Ed Brock is an award-winning journalist who has worked for various U.S. newspapers and magazines, including with American City & County magazine, a national publication based in Atlanta focused on city and county government issues. He is currently senior editor at Asian Hospitality magazine, the top U.S. publication for Asian American hoteliers. Originally from Mobile, Alabama, Ed began his career in journalism in the early 1990s as a reporter for a chain of weekly newspapers in Baldwin County, Alabama. After a stint teaching English in Japan, Ed returned to the U.S. and moved to the Atlanta area where he returned to journalism, coming to work at Asian Hospitality in 2016.
AAHOA HAS ANNOUNCED the list of speakers for its 2020 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show. The show, scheduled for Aug. 11 to 13, will be held virtually for the first time.
“As hoteliers adjust and adapt to the new realities posed by COVID-19, AAHOA is proud to bring our members some of the best minds in the industry to talk about the road to recovery,” said Cecil Staton, AAHOA’s president and CEO. “I am looking forward to hearing from the insightful and accomplished leaders we’ve assembled for this year’s convention.”
Staton is among the speakers, along with Roger Dow, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, and Chip Rogers, president and CEO of the American Hotel & Lodging Association, who will discuss the industry’s response to COVID-19, advocacy efforts and the road ahead.
Harris Rosen, Florida’s largest independent hotelier and president and CEO of Rosen Hotels and Resorts, and Horst Schulze, cofounder of Ritz-Carlton Hotel Corp. are featured speakers.
Other speakers include:
Ritesh Agarwal, founder and CEO of OYO
Adam Sacks, the president of Tourism Economics;
Mit Shah, founder and CEO of Noble Investment Group
Jamie Lane, senior research director of Econometric Advisors and CBRE Hotels Research
Amanda Hite, president and CEO of STR
Cindy Estis Green, CEO and co-founder of Kalibri Labs
Justin Knight, president and CEO of Apple Hospitality REIT
DJ Rama, president and CEO of Auro Hotels
Kenneth H. Fearn, founder and managing partner of Integrated Capital LLC
Sima Patel, CEO of Ridgemont Hospitality
Jennifer Miller of Hamilton, Miller and Birthisel, LLP
JR Patel, president and COO of Helix Hospitality
Harshil Patel, vice president of Champion Hotels
Raj Patel, chief development officer of Hawkeye Hotels
Jatin Desai, managing principal and CIO/CFO at Peachtree Hotel Group
Teague Hunter, president and CEO of Hunter Hotel Advisors
“The economic impact of this pandemic is greater than 9/11 and the 2008 financial crisis combined. That is why we are bringing together some of our industry’s most seasoned hoteliers and luminaries in the field of economic research,” said AAHOA Chairman Biran Patel. “I think the speakers at this year’s convention will offer valuable context and insight that may help ease some of the uncertainty that is plaguing our industry.”
AAHOA announced the virtual format for the convention on June 24 after the Florida Department of Health announced its new guidelines on June 20. The convention, which had already been rescheduled from April to August as a result of the pandemic, was to be held in Orlando, Florida.
Sonesta launched Americas Best Value Studios, an extended-stay version of ABVI.
The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping.
The brand meets demand for longer-term, value-focused stays.
SONESTA INTERNATIONAL HOTELS Corp. launched Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta, an extended-stay version of its franchised brand, Americas Best Value Inn. The model targets owners seeking limited front desk and housekeeping, optional fitness center and lobby market along with standard brand requirements.
The brand aims to address the growing demand for longer-term, value-driven accommodations, Sonesta said in a statement.
"Americas Best Value Studios by Sonesta represents a strategic evolution of our trusted Americas Best Value Inn brand," Keith Pierce, Sonesta’s executive vice president and president of franchise development, said. "We are expanding our offerings to directly address the increasing demand within the extended-stay segment, providing a practical solution for travelers seeking longer-term lodging at value. This new brand type allows our local franchised owner-operators to tap into a growing market while maintaining the community-focused experience that Americas Best Value Inn is known for."
ABVI has a majority presence in secondary and tertiary markets, the statement said.
The extended-stay brand’s operational model features a front desk, bi-weekly housekeeping, on-site laundry and pet-friendly accommodations, Sonesta said. Guests can also earn or redeem points through the Sonesta Travel Pass loyalty program.
In August, Sonesta named Stayntouch its preferred property management system after a two-year review of its ability to support the company’s franchise model. The company operates more than 1,100 properties with more than 100,000 rooms across 13 brands on three continents.
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