Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

AAHOA to hold virtual convention this year

Florida’s new COVID-19 regulations led to cancellation of physical event

IN RESPONSE TO Florida’s new COVID-19 pandemic regulations, AAHOA’s 2020 Convention & Trade Show will be virtual instead of in-person. It is the most recent cancellation or format change for a major hospitality conference caused by the outbreak this summer.

AAHOA announced the format change on Tuesday 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.


“We’ve remained optimistic that the convention could go on as planned in August. Unfortunately, the recent spike in new COVID-19 cases in Florida led the state’s public health officials to recommend more stringent measures to mitigate virus transmission, including new guidelines that limit the size of public gatherings,” said Cecil Staton, AAHOA’s president and CEO.

Details are pending on the virtual presentations of keynote presentations, panels, leadership speeches and the election of the association’s board of directors and secretary. Biran Patel assumed the chairmanship last week, succeeding Jagruti Panwala.

“While I will miss seeing our members and our industry and vendor partners, I am confident that AAHOA made the safest and most responsible decision for our association and for our members,” Patel said. “Our members and vendor partners showed overwhelming enthusiasm for this year’s convention with thousands prepared to join us in Orlando. It is unfortunate that we cannot be together, but I am confident that AAHOA will deliver much of the value and excitement of our convention to our members through the virtual channels that we’ve all become more familiar with over the past few months.

Patel said the association and he hope next year’s convention in Dallas will be face-to-face.

Last week, STR announced that its Hotel Data Conference would be held in Nashville, Tennessee, on Aug. 13, but in a very limited capacity for in-person elements. Most of the convention will be available online while the number of physical attendees at the JW Marriott Nashville will be limited to 150 people.

More for you

CBRE: US Hotel RevPAR to Grow 1.3 Percent in 2025

CBRE: RevPAR to grow 1.3 percent in 2025

U.S. HOTEL REVPAR is expected to grow 1.3 percent in 2025, supported by urban markets from group and business travel and increased demand for drive-to and regional leisure destinations, according to CBRE. Occupancy is forecast to rise 14 basis points and ADR 1.2 percent year-over-year.

This represents slower growth than CBRE’s February forecast, which projected 2 percent RevPAR growth based on a 21-basis-point increase in occupancy and a 1.6 percent rise in ADR, the commercial real estate and investment firm said.

Keep ReadingShow less
Palette Hotels to Transform DoubleTree by Hilton in Washington, PA

Palette to manage Washington, PA, DoubleTree

Palette’s Expertise in Hospitality Management

SUNRISE GOLD HOSPITALITY recently selected Palette Hotels to manage its 140-room DoubleTree by Hilton Washington Meadow Lands Casino Area in Washington, Pennsylvania. Palette will oversee renovations, including Hilton Connected Rooms technology upgrades, new signage, landscaping, building systems and updates to the lobby, guestrooms, bathrooms, meeting spaces, restaurant, bar and lounge.

Sunrise Gold Hospitality is led by owner Ramesh Pandya, and Palette Hotels by Founder and CEO Richard Lou.

Keep ReadingShow less