Each year, AAHOA recognizes leaders for their contributions to the
industry. Winners are chosen by an independent awards review committee and recipients are recognized
and celebrated on stage during the AAHOA Convention & Trade Show.
AAHOA
Award Categories
AAHOA Award of Excellence
This award recognizes a hotelier who has demonstrated strong
leadership, has high standards of excellence, and is making a
significant contribution to the lodging Industry.
Outstanding HerOwnership Award of Excellence
This award recognizes a woman hotelier for strong leadership and a commitment to lodging excellence, and for her significant contributions to the industry and to her community.
Outstanding HYPE Award of Excellence
This award is for the young hotelier under the age of 35 who has
exemplified the spirit, dedication, and achievement of a
professional hotelier.
Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
Named in honor of Cecil B. Day, the founder of Days Inn known
for his commitment to community service, this award recognizes
someone who has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving his
or her community.
AAHOA Charitable Foundation Outreach Award
This award honors an individual dedicated to impactful philanthropic and charitable efforts, embodying the mission of the AAHOA Charitable Foundation.
Political Forum Award for Advocacy
This award is given to an individual who is extensively involved
with helping advance AAHOA’s mission and the interests of its
members by participating in the legislative process through
political involvement and government affairs.
IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award
This award honors an independent hotel that sets a high standard
of excellence in quality, service, and guest satisfaction. This
award honors a specific hotel rather than an independent
hotelier in general.
2025
AAHOA Award Winners
Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
Ray Patel
Director of Development & Acquisitions, Aelius Management Group, Lodi,
CA, Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
AAHOA Award of Excellence
Denish Patel
Co-Founder and Managing Director, AJNM Hotels Group, Fort Worth, TX,
Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
AAHOA Charitable Foundation Outreach Award
Mahendra (Mike) Patel
President, Laguna Lodging, South Padre Island/Texas,
Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
Outstanding HerOwnership Award of Excellence
Nipun (Nina) Patel
CEO, Steel Hospitality, Philadelphia, PA, Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
Outstanding HYPE Award of Excellence
Ankita Jain
Senior Manager, Acquisition & Development, Vivant Capital, San Juan,
Puerto Rico, Annual Member
Congratulations!
Political Forum Award for Advocacy
Pratik H. Bhakta
Asheville, NC, Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award
The BLVD Hotel & Studios
Sagar Kumar,
President-OceansV Hotel Management, Los Angeles, CA, Lifetime Member
Congratulations!
Industry Partners
The following Industry Partners provide generous ongoing support to AAHOA and our membership. We sincerely appreciate our Industry Partners' contributions to the association and the industry.
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