve our members. These advancements have streamlined operations, fully integrated our financial systems with AMS, and created a one-stop shop for membership management. With these robust systems in place, we’ve launched several key initiatives that provide real value to hotel owners.
What is your biggest goal for 2025?
My biggest goal for 2025 is to ensure that AAHOA’s key initiatives do not just get launched but thrive and deliver meaningful impact for our members. As Vice Chairman, I’ll support Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel and the board in strengthening and sustaining the programs we’ve worked hard to develop. AAHOA’s success depends on continuity, and I’m committed to maintaining momentum through thoughtful execution and follow-through.
At the same time, I’ll be preparing for my Chairman year, shaping a strong vision for the future, and planning for AAHOACON26 in Philadelphia.
What membership benefit do you feel brings the most value to members?
I believe the three key benefits that bring the most value to AAHOA Members are cost-saving initiatives, advocacy, and strategic partnerships – all designed to strengthen hotel owners’ businesses.
With the new AAHOA Marketplace, members can save three to five percent on essential purchases, directly impacting their bottom line. Our advocacy efforts at the local and state levels are expanding, ensuring hotel owners have a stronger voice on critical issues like short-term rentals and labor laws, which directly affect daily operations. Through the new AAHOA Lending Program and strategic partnerships, we connect members with financial resources and exclusive vendor solutions to help them grow and thrive.
How can AAHOA use its knowledge and resources to prepare itself to continue to lead the industry?
AAHOA’s greatest strength is its people. By leveraging the knowledge, experience, and diverse perspectives within our network, we can create stronger advocacy initiatives, smarter business solutions, and more opportunities for growth.
What advice would you give to anyone who hasn’t yet considered serving AAHOA in a leadership role?
Our industry is evolving, and the challenges we face require bold leadership. Now is the time to attend events, engage with fellow members, and learn about the critical issues shaping our future. Leadership takes commitment, but the rewards – stronger connections, greater influence, and the ability to drive real change – are worth it.
Pinal S. Patel, Secretary
What AAHOA accomplishment during the past year are you most proud of?
One of the accomplishments I’m most proud of is our record-breaking fundraising for the AAHOA PAC. In 2024, we raised $1 million in a single year – a first for AAHOA – bringing the 2023-2024 PAC cycle total to $1.5 million. This milestone strengthens AAHOA’s ability to advocate for policies that protect hotel owners and shape the future of our industry.
What is your biggest goal for 2025?
As AAHOA’s incoming Treasurer, my primary goal is to strengthen the association’s financial foundation to ensure long-term stability and growth. I plan to focus on enhancing financial independence by exploring diverse revenue streams, improving operational efficiencies, and ensuring sound fiscal governance. Reducing reliance on external funding will give AAHOA greater flexibility and autonomy in pursuing its mission and strategic objectives.
What membership benefit do you feel brings the most value to members?
The most valuable membership benefit would be the collective bargaining power the association can leverage to secure discounted pricing on everyday operating supplies for members. This directly addresses a key expense for businesses and offers a tangible return on investment for membership dues.
How can AAHOA use its knowledge and resources to prepare itself to continue to lead the industry?
AAHOA’s ability to lead comes from its commitment to education, mentorship, and collaboration. By offering timely and relevant educational programs, we can ensure that members have the skills and insights needed to succeed in an evolving hospitality landscape. Connecting experienced hoteliers with newer members through mentorship will further strengthen our industry by fostering shared knowledge and long-term growth.
Additionally, creating platforms for members to exchange best practices will empower hotel owners to learn from one another and implement strategies that drive profitability and operational success.
What advice would you give to anyone who hasn’t yet considered serving AAHOA in a leadership role?
Leadership is a journey, not a destination. Be prepared to learn new skills, face challenges, and grow personally and professionally. If you’re passionate about the hospitality industry and want to make a difference, don’t hesitate to take the leap and get involved.
From Vision to Results
AAHOA’s Mission to Lead and Innovate
By Laura Lee Blake
At AAHOA, our elected leaders set the vision, and our professional team ensures that vision becomes reality. As President & CEO, I have the privilege of working closely with our officers, board members, and dedicated staff to execute strategic initiatives that create real value for our members. Every decision we make ensures that hoteliers have the resources, tools, and advocacy they need to thrive.
With incoming Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel leading the way in 2025, we will build upon the foundation we have established, collaborating with our officers and staff to advance key initiatives that drive AAHOA forward.
Some of our key priorities in 2025 include:
- Advocacy: Strengthening AAHOA’s presence at every level of government to ensure hotel owners’ voices shape the policies that impact them most.
- Industry Partnerships: Expanding relationships with brands, vendors, and policymakers to create new opportunities, resources, and solutions for our members.
- Profitability: Keeping NOI at the center of everything we do, providing hotel owners with the education, tools, and strategies to maximize revenue
- Technology & Innovation: Establishing an AAHOA Technology Task Force to explore solutions that enhance efficiency, operations, and guest experiences.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Expanding programs to help members adopt cost-effective, eco-friendly solutions that benefit both their businesses and the environment.
- Member Engagement & Support: Ensuring AAHOA remains the go-to resource for hotel owners by offering networking, education, and business solutions tailored to their needs.
As we look ahead, I am incredibly optimistic about what is to come – not just in 2025 but for the lasting impact we are creating for years to come.
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