SAN ANTONIO, Texas—The Hospitality Present wrapped up its second annual occasion at The Henry B. González Conference Heart with three days of insights, networking alternatives, and options designed to raise the hospitality trade. The Hospitality Present witnessed a year-over-year progress attracting 4,800 attendees and 460 distributors, marking a 26 p.c improve in attendance and a 43 p.c progress in distributors.
“The Hospitality Present exists to convene our trade’s prime operations and expertise leaders, and supply the best possible networking, studying, and deal-making alternatives,” mentioned AHLA Interim President and CEO Kevin Carey. “After an award-winning 2023 occasion, this yr’s The Present raised the bar, and subsequent yr’s occasion in Denver goes to be greater and higher than ever.”
The Present 2024 kicked off on Monday, October 28, with AHLA’s annual GM Summit program, honoring the achievements of basic managers. The nation’s prime basic managers have been later celebrated on the principle stage for going above and past to create visitor experiences. AHLA’s 2024 basic managers of the yr are:
- GM Lifetime Achievement Award: The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Sizzling Springs, Virginia, Managing Director Mark Spadoni
- GM of the Yr, Prolonged Keep Property: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Naples, Florida, Basic Supervisor Dasha Chayka
- GM of the Yr, Choose-Service Property: Vacation Inn Specific and Suites, Twin Falls, Idaho, Basic Supervisor Tiffany Dunn
- GM of the Yr, Impartial Property: The Inn at Longwood Medical, Boston, Massachusetts, Basic Supervisor Brian Stiglets
- GM of the Yr, Full-Service Property: Lodge Roanoke & Convention Heart, Curio Assortment by Hilton, Roanoke, Virginia, Basic Supervisor Brian Wells
- GM of the Yr, Resort Property: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Maui, Hawaii, Basic Supervisor Tets Yamazaki
Chirag Shah, govt vp of federal and political affairs and counsel, AHLA, moderated a panel dialogue titled “Navigating the Dynamics of Possession and Administration.” In the course of the panel, the respective chair and vice chair of the AHLA Board of Administrators, Kevin Jacobs, CFO and president of worldwide growth, Hilton, and Mitch Patel, founder and CEO, Imaginative and prescient Hospitality Group, emphasised the significance of unity and strategic partnerships in streamlining operational effectivity and driving profitability.
Additionally on the opening day was a keynote presentation by José Andrés, chef, restaurateur, and humanitarian, who impressed attendees to make use of meals as a drive for good, encouraging constructive change inside the hospitality sector.
Hospitality professionals from numerous sectors gathered for the Welcome Reception within the night, sponsored by DIRECTV HOSPITALITY, held on the Tobin Heart for the Performing Arts.
In a gesture of group help, attendees additionally participated in a charitable initiative with The Present’s charity companion, Clear The World, constructing over 1,000 hygiene kits stuffed with recycled cleaning soap and toiletries for these in want. All kits will probably be donated to current hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina.
On Tuesday, October 29, The Present continued with an expo ground opening, together with over 400 exhibitors displaying the newest operational and expertise options. The day started with periods tailor-made to encourage progress by way of growth, expertise, and business methods. The session “River Stroll & Past: Growth Insights from IHG,” led by Mario Bass, govt vp and chief technique officer, Go to San Antonio, and Leanne Harwood, senior vp, managing director of Luxurious & Way of life manufacturers, IHG Lodges & Resorts, highlighted how cultural alignment enhances visitor experiences and attracts guests.
Subsequent periods explored synthetic intelligence’s transformative position in hospitality, with trade consultants discussing how digital instruments can drive visitor engagement and operational effectivity. Carey moderated a panel on redefining business methods, providing sensible takeaways for navigating market challenges and optimizing income.
AHLA’s expertise committee, HTNG, hosted the TechOvation and Tech Acceleration Awards on the Options Stage. Hyatt and Nonius received the Expertise Acceleration Award within the hotelier and vendor classes, respectively, and H2O Linked LLC received the TechOvation Award.
The day’s program additionally included a keynote presentation by Scott Greenberg, creator and franchise skilled, who shared methods for optimizing franchise operations, adopted by an insightful hearth chat with Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO, Wyndham Lodges & Resorts.
The ultimate day of The Present, Wednesday, October 30, started with a keynote session that includes Erin Andrews, FOX Sports activities Broadcaster, who mentioned her path as a trailblazing girl, insights on management, resilience, and creating connections on the planet of enterprise, sports activities, and media. The day centered on leveraging expertise to reinforce operational effectivity, with a panel moderated by Alex Alt, govt vp, Oracle Hospitality and Oracle Retail, exploring how digital instruments can optimize visitor experiences whereas controlling prices.
Sustainability remained a central theme, with a session titled “Inexperienced to Gold: Sustainability as Revenue.” Moderated by Michael Morton, senior vp of brand name administration and member providers, BWH Lodges, the session featured Joanna Abrams of MindClick, Ian Koehler of Visitor Worldwide, Anick Levesque of Inexperienced Key World, and Emilio Tenuta of Ecolab sharing insights on turning inexperienced initiatives into worthwhile ventures.
The Expo’s ultimate day supplied networking alternatives and interactive reveals. Attendees explored reside case research on maximizing actual property for income progress and found new partnerships and sustainable initiatives throughout three breakout levels, together with entry to Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, that includes over 60 meals and beverage innovators displaying merchandise designed to reinforce visitor experiences and drive profitability.
