PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania—Sadie AI has captured the top prize in the AAHOA (Asian American Hotel Owners Association) 2026 Tech Pitch Competition, co-powered by HFTP (Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals), held at AAHOACON26. The innovative company was selected for its 24/7 Voice AI front desk agent, designed specifically for the hospitality industry. This technology aims to answer calls instantly, provide property details, share availability and rates, and facilitate reservations, potentially enabling hotels to recover revenue that might otherwise be lost while alleviating operational pressures.
A panel of four judges with extensive backgrounds in technology and hospitality evaluated a competitive field of eight finalists. Among these were companies such as Lilo, Ocra, Roomiy Finance, StayNow, TakeUp AI, VSR Network Technologies, LLC, and WithCoverage. “Hospitality is evolving quickly, and the Tech Pitch Competition showcases the ideas that are helping owners adapt and thrive,” said AAHOA Chairman Rahul Patel. “These finalists demonstrated how thoughtful technology can solve real operational challenges, improve efficiency, and create better experiences for both guests and teams. We congratulate Sadie AI on a well-earned achievement.” Roomiy Finance secured second place, while Ocra took third.
The judging panel featured notable figures including Nishant (Neal) Patel, AAHOA past chairman; Rohit Mathur, chief executive officer and co-founder of Bridge; Deepak Jain, co-founder and chief operating officer of Unify AMS; William Sullivan, a professor at the University of Delaware; and Frank Wolfe, president and chief executive officer of HFTP.
“We’re honored to be recognized at the AAHOACON 2026 Tech Pitch Competition,” stated Sami Hilal, chief executive officer of Sadie. He emphasized the importance of their technology by noting that many hotel owners identify missed calls as a significant source of lost revenue. “Teams are stretched, and it’s not always possible to answer every call. Sadie was built to solve that instantly, ensuring every guest inquiry is handled, and more of those conversations turn into bookings.”
AAHOA President and Chief Executive Officer Laura Lee Blake remarked, “This competition puts a spotlight on what I call owner-ready innovation, with solutions that do not just impress, but perform. The companies we saw this year brought forward solutions that are practical, scalable, and clearly aligned with the needs of today’s hoteliers. AAHOA is proud to serve as the bridge between bold ideas and bottom-line results.”
As the winning company, Sadie AI will receive a complimentary exhibit booth at AAHOACON27 in Anaheim, California. This recognition not only highlights the growing integration of technology in the hotel industry but also underscores the critical need for innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency and improve guest satisfaction in an increasingly competitive market.
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