MOMENTUM October 2021 | Page 14

RECOGNITION
TROYLON GRIFFIN II Chamber Writer League City Regional Chamber of Commerce
troylongriffinii @ gmail . com | LeagueCityChamber . com

TEJAL PATEL NAMED NEW FEMALE DIRECTOR OF ASIAN AMERICAN HOTEL OWNERS ASSOCIATION

At the League City Regional Chamber of Commerce , diversity and inclusion are some of our most important values . For Fairfield Opening Manager Tejal Patel , such values are especially pertinent . Patel was recently elected as the next Female Director of the Western Division for Asian American Hotel Owners Association on August 7th .

Patel , who is a third generation hotelier , has long had a passion for representation of women of minority groups in her industry , serving on the Women Hotelier Committee from 2016 to 2019 . Additionally , Patel helped to plan 6 nationwide Women Hotelier Conferences and plan 5 regional Women Hotelier Town Halls . This new position is one Patel continues to feel honored to have achieved . “ It ’ s incredibly humbling ,” Patel said . “ Some of the most incredible female hoteliers have served on this board so it ’ s incredibly humbling . I was a volunteer for so long on the ground level . If you were to ask me then if I ever thought I would be able to serve nationally on this board , I would ’ ve
thought you were crazy .”
For Patel , the promotion represents an ecstatic chance to be a leader in the hotel industry , and Patel is excited for the role .
“ I ’ m most excited to make a positive difference and do my part to make this industry and association better and stronger ,” Patel said . “ AAHOA empowers its female members to be leaders within the association , the hospitality industry and their local communities .”
Having been in the position for two months now , Patel has certainly enjoyed the early stages of her new position , having had her first board meeting last month .
“ It ’ s been great ,” Patel said . “ As the hotel industry enters into the post-pandemic recovery phase , there are a lot of challenges that we will need to overcome for the membership .”
As the new Female Director of the Western Division for Asian American Hotel Owners Association , Patel recognizes the importance of both her new position and the organization in being advocates of inclusion .
“ It ’ s important to be advocates of inclusion ,” Patel said . “ AAHOA is an organization that has been championing the idea where women are active as members and as leaders . Some of our brightest and most capable owners are women , and their roles continue to grow .”
Patel has her sights set on the future , with some of her primary goals as the new director being to engage with the next generation of women hoteliers ( through potential new activities such as summer internships , regional scholarships and online courses ) and by attracting more young people to a career in hospitality ( especially second and third generation Indian Americans ) through expanded partnerships with colleges .
Having learned much along the way to get to her current position , Patel gave her own advice to other Asian American women thinking of entering the hospitality industry .
“ It can be difficult to make your mark in an industry that is dominated by men ,” Patel said . “ Embrace the challenge and never be afraid to speak up . Support and empower others and never be afraid to be yourself .”
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