AAHOA’s National Leadership & Advocacy Conference brought hospitality’s priorities to Washigton
By Jodi Scott
In September, AAHOA Members put the hospitality industry’s priorities directly in front of policymakers, holding hundreds of meetings with members of Congress and their staff during AAHOA’s 2026 National Leadership & Advocacy Conference. The conference, held September 15–16, brought hotel owners from across the country to Washington to advocate for policies affecting their businesses.
For hotel owners, federal policies can directly affect the cost of doing business and their ability to invest in their properties. AAHOA’s advocacy efforts are focused on creating a business environment that gives hoteliers greater flexibility to operate, invest, and grow.
“Our hotel owners are small business owners, employers, and community leaders, and the decisions being made in Washington have a direct impact on our ability to operate and grow,” said AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel. “We came to Washington to make sure our members’ experiences are part of those conversations. Our members are asking for practical solutions that will help them invest in their properties, create jobs, and continue serving their communities.”
“AAHOA Members own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States and support 4.2 million jobs across the hospitality industry,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. “That gives our members a powerful voice in Washington, and this conference allows them to use it. Our members came to share what they are seeing in their businesses, explain how federal policies affect their day-to-day operations, and make sure policymakers hear directly from the people running hotels on main streets across America.”
Day 1: Advocacy Education, Keynote Speaker, & A Congressional Reception
On the first day of the conference, U.S. Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO) spoke with AAHOA Members about the Mitch Patel (left) and Teague Hunter addressed attendees during the Leadership Exchange. importance of small businesses and the role hotel owners play in creating jobs, building wealth, and strengthening their communities. Alford is a lead sponsor of the Supporting Trade and Rebuilding Opportunity for National Growth (STRONG) Act, which would increase the maximum value threshold for Small Business Administration (SBA) 7(a) and 504 loans from $5 million to $10 million.
Alford encouraged AAHOA Members to make their conversations with members of Congress personal and specific, sharing their business experiences, successes, and the jobs they are working to create. He also discussed the need for clear SBA guidance on quality-of-earnings requirements and encouraged members to continue bringing their real-world perspectives to policymakers and to continue to support the STRONG Act.
The program also brought together two prominent hospitality industry leaders for the Leadership Exchange, “Leading with Vision: Building a Hospitality Legacy.” Mitch Patel, founder & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, shared lessons from building the company from a $3,000 start in 1997 to a growing portfolio of 44 hotels across eight states. Teague Hunter, president & CEO of Hunter Advisors, moderated the conversation, drawing on more than 25 years of hotel industry experience and leadership of more than $13 billion in hotel transactions.
The conversation explored Patel’s journey from Vision’s earliest days to its growth today, including the pivotal decisions that shaped the company, how he evaluates opportunities and defines a good deal, and how his leadership style has evolved as the organization has grown. Patel also reflected on building and empowering a leadership team, navigating difficult periods, the qualities that distinguish leadership from management, and his outlook for Vision’s next chapter and the legacy he hopes to leave.
Chiling Tong, president & CEO of the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship, and Tina Wei Smith, former executive director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, also addressed members. Both serve on the Congressional Commission on the National Asian Pacific American Museum, which is exploring the creation of a national museum celebrating Asian Pacific American history, culture, and contributions.
The evening concluded with a Congressional Reception, where AAHOA Members engaged in discussions with lawmakers, including:
- Rep. Ami Bera (D-CA)
- Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA)
- Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL)
- Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA)
- Rep. Derek Tran (D-CA)
Day 2: Advocacy in Action
On the second day, AAHOA Members participated in hundreds of in-person meetings with members of Congress and their staff, ensuring that the hospitality industry’s priorities were at the forefront. The discussions focused on advocating for solutions to drive industry stability, promote competition, and support small business owners.
Key Legislative Priorities:
Expand access to capital by increasing SBA 7(a) and 504 loan limits from $5 million to $10 million, by supporting the STRONG (H.R.4153) and Loans In Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) (S.901) Acts to help hoteliers finance growth, renovation, and recovery.
- Support the Lawsuit Abuse Reduction Act of 2025 (H.R.5258) to restore accountability to the legal system by reinstating mandatory sanctions for frivolous lawsuits and protecting hotel owners from costly, meritless litigation.
- Support the American Franchise Act, specifically (S.3525), to establish a clear, consistent joint employer standard that protects the franchise model on which many AAHOA Members rely.
- Support the Credit Card Competition Act of 2026 (H.R.7035 and S.3623) that brings competition to the credit card network routing market.
The work does not stop when AAHOA Members leave Washington – AAHOA continues to advocate for hotel owners across the country. And as the November midterm elections approach, members are encouraged to keep the momentum going, remain engaged, and make their voices heard through their right to vote.
Learning from Leaders
A highlight of the National Leadership & Advocacy Conference was the Leadership Exchange, “Leading with Vision: Building a Hospitality Legacy,” featuring Mitch Patel, founder & CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, and Teague Hunter, president & CEO of Hunter Advisors.
Together, they explored the decisions and defining moments that shape a hospitality business over time, from taking early risks and navigating periods of uncertainty to developing future leaders and thinking beyond the next deal.
The conversation also looked at how the definition of success changes as a company grows. Patel reflected on the transition from building a business to building an organization that can continue beyond its founder, including the importance of culture, people, and preparing the next generation to lead.
For AAHOA Members, the discussion offered a look at many of the challenges hotel owners face throughout their careers: When to take a risk, how to grow without losing sight of the values that built the business, and what it means to create a lasting legacy.
“We have a lot of members who are building their businesses today and thinking about what comes next. Hearing from leaders who have been through that journey gives our members a chance to learn from their experience and think about their own path forward,” said Rahul Patel, AAHOA Chairman.
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