Event welcomed 4,800 attendees and featured 460 vendors
Photos are available for download here. (Courtesy of Questex)
SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Hospitality Show (The Show), produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), last week wrapped up its second annual event at The Henry B. González Convention Center with three days of groundbreaking insights, networking opportunities, and innovative solutions designed to elevate the hospitality industry. The Hospitality Show witnessed an impressive year-over-year growth attracting 4,800 attendees and 460 vendors, marking a 26% increase in attendance and a staggering 43% growth in vendors.
“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,” said 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 Show 2024 kicked off on Monday, October 28, with AHLA’s annual GM Summit program, honoring the achievements of general managers — the backbone of the industry. The nation’s top general managers were later celebrated on the main stage for going above and beyond to create exceptional guest experiences. AHLA’s 2024 general managers of the year are:
- GM Lifetime Achievement Award: The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa, Hot Springs, Va., Managing Director Mark Spadoni
- GM of the Year, Extended Stay Property: TownePlace Suites by Marriott Naples, Fla., General Manager Dasha Chayka
- GM of the Year, Select-Service Property: Holiday Inn Express and Suites, Twin Falls, Idaho, General Manager Tiffany Dunn
- GM of the Year, Independent Property: The Inn at Longwood Medical, Boston, Mass., General Manager Brian Stiglets
- GM of the Year, Full-Service Property: Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center, Curio Collection by Hilton, Roanoke, Va., General Manager Brian Wells
- GM of the Year, Resort Property: Sheraton Maui Resort & Spa, Maui, Hawai’i, General Manager Tets Yamazaki
Chirag Shah, Executive Vice President of Federal and Political Affairs & Counsel, AHLA, moderated a panel discussion titled “Navigating the Dynamics of Ownership and Management.” During the panel, the respective chair and vice chair of the AHLA Board of Directors, Kevin Jacobs, CFO and President of Global Development, Hilton, and Mitch Patel, Founder and CEO, Vision Hospitality Group, emphasized the importance of unity and strategic partnerships in streamlining operational efficiency and driving profitability.
A highlight of the opening day was the keynote presentation by José Andrés, renowned Chef, Restaurateur, and Humanitarian, who inspired attendees to use food as a force for good, encouraging positive change within the hospitality sector.
Hospitality professionals from various sectors gathered for the Welcome Reception in the evening, sponsored by DIRECTV® HOSPITALITY, held at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. The festive Día de los Muertos-themed reception celebrated San Antonio’s rich culture and heritage, fostering connections among industry peers.
In a meaningful gesture of community support, attendees also participated in a charitable initiative with The Show’s charity partner, Clean The World, building over 1,000 hygiene kits filled with recycled soap and toiletries for those in need. All kits will be donated to recent hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina.
Day Two: Game-Changing Insights and Unmatched Networking Opportunities
On Tuesday, October 29, The Show continued with a vibrant expo floor opening, featuring over 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest operational and technology solutions. The day began with sessions tailored to inspire growth through development, technology, and commercial strategies. The session “River Walk & Beyond: Development Insights from IHG,” led by Mario Bass, Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Visit San Antonio, and Leanne Harwood, Senior Vice President, Managing Director of Luxury & Lifestyle Brands, IHG Hotels & Resorts, highlighted how cultural alignment enhances guest experiences and attracts high-value visitors.
Subsequent sessions explored artificial intelligence’s transformative role in hospitality, with industry experts discussing how digital tools can drive guest engagement and operational efficiency. Carey moderated a panel on redefining commercial strategies, offering practical takeaways for navigating market challenges and optimizing revenue.
AHLA’s technology committee, HTNG, hosted the TechOvation and Tech Acceleration Awards on the Solutions Stage. Hyatt and Nonius won the Technology Acceleration Award in the hotelier and vendor categories, respectively, and H2O Connected LLC won the TechOvation Award.
The day’s program also featured a keynote presentation by Scott Greenberg, author and franchise expert, who shared strategies for optimizing franchise operations, followed by an insightful fireside chat with Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts.
Day two concluded with a lively River Walk Block Party, where attendees enjoyed networking at iconic venues along the San Antonio River Walk.
Day Three: Enhancing Revenue and Focusing on Sustainability
The final day of The Show, Wednesday, October 30, began with a keynote session featuring Erin Andrews, FOX Sports Broadcaster, who discussed her path as a trailblazing woman, insights on leadership, resilience, and creating meaningful connections in the world of business, sports, and media. The day focused on leveraging technology to enhance operational efficiency, with a panel moderated by Alex Alt, Executive Vice President, Oracle Hospitality and Oracle Retail, exploring how digital tools can optimize guest experiences while controlling costs.
Sustainability remained a central theme, with a session titled “Green to Gold: Sustainability as Profit.” Moderated by Michael Morton, Senior Vice President of Brand Management and Member Services, BWH Hotels, the session featured Joanna Abrams of MindClick, Ian Koehler of Guest Worldwide, Anick Levesque of Green Key Global, and Emilio Tenuta of Ecolab sharing insights on turning green initiatives into profitable ventures.
The Expo’s final day offered unparalleled networking opportunities and showcased innovative interactive exhibits. Attendees explored live case studies on maximizing real estate for revenue growth and discovered new partnerships and sustainable initiatives across three dedicated breakout stages, including access to Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, featuring over 60 food and beverage innovators showcasing products designed to enhance guest experiences and drive profitability.
“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,” said Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Hospitality, Travel & 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.”
As The Show concluded, attendees left with actionable insights, new connections, and forward-thinking strategies to enhance guest satisfaction, streamline operations, and drive profitability in the hospitality landscape.
Save the Date: Next year, The Hospitality Show 2025 will be held from October 26-28, 2025, at The Denver Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
To learn more, visit thehospitalityshow.com and follow The Show on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
About The Hospitality Show
The Hospitality Show is an event for the entire hospitality ecosystem with one goal: operating hotels more efficiently and profitably. Produced by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex, the event brings together top industry leaders, senior executives of hotel brands, owners, operators, management companies, procurement specialists, and their teams. The Hospitality Show 2025 will be held from October 26-28, 2025, at The Denver Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.
About Questex
Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.
About AHLA
The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) is the largest hotel association in America, representing more than 30,000 members from all segments of the industry nationwide – including iconic global brands, 80% of all franchised hotels, and the 16 largest hotel companies in the U.S. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., AHLA focuses on strategic advocacy, communications support, and workforce development programs to move the industry forward. Learn more at www.ahla.com.
Media Contacts:
Pete Kasperowicz
American Hotel & Lodging Association
202-289-3155
pkasperowicz@ahla.com
Kirvin Doak Communications
The Hospitality Show
THSPR@kirvindoak.com
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cd574de3-37c6-4eaf-a120-da6d6c972d35
