By Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., AAHOA President & CEO A Revolutionary Heritage When our nation declared independence in 1776, it established a principle that still resonates in hospitality today: The right to shape your destiny. AAHOA Members – whether running independent properties or brand-affiliated hotels – embody this spirit, charting their own course while … [Read more...] about Hospitality by the People, for the People
President and Chairman's Desk
Advocacy Is Action: Standing Up for Hotel Owners
By Kamalesh (KP) Patel, AAHOA Chairman (2025-2026) A Stronger Voice in Washington Advocacy is not a buzzword. It’s an action. In mid-September, AAHOA Members from across the country gathered in Washington, D.C., for our Fall National Advocacy Conference (FNAC). We showed up in full force, with hundreds of hotel owners meeting face-to-face with lawmakers and … [Read more...] about Advocacy Is Action: Standing Up for Hotel Owners
The Power of Advocacy: Shaping the Future Together
By Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., AAHOA President & CEO Building a Legacy of Leadership In mid-September, hundreds of AAHOA Members traveled to Washington, D.C., for our Fall National Advocacy Conference (FNAC). Together, we met with policymakers, shared our stories, and advocated for the best interests of America’s hotel owners. The presence of Small Business … [Read more...] about The Power of Advocacy: Shaping the Future Together
Leadership Looks Different Now, and That’s a Good Thing
By Kamalesh (KP) Patel, AAHOA Chairman (2025-2026) Let’s be honest: The way we define leadership is changing, and for the better. The hospitality industry doesn’t just need more leaders. It needs leaders who are collaborative, emotionally intelligent, and adaptable. In other words, it needs more women in charge. For years, women have driven this industry forward. … [Read more...] about Leadership Looks Different Now, and That’s a Good Thing
From Firsts to Forevers: Cementing Women’s Place at the Table
By Laura Lee Blake, ESQ., AAHOA President & CEO At AAHOA, we are not content simply celebrating the “firsts.” We are committed to shaping a future where women’s leadership in hospitality is no longer the exception, but the expectation. For too long, women in our industry have had to break barriers just to enter the room. But what happens after you get there? What … [Read more...] about From Firsts to Forevers: Cementing Women’s Place at the Table