Skip to content

Search

Latest Stories

Vision hosts 25th anniversary gala in hometown of Chattanooga, TN

Around 300 guests, including local officials, brand leaders and fellow hoteliers, attended the event

Vision hosts 25th anniversary gala in hometown of Chattanooga, TN

WITH THE TENNESSEE River winding through downtown Chattanooga, Tennessee, as a backdrop, Mitch Patel, president and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, welcomed nearly 300 guests to a formal gala recognizing his company’s 25th anniversary on Thursday. Among the guests were local officials, brand leaders, some of Patel’s fellow hoteliers and the VHG employees who he said made it all possible.

“I know many of you are tired and have early flights tomorrow, so I'll do my best to keep this short but I have a lot of people to thank, I'm sorry,” Patel said in his speech near the end of the gala, following many presentations and a full dinner on the terrace at the Hunter Museum of American Art.


The museum is next door to The Edwin Hotel, one of VHG’s several boutique hotels in Chattanooga alone. Some guests for the gala also enjoyed complimentary  housing at The Edwin for the special anniversary event, which was announced in March.

Founded in 1997, Vision Hospitality began with a Homewood Suites by Hilton, Chattanooga/Hamilton Place Patel developed in Chattanooga, where the company is still headquartered. Then, as the U.S. economy struggled to overcome the 9/11 attacks of 2001, Patel went on to develop 10 more hotels.

“Our story started 25 years ago, this week,” Patel said. “One small hotel, but one very big dream. It's been an incredible journey. From these humble beginnings to where we are today, this journey would not be possible without these amazing men and women in this room this evening. So please bear with me, I have a lot of people to thank.”

Presentations for the evening began with a proclamation from Tim Kelly, mayor of the Chattanooga, and Jim Coppinger, mayor of surrounding Hamilton County, declaring April 21 as Vision Hospitality Group Day.

“From small bakeries to logistics to paving machines, we've always kind of figured things out in Chattanooga, and Mitch is a perfect example,” Kelly said.  “He started Vision Hospitality when he was just 27 with his first hotel here, and it has grown that to about 16 hotels just in the Chattanooga area, $350 million of investment here and tens of millions of dollars in tax revenue.”

ENEWS COVID 04 25 22 Vision gala Mitch Patel with Mayors Tim Kelly, mayor of the Chattanooga, left, and Jim Coppinger, mayor of surrounding Hamilton County, right, present a proclamation declaring April 21 as Vision Hospitality Group Day to Mitch Patel, center.

Coppinger said Patel and VHG did much to help the county make it through the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Mitch served on the task force that we put together and was an integral part,” Coppinger said. “They called in every week, we did all this virtually, but Mitch played a big part in that, sharing what the vision was for the community, not only is as an entrepreneur of hotels but also for the tourism industry. It was really important to have his insight.”

Other VIPs at the gala included Liam Brown, group president of the Americas for Marriott International; Danny Hughes, president of the Americas for Hilton Hotels; and Chip Rogers, president and CEO at the American Hotel and Lodging Association. Other hoteliers present included Al Patel, president and CEO of Baywood Hotels in Columbia, Maryland; D.J. Rama, president and CEO of Auro Hotels in Greenville, South Carolina; and former AAHOA Chairwoman Jagruti Panwala who also is president and CEO of Wealth Protection Services in New Hope, Pennsylvania.

Mitch Patel’s family, wife Parul and children Aleyna, Arjun and Ishani, also attended the gala.

“There is no more important role, no more important role in my life than those of a son, husband and a father,” Patel told his family. “I hope I can be the same role model for you as my parents have been for me.”

As VHG’s market cap approaches $1 billion, Patel plans to expand the company’s footprint through strategic investments, acquisitions, and repositioning opportunities. He also aims to continue working with current partners as well as building new relationships in targeted markets.

“This milestone is a great opportunity to pause to reflect on the past gratitude, and also look out into the future. Together we've accomplished a lot these past 25 years,” Patel said in conclusion. “But our journey is not over. Even though our industry just went through an unprecedented crisis, I've learned that you can never bet against the American spirit. There's an African proverb says smooth seas have never made a skilled sailor. We're stronger, smarter, more efficient, more resilient than ever. This is a sustainable industry with tremendous opportunities.”

More for you

Trump reviewing 55 million us visas
Getty Images

Trump reviewing 55 million visas

Summary:

  • The Trump administration says it is reviewing more than 55 million visa holders.
  • Reviews cover a wide range of visas for law enforcement and overstay violations.
  • The administration also suspended worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.

THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION is reviewing more than 55 million people who hold valid U.S. visas for potential violations. It is expanding a policy of “continuous vetting” that could result in revocation and deportation.

Keep ReadingShow less
Peachtree Funds Rio Las Vegas Renovations | $176M CPACE Loan
Photo credit: Hyatt Hotels Corp.

Peachtree originates retroactive CPACE loan for Rio Vegas

Summary:

  • Peachtree Group originated a $176.5 million retroactive CPACE loan for a Las Vegas property.
  • The deal closed in under 60 days and ranks among the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.
  • The company promotes retroactive CPACE funding for commercial real estate development.

PEACHTREE GROUP ORIGINATED a $176.5 million retroactive Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy loan for Dreamscape Cos.’s Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The deal, completed in under 60 days, is its largest credit transaction and one of the largest CPACE financings in the U.S.

Keep ReadingShow less
Global hotel construction pipeline reaches record 15,871 projects in Q2 2025, with U.S. and Dallas leading growth
Photo Credit: iStock

Report: Global pipeline hits 15,871 projects

Summary:

  • Global pipeline hit a record 15,871 projects with 2.4 million rooms in Q2.
  • The U.S. leads with 6,280 projects; Dallas tops cities with 199.
  • Nearly 2,900 hotels are expected to open worldwide by the end of 2025.

THE GLOBAL HOTEL pipeline reached 15,871 projects, up 3 percent year-over-year, and 2,436,225 rooms, up 2 percent, according to Lodging Econometrics. Most were upper midscale and upscale, LE reported.

Keep ReadingShow less
HAMA Launches 20th Student Case Competition in USA
Photo Credit: iStock

HAMA launches 20th student case competition

Summary:

  • HAMA is accepting submissions for its 20th annual student case competition.
  • The cases reflect a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.
  • Teams must submit a financial analysis, solution and executive summary.

THE HOSPITALITY ASSET Managers Association is accepting submissions for the 20th Annual HAMA Student Case Competition, in which more than 60 students analyze a management company change scenario and provide recommendations. HAMA, HotStats and Lodging Analytics Research & Consulting are providing the case, based on a scenario HAMA members faced as owner representatives.

Keep ReadingShow less
Stonebridge hotel management expansion
Photo credit: Stonebridge Cos.

Stonebridge adds Statler Dallas to managed portfolio

Summary:

  • Stonebridge Cos. added the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton, to its managed portfolio.
  • The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group.
  • The property is near Main Street Garden Park, the Arts District and the Dallas World Aquarium.

STONEBRIDGE COS. HAS contracted to manage the Statler Dallas, Curio Collection by Hilton in Dallas to its managed portfolio. The hotel, opened in 1956 and relaunched in 2017, is owned by Centurion American Development Group, led by Mehrdad Moayedi.

Keep ReadingShow less