AAHOA’s 2026 Convention & Trade Show Showcases  “Liberty, Legacy, Leadership” in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA, PA, APRIL 15, 2026 – 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, Legacy, Leadership.”

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. At the Pennsylvania Convention Center, AAHOACON26 had some 5,300 attendees and nearly 500 exhibitors. The event featured 10 education sessions, offered for the first time this year at the Trade Show, top-level keynote speakers, and networking events.

“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.”

Announcements at the 2026 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show included:

·    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 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. 

·    An update on the AAHOA partnership with Avendra International, known as AAHOA Marketplace, which gives AAHOA Members access to an expanded range of industry-leading products and services at a 10 to 15 percent discount from more than 2,500 vendors, to improve their bottom line. 

·    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.

·    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. 

“AHOACON26 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.”

This year’s General Session keynote speakers included: 

·    Rahul Kapoor, recognized as Motivational Speaker of the Year 2025 by The Times Group. Kapoor served as a Keynote Speaker at AAHOACON24 in Orlando, FL.

·    Paul Brown, CEO of Inspire Brands, an AAHOA Club Blue partner, oversees a global portfolio of more than 33,000 Arby’s, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin’, Jimmy John’s, and SONIC restaurants.

·    Rajiv Satyal, comedian and creator of the viral “I AM INDIAN” video (viewed over 100 million times worldwide).

The General Session also included updates on AAHOA and industry happenings:

·    A 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. Speakers included moderator Rohit Mathur, Co-Founder & CEO, Bridge + AAHOA Lending; Adeel Amin, Senior Vice President, Capital Markets, Hunter Advisors; Aaron Hodgkins, Senior Vice President, Commercial Lender, United Midwest Savings Bank; and Billy Gilchrist, Senior Vice President, Originations, Peachtree Group.

·    A tribute to America’s military in observance of the country’s 250th birthday by Larry Cuculic, President and 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.

AAHOACON26 also offered a HerOwnership-driven session featuring keynote speaker, author, two-time TEDx speaker, and C-suite executive, Shira Miller, who currently serves as Chief Communications Officer of National DCP.

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 provided 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 Confetti Culture, 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 sessions covered profitability, AI tools, alternative asset diversification, franchise legal considerations, and strategic planning for the future of AAHOA.

Florida hotelier Rahul Patel became the new Chairman of AAHOA’s Board of Directors, and Dhiren Masters became the new AAHOA Secretary.

AAHOA Members also elected 11 new members to the Board of Directors, recognized the achievement and excellence of the AAHOA Award recipients, and hosted its Collegiate Championship: Hotel Turnaround Competition, powered by Russell Partnership Technology, where 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. 

About AAHOA

AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA’s mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.