The Certified Hospitality Asset Management Specialist (CHAMS) certification program is a prestigious credential developed to equip professionals with the strategic, financial, and operational expertise required to manage hotel and hospitality assets effectively. As the global hospitality industry evolves in complexity and competitiveness, asset managers play an increasingly crucial role in maximizing asset value, improving profitability, and ensuring long-term sustainability. The CHAMS program is meticulously structured to provide a deep understanding of the business dynamics, investment strategies, and performance benchmarks that shape the hotel real estate and operations landscape.

Hotel asset management requires a unique blend of financial acumen, operational insight, and strategic vision. The CHAMS program immerses participants in advanced topics such as financial performance analysis, owner-operator relations, investment return optimization, and legal and regulatory frameworks. It prepares professionals to represent ownership interests, evaluate management contracts, monitor operating performance, and implement strategies that protect and enhance the value of hospitality assets. With a focus on long-term asset value creation, this certification is ideal for those managing portfolios of hotels, overseeing third-party operators, or driving hotel investment strategies.

Certification Program Objectives:

Upon completing the Certified Hospitality Asset Management Specialist (CHAMS) program, participants will be able to:

• Analyze Financial Performance and Develop Strategic Insights: Master the use of financial tools and performance metrics to evaluate hotel profitability and inform asset decisions.
• Oversee Hotel Property Operations Effectively: Learn to provide strategic oversight, interpret performance reports, and drive operator accountability for improved results.
• Optimize Hotel Investments: Gain the skills to evaluate new acquisitions, reposition assets, and align hotel investments with portfolio and ownership objectives.
• Mitigate Operational and Financial Risk: Understand how to identify and manage risks associated with market volatility, operational inefficiencies, and capital expenditure planning.
• Enhance Asset Value Through Strategic Planning: Formulate long-term strategies that align with brand positioning, market trends, and ownership goals.
• Navigate Legal and Compliance Complexities: Develop familiarity with contract negotiation, management agreements, franchise terms, and hospitality regulatory obligations.

Certification Eligibility Criteria:

To apply for certification from The American Institute of Business and Management (AIBM) and its allied institutions, candidates must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• A Bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution

And/or

• 2 to 5 years of relevant work experience in the related professional field.

Note: Applicants who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree but possess exceptional professional experience and hold significant positions within their organizations in a relevant field may also be considered for certification on a case-by-case basis, subject to the approval of the AIBM evaluation committee.

Certifying Examination:

• To be certified as CHAMS, student should take up a 1.5 hours online exam conducted by AIHHM.
• The qualifying exam would consist of 50 multiple choice questions, testing core certification modules.
• Professionals with relevant experience and other qualifying criteria may be exempted from the examination.

Certification Modules:

• Module 1: Financial Analysis and Strategy in Hotel Asset Management
• Module 2: Effective Property Oversight for Hotel Assets
• Module 3: Hotel Investment Strategies and Optimization
• Module 4: Risk Management in Hotel Asset Management
• Module 5: Strategic Planning for Hotel Asset Value Enhancement
• Module 6: Legal and Regulatory Compliance in Hotel Asset Management

* The modules of the certification are constantly updated and are subject to change.

Who Should Do This Certification:

The CHAMS certification is designed for a wide spectrum of professionals involved in the management, investment, and oversight of hospitality assets. It is especially relevant for those seeking to strengthen their financial and strategic decision-making capabilities while ensuring the sustained performance and value of hotel properties. This certification is particularly beneficial for:

• Hotel Asset Managers: Professionals already managing one or multiple hotel assets seeking to formalize their expertise, refine their analytical capabilities, and align with global best practices in asset management.
• Hospitality Investment Analysts: Individuals responsible for evaluating hotel acquisitions, dispositions, and market feasibility studies who wish to deepen their understanding of asset performance optimization.
• Hotel Owners and Developers: Private owners, institutional investors, and developers who need the knowledge to actively manage operator relationships, oversee property performance, and protect their investments.
• Hotel General Managers and Senior Leaders: Operational leaders looking to broaden their perspective and collaborate more effectively with asset managers and ownership groups.
• Real Estate Professionals and Portfolio Managers: Those managing diversified property portfolios that include hospitality assets and want to tailor their strategies to the unique characteristics of the hotel sector.
• Hospitality Consultants and Advisors: Professionals advising ownership or management entities on asset performance, capital planning, or strategic repositioning of hotel properties.
• Lenders and Financial Institutions: Banking professionals and underwriters involved in hospitality lending and risk evaluation who seek a better grasp of hotel asset performance and valuation.

The CHAMS certification empowers individuals across the hospitality value chain to make informed, strategic, and financially sound decisions that drive growth, profitability, and resilience in the hotel asset class. It is ideal for anyone seeking to elevate their role in the hospitality industry and maximize the potential of hotel investments in an increasingly competitive global market.