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JUST OVER ONE year ago, Marriott International severed its support for AAHOA over the association's 12 Points of Fair Franchising and support for franchise reform legislation in New Jersey. At AAHOA's 35th Annual Convention & Trade Show this year in Orlando, Marriott came back, albeit with its status remaining unclear. Also, AAHOA made alterations to the 12 Points aimed at providing more protection for members in the event of the franchiser's acquisition by another company. Also at AAHOACON24, Miraj Patel became the youngest chairman in the history of the association, Pinal Patel became its new secretary and immediate Past Chairman Bharat Patel and AAHOA President & CEO Laura Lee Blake spoke on how the history of the association led to its success.

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."