LOS ANGELES—AAHOA kicked off the 2023 installment of its annual convention with a milestone: the first time the show has sold out and had a wait list. This year's event, held at the Los Angeles Convention Center, features more than 520 exhibiting companies and more than 8,000 attendees. The four-day conference will include 17 educational sessions, three general sessions and three keynote speakers.
Some highlights of Wednesday’s event:
During the opening general session, a panel comprised of Larry Cuculic, president and CEO of Best Western Hotels & Resorts; Julie Arrowsmith, president and interim CEO of G6 Hospitality; George Limbert, president of Red Roof, Keith Pierce, EVP and president of franchise and development for Sonesta International Hotels Corp.; and Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, discussed their companies’ efforts to recruit a more diverse group of owners, including women and Black owners.
Ballotti discussed the importance of scholarships to the industry while Arrowsmith highlighted the opportunities hotels offer in a variety of verticals, from finance and maintenance to marketing and sales.
The general session’s keynote speaker was Hasan Minhaj, a comedian, writer, political commentator and Peabody Award winner.
Stay tuned for more coverage from AAHOACON23.