Youngest Chairman of American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) Miraj S. Patel

April 9 :
Miraj S. Patel, a hotelier from Texas who is of Indian American descent, has been the 35-year-old Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) board of directors' youngest chairman.

According to a press statement, Patel was appointed chairman for 2024-25 at the 2024 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Orlando, Florida, which took place from April 5th to 7th. The event attracted 6,500 people and set a record for the number of exhibiting companies.

In his new role as AAHOA Chairman, Patel expressed his "honour" to serve the hotel owners of the United States. "I will do my best to assist in finding easy solutions to some of the most difficult problems facing our industry, and I will always prioritise the needs of our members."

Growing up at the family's first 30-room independent property, Patel started his profession in hospitality at a young age. He is a second-generation hotelier. Beginning his voluntary career at AAHOA as a member of various committees, he was elected to the AAHOA Board of Directors in 2019 after serving as the Young Professional Director for the Western Division. Being the youngest chair in AAHOA's history is a testament to their dedication to helping the next generation succeed, according to Patel.

Young professionals, I often tell them, don't allow your age be a determining factor in your success. No matter how many times someone tells you that you're too young, it's never true. There are a lot of young people out there that are determined to succeed no matter the cost. You will never know your true potential unless you take a risk.

Wayside Investment Group is a Texas-based firm that Patel now serves as president of. The firm focuses on making strategic real estate investments in the hotel and hospitality industry.

Patel has consistently demonstrated outstanding leadership qualities throughout the years. Along with his unwavering commitment to the hospitality sector, his official profile highlights his strong belief in giving back to the community.

In his pursuit of meaningful impact, he has served on the boards of numerous trade groups and nonprofits. The Miami, Florida-based Johnson and Wales University is where Patel received both his Bachelor of Science and Master of Business Administration degrees in the field of Hotel and Lodging Management.

Laura Lee Blake, president and chief executive officer of AAHOA, expressed her congratulations to Miraj on becoming the organization's newest chairman.

Under his direction, we hope to further the hotel business and establish AAHOA as the nation's sole legitimate voice for hotel owners. Like his predecessors, Miraj is deeply committed to serve the AAHOA membership and the industry as a whole. We are confident that he will continue to make a positive difference in the years to come.

The hopes, dreams, and problems of today will shape tomorrow, and Patel pledged to do his part to make it happen. Thank you, AAHOA, for helping me get to where I am today; it gives me great comfort to know that many other members feel the same way.

"In my role as Chairman of AAHOA, I am committed to collaborating with the 2024-25 AAHOA Board of Directors to create a future where we lead the way in innovative thinking, teamwork, and outcomes for our members."