AAHOA Convention to feature Tisch Center faculty, more keynotes

CHARLOTTE, NC— The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) anticipates better than 3,400 attendees for its annual convention and trade show that will take place at the Charlotte Convention Center here this week. The convention, which runs from March 7 to March 10., will have a number of new features. This year’s theme is “Taking Charge, Leading Together.” “AAHOA’s Convention and Trade Show gets bigger every year,” said Fred Schwartz, AAHOA’s president in a press statement. “It is not only the size that determines the success of the convention but also what AAHOA offers the attendees. There are simply so many offerings at this year’s convention, attendees will have to plan ahead in order to participate in all the events important to them.” New this year will be educational seminars presented by faculty members from New York University’s Preston Robert Tisch Center for Hospitality, Tourism and Sports Management. The seminars will explore a variety of topics, including the emerging markets of China and India; creating a brand, the perspectives of different generations who are customers and employees, and how technology can increase profit and productivity. There will also be several concurrent seminars presented by other experts on topics such as Internet marketing trends, using the front desk as a sales and marketing engine and Americans with Disabilities Act lawsuits. Another panel will look at industry issues and feature top hospitality executives. On the franchisor side participants will include Anthony Berger of Wyndham Hotel Group, Thomas Keltner of Hilton Hotels Corp., Charles Ledsinger of Choice Hotels International, Georges Le Mener of Accor and Stevan Porter of InterContinental Hotels Group. Franchisee executives on the panel will include Bharat Patel of Sun Development and Management Corp. and Jay Patel of LHS Cos. Additionally, a panel will discuss “Negotiating Fair Franchising From a Position of Strength.” The panel will focus on fair franchising issues, including AAHOA’s newly updated 12 Points of Fair Franchising and the best way to negotiate a fair contract with franchisors. Participants will include Carmen Caruso, an attorney with Schwartz Cooper Chartered; Mitch Miller, an attorney and a partner at Miller & Fanwick, LLP; and Robert Zarco, founding partner of Zarco Einhorn Salkowski & Brito, P.A. This year’s AAHOA Convention will have three keynote speakers. The speakers include Ram Charan, a business advisor and author who has coached CEOs; Ari Fleischer, the former White House press secretary; and Joe Theismann, a former Washington Redskins quarterback and current ESPN football analyst.