AAHOA Hosts Competitions and Sessions at Annual Conference
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) held its annual convention, AAHOACON26, at the Philadelphia Convention Center on April 8-10. The association’s Board of Directors held a ribbon-cutting ceremony to open the trade show floor on April 10. Pictured from left: Laura Lee Blake, President and CEO, AAHOA; Pinal S. Patel, Vice Chairman, AAHOA; Kamalesh (KP) Patel, Immediate Past Chair, AAHOA; Rahul Patel, Chairman, AAHOA; and Vimal (Ricky) Patel, Treasurer, AAHOA.
By Jordan Bradley
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) held its annual conference, AAHOACON26, gathering members from across the country to discuss hospitality at the Philadelphia Convention Center on April 8–10.
During the conference, AAHOA held two separate competitions: the Hotel Turnaround Collegiate Championship, and the Tech Pitch Competition.
The Tech Pitch Competition saw eight finalists “try to out-smart, and out-pitch each other” in front of a panel of judges and moderators, “and a crowd of industry power players,” AAHOA said. The winning tech was Sadie, a voice AI for the hospitality world. For hotels, Sadie offers solutions for streamlining front desk operations, by handling “routine inquiries and repetitive tasks” over the phone, according to the tech’s official website, helps make reservations, acts as a 24/7 concierge for guests, and provides multi-language support.
The companies AI Lead for Hospitality, Sami Hilal, drove the pitch and took home the award: a commemorative plaque and a free booth at AAHOACON27.
The collegiate championship was an industry-first competition, AAHOA said, and challenged university students to take on the role of hotel owner, “making real-world operational and investment decisions to turn around underperforming assets.”
Twelve teams of two college students participated in the first year of the competition. Teams were from Cornell University, Florida International University, two teams participated from Grand Valley State University, Kennesaw State University, Northwestern State University, Oklahoma State University, Temple University, University of Houston, University of South Carolina, and Virginia Tech.
Over the course of the competition, teams were assigned “financially identical” hotels that operated in the same market “with matching key performance indicators,” AAHOA said. Then, using HOTELsim, a simulation platform powered by Russell Partnership Technology, “students implemented ownership strategies designed to enhance valuation, performance, and long-term profitability.”
The team from University of South Carolina was awarded the People’s Choice Award, and the two teams from Grand Valley State University were awarded the Judges’ Championship Trophy.
“The future of hospitality depends on preparing the next generation to think and lead like owners,” said Rahul Patel, AAHOA Chairman. “This competition pushes students to make strategic, data-driven decisions while understanding the real responsibilities that come with ownership. Their creativity, engagement, and business acumen are inspiring, and AAHOA is proud to support their journey into our industry.”
Over the course of the annual conference AAHOA made time to gather women and young professionals at the HerOwnership and the Helping Young Professionals Evolve (HYPE) luncheons, respectively; and announced newly elected board members, including Secretary Dhiren Masters and Chairman Rahul Patel.
The association also distributed awards for hospitality excellence among its members, recognizing six outstanding member hoteliers:
AAHOA Award of Excellence: Vijay Patel, President, A-1 Hospitality Group, Kennewick, Washington
Cecil B. Day Community Service Award: Rishan Patel, CEO & Co-Founder, Alley-Oop Kids, Menlo Park, California
AAHOA Charitable Foundation Outreach Award: Past AAHOA Chairman (1991-92) Hasmukh P. (HP) Rama, Chairman, Auro Hotels, Greenville, South Carolina
Outstanding HerOwnership Award of Excellence: Helen Zaver, Executive Vice President, Principal, Colliers, Atlanta, Georgia
Outstanding HYPE Award of Excellence: Aaryan Patel, Private Equity Associate, Blue Chip Hotels, Wells, Maine
IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award: Rest & Relax Inn & Suites, Pensacola, Florida, represented by Mitesh (Tish) Patel, President, Pinnacle Management & Investments, Cantonment, Florida
