- New “AAHOA Marketplace” launched.
- Create accounts at AAHOAmarketplace.com.
- It gives independents procurement tools.
AAHOA, FOLIO AND Avendra International launched the updated “AAHOA Marketplace” on Sept. 14. The procurement platform gives eligible AAHOA members free access to purchasing tools, suppliers and negotiated savings.
The platform consolidates hotel purchasing into a centralized catalog with a unified cart, order tracking and AI-powered auto-coding at purchase, AAHOA said in a statement. Members can create an account at AAHOAmarketplace.com.
AAHOA and Avendra launched the original marketplace last year.
New users sign up for Folio, connect up to five existing suppliers and place orders within minutes, the statement said. The platform also works on mobile, letting owners and managers handle purchasing away from the office.
“When we announced our partnership with AAHOA in April, our goal was to bring the power and efficiency of modern procurement technology to a much broader segment of the hotel industry,” said Kate Adamson, Folio CEO. “Today, new technology must be fast and intuitive to adopt, or we all move on. Hotel owners, in particular, are incredibly busy. Faster AAHOA Marketplace setups means owners can start shopping for their hotel in minutes.”
The launch gives independent hotel owners procurement tools without the implementation typically required by systems built for larger hotel organizations, AAHOA said. The self-service model cuts the training and change management larger systems demand; for bigger operations, Folio will continue offering configurable purchasing programs, implementation and support services, retaining the customized arrangements those organizations need.
Rahul Patel, AAHOA chairman, said the launch delivers a member benefit AAHOA is committed to providing.
“By leveraging the strength of our community, the new AAHOA Marketplace brings together valuable procurement opportunities and technology that make it easier for hotel owners to access negotiated savings, streamline operations and control costs,” he said.
“The vision for the new AAHOA Marketplace has always been centered on creating greater value for our members,” said Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA president and CEO. “Members can quickly access the platform and begin taking advantage of savings and tools designed around the way hotel owners actually operate.”
