Boasting solid year-over-year growth, The Hospitality Show (The Show) recently completed its second annual run at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. Held October 28-30, the hospitality industry’s booming trade show and conference attracted 4,800 attendees and 460 exhibitors, marking a 26% and 43% increase in attendance and vendors, respectively.
Produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the show offers three jam-packed days of industry information, networking opportunities and innovative solutions. With the aim of helping hotels operate more efficiently and profitably, the event brings together key industry leaders, senior hotel brand executives, owners, operators, management companies, purchasing specialists and their teams.
“The Hospitality Show exists to bring together the top operational and technology leaders in our industry and provide the best networking, learning and deal-making opportunities,” said Kevin Carey, interim president and CEO of the AHLA. “Following an award-winning event in 2023, this year’s The Show has raised the bar, and next year’s event in Denver will be bigger and better than ever.”
Looking back: Last year, the inaugural event was held June 27-29, 2023 at the Venetian Las Vegas, where it attracted more than 4,000 attendees and 400 exhibitors.
Related: AHLA and Questex Join Forces to Launch Hospitality Expo in 2023.
Education and inspiration on opening day
On October 28, the show kicked off with AHLA’s annual GM Summit program, which honors the achievements of hotel general managers. For surpassing expectations to create exceptional guest experiences, the nation’s top general managers were then celebrated on the event’s main stage with the GM Lifetime Achievement and GM of the Year 2024 awards.
During the panel, “Navigating the Dynamics of Ownership and Management,” moderated by Chirag Shah, AHLA Executive Vice President of Federal and Policy Affairs and General Counsel, and respective Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors. AHLA Administration, Kevin Jacobs, Chief Financial Officer and President. of global development, Hilton and Mitch Patel, founder and CEO of Vision Hospitality Group, highlighted the importance of unity and strategic partnerships to streamline operational efficiencies and drive profitability.
One of the highlights of the opening day was the keynote presentation titled “Changing the World Through the Power of Food,” delivered by celebrity chef, restaurateur and humanitarian José Andrés, who inspired attendees to use food as a force for good and to foster positive change. within the hotel sector.
In the evening, hospitality professionals gathered for a festive Día de los Muertos-themed welcome reception, hosted at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts.
Attendees also had the chance to participate in a CSR initiative with the Show’s charity partner, Clean The World, building over 1,000 hygiene kits filled with soap and recycled toiletries for recent hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina.
View floor information and networking opportunities
On October 29, The Show opened its dynamic exhibition space bringing together more than 400 exhibiting companies showcasing the latest operational and technological solutions in the hospitality industry through interactive exhibits, as well as growth-oriented and development-focused sessions , technology and business strategies.
One of the most popular sessions was “River Walk & Beyond: Development Insights from IHG,” hosted by Mario Bass, executive vice president and chief strategy officer of Visit San Antonio, and Leanne Harwood, senior vice president and director general luxury and lifestyle brands, IHG Hotels. & Resorts, who explained how cultural alignment can improve guest experiences and attract high-value visitors.
Subsequent sessions explored the transformative impact of AI on hospitality, with industry experts explaining how digital tools can drive guest engagement and operational efficiencies. Additionally, Carey moderated a panel on redefining business strategies, offering practical advice for overcoming market challenges and maximizing revenue.
On the solutions stage, HTNG, AHLA’s technology committee, hosted the TechOvation and Tech Acceleration Awards. Hyatt and Nonius won the Technology Acceleration Award in the hotel and supplier categories, respectively, while H2O Connected LLC received the TechOvation Award.
The day’s programming also included a keynote presentation from author and franchise expert Scott Greenberg, sharing strategies for optimizing franchise operations, followed by an insightful fireside chat with the President and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Geoff Ballotti.
The second day of the show concluded with a lively block party on the River Walk, where attendees networked at popular locations along the scenic San Antonio River Walk.
Focus on improving income and sustainability
The final day on October 30 began with a keynote session with FOX Sports anchor Erin Andrews, who shared her innovative career journey and insights on leadership, resilience and making meaningful connections in the world of business, sport and media.
The day’s educational focus centered on leveraging technology to improve operational efficiencies, with a panel moderated by Alex Alt, executive vice president of Oracle Hospitality and Oracle Retail, who explored how digital tools can optimize the customer experience while controlling costs.
Sustainability also remained a central theme, with a session titled “From Green to Gold: Sustainability as Profit.” Moderated by Michael Morton, senior vice president of brand management and member services at 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, who shared their ideas on how to turn environmental initiatives into profitable businesses.
At the show, attendees had the opportunity to explore live case studies on maximizing real estate for revenue growth, as well as discover new sustainable partnerships and initiatives during three dedicated stages. They also had access to the Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, which features more than 60 food and beverage companies showcasing innovative products designed to enhance the guest experience and increase profitability.
What they say: “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, Questex Group President, Hospitality, Travel and Wellness. be. “The energy and engagement we witnessed was incredible, and the feedback from attendees, exhibitors and speakers highlights the value this event brings. We are already preparing for next year with even more excitement to build on this momentum and create new opportunities for our industry to thrive.
According to Tim McLucas, market leader at Questex Hospitality Group, in 2025, the third edition of The Show will focus on Denver’s vibrant hospitality scene, highlighting how the city adds to the value of the event. “We are committed to maintaining the show’s unique focus on hospitality growth and profitability, which we believe will continue to drive engagement and participation in the years to come,” he said .
Looking Ahead: The Hospitality Show 2025 is scheduled to take place October 26-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
Photos courtesy of Questex
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