This year's trade show and annual convention in San Diego, CA, marks the largest in the history of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA).

 “Our voice is louder, and more people are listening to what we have to say, and for one simple reason: AAHOA always delivers for its members,” said HP Patel, AAHOA chairman.

Some of the association’s latest figures include the following:

• AAHOA has grown to more than 18,500 members
• Now, 45% of AAHOA’s members are lifetime members (more than 3,200-lifetime members were in attendance at the conference)
• AAHOA’s PAC raised $1.25 million in the 2018 election cycle, a 14% increase from 2016
• 14,600 AAHOA members engaged in education in 2018, up 100%
• There were 100 hotel owner-focused webinars in 2018
• AAHOA hosted 182 events across the country in 2018, including the association’s annual conference, 100 town hall meetings, two national advocacy conferences and more

“We are building on 30 years of hard work, selfless sacrifice and progress,” H P Patel said.

While many things at AAHOA are evolving, some things have stayed the same, said Rachel Humphrey, interim president and CEO of AAHOA, who spoke about the organization’s enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit over the decades.

“It’s an honor to help this association usher in its next decades of greatness,” she said.