Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Former GA Sen. Loeffler to head SBA

Kelly Loeffler confirmed as SBA Chief, supporting small businesses and hospitality

The U.S. Senate on Wednesday confirmed former Georgia Sen. Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration, which supports small businesses with counseling, capital and contracting.

Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

How Kelly Loeffler’s SBA Leadership Impacts Small Businesses & Hospitality

THE U.S. SENATE on Wednesday confirmed former Georgia senator and businesswoman Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration, the federal agency supporting small businesses with counseling, capital and contracting expertise. AAHOA congratulated Loeffler, expressing confidence that her leadership will bolster industries like hospitality, which drive the U.S. economy.

Founded in 1953, the SBA supports small businesses with capital access, disaster relief, contracting opportunities, training, advocacy, and innovation programs, according to its website.


"Administrator Loeffler brings a deep understanding of small business challenges and opportunities," said Miraj Patel, AAHOA chairman. "Her leadership at the SBA will be instrumental in expanding access to capital and creating new opportunities for hotel owners and small business entrepreneurs across the country."

The agency’s Economic Injury Disaster Loans help cover working capital needs during disasters, including fixed debts, payroll, and accounts payable.

The Senate confirmed Loeffler on a 52 to 46 vote.

Loeffler served in the Senate from 2020 to 2021 after being appointed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp when Sen. Johnny Isakson stepped aside for health reasons. She co-owned the WNBA's Atlanta Dream and held roles in financial services, including Intercontinental Exchange. She is married to NYSE Chairman Jeffrey Sprecher.

AAHOA looks forward to working with the SBA under Loeffler to advance key initiatives, including the LIONS Act, which would raise SBA 7(a) and 504 loan limits from $5 million to $10 million. These measures are vital for hotel owners and small businesses to grow and innovate.

Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO, said small businesses are the backbone of America's economy.

"Administrator Loeffler's confirmation is a major step forward, and we are excited to collaborate with her to champion initiatives like the LIONS Act that will empower our members and other small business owners,” she said.

AAHOA continues to advocate for small business owners and will work with policymakers and the SBA to ensure access to critical financial resources. AAHOA's Political Action Committee recently raised $1 million in 2024, totaling $1.5 million for the 2023-2024 PAC period, reflecting members' efforts to make hotel owners' voices heard at all government levels.

AAHOA recently backed Kashyap “Kash” Patel, President Trump’s FBI director nominee, citing his public service and national security experience as crucial for addressing challenges facing both the FBI and the hospitality industry.

More for you

Hotel Tech Advances; Outpaces Operational Readiness

Report: Tech outpaces readiness in hotels

  • A gap is growing between technological potential and operational readiness, with many hotel teams still early in AI use.
  • Distribution teams are evolving with limited resources and uneven investment in talent and automation.
  • The report outlines how commercial teams in hospitality are managing transformation.

THERE IS A widening gap between technological potential and operational readiness, with many hotel staff still early in using AI effectively, according to “The State of Distribution 2025” report. Despite the availability of technology, training, systems and workflows remain in development.

The second edition of the industry benchmark report—published by NYU SPS Jonathan M. Tisch Center of Hospitality and its Hospitality Innovation Hub, in collaboration with RateGain Travel Technologies and HEDNA—noted that as traveler expectations rise, aligning people, processes and platforms is becoming a driver of performance.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree Group's Residence Inn by Marriott under construction in downtown San Antonio, topping out milestone reached, June 2025

Peachtree tops out San Antonio Residence Inn

Peachtree Hotel to Open in Summer 2026 with 117 Extended-Stay Rooms

PEACHTREE GROUP HELD a “topping out” for its Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown San Antonio, Texas, marking completion of the structural phase of the 10-story, 117-room hotel. The property, co-developed with Austin-based Merritt Development Group, is scheduled to open in summer 2026.

The extended-stay hotel will be owned by Peachtree and managed by its hospitality management division, the company said in a statement.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India plane crash 2025
Photo by Sam PANTHAKY / AFP

Air India reducing flights after deadly crash

AIR INDIA WILL reduce international service on widebody aircraft by 15 percent through at least mid-July, according to media reports. The decision comes less than a week after the June 12 crash of an Air India airliner carrying 230 passengers and 12 crew members in Ahmedabad, India, that killed 246 but left one survivor among the passengers.

The airline said the reduced service due to the safety inspection of aircraft and ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have disrupted operations, resulting in 83 flight cancellations over the past six days, according to ABC News. Passengers can either reschedule their flights at no additional cost or receive a full refund.

Keep ReadingShow less
hihotels executive team honored for long-term service and loyalty in hospitality

Hihotels recognizes eight company leaders

EIGHT LEADERS OF hihotels by Hospitality International, Inc. are being recognized by the company for their combined 121 years of service. The company was established in 1982 as an alternative to other, established brands.

The honorees include Paul Vakharia, hihotels’ senior director of franchise development for the Northeast Region who has been with the company for 25 years. Chhaya Patel, franchise development coordinator, also has been with the company for 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
ICE Raid Resumes in Hotels & Farms After DHS Reversal
Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Reuters: ICE resumes hotel immigration raids

ICE Reverses Decision to Pause Raids on Key Industries

U.S. IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS have reversed enforcement limits at hotels, farms, restaurants and food processing plants days after issuing them, following conflicting statements by President Donald Trump, according to Reuters. ICE leadership told field office heads on Monday it would withdraw last week's directive that paused raids on those businesses.

ICE officials were told a daily quota of 3,000 arrests—10 times the average last year under former President Joe Biden—would remain in effect, two former officials said in the report. ICE field office heads raised concerns they could not meet the quota without raids at the previously exempted businesses, Reuters reported, citing a source.

However, it was not clear why the directive was reversed.

Keep ReadingShow less