Liberty, leadership, and legacy took center stage at AAHOACON26
By AAHOA Staff
From April 8–10, the 2026 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show brought hotel owners and industry leaders to Philadelphia for a focused and forward-looking program centered on this year’s theme: “Liberty, Leadership, Legacy.”
Held in a city synonymous with the nation’s founding, AAHOACON26 emphasized the importance of strong leadership, building on the industry’s legacy, and delivering practical strategies to help hotel owners strengthen performance and profitability in a changing environment.
Some 5,300 hotel owners and industry leaders gathered at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and nearly 500 exhibitors took over the Trade Show. Ten education sessions – held for the first time this year right on the Trade Show floor – top-level keynote speakers, and networking events offered plenty of opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
“As we celebrate 250 years of America, this convention highlighted how hoteliers are continuing the legacy of entrepreneurship and resilience that built this country,” AAHOACON26 Convention Chairman Rahul Patel said. “From innovative programs to actionable strategies for profitability, our members are shaping the future of hospitality while honoring the spirit of liberty and leadership that started it all.”
Attendees Heard It First
At AAHOACON26, AAHOA leadership made several important announcements:
- A new partnership with Folio as the technology partner for AAHOA Marketplace, giving members the ability to search and buy across suppliers, shop from their phones, and restock with just a few clicks.
- An update on the partnership with Mews as AAHOA’s official property management system, giving members access to dedicated pricing, fast onboarding, and tools to optimize operations, revenue, and profitability in a challenging market.
- News on the AAHOA partnership with Avendra International, known as AAHOA Marketplace, which helps AAHOA Members improve their bottom line through access to an expanded range of industry-leading products and services at a 10 to 15 percent discount from more than 2,500 vendors.
- An update on AAHOALending. com, in partnership with Bridge, which provides members with faster, more flexible financing options. In its first year, more than $500 million in deals have already been reviewed.
- The launch of the Certified Hotel Profit Analyst (CHPA), a new program with Kalibri, which equips hotel owners with practical tools and best practices to strengthen profitability, optimize operations, and increase long-term asset value. Last year, AAHOA and Kalibri announced a new partnership, which included the Certified Hotel Profit Strategist (CHPS) program
“AAHOACON26 was a reminder that the same determination and vision that founded this nation are alive in today’s hotel owners,” AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake said. “By equipping members with practical tools, technology, and insights, we’re helping them build businesses that will lead the industry for decades to come.”
Catching Up at the General Sessions
During the opening General Session, Rahul Kapoor – recognized as Motivational Speaker of the Year 2025 by The Times Group – took the AAHOA stage for the second time since AAHOACON24 in Orlando, FL. Kapoor emphasized that passion and conversation alone are not enough to overcome plateaus in business and as an association; rather, he called for courage, meaningful collaboration, and decisive action.
Paul Brown, CEO of Inspire Brands, an AAHOA Club Blue partner, delivered the Day 2 Keynote. Brown oversees a global portfolio of more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants. He sat down with Past Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel to discuss the overlap between the hotel and restaurant industries and the future of ownership.
And during the closing General Session, laughter filled the room as Rajiv Satyal, comedian and creator of the viral “I AM INDIAN” video – viewed over 100 million times worldwide – brought humor and authenticity to the stage. He closed out the final General Session with a note of connection and community.
The General Sessions also included updates on AAHOA and industry happenings. On Day 3, the panel, “Loan Rangers: Navigating Today’s Lending Landscape,” explored evolving hotel lending trends, walked through real deals on AAHOA Lending, powered by Bridge, and provided attendees with practical strategies to secure financing more effectively.
Rohit Mathur, co-founder and CEO of Bridge and AAHOA Lending, moderated the panel, and Adeel Amin, senior vice president, capital markets, at Hunter Advisors; Aaron Hodgkins, senior vice president, commercial lender, at United Midwest Savings Bank; and Billy Gilchrist, senior vice president, originations, at the Peachtree Group imparted their professional wisdom on attendees.
The General Sessions also featured:
- A tribute to America’s military in observance of the country’s 250th birthday by Larry Cuculic, president & CEO of BWH Hotels.
- An update on the work of the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, launched in 2023, by ACF Board Members, including Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel.
- Recognition of the achievement and excellence of the AAHOA Awards recipients.
Education On Deck
AAHOACON26 offered a HerOwnership- driven session featuring keynote speaker, author, and two-time TEDx speaker Shira Miller, who currently serves as Chief Communications Officer of National DCP. Miller shared her Activate the Remarkable framework, which provided practical tips and tools to support women leaders.
In addition, AAHOA’s HYPE Initiative (Helping Young Professionals Evolve) hosted a session, “Where the Capital Is: Inside the Minds of Hotel Investors,” in which speakers from development, private equity, asset management, and venture capital discussed what’s driving hotel investment decisions.
AAHOA also held its Independent Hotelier Summit, which offered sessions on how AI can streamline operations, how modern PMS platforms can reduce costs and improve efficiency, and how new revenue strategies can help hotel owners increase profitability.
In other education, James Ferguson, author of The Confetti Culture Playbook, discussed practical culture-building, team engagement, and leadership activations, while Dr. Sudhir Mehta, author of Building Teams That Actually Work, focused on transitioning family businesses into sustainable enterprises through effective governance, systems, and long-term performance strategies.
Additional education sessions covered profitability, AI tools, alternative asset diversification, franchise legal considerations, and strategic planning for the future of AAHOA.
Wrapping Up This Year’s Event
On the final day of AAHOACON26, Florida hotelier Rahul Patel officially assumed the role as the 36th Chairman of AAHOA’s Board of Directors.
Read more about Rahul Patel and his priorities for the 2026–27 term on page 14.
In the 2026 AAHOA Elections, members chose Dhiren Masters as the new AAHOA Secretary, and they also elected 11 new members to the Board of Directors.
In addition to an already jam-packed schedule, AAHOA hosted its Collegiate Championship: Hotel Turnaround Competition, powered by Russell Partnership Technology. The University of South Carolina took home the People’s Choice Award, and Grand Valley State University received the Judges’ Championship Trophy.
Additionally, AAHOA hosted its 2026 Tech Pitch Competition, co-powered by HFTP. The winning company was Sadie AI, a 24/7 voice AI agent built for hotels.
AAHOA extends its heartfelt gratitude to all who made this year’s AAHOACON a success! We hope you had an unforgettable week in the City of Brotherly Love. If you didn’t make it to this year’s event, we hope to see you for AAHOACON27.
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