It is amazing to me that I still run across folks in our industry who still don’t understand the size and impact of the Asian American Hotel Owners Assn. (AAHOA). According to AAHOA, its 20,000 members own 60 percent of the hotels in the United States. AAHOA members have the power to push forward sustainability efforts in our industry in a big way. As franchisees and independent hotel owners, AAHOA members do participate in a wide range of mandatory and voluntary sustainability initiatives.
In this space I have challenged AAHOA, as an organization, to more publicly formalize its green efforts. While AAHOA is making progress, I challenge it and its members to do more.
This week, April 15 to 17, AAHOA will hold its annual Convention and Trade Show in New Orleans. Many suppliers will be at the event to help AAHOA members reduce energy and water costs and consumption and also reduce waste. A few examples include Draco Hygienic Products (amenity dispensers, etc.), Alliance Laundry Systems, and Sarin Energy Solutions (LED lighting, EV chargers, etc.)
I will be moderating a panel entitled, “Green Means Green: Cashing in on Sustainability.” It will take place on April 17 from 2:30 to 3:15. Panelists will include HP Patel: Chief Operating Officer, Curve Hospitality; Abe Tieh, Director of National Commercial Property Tax at O’Connor and Associates; and Justin Pulliam-Therrien, Sales Manager, Verdant by Copeland. Additional educational sessions will address topics including human trafficking, and community impact. If you will be attending the AAHOA Convention and Trade Show, be sure to attend these sessions.
AAHOA, EEA Partnership
In January, AAHOA and the Energy & Environment Alliance (EEA) announced a partnership to help establish unified sustainability standards, benchmarks, and performance metrics specifically tailored to the hotels and lodging sector. The partners will contribute to the work of the Special Taskforce on Sustainability Standards for the Hotels and Lodging Sector. The Taskforce aims to align the hospitality industry with globally recognized standards, including those set by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB). These frameworks, already adopted by more than 30 countries, provide a common language for investment-grade sustainability information, enabling interoperability with regulations like the European Union’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD).
The partnership’s mission is to ensure hundreds of thousands of hoteliers worldwide have a direct voice in the creation of sustainability standards that are both rigorous and practical. This proactive approach not only empowers hotel owners but also positions the industry to lead rather than react to regulatory developments.
“AAHOA members have always been leaders in shaping the future of the hospitality industry, and this partnership with the Energy & Environment Alliance highlights our dedication to advancing sustainable practices,” says AAHOA Chairman Miraj S. Patel. “By ensuring hotel owners have a voice in establishing practical and globally recognized sustainability standards, we are positioning our industry to thrive while meeting the challenges of a rapidly changing world. This is a crucial step toward a more resilient and environmentally responsible hospitality sector.”
HerOwnership & HYPE
Launched in 2022, the HerOwnership Conference by AAHOA is dedicated to providing women in hospitality with the tools, knowledge, and connections they need to succeed in hotel ownership. The HYPE Ownership: Helping Young Professionals Evolve event is all about empowering the next generation of hospitality leaders with cutting-edge insights, networking opportunities, and inspiring sessions designed to fuel their growth.
Are you a member of AAHOA with a green story to tell? I would love to hear from you. I can be reached at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com. Also, continue to follow Green Lodging News for AAHOA news related to advancing people, planet and profit.
Looking for Guest Columnists
Every two weeks Green Lodging News posts a new guest column on its website. (Click here for examples.) The guest column also appears in the weekly e-newsletter. Green Lodging News is currently in need of industry experts to contribute occasional guest columns. Experts may include consultants, architects, designers, suppliers, and those who own or operate green lodging establishments. Columns may be articles that take a stance on a particular subject or be strictly educational in nature. Columnists benefit by having their photo included along with a one paragraph description of their company. Interested in writing a column? Contact Glenn Hasek, publisher and editor, at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com.
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Green Lodging News, lodging’s leading environmental news source, publishes the Wednesday Green Supplier Spotlight and Thursday Green Suppliers Spotlight. Green Supplier Spotlight features just one vendor and Green Suppliers Spotlight features multiple vendors. Click here for a Green Supplier Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Click here for a Green Suppliers Spotlight sample and rate sheet. Both e-blasts that reach 19,690 subscribers have been built to generate quick leads. A report is sent a week after each e-blast that includes the number of e-mails sent, number of opens, and number of click-throughs. Contact Glenn Hasek at (813) 510-3868, or by e-mail at greenlodgingnews@gmail.com for more information.
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