AAHOA Supports Women in Hospitality Through Industry Collaboration

Creating space for women to connect, lead, and grow in hospitality takes intention—and strong partnerships.

This Women’s History Month, AAHOA supported Travel Portland’s Women in Hospitality Forum, an event that brought women across the industry together for meaningful conversation, mentorship, and community-building.

A shared commitment

Opportunities like this forum reflect a broader industry need:

•  Expanding access to leadership and ownership pathways 

•  Building stronger networks for women at every career stage 

•  Creating environments where experiences and insights can be shared openly 

AAHOA is proud to support initiatives that align with these goals and help move the industry forward.

Member spotlight: Sapana Patel

AAHOA Member Sapana Patel, President of AJA Hospitality and Jaiden Investments, served as a panelist at the forum.

•  A second-generation hotelier who grew up in the business 

•  Now oversees a portfolio of both branded and independent hotels 

•  Actively engaged in AAHOA through Women Hoteliers and the Education Committee 

Her perspective—shaped by both hands-on experience and leadership—highlighted the importance of mentorship, ownership, and lifting others along the way.

Why it matters

While women continue to play a vital role in hospitality, there is still work to be done in advancing representation in leadership.

Events like this:

•  Strengthen connections across the industry 

•  Create space for new voices and ideas 

•  Help inspire the next generation of women leaders 

Looking ahead

AAHOA remains committed to supporting women hoteliers through advocacy, education, and partnerships that create real opportunities for growth.

Collaborations like the Women in Hospitality Forum are among many ways progress happens—together.

The takeaway

When organizations and leaders come together with purpose, they don’t just create conversations—they help shape the future of hospitality.