NEW ORLEANS – On the final day of the 2025 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show, AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) honored excellence within the hospitality industry by recognizing hoteliers and properties through its annual awards program.

These awards reflect the dedication, talent, and hard work of our members, who truly impact our industry and communities. Celebrating these award winners is a reminder of the high bar they set and the inspiration they provide to all of us striving for excellence in hospitality. AAHOA Chairman Kamalesh (KP) Patel

AAHOA’s annual awards highlight individuals for their contributions in service, leadership, and community engagement in hospitality. An independent awards committee selected recipients for their exemplary contributions to the industry.

As we celebrate the achievements of these outstanding individuals, we are reminded of the incredible dedication within our AAHOA community. This year’s award winners exemplify leadership and innovation, and their accomplishments continue to drive our industry and AAHOA forward. AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake

The following 2025 award recipients were celebrated on the main stage on Thursday, April 17:

AAHOA Award of Excellence

This award recognizes a hotelier who has demonstrated strong leadership, has high standards of excellence, and is making a significant contribution to the lodging industry.

• Denish Patel, Co-Founder and Managing Director, AJNM Hotels Group, Fort Worth, TX, Lifetime Member

Cecil B. Day Community Service Award

Named in honor of Cecil B. Day, the founder of Days Inn, known for his commitment to community service, this award recognizes members who have demonstrated a strong commitment to serving their community.

• Ray Patel, Director of Development & Acquisitions, Aelius Management Group, Lodi, CA, Lifetime Member

AAHOA Charitable Foundation Outreach Award

This award honors an individual dedicated to impactful philanthropic and charitable efforts, embodying the mission of the AAHOA Charitable Foundation.

• Mahendra (Mike) Patel, President, Laguna Lodging, South Padre Island/Texas, Lifetime Member

Outstanding HerOwnership Award of Excellence

This award recognizes a woman hotelier for strong leadership, a commitment to lodging excellence, and significant contributions to the industry and community. 

• Nipun (Nina) Patel, CEO, Steel Hospitality, Philadelphia, PA, Lifetime Member

Outstanding HYPE Award of Excellence

This award is for young hoteliers under 30 who have exemplified the spirit, dedication, and achievement of a professional hotelier.

• Ankita Jain, Senior Manager, Acquisition & Development, Vivant Capital, San Juan, Puerto Rico, Annual Member

Political Forum Award for Advocacy

This award is given to an individual who is extensively involved with helping advance AAHOA’s mission and the interests of its members by participating in the legislative process through political involvement and government affairs.

• Pratik H. Bhakta, Asheville, NC, Lifetime Member

IAHA Independent Hotel of the Year Award

This award honors an independent hotel that sets a high standard of excellence in quality, service, and guest satisfaction. This award honors a specific hotel rather than an independent hotelier.

• The BLVD Hotel & Studios in Los Angeles, CA, represented by Sagar Kumar, President-OceansV Hotel Management, Los Angeles, CA, Lifetime Member

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 1 million employees work at AAHOA member-owned hotels, earning $51.3 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.