At the California Lodging Investor Conference (CLIC), AAHOA Treasurer Kamalesh (KP) Patel participated in a panel titled "Labor, Economy, & Inflation.” 

Moderated by Glenn Haussman of No Vacancy News, the panel discussed crucial aspects of hotel investment and management, focusing on labor issues, insurance concerns, and optimizing returns for select service properties.

Key Points:

• Patel's Insights: Emphasized securing federally backed insurance programs and addressing labor challenges in California.
• Integration and Investment: Ronald Kim, COO of Prospera Hotels, highlighted the importance of vertical integration, while Justin Myers, VP of Atlas Hospitality Group, shared complexities in hotel investment.
• Practical Advice: Jackie Collins, Senior Director/Senior Vice President, Real Estate & Hospitality at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., provided strategies to mitigate insurance costs and manage labor-related risks.
• Market Dynamics: Mark LeBlanc, Senior Advisor at Rebel Hotel Company, advocated for exploring overlooked markets like San Francisco for investment opportunities.
• Staying Proactive: Patel and Kim stressed the need for engagement with local officials and industry stakeholders to advocate for hoteliers' interests.

Takeaway:

The panel offered a concise yet comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities in the California hotel market, providing actionable insights for hotel owners and investors to navigate the evolving landscape successfully.

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