The Asian American Hotel Owners Association held its second annual Helping Young Professionals Evolve Conference in early February as the association's first-ever international conference. The event brought together the next generation of hospitality leaders in Mexico City. Designed to inspire and connect young professionals, the conference included discussions, networking opportunities and insights from industry leaders.
"The energy at the second annual HYPE Conference was incredible. Bringing together over 200 young professionals in Mexico City to connect, learn, and grow is exactly what AAHOA is all about," AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel said in a statement. Patel is AAHOA's youngest Chairman to date. "Investing in the next generation of hoteliers is not just important—it's essential to the future of our industry. I want to thank Dylan Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Eastern Division, and Tanmay Patel, AAHOA Young Professional Director Western Division, for their work and dedication in planning this event."
Some 240 attendees participated in the event, which featured panel discussions covering essential aspects of the hospitality industry. Topics included effective leadership, strategies for accessing capital, opportunities in multifamily housing, emerging technologies shaping the industry and insights on how independent properties can succeed in competitive markets.
The event also featured two keynote speakers. Ritesh Agarwal, founder and group CEO of OYO, shared insights on "From Startup to Global Impact: A CEO's Journey as a Young Professional," emphasizing perseverance with the statement, "When the world expects you to fail, you put in everything to be successful."
Rahul B. Patel, visionary entrepreneur and managing partner at Patel Gaines, PLLC, one of the fastest-growing law firms in the nation, encouraged bold self-advocacy with his message: "You have got to be your biggest advocate, so whatever you're doing—you've got to tell people about it. You have got to go outside the box—you have got to be different."
At the conference, AAHOA President and CEO Laura Lee Blake announced the launch of a new Tech Task Force led by young professionals to explore and implement cutting-edge innovations in hospitality.
"HYPE is more than just a conference—it is a launchpad for young professionals to build their networks, gain critical industry insights, and take their careers to the next level," said Blake. "With the launch of our new Tech Task Force, we are empowering the next generation to lead the way in shaping the future of hospitality through technology and innovation."