Patel officially assumed the role at the conclusion of AAHOACON25, the association’s annual Convention & Trade Show, which took place April 15-17 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.
A second-generation hotelier from Santa Cruz, California, Patel grew up immersed in the hospitality business, working alongside his family and now managing properties with his wife, Krishna. He follows in the footsteps of his father, Suresh (SP) Patel, a respected industry leader and former AAHOA Board Member and North Pacific Regional Director.
“It’s an incredible honor to serve as Chairman of AAHOA,” said Patel. “This association has been the backbone of support for hotel owners like myself. As we navigate an ever-changing industry, I’m committed to strengthening our foundation, empowering membership, and ensuring AAHOA continues to be the voice, the resource, and the community that hotel owners rely on.”
Prior to his appointment, Patel served as AAHOA’s North Pacific Regional Director and was a Premier Ambassador for several years. He was elected Secretary in 2022, beginning a leadership journey that now culminates with his Chairmanship.
Patel’s platform centers on the theme of “Strengthening AAHOA Through Member Empowerment.” His vision includes eight key priorities:
- Profitability First: Prioritizing member ROI in every initiative
- Stronger Advocacy: Amplifying our voice at every level of government
- Member Engagement: Creating more ways for you to get involved
- Open Dialogue: Tackling tough conversations with brands and policymakers
- One Team, One Vision: Driving unity across AAHOA leadership
- Investing in the Future: Elevating next-gen and leadership programs
- Transparency & Accountability: Keeping members informed and empowered
- Giving Back: Mobilizing through the AAHOA Charitable Foundation
“AAHOA isn’t just an association – it’s a family,” Patel added. “This community shaped my career, and now, it’s my turn to serve. If AAHOA isn’t delivering value, creating opportunities, and strengthening this industry, then we’re not doing our job. I want every member to know their voice matters and that this association belongs to them.”
“On behalf of AAHOA, we congratulate KP on his new role as Chairman,” said AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. He brings a deep commitment to our mission and a clear vision for the future. We are excited to work together to advance AAHOA’s advocacy, expand our impact, and continue building an association that reflects the strength and spirit of America’s hotel owners.”
About AAHOA
AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the nation, with Member-owned properties representing a significant part of the U.S. economy. AAHOA’s 20,000 members own 60% of the hotels in the United States and are responsible for 1.4% of the nation’s GDP. More than 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 billion annually, and member-owned hotels support 4.2 million U.S. jobs across all sectors of the hospitality industry. AAHOA’s mission is to advance and protect the business interests of hotel owners through advocacy, industry leadership, professional development, member benefits, and community engagement.