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CALIFORNIA-BASED HOTELIER Sunil "Sunny" Tolani has been named a top entrepreneur by Yahoo Finance. Tolani's the Prince Organization was named one of the fastest growing private companies in Orange County, California, by the Orange County Business Journal. In the Yahoo listing, Tolani is recognized not only for his work operating multiple hotels but also charity work, youth empowerment and education. It also mentions the organization's receipt of several honors and awards, including the 2016 Tripadvisor Certificate of Excellence and, more recently, the Nelson Mandela Leadership Award from the Non Resident Indian Welfare Society. "Sunil Tolani is a self-made man, highly respected and publicly admired worldwide Indian American CEO, social entrepreneur, philanthropist and humanitarian," the Yahoo article said. "[The Prince Organization is] regularly commended by various third-party organizations as one of the best and top places to work. Prince has also been named the fastest growing private companies and top minority-owned organization three times in a row."

Peachtree Group recently promoted 15 senior-level executives to support business initiatives within its investment and investment services teams. From the investment team, Nicholas Huddleston is promoted to vice president, loan servicing; Matthew Larre to vice president, portfolio management; Kendall Burrus to assistant vice president, debt asset management; John Schellhase to assistant vice president, development investments; and Matthew Weatherford to assistant vice president, dispositions and acquisitions. Promotions in the investment services team include: Daniel Puglisi to senior vice president, corporate operations, hospitality management; Lee Shuman to senior vice president, hospitality development; Jenelle Zadik to senior vice president, people, culture, and workplace initiatives; Allison Frazier to vice president of revenue management; Sophia Koehl to vice president of hotel accounting; and Charles Talbert to vice president, corporate communications. Also promoted in the services team were Eugene Barber III to assistant vice president, construction and design; Zachary Bollinger to assistant vice president, debt capital markets; Sean Hondorf to assistant vice president, renovation program; and Katherine Atkinson to controller.

VIRAL "VICTOR" PATEL and Mahmood "Mike" Merchant are new members of Best Western Hotels & Resorts board of directors. Patel will represent several Midwest states and Ontario, Canada, and Merchant will represent California, Nevada and Hawaii. Patel has been a member of Best Western for more than 20 years, according to the company. He has served as a governor and as the chair of the Best Western Kentucky marketing co-op, liaising between the brand and hoteliers. He is currently the owner and operator of the Best Western Corbin Inn in Corbin, Kentucky, and will represent that state as well as Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin. "I've witnessed tremendous growth within our brand over the years and am excited to join my fellow Board members as we move forward under Larry's leadership," said Patel. "Service is extremely important to me, and I feel grateful to have served my colleagues and community in a variety of roles over the years. I look forward to this new set of responsibilities and am fully committed to serving our hoteliers across the Midwest and parts of Canada and our hoteliers at large."

Welcome to Asian Media Group, Britain's largest Asian publishing house. With a rich history spanning over 50 years, we are proud to publish some of the country's most iconic and trusted Asian media brands, as well as host premier Asian events. Our portfolio of market-leading publications includes Garavi Gujarat, Eastern Eye, Asian Trader, Pharmacy Business, and Asian Hospitality. With a presence in the UK, US, and India, our reach extends globally. Every month, our websites, digital assets, and business and consumer publications connect with over 3 million readers. Throughout the year, we organize a diverse range of events, ranging from prestigious black-tie award dinners to seminars, conferences, and roundtable discussions. Some of our notable events include the GG2 Leadership Awards, Asian Business Awards, Arts, Culture & Theatre Awards (ACTAs), Pharmacy Business Awards, and Asian Trader Awards. We maintain absolute independence, accountable to none. Everything you read in an AMG publication or website is meticulously researched and sourced from trusted channels. We foster lasting and mutually beneficial relationships with our commercial partners. Join us in celebrating diversity, empowering voices, and shaping the future of Asian media.

THE U.S. HOTEL industry is "beginning to get back to getting back to it," according to a speaker at The Lodging Conference 2022, held Sept. 19-22 in Phoenix. More than 2,500 people attended the event at the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort, continuing the industry's return to normalcy after more than two years of pandemic. Talk of the economy during the conference was mostly positive, though concerns about the labor shortage remained high as well as some apprehension about overall economic stability. Women were strongly represented on the stage with the awarding of the annual Castell Award. AAHOA's leadership team also contributed to the conference conversation.

