ATLANTA– Best Western CEO David Kong has confirmed that Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) members who own Best Western properties will be exempt from inspections during the 2017 AAHOA convention.
The exemption will allow AAHOA members who attend the convention, held April 11-14, 2017, in San Antonio, Texas, to focus on the annual event’s networking, educational, and business opportunities – without worrying that a property inspection is being conducted in their absence.
“This pledge by Best Western leadership represents both the growing strength and tremendous value of the AAHOA-Best Western partnership,” said AAHOA President and CEO Chip Rogers. “I sincerely thank Best Western for their continued support and am excited to share this news with all of our stakeholders.”
Rogers, now in his second year at the AAHOA helm, received a burst of applause when he made the formal announcement last week during the Best Western-AAHOA brand alliance meeting during the Best Western annual conference in Phoenix.
The exemption idea originally arose during the 2016 AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show town-hall meeting, when longtime AAHOA member and 1997 AAHOA Chairman J.P. Rama suggested it as a way to build trust between brands and franchisees. Best Western was the first brand to stand up and agree.
“We value our strong relationship with AAHOA members and are pleased to join with AAHOA in making this announcement,” said Best Western Hotels & Resorts President and CEO David Kong. “Best Western recognizes the importance of annual conventions as they are a time to attend important educational seminars and network with fellow members. By not conducting inspections during AAHOA’s convention, its members will be able to focus on the opportunities presented to them at the event.”
Founded in 1989, AAHOA is the largest hotel owners association in the world, with more than 15,000 small business owner-members. AAHOA members own almost one in every two hotels in the United States.
