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Questex and American Resort & Lodging Affiliation Host Report-Breaking Hospitality Present 2024: Innovation, Development, and Sustainability in Focus
Monday, November 4, 2024
Final week, the second annual Hospitality Present concluded on the Henry B. González Conference Heart, culminating in three days full of modern insights, networking, and industry-shaping options. Organized by Questex and the American Resort & Lodging Affiliation (AHLA), this occasion showcased important development, drawing 4,800 individuals and 460 distributors—a 26% and 43% enhance in attendance and distributors, respectively.
“The Hospitality Show exists to convene our industry’s top operations and technology leaders, and provide the absolute best networking, learning, and deal-making opportunities,” stated AHLA Interim President & CEO Kevin Carey. “After an award winning 2023 event, this year’s The Show raised the bar, and next year’s event in Denver is going to be bigger and better than ever.”
The 2024 version of the present launched on October 28 with the AHLA’s GM Summit, the place the {industry}’s main common managers had been acknowledged for his or her distinctive contributions to visitor experiences. The honors included:
GM Lifetime Achievement Award: Mark Spadoni, Managing Director, The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Sizzling Springs, Va.
GM of the Yr, Prolonged Keep Property: Dasha Chayka, Common Supervisor, TownePlace Suites by Marriott Naples, Fla.
GM of the Yr, Choose-Service Property: Tiffany Dunn, Common Supervisor, Vacation Inn Specific and Suites, Twin Falls, Idaho
GM of the Yr, Impartial Property: Brian Stiglets, Common Supervisor, The Inn at Longwood Medical, Boston, Mass.
GM of the Yr, Full-Service Property: Brian Wells, Common Supervisor, Resort Roanoke & Convention Heart, Curio Assortment by Hilton, Roanoke, Va.
GM of the Yr, Resort Property: Tets Yamazaki, Common Supervisor, Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Maui, Hawai’i
The occasion additionally featured a panel on the dynamics of possession and administration moderated by Chirag Shah, AHLA’s Government Vice President of Federal and Political Affairs & Counsel, with insights from Kevin Jacobs of Hilton and Mitch Patel of Imaginative and prescient Hospitality Group.
The opening day was additional highlighted by Chef José Andrés, who delivered a keynote on the ability of meals in fostering optimistic change inside the hospitality {industry}. The night concluded with a vibrant Día de los Muertos-themed Welcome Reception on the Tobin Heart for the Performing Arts, sponsored by DIRECTV® HOSPITALITY.
Moreover, attendees participated in a group service effort, assembling over 1,000 hygiene kits with Clear The World for hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina.
The second day continued with groundbreaking periods and an expo that includes over 400 exhibitors. Highlights included a growth perception session by Mario Bass and Leanne Harwood, and discussions on leveraging AI to reinforce visitor engagement and operational effectiveness. The day wrapped up with a River Stroll Block Occasion, providing unparalleled networking experiences alongside the long-lasting San Antonio River Stroll.
On the concluding day of The Hospitality Present, October thirtieth, the occasion kicked off with a keynote from Erin Andrews, a distinguished FOX Sports activities Broadcaster. Andrews shared her journey as a pioneering girl in sports activities, media, and enterprise, emphasizing management, resilience, and the significance of forging impactful connections.
The day’s periods largely centered on technological developments geared toward boosting operational effectivity. A notable dialogue led by Alex Alt, Government Vice President of Oracle Hospitality and Oracle Retail, delved into how digital instruments can elevate visitor experiences whereas concurrently managing prices.
A powerful emphasis was positioned on sustainability, highlighted in a session entitled “Green to Gold: Sustainability as Profit.” This session, overseen by Michael Morton of BWH Resorts, introduced collectively specialists like Joanna Abrams from MindClick, Ian Koehler from Visitor Worldwide, Anick Levesque from Inexperienced Key International, and Emilio Tenuta from Ecolab. They offered beneficial views on remodeling sustainability efforts into profitable enterprise methods.
The expo’s final day was bustling with exercise, providing unmatched networking prospects and that includes state-of-the-art interactive shows. Contributors engaged with reside case research demonstrating tips on how to make the most of property areas to amplify income and explored new partnerships and eco-friendly tasks. The Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas additionally came about, with over 60 culinary innovators presenting merchandise geared toward boosting visitor satisfaction and revenue margins.
“The success of The Hospitality Show this year truly demonstrates the power of uniting the hospitality industry under one roof to drive innovation and profitability,” stated Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Hospitality, Journey & Wellness, Questex. “The energy and engagement we witnessed was incredible, and the feedback from attendees, exhibitors, and speakers highlights the value this event brings. We’re already gearing up for next year with even more excitement to build on this momentum and create new opportunities for our industry to thrive.”
Because the present wrapped up, individuals departed with sensible information, new {industry} contacts, and modern ways to reinforce visitor experiences, optimize operations, and enhance earnings inside the hospitality sector.
Trying forward, The Hospitality Present 2025 is about to happen from October 26-28 at The Denver Conference Heart in Denver, Colorado.
