LOS ANGELES, Ca. – On the opening day of the 2023 Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Convention & Trade Show, the association announced the launch of the AAHOA Charitable Foundation.

Forming later this year as an IRS-recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the AAHOA Charitable Foundation will aim to support humanity, providing disaster relief, educational scholarships, and grants, charitable initiatives for worthy causes, and humanitarian aid.

I can think of no better way to conclude my chairmanship of AAHOA than by launching the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, said outgoing Chairman Nishant (Neal) Patel. AAHOA Members are hardworking, creative, and entrepreneurial. They are also generous and community-minded. The AAHOA Charitable Foundation gives all of our Members a new outlet to continue supporting our communities.

AAHOA’s 20,000 members already contribute to their communities by supporting charitable organizations that provide services ranging from education and disease research funding to humanitarian efforts. Thanks to the generosity of vendor partners, members, and sponsors, AAHOA has been able to donate millions of dollars to charities that touch lives and make the world a better place.

AAHOA is seeking contributions from members, with no contribution too small. It is anticipated that all contributions will be deductible under the fullest extent provided by applicable law.

Through charitable golf tournaments, hurricane relief efforts and other charitable activities, AAHOA Members believe in giving back to our local communities, said incoming AAHOA Chairman Bharat Patel. The AAHOA Charitable Foundation builds on these efforts and provides a new venue for AAHOA Members to support their communities.

AAHOA Members own hotels in thousands of communities in all 50 states, which provide safe and comfortable accommodations for 3.5 million guests each night, along with employing one million workers, said President & CEO Laura Lee Blake. Our Members stand strong as pillars of their communities and care deeply about those who need help. They contribute in so many ways. Through the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, our Members will have a new way to support charitable activities that will make a remarkable difference in each and every community across the country.

To celebrate the launch of the new foundation, attendees are making pledges to donate to the foundation, with the goal of raising $50,000 in the first week during the 2023 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show.

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 1.7% of the nation's GDP. More than one million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $47 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.

Melissa Stern
AAHOA