NEW ORLEANS – On the final day of the 2025 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) honored excellence within the hospitality industry by recognizing hoteliers and properties through its annual awards program.
These awards are a reflection of the hard work, dedication and talent of our members who have a real impact on our industry and our communities. The award recipients are an inspiration for all those who strive to achieve excellence in hospitality. AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh Patel
AAHOA’s awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the hospitality industry in terms of service, leadership and community involvement. The recipients were selected by an independent awards committee for their contributions to industry.
In celebrating the accomplishments of these exceptional individuals, we’re reminded of how dedicated our AAHOA family is. The award recipients this year exemplify innovation and leadership, and their achievements continue to propel our industry and AAHOA ahead. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake
The 2025 Award winners were recognized on the mainstage on Thursday, 17 April:
AAHOA Award of Excellence
This award is given to a hotelier that has shown strong leadership and high standards of quality, as well as making an important contribution to the industry.
- Denish PatelAJNM Hotels Group Fort Worth TX, Lifetime member. Co-Founder & Managing director.
Cecil B. Day Community Service Award
The award was named after Cecil B. The award was named after Cecil B.
- Ray Patel, Director of Development & Acquisitions, Aelius Management Group, Lodi, CA, Lifetime Member
AAHOA Charitable Foundation Outreach Award
This award is given to an individual who has demonstrated philanthropic and humanitarian efforts that embody the mission of AAHOA Charitable Foundation.
- Mahendra (Mike) Patel, President, Laguna Lodging, South Padre Island/Texas, Lifetime Member
Awarded Outstanding HerOwnership Award for Excellence
This award honors a female hotelier who has shown strong leadership, commitment to excellence in lodging, and made significant contributions to industry and community.
- Nipun (Nina) PatelSteel Hospitality, Philadelphia PA, Lifetime member
Outstanding HYPE Awards of Excellence
This award recognizes young hoteliers (under 30) who embody the spirit, dedication and achievement of professional hoteliers.
- Ankita J., Senior Manager, Acquisition & Development, Vivant Capital, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Annual Member
Political Forum Award for Advocacy
This award goes to an individual that has been actively involved in advancing the mission of AAHOA and its members’ interests by engaging in the legislative process, through government affairs and political involvement.
- Pratik H. Bhakta, Asheville, NC, Lifetime Member
IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award
This award recognizes an independent, high-quality hotel that provides excellent service, quality and satisfaction to its guests. This award recognizes a particular hotel and not an independent operator.
- The BLVD Hotel & Studios Los Angeles, CA represented by Sagar Kumar, President-OceansV Hotel Management, Los Angeles, CA, Lifetime Member
AAHOA
AAHOA The largest hotel owners’ association in the United States, Member-owned hotels represent a significant portion of the U.S. economic system. AAHOA members account for 60% of hotels in America and 1.7% of GDP. AAHOA members employ more than 1 million people, who earn $51.3 billion annually. They also support 4.2 millions jobs in the U.S. across all sectors of hospitality. AAHOA’s goal is to protect and advance the interests of hoteliers through advocacy, leadership in the industry, professional development, member benefit, and community involvement.
