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AAHOA RECENTLY INTRODUCED "HYPE Ownership: Helping Young Professionals Evolve," an initiative focused on supporting the growth of emerging hoteliers within the association and the broader industry. HYPE Ownership offers educational opportunities, networking events, and an annual conference for young professionals and hotel industry experts, AAHOA said in a statement. The goal is to establish AAHOA as the primary resource and advocate for the next generation of industry leaders. "AAHOA is excited to launch HYPE Ownership, a visionary initiative spotlighting the rising stars of the hotel industry, and paving the way for a dynamic future led by young professionals," said AAHOA president and CEO Laura Lee Blake. "It is our commitment to the next generation of leaders of AAHOA as we seek to elevate their contributions to the industry."

AAHOA's "HYPE OWNERSHIP-Helping Young Professionals Evolve" conference held recently in New Orleans attracted around 200 members. The event focused on fostering the growth of new hospitality industry professionals, offering educational opportunities like panel discussions, roundtables and keynotes to equip emerging hotel owners with the tools for success, AAHOA said in a statement. "The HYPE Conference allowed us to hear first-hand from our young members about their ideas and concerns regarding the future of our industry," said Tanmay Patel, young professional director for AAHOA's Western Division. "It was enlightening to hear from so many young people about their hopes and dreams for taking the work started by their parents, in many cases, and how they hope to better position the industry for future success." "The feedback we received from attendees and the interaction we saw illustrates there is a great need for our industry to nurture our connection to future leaders," said Dylan Patel, Young Professional Director Eastern Division. "Their commitment to elevate the industry to new heights is evident."

PRAVIN RAOJIBHAI PATEL, Alabama hotelier who was gunned down Feb. 8 after an altercation at his hotel, is being remembered by leaders at AAHOA as a family man and a good businessman. AAHOA also is condemning the killing as a senseless act of violence. William Jeremy Moore, 34, was arrested in connection with the shooting of Patel, 76, originally from the village of Anand in Gujarat, India, according to the Sheffield, Alabama, Police Department. Moore came to the Hilllcrest Motel that Patel owned and tried to get a room when an altercation started between the two men. "That is when Mr. Moore pulled a handgun and shot Mr. Patel," Sheffield Police Chief Ricky Terry said in the report. "Mr. Moore was quickly apprehended by Sheffield Police on 13th Avenue when he was trying to break into an abandoned house. When searching Mr. Moore, the murder weapon was found in his possession."