Women in Hospitality Take Center Stage at AAHOA's 5th Annual HerOwnership Conference in Nashville

Nashville is known for great music and big talent. This week, it also served as the backdrop for women hotel owners and hospitality leaders from across the country to learn, connect, and share what it takes to build successful hospitality businesses. AAHOA's 5th annual HerOwnership Conference, held September 27–28, focused on the practical side of ownership, covering operations and capital, technology, financial planning, and portfolio growth.

Masterclass sessions focused on legal issues, hotel financing, and lending sponsored by Bridge, and bookkeeping, wills and trusts, and daily hotel operations. Other sessions included a roundtable on leading with purpose, hosted by the AAHOA Charitable Foundation, as well as discussions on creating long-term hotel value, along with sponsored sessions addressing issues that directly affect hotel owners, building a brand with purpose with Red Roof, AI technology with M3, and portfolio diversification with Primrose. The event also featured a reception, Boots & Beats, with country singer Molly Lovette.

HerOwnership continues to show what is possible when women in our industry have a place to connect, share their experiences, and learn from one another. We heard honest conversations about ownership, leadership, business growth, and the challenges that come with building a career in hospitality. The connections made here will continue long after the conference, and that is what makes HerOwnership so valuable to AAHOA and our members. Thank you to Purnima Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division, Arti Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Western Division, and the Women Hoteliers Committee for their work and dedication in planning this event.

AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel

The keynote speaker was Simi Shah, Founder & CEO of South Asian Trailblazers, an award-winning media platform, community, and advisory agency focused on elevating South Asian voices. Shah, who grew up in the hospitality industry, spoke about her path to creating the company, the role her family played in her career and media platform, personal branding, and the importance of AAHOA to the hospitality community.

Shah reflected on the influence of the hospitality industry on her life and career.

"I would not be the person I am today if I had not grown up in this industry," she said. "I am so glad I grew up in the AAHOA community."

She also recognized the influence of AAHOA's founders on her work, describing them as the "giants on whose shoulders I stand" as she builds a podcast highlighting the achievements of South Asians.

Being in Nashville, it was hard not to think about Dolly Parton and the example she has set as a woman who built something of lasting value and stayed true to her vision. Women hotel owners know the value of what they have built, and they are making decisions every day about how to grow and protect it. I am incredibly proud to be part of an association that champions women and honors the tremendous contributions they make to our industry every day. That same confidence came through at HerOwnership.

AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake

Opening the door for other women is one of the most important things we can do. If each of us opens the door for five women and helps them find their place in this industry, the impact can continue long after this conference. We have an opportunity to make sure the next woman has someone willing to open that door for her.

Arti Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Western Division

HerOwnership gives women a place to share what is really happening in their businesses and learn from each other. Some of the best conversations happen between sessions, when women are talking about the challenges they are facing and sharing ideas and solutions. Those connections are a big part of what makes this conference special.

Purnima Patel, AAHOA Women Hoteliers Director, Eastern Division