Nishant (Neal) Patel named Chairman at Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA)
Texas hotelier Nishant (Neal) Patel, CHO, CHIA, is the new Chairman of AAHOA's Board of Directors. Patel became chairman at the conclusion of the 2022 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Baltimore, which was the second major convention AAHOA has held since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The convention was held at the Baltimore Convention Center.
Patel became an AAHOA Member in 2012 and soon volunteered to serve as an AAHOA Ambassador. He joined AAHOA's Board of Directors in 2016 after being elected as the Young Professional Director Western Division, a position he held for three years.
Patel grew up in Surat, India, and nearly two decades ago, his family left everything they knew to start a new life in Mississippi.
Patel is a second-generation hotelier who grew up in the industry wearing many hats as he helped his family run their first 20-room independent property in Laurel, MS.
These days, Patel calls Austin, TX, home and is the managing partner of Blue Chip Hotels, which owns and operates multiple hotels. Blue Chip Hotels has more than 1,200 rooms in several states among both branded and independent properties.
Patel is inspired to give back to the hospitality industry through service. He serves on the HITEC Advisory Council and promotes organ donor awareness through his volunteer work with Samaj Saves Lives.
