Asian American hoteliers push impactful national advocacy agenda

AAHOA members interact with lawmakers to identify viable solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges

Members of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) interacted with lawmakers, including Indian American Congressmen, Ro Khanna and Shri Thanedar, as part of its 2024 Spring National Advocacy Conference (SNAC) in Washington, DC.

The two-day conference attended by 200 AAHOA members last week, opened with a legislative learning session at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, followed by an evening Congressional reception at the Cannon House Office Building, and then a full day of Congressional meetings, according to a press release.

READ: At AAHOA event, GOP Reps. Mike Waltz and Neal Dunn say India is America’s best ally against China (March 9, 2023)

AAHOA wrapped up SNAC with an active day on Capitol Hill, where AAHOA leaders participated in nearly 160 in-person Congressional meetings with US Senators, Representatives, and their staff, across all party lines, the release stated.

SNAC provides the opportunity for AAHOA to work with elected officials to identify viable solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges, it said. Through education, advocacy, and connecting AAHOA Members with their elected officials, SNAC continues to be an integral part of AAHOA’s advocacy plan.

About 30 key members of Congress attended the organization’s congressional reception and offered their insights regarding the important role AAHOA and its members have in shaping the agenda of national policies and leading the industry in ensuring the voices of hoteliers are being heard.

Elected officials also spoke one-on-one with their AAHOA member constituents to build and strengthen their relationships for ongoing and future impact.

READ: In huge lobbying blitz, AAHOA leaders meet more than 130 U.S. lawmakers in Washington (March 8, 2023)

Khanna (D-CA-17) spoke to AAHOA members about his upbringing and what led him to run for Congressional Office. Khanna, the son of Indian immigrants, has much in common with AAHOA members, and champions more Indian Americans running for office, according to the release. Khanna emphasized how representation is crucial to serving Indian-American communities and strengthening America’s economic and strategic partnership with India.

Thanedar (D-MI-13), who introduced the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONS) Act (HR 7242) just last month, also attends the Congressional reception. The LIONS Act is designed to amend the Small Business Act by increasing the maximum gross loan amounts for section SBA 7(a) and 504 loans from $5 million to $10 million, something for which AAHOA has long advocated.

Addressing AAHOA leaders, guest speaker Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) connected his experience working in the family business with that of AAHOA members and said serving as a US Senator is his way of giving back to the country.

Sen Marshall is also a co-sponsor of the Credit Card Competition Act (S. 1838/HR 3881), legislation that will promote fee, security, and service competition among credit card networks.

AAHOA is advocating for the passage of the Credit Card Competition Act, which would help hotel owners, and other retailers across the country, save on their bottom lines.

“AAHOA’s Spring National Advocacy Conference in Washington, DC, underscores our ongoing commitment to advocating for legislation that fortifies our members’ businesses nationwide and drives economic prosperity for their hotels,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake.

“Each year we continue to see the relationships grow between our AAHOA Members and their elected officials. We are grateful to Senator Marshall and Congressman Khanna for their support of AAHOA, and for the nearly 30 elected officials who attended AAHOA’s Congressional Reception,” she said. “Our twice-yearly advocacy conferences are quickly becoming the foundation for shaping and driving national policy, and our members are making it happen.”

“As a champion of advocacy and building relationships with elected officials, AAHOA is proud to advocate on behalf of the hotel industry in the halls of Congress,” said AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel.

“SNAC provides AAHOA leaders the opportunity to learn about the issues impacting our industry and prepares them to have productive, impactful meetings with their elected officials on Capitol Hill.

AAHOA’s reputation, influence, and recognition in Washington continues to grow, and it is thanks to the AAHOA Members who take the time to make advocacy a part of their business plan.”