AAHOA’s Second-Annual HYPE Conference Empowers the Next Generation of Hospitality Leaders
By AAHOA Staff
From March 11-12, hotel owners from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for AAHOA’s Spring National Advocacy Conference (SNAC). Over the course of two days, attendees engaged directly with lawmakers, ensuring their voices remain a priority in federal policymaking.
With a new administration in office, this year’s conference provided a timely and strategic opportunity for AAHOA Members to focus on several critical issues, including efforts to increase Small Business Administration loan limits through the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act, push for the Credit Card Competition Act to protect small businesses, support favorable tax reforms, and address the ongoing labor shortage that continues to impact the industry.
“AAHOA Members are not just business owners – they are job creators, community leaders, and the backbone of the hospitality industry,” AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel said. “At SNAC, we ensured that lawmakers heard directly from those on the front lines about the challenges and opportunities in our industry. From expanding access to capital to tackling the labor shortage, these issues are critical to the long-term success of our industry, and we will continue pushing for solutions that help our members thrive.”
The Role Hoteliers Play
Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), the event’s keynote speaker, addressed challenges facing small business owners, particularly the need for higher SBA loan limits. “There is currently a cap of $5 million,” Bean noted. “Does that even get you a hotel anymore? It does not. We need to increase that limit so you can actually finance your projects.” Bean also reflected on an AAHOA Back of the House Tour he joined in Florida, emphasizing its value in educating lawmakers.
“Business owners from all over shared their challenges,” he said. “I encourage you to invite your state representatives – you know hospitality better than anyone. You’re flexing your muscle here and at home, and that’s how you tell your story. If you don’t make noise, we won’t know the full impact.”
AAHOA Members also heard from Hailey Borden, special assistant to the president and director of business outreach at the White House, who discussed efforts to support businesses through deregulation, tax reform, and other policies. “You were a key component in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which helped you invest in your hotels and employees,” Borden said. “We want to do that again – on a larger scale.”
The evening concluded with a Congressional Reception, where AAHOA Members engaged in high-level discussions with influential lawmakers.
Legislative Advocacy in Action
On the second day of the conference, attendees participated in hundreds of in-person meetings with members of Congress and their staff, ensuring that the hospitality industry’s priorities were front and center. The discussions focused on advocating for solutions that will drive industry stability, promote competition, and support small business owners. Key legislative priorities include:
- Expanding access to capital by supporting the Loans In Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act, which seeks to increase the maximum loan amount for Small Business Administration 7(a) and 504 loans from $5 million to $10 million. The bipartisan bill was introduced in March by Reps. Shri Thanedar (D-MI) and Mark Alford (R-MO) and in the Senate by Sen. Thomas Tillis (R-NC).
- Introducing more competition in credit card processing through the Credit Card Competition Act, which would reduce transaction fees, potentially saving businesses billions annually.
- Supporting tax reforms by providing targeted tax relief and extending critical provisions that support economic growth.
- Addressing the ongoing labor shortage through the Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act (EWEA), a bipartisan bill that provides a new H-2C nonimmigrant classification for individuals coming to the United States.
Other key initiatives included fighting human trafficking in the hospitality industry and supporting the Hotel Fees Transparency Act of 2025, which aims to provide clarity and fairness in pricing structures for both hoteliers and guests.
“When AAHOA Members engage, policymakers listen,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “This conference was about more than just discussions – it was about action. The hundreds of meetings we had with lawmakers reinforce our commitment to ensuring the needs of hotel owners are prioritized. With a new administration in place, now is the time to shape policies that strengthen small businesses, support economic growth, and ensure the future success of the hospitality industry.”
Image: gdarts/stock.adobe.com
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