AAHOA is bringing its annual convention to Chicago’s Navy Pier to showcase its growing political might and influence in the hospitality industry. AAHOA is also rapidly growing its membership, having recently surpassed its goal of 10,000 members. Vice Chairman CK Patel gives a preview of this year’s convention…

Following last year’s 20th anniversary bash, AAHOA will be spending its 21st birthday in Chicago.

The organization’s Annual Convention & Trade Show will be in the Windy City’s Navy Pier Convention Center with plenty of good food, great entertainment – and essential education.

‘The convention is also all about education,’ said AAHOA Vice Chairman and convention chair CK Patel. ‘We have geared the seminars to the needs of the members.’

Instead of the usual round of 14 or 15 seminars, AAHOA has streamlined the offerings to eight. The sessions will also be longer to offer more time for the speakers and for attendees to ask their questions.

‘All will save a lot of money and make a lot of money for members,’ Patel said. ‘This convention is all about education, which is key to surviving this economy.’

The first session will feature a debate with former Bush Administration advisor Karl Rove and former Democratic National Committee Chairman Terry McAuliffe, with Stephen Moore of the New York Times moderating. Patel said. We want to educate members on how things work in DC.’

NFL Hall of Famer Mike Ditka will give his insights on teamwork and how hoteliers can work together to succeed. ‘That’s the theme we need to tick to in order to get anything done in the business,’ Patel said. ‘We have to have teamwork and a voice.’

A general session franchising panel will bring the top company CEOs to the AAHOA members to answer the burning questions on the minds of the membership. The heads of Choice Hotels International, Carlson Hotels, Wyndham Worlwide, InterContinental Hotels Group and others will be on the panel. A box will be available prior to the panel for members to drop off their questions. AAHOA
General Counsel Laura Lee Blake and her team will sort the questions and the moderator will ask the most popular.

Of course, the convention is also for members to come together with their families to have a good time. AAHOA is making it more affordable for members to bring their spouses and children along, with $325 registration for members and $100 for each family member. Since the convention will be held in June after schools are out, Patel hopes the discounted rate will encourage parents to bring their children. ‘They are the ones who will be eventually taking  are of the business,’ Patel said. ‘This is the opportunity for parents to showcase AAHOA to their children and keep them going in AAHOA.’

AAHOA officials are also hoping the lower family rates will draw more attendees.The attendance is expected to be a little less this year, according
to Patel, due to the economy, family weddings – and new voting rules.

‘We’re expecting a little less this year because we changed the election rules – members must be two-year members in order to vote,’ Patel said. ‘We might lose the people who are not two-year members, but it’s not a big percentage.’ In all, AAHOA is expecting close to 3,000 registrants and nearly 400 vendors.