Highlights:
- More than 300 hospitality professionals attended the inaugural Asian Hospitality Awards in Atlanta
- Sam Patel received The Ramniklal Solanki – Atithi Devo Bhava Award
- DJ Rama was named Hospitality Leader of the Year
- The event highlighted the role of Asian American hotel owners in the U.S. hospitality sector
- Industry leaders discussed investment, entrepreneurship and the future of hospitality
The inaugural Asian Hospitality Awards 2026 was held in Atlanta on Tuesday, bringing together hotel owners, operators, entrepreneurs, suppliers and hospitality professionals from across the United States.
Organized by Asian Media Group through Asian Hospitality, the event focused on leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship and community impact within the U.S. hospitality industry. More than 300 guests attended the gala ceremony.
The evening included keynote speeches, industry discussions and award presentations recognizing individuals and companies across the hospitality sector.
Asian Hospitality Awards recognize hospitality industry leaders
At the center of the Asian Hospitality Awards ceremony were honors presented to two leading hospitality executives.
Sam Patel, chief executive officer of Natson Hotel Group, received The Ramniklal Solanki – Atithi Devo Bhava Award.
DJ Rama, chief executive officer of Auro Hotels, was named Hospitality Leader of the Year.
Both executives later joined an on-stage discussion moderated by Kalpesh R. Solanki, Group Managing Editor of Asian Media Group.
The conversation focused on leadership, family businesses, succession planning and investment opportunities within hospitality. Rama and Patel also discussed how the next generation can remain engaged in the industry.
Speaking during the discussion, Patel said the United States remained his preferred market for investment.
“I would stay in the U.S. The only place I will trade the U.S. for is India,” Sam Patel said. “There is no other place in the world is like United States of America.”
Rama discussed the challenges linked to international currency conversion and overseas investments.
“We’re in India too. What happens when we bring that India profit back to us? We pretty much lose 50 cents on that Indian rupee,” Rama said.
Asian Hospitality Awards highlights contribution of Asian Americans
During the event, Aditya K. Solanki, chief operating officer of Asian Media Group, delivered the keynote address.
He said the Asian Hospitality Awards were created to recognize the contribution of Asian Americans to the hospitality industry in the United States.
“It is my great privilege and honour to welcome you here tonight, on behalf of the Solanki family and Asian Media Group, to the inaugural Asian Hospitality Awards,” he said. “This is a celebration of excellence, of entrepreneurship, and of the extraordinary contribution that the Asian American community has made to the hospitality industry of the United States.”
Solanki said the event represented more than an awards ceremony.
“It is a recognition long overdue. It is a statement of who we are, what we have built, and what we are still building,” he said.
He also highlighted the scale of Asian American ownership within the U.S. hotel industry, noting that Asian Americans own around 60 percent of hotels across the country.
“That is more than 20,000 properties, over a million jobs supported, and tens of billions of dollars contributed to the American economy every single year,” he said. “These are not just business statistics. These are stories of families who arrived on these shores with ambition and very little else. Who worked through the night. Who did every job, from cleaning the sheets to fixing the lights. Who reinvested every dollar. Who built something lasting from nothing.”
According to Solanki, the Asian Hospitality Awards platform was established to increase visibility for those achievements.
“The Asian Hospitality Awards exist to change that,” he said. “This is a platform to shine a light on the very best of our sector, to celebrate those who have set the standard, to share what they have learned, and to inspire the next generation to go further still.”
Asian Hospitality Awards winners across supplier and leadership categories
The Asian Hospitality Awards ceremony also recognized companies and professionals across supplier, technology, finance and hotel operations categories.
Sonesta received the Hospitality Brand of the Year award, while Red Roof won Hospitality Brand of the Year – Mid Scale.
Riise Walker received the Hospitality Innovation Award for work connected to Vingcard.
Card Payment Solutions won the Merchant Services Award.
Phonesuite, led by Nilay Patel, received Voice Solution Provider of the Year.
Niraj V. M. Patel was named Finance Provider of the Year.
In the main awards segment, Radha Alla of Nimble Accounting received AI Technology Provider of the Year.
Jan Gautam was named Entrepreneur of the Year.
Paavan Patel of Harmony Hospitality won Emerging Leader of the Year.
Rhea B. Patel of AAAR Hotels received Rising Star of the Year.
Hiren Patel, also known as “Chico” Patel, was named Next Gen Hotelier of the Year.
Kirit Patidar received the Community Champion Award, while Babubhai Jerry Patel won the Community Impact Award.
Jayesh Patel was recognized as Extended Stay Hotelier of the Year, supported by G6 Hospitality.
Asian Hospitality Awards aims to build long-term industry recognition
Jaimin K. R. Solanki, managing partner of Solanki Family Office, said the Asian Hospitality Awards were designed to support long-term recognition and improvement within the hospitality industry.
“This is about building a culture of recognition and continuous improvement,” he said. “The hospitality sector thrives on relationships, trust and performance. These awards are designed to inspire the next generation to lead with purpose and ambition.”