Joel Eisemann is now the senior advisor of real estate investment managing firm Noble Investment Group, the company said in a statement. Previously he was chief development officer for the Americas for IHG Hotels & Resorts. He will work with the Noble team to develop and scale the company's investment strategies as the firm continues the meaningful growth of its platform that serves institutional investors around the world, the statement added. Eisemann was with IHG for the past 11 years and retired last year. Under his leadership, IHG launched five new brands in the Americas and grew to approximately 5,000 hotels open and in the pipeline.

FRANCHISEE RESILIENCE AND determination was the focus of Choice Hotels International's 66th annual convention in Las Vegas last week. In keeping with that theme, in a press conference at the convention, corporate leadership for Choice said they are working with AAHOA on ways to implement the association's recently updated 12 Points of Fair Franchising. More than 5,200 people attended the conference, including franchisees and their families. Other news from the event includes the announcement of a new program to promote women ownership of hotels and the hiring of two new franchise development directors. "GO" was the theme of the convention, in recognition of the struggles Choice's franchisees have faced over the past three years of pandemic and economic downturn. The company overcame those challenges, driving new business, advocating for government aid and reducing operating costs for franchisees, said Patrick Pacious, Choice's president and CEO. It also surpassed 2019 system-wide performance levels.

Lisa Jordan, the senior director of digital marketing at Red Roof, has been named one of the top 25 extraordinary minds in sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution for 2023 by The Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International. She will be recognized at a special reception in New York in February. This recognition is part of HSMAI's 21st annual compilation, acknowledging exceptional achievement and leadership in the field, Red Roof said in a statement. "We celebrate HSMAI's 2023 class of Top 25 honorees in hotel sales, marketing, revenue optimization, and distribution with great admiration," said Robert Gilbert, president and CEO of HSMAI. "Through their creativity, dedication, and impact, these professionals not only excel in their respective fields but have set benchmarks of excellence for the industry, inspiring us all."

MIRAJ PATEL OFFICIALLY became AAHOA's chairman as the association's 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show in Orlando ended on Friday. At 26, he is the youngest person to take on the leadership role. However, Patel also is a second-generation hotelier who began his career in hospitality at a young age, growing up in his family's first 30-room independent property. He served as an AAHOA committee member for several years and joined the AAHOA board of directors in 2019 after being elected as young professional director Western Division. "Serving as the youngest chair in the association's history further demonstrates AAHOA's commitment to fostering the growth and success of the next generation," Miraj said. "I'm always encouraging young professionals not to let age determine success. Many times, people may say you're too young, but that is absolutely not true. There are so many folks who are young but still do whatever it takes to find success. If you never try, you'll never know what you're capable of achieving."

THE U.S. TRAVEL ASSOCIATION recently launched the Sustainable Travel Coalition to align the travel, transportation and technology sectors to create a more sustainable U.S. travel industry, a statement said. The coalition with nearly 60 member organizations will advise USTA on sustainability issues, opportunities and concerns within the industry. The long-term goals of the coalition include, showcasing innovative technologies and calling attention to the ongoing actions and leadership of travel professionals in the sustainability space, boosting industry goals and commitments to conservation, best practices, waste and emission reductions and both long- and short-term investments. It will also highlight why sustainability matters in the industry and play offense by identifying and promoting proactive policies and defend against harmful policies that slow progress or penalize the industry without progress. A policy committee will monitor regular progress and collaboration.

THE U.S. TRAVEL Association and Tourism Diversity Matters formed a new strategic partnership to focus on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), a statement from USTA said. The partnership will provide USTA more access to Tourism Diversity Matters' subject matter expertise, research and resources. Founded in 2021, Tourism Diversity Matters addresses blind spots in ethnic disparities within the tourism and events industries. It will provide these industry leaders with resources and tactics to develop more effective DEI strategies to engage, recruit and retain a diverse workforce. DEI is a core priority of USTA, the association said in a statement, and is committed to having a vital role in affecting lasting change and supporting the development of industry-wide DEI plans. The partnership will advance workforce development issues and federal policy initiatives that support travel's recovery, the statement added. "USTA has a clear vision: in working closely with Tourism Diversity Matters, we aim to help the travel sector achieve a truly diverse, equitable and inclusive industry for all," said Roger Dow, USTA's president and CEO and a board member of Tourism Diversity Matters. "Aligning with Tourism Diversity Matters is a great step toward this pursuit that will enrich USTA's membership for years to come."