If you plan to attend this year’s Washington Hospitality Conference, congratulate Lane Hoss and Vijay Patel. The two will be honored with this year’s Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Lane Hoss, Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Award for Restaurants
Hoss is the former vice president of operations of Anthony’s Restaurants. She served the industry for more than 50 years, 42 of those with Anthony’s, helping to build the company’s reputation for quality dining experiences and community engagement.
Outside of the company, Hoss spent countless hours helping to improve the industry, serving on many committees and groups, including the Washington Hospitality Association, where she was the third woman to serve as president of its board from 2000 to 2002. For more than twenty years, she has had a hand in every major industry decision or directional change. She has been an advisor and counselor to nearly all the industry giants in the Puget Sound region.
Hoss is celebrated for her leadership and pioneering role in wine marketing, which was key in reshaping the way Washington wines are considered on today’s wine lists. One winemaker called her “one of if not the most impactful Washington state wine marketers in history.” She’s been active for 30 years in Les Dames d’Escoffier, Seattle, providing women scholarships and mentorship to help them succeed in hospitality careers.
Beyond her industry roles, Hoss has been actively involved in countless community organizations, including the Washington Athletic Club Board of Governors (Chair), Washington State University School of Viticulture Board, Lake Washington Technical Board of Advisors and Fisherman’s Terminal.
Lane Hoss’s retirement from Anthony’s Restaurants culminated in an extraordinary career. The Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Award reflects her lifelong dedication and the significant mark she has left on the hospitality sector.
Vijay Patel, Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Award for Lodging
In 1997, Vijay Patel and his wife, Mita, founded A-1 Hospitality Group, a lodging company that now oversees 14 hotel brands, including IHG, Marriott, Hilton, Choice Hotels and Windham. The company has locations in Washington state, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico and Texas.
It’s a long way from when he was educated in India, before he worked in retail in London and then immigrated to the United States in 1993. He started off by purchasing a family-run hotel in Klamath Falls, Oregon.
He served on the board of directors of the Oregon Restaurant and Lodging Association and helped integrate both lodging and restaurants under its umbrella. He took what he learned in Oregon and helped the Washington Restaurant Association and the Washington Lodging Association join forces.
Patel has been instrumental in shaping tourism in Washington. He was a founding member of the Washington Tourism Alliance to bring tourism marketing back to Washington after the legislature shut it down. He then became one of the original board members of the Washington Tourism Marketing Authority.
He is recognized as one of the founding figures of the Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) in the Northwest and served nearly a decade as one of its ambassadors. His influence is felt deeply within this organization, where members frequently seek his perspective on industry challenges. Patel’s reputation for leadership and respect among his peers underscores his significant role in the growth of AAHOA’s Northwest chapter.
Outside the industry, Patel has served, chaired, volunteered, or advised countless community organizations in the Columbia Basin, including the Tri-City Regional Chamber of Commerce, Visit Tri-Cities, WSU Tri-Cities Hospitality Program, Rotary and the Pendelton Round-Up.
Patel exemplifies the spirit of innovation and leadership within the hospitality sector. His lifetime of achievements, underscored by his collaborative efforts and community focus, make him a deserving recipient of the Burtenshaw Lifetime Achievement Award.