How Indian Americans built the American hospitality industry By Cathleen Draper When Kanji Manchhu Desai of Digas, D. Lal of Orna, and Nanalal Patel of Butwada left their villages in Surat, they didn’t dream of America. Instead, Patel ventured to Panama in 1922, while D. Lal and Desai made the journey to Trinidad in 1930, all in the hope of providing for their families at … [Read more...] about From Humble Beginnings
AAHOA Spotlight
Built in Hospitality, Competing on the Fairway
Manav Shah's journey to the U.S. Golf Open By Jodi Scott For Manav Shah, the road to professional golf began long before his first tournament tee time. It started inside his family’s Bakersfield, CA, hospitality business – an entrepreneurial upbringing that instilled the discipline, drive, and attention to detail that now define his game. “My parents (Sanjay and Bela … [Read more...] about Built in Hospitality, Competing on the Fairway
Moving the Industry Forward
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 … [Read more...] about Moving the Industry Forward
The American Dream Come True
AAHOA Lifetime Member Viral (Victor) Patel’s journey to the BWH Hotels Board Chair By Jodi Scott AAHOA Lifetime Member Viral (Victor) Patel began his hospitality journey at age 13, when he left India for the United States. After first arriving in New Mexico, he later moved to Pennsylvania to live with his sister’s family. Decades later, that journey has led him to serve … [Read more...] about The American Dream Come True