Skip to content

Search

Human content, AI powered search.

Latest Stories

AAHOA hosts second HYPE conference in Mexico City

AAHOA’s 2nd HYPE Conference in Mexico City—hospitality leaders networking, sharing expert insights, and elevating service excellence

AAHOA hosted its second annual HYPE Conference in Mexico City on Feb. 6 to 7, marking its first international event, with Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO of OYO, as a keynote speaker.

Vishnu Rageev R.
By Vishnu Rageev R.Feb 27, 2025
Vishnu Rageev R.

Vishnu Rageev R is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience in business journalism. Before joining Asian Media Group in 2022, he worked with BW Businessworld, IMAGES Group, exchange4media Group, DC Books, and Dhanam Publications in India. His coverage includes industry analysis, market trends and corporate developments, focusing on retail, real estate and hospitality. As a senior journalist with Asian Hospitality, he covers the U.S. hospitality industry. He is from Kerala, a state in South India.

See Full Bio

AAHOA’s 2nd HYPE Conference in Mexico City: Elevating Hospitality Excellence & Networking Opportunities

AAHOA HOSTED ITS second annual “HYPE – Helping Young Professionals Evolve” conference in Mexico City on Feb. 6 to 7, marking its first international event. Ritesh Agarwal, founder and Group CEO of OYO, and Rahul Patel, managing partner at Patel Gaines, PLLC, were the keynote speakers, addressing around 240 participants.

The conference featured panel discussions on leadership, capital access strategies, multifamily housing opportunities, emerging technologies and insights for independent properties in competitive markets, AAHOA said in a statement.

"The energy at the second annual HYPE Conference was incredible. Bringing together over 200 young professionals in Mexico City to connect, learn, and grow is exactly what AAHOA is all about," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Investing in the next generation of hoteliers is essential to the future of our industry. I want to thank Dylan Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Eastern Division, and Tanmay Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Western Division, for their dedication in planning this event."

Agarwal shared insights on "From Startup to Global Impact: A CEO's Journey as a Young Professional," emphasizing perseverance: "When the world expects you to fail, you give everything to succeed." His firm, OYO, recently announced a $10 million investment to enhance G6 Hospitality’s digital assets, including its website and app, aiming for a fourfold increase in app users before summer.

Rahul Patel encouraged bold self-advocacy.

"You’ve got to be your biggest advocate. Whatever you're doing, tell people about it. Step outside the box—you’ve got to be different," he said.

AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake announced the launch of a Tech Task Force, led by young professionals, to explore and implement innovative technologies in hospitality.

"HYPE is more than just a conference—it is a launchpad for young professionals to build networks, gain industry insights, and advance their careers," said Blake. "With the new Tech Task Force, we are empowering the next generation to shape the future of hospitality through technology and innovation."

In February 2024, the "HYPE Ownership" conference in New Orleans attracted around 200 members, focusing on the growth of new hospitality professionals.

aaahoa chairman miraj patelaahoaaahoa hosts second hype conference in mexico cityaahoa hosts second hype conference in mexico city youtubeaahoa's international conference|aahoacon 2023ahoa conventioncapital access strategiesdylan patelemerging technologieshospitality leadershiphotel ownershiphype – helping young professionals evolvehype conferencelaura lee blakeleadershipmexico citymultifamily housing opportunitiesoyopatel gainesrahul patelritesh agarwaltanmay pateltech task forceu.s. hotel industryu.s. hoteliersyoung hoteliers

Related News

Survey: Hospitality drops most jobs in June
Industry News

Survey: Hospitality drops most jobs in June

Travel & Tourism Deals Fall 8% Globally
Industry News

Report: Travel and tourism deals down 8 percent

Choice Hotels
Industry News

Choice posts $81.7M Q2 profit, 93K-room pipeline

Hotel exterior of Motel 6 Las Vegas under G6 Hospitality and Galaxy Hotels partnership
Industry News

G6, Galaxy aim to grow Motel 6, Studio 6

More for you

Marriott International expands global hotel pipeline in Q2 2025

Marriott pipeline hits record 590,000 rooms

Summary:

  • Marriott International ended Q2 with a record pipeline of about 3,900 properties and more than 590,000 rooms.
  • Global RevPAR rose 1.5 percent, including a 5.3 percent gain in international markets.
  • Net income slipped 1 percent to $763 million; 17,300 net rooms were added.

MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL’S GROWTH continued in the second quarter, according to the company’s recent earnings report. Along with its active pipeline, the company saw rising revenue and launched a new brand.

Keep ReadingShow less
OYO Adds 150 U.S. Hotels in 2025, Plans Another 150
Photo credit: OYO U.S.

OYO adds 150 U.S. hotels, plans 150 more

Summary:

  • OYO added more than 150 U.S. hotels in early 2025 and plans 150 more by year-end.
  • Ten additions have more than 100 rooms, reflecting a focus on high-inventory properties.
  • It is targeting urban and suburban markets in the Sun Belt and Great Lakes regions.

HOSPITALITY TECHNOLOGY COMPANY OYO added more than 150 hotels to its U.S. portfolio in the first half of 2025 and plans to add 150 more by year-end. The additions span Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Mississippi, California, Michigan and Illinois.

Keep ReadingShow less
Choice Hotels campaigns

Choice launches campaigns for extended-stay brands

Summary:

  • Choice launched two campaigns to boost bookings across its four extended-stay brands.
  • Based on guest feedback, the campaigns focus on efficiency, cleanliness, value and flexibility.
  • They will run through 2026 across social media, Connected TV, digital display and online video.

CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL launched two marketing campaigns to increase brand awareness and bookings across its four extended-stay brands. The "Stay in Your Rhythm" campaign promotes all four brands by showing how guests can maintain daily routines, while "The WoodSpring Way" highlights the service WoodSpring Suites staff provide.

Keep ReadingShow less
US Hotel Employee Background Checks
iStock

Survey: Employee background checks up for hotels

Summary:

  • U.S. hotels increased background checks by 36 percent in early 2025.
  • The trend follows President Trump’s immigration policies impacting seasonal labor.
  • Immigrants making up a third of the travel workforce.

U.S. HOTEL HIRING managers requested 36 percent more background checks in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period last year, according to Hireology. The move follows President Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown and proposed visa fee hikes affecting seasonal labor.

Keep ReadingShow less
Hotel industry leaders unite at AHLA Summit to support trafficking survivors
Photo credit: AHLA Foundation

AHLA Foundation hosts human trafficking summit

Summary:

  • AHLA Foundation held its No Room for Trafficking Summit and announced Survivor Fund grantees.
  • The summit featured expert panels and sessions on survivor employment and trafficking prevention.
  • Since 2023, the program has awarded more than $2.35 million to 27 organizations.

AHLA FOUNDATION RECENTLY held its annual “No Room for Trafficking Summit” to advance practices and reinforce the industry's commitment to addressing human trafficking through collaboration, education and survivor support. It also announced the 2025–2026 NRFT Survivor Fund grants, which support organizations providing services and resources for survivors.

Keep ReadingShow less
Asian Hospitality Logo
© Copyright 2025
Contact Us