SIMA Donates $51,000 for Storm Relief Fund to Mayor and City of Houston

HOUSTON: The Small Independent Motel Association (SIMA) was formed in 1989 by a few Indian small motel owners who discovered the need of a platform through which motel and hotel owners could have a voice in local government affairs that directly affected their businesses. Today, SIMA has over 175 members representing over 300 motels and hotels in the Greater Houston area. In addition to government affairs, SIMA also partners with other hospitality organizations including AAHOA, Houston Lodging Association, and Texas Hotel and Lodging Association to provide educational seminars, workshops, and town halls.

SIMA has continuously worked with the City of Houston leadership including Mayor Lee Brown, Mayor Bill White, Mayor Annise Parker, and now Mayor Sylvester Turner to discuss and resolve issues pertaining to the motel and hotel industry as well as to provide natural disaster relief efforts during crises. SIMA has donated more than 3,000 rooms over the years for displaced victims of Hurricane Ike, Hurricane Katrina, the fire at the Southwest Inn that killed 4 firefighters, the Memorial Day Flood of 2015, and most recently the devastating flood on April 18.

SIMA worked with various city departments to relocate the victims of the floods who lost their homes. Under the leadership of President Hasu Patel and SIMA Board Members Raman Das, Jin Laxmidas, Nick Patel, Danny Patel and others, SIMA raised and donated an incredible $51,000 to Mayor Turner’s storm relief fund.

Above are pictures of the meeting where SIMA members met with Mayor Turner and other city officials to deliver the check and discuss how SIMA and the City of Houston can continue working together to protect the motel and hotel industry as well as the citizens of the Houston in times of need.