Our Bureau
Washington, DC
Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) organized the Spring National Advocacy Conference 2024 (SNAC) with more than 200 key leaders and members. Organized in Washington DC, SNAC connects AAHOA leadership with elected officials to identify viable solutions to the industry’s biggest challenges.
The Conference 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. AAHOA leaders participated in nearly 160 in-person Congressional meetings with U.S. Senators, Representatives, and their staff, across all party lines.
The congressional reception was attended by Congressman Shri Thanedar, who introduced the Loans in Our Neighborhoods Act (242) last month. 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, an initiative AAHOA supports.
Senator Roger Marshall and Congressman Ro Khanna were the guest speakers. Congressman Khanna 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. Khanna emphasized how representation is crucial to serving Indian-American communities and strengthening America’s economic and strategic partnership with India.
“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.”
