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MIRAJ PATEL, AAHOA chairman, was named Businessperson of the Year by the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston at its 25th Anniversary Gala on Sept. 21. The association congratulated Patel on becoming the youngest recipient in the chamber's history. Patel, a second-generation hotelier, began his hospitality career at a young age, growing up in his family's 30-room independent property, AAHOA said in a statement. He is now president of Wayside Investment Group, a Texas-based firm focused on lodging and hospitality real estate. "I am honored to receive the Businessperson of the Year award from the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston," said Patel. "It's a privilege to be recognized by an organization that champions the entrepreneurial spirit and supports the growth of our community. This award reflects the hard work and dedication of everyone at AAHOA, and I am grateful to be part of such an incredible network of leaders. I look forward to continuing to work alongside the chamber to promote the success of our businesses and our industry."

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 Extended Stay America Suites in Baytown, Texas, owned by Wayside Investment Group led by Miraj Patel as president, has reopened following renovations. Work done on the three-story, 82-room property included upgrades to guestrooms, public spaces, a refinished exterior, and new signage, with the aim of providing more current amenities and services to long-term guests, Wayside said in a statement. "We are thrilled to partner with Extended Stay America for the reopening of our Baytown property, replicating the current prototype in a comprehensive renovation that highlights our commitment to enhancing guest experiences and adding value through asset repositioning," said Patel. The property is near Space Center Houston, Pirates Bay Waterpark, Baytown Nature Center and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Wayside said.

Miraj Patel, president of Wayside Investment Group in Houston, has been named an advisory board member for the University of Houston Customer Experience Certificate Program. The program offers interactive training for hospitality workers to provide customer insights. Members of the advisory board offer their professional perspective to participants in the program. Patel is also the young professional director for AAHOA's Western Division. Wayside Investment Group recently opened a Red Roof PLUS+ in Galveston, Texas, just before the COVID-19 pandemic was announced. In June, Patel said business at the hotel was just beginning to recover some.

WAYSIDE INVESTMENT GROUP of Houston, Texas, will manage the Holiday Inn Express & Suites in Katy, Texas, in collaboration with Southwest Hospitality Management. The hotel will undergo a complete Formula Blue multimillion-dollar renovation. Wayside, led by Miraj Patel as president, has added three hotels this year to its purchasing, development and management services. The 98-room Holiday Inn is near the Golf Club at Cinco Ranch, TopGolf Houston, Katy Mills Mall and CityCentre. "The addition of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites Katy demonstrates our focused growth in our local Houston-area market and provides us the opportunity to launch our collaboration with Southwest Hospitality Management, which will provide our companies the resources to grow our footprint," Patel said.

The Best Western Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport is now open in Humble, Texas, following a comprehensive renovation. Previously it was a Baymont by Wyndham. The 52-room hotel is owned by Houston-based Wayside Investment Group, led by Miraj Patel as president. It is near the Houston Bush Intercontinental Airport as well as several restaurants, the Deerbrook Mall, Jess H. Jones Parks and the Old MacDonald's Farm. Amenities include a fitness center, meeting room, guest laundry and business center. It is pet friendly. "We are thrilled to open this newly renovated hotel and join the community by offering visitors traveling the Houston-area, a new and memorable travel experience." said Patel. "The transformational enhancements to this acquisition continues to demonstrates our commitment to value creation and best-in-class guest satisfaction."

Red Roof PLUS+ Galveston Beachfront is now open in Galveston, Texas. The beachside hotel, a former Travelodge by Wyndham, recently underwent a $1.1 million renovation. Wayside Investment Group, led by President Miraj Patel, owns the 66-room hotel. Nearby attractions include Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, The Spot restaurant, Galveston Beach, Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston and Moody Gardens. Amenities include a swimming pool. The COVID-19 pandemic took its toll on the hotel's opening as Galveston Island temporarily shut down.