Getting to know the Asian American Hotel Owners Association: with AAHOA's 8,700 members whose ownership is made up of almost 65 percent franchises, and the International Franchise Association comprised of both franchisees and franchisors, it is important that continued dialogue for a healthy franchise system be paramount to both organizations.

The Asian American Hotel Owners Association has grown significantly since

its founding with 100 members in 1989 to today's membership total of more than 8,700. Founded as an advocacy organization, AAHOA continues to work for its members, offering representation on political issues facing hoteliers and providing extensive educational opportunities to assist both independent hoteliers and franchisees.

With a rich tradition of entrepreneurship, hard work and family values, many young Asian Indians immigrated to the United States following India's independence in 1948 to pursue educational opportunities and the "American Dream." When they arrived in the United States, the hospitality industry became a popular choice as it offered immediate housing and cash flow and perhaps most importantly an opportunity to blend into the American culture despite obvious differences. The name "Patel" soon became synonymous with the American hotel industry and today more than 60 percent of AAHOA members' last names are Patel. The name Patel originated in ancient India when rulers appointed a record keeper to maintain records of annual crops on each parcel of land or "pat." Those individuals became known as a "patel."

Hospitality Industry a Natural "Fit"

The vast majority of the association's membership hails from the Gujarat Region of India and the migration into the hospitality industry was a natural fit because of their generous, hospitable nature. The first generation of U.S. hoteliers found support from family members and friends in obtaining the financial means necessary to get their businesses established.

Initially many of these hoteliers met with resistance particularly from bankers and insurance companies who discriminated against Indians, specifically those whose last names were Patel. In an effort to offset the problem, the Midsouth Indemnity Association was formed in Tennessee in 1985 and grew nationwide, eventually changing its name to the Indo American Hospitality Association.

Another group of Indian hoteliers came together in Atlanta in 1989, also with the goals of addressing discrimination issues and of increasing awareness of Asian Americans in the hospitality industry. They called themselves the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA). Mike Leven, who is CEO and president of U.S. Franchise Systems, Inc., was one of the early architects having co-founded AAHOA with 12 members in 1989.