NEW YORK — Buzz is building as keynote speakers and programming are announced for the upcoming The Hospitality Show, which will be held Oct. 28-30 at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas.
The Hospitality Show, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), will feature José Andrés, founder of World Central Kitchen and award-winning chef, as its keynote speaker. Since 2010, the nonprofit World Central Kitchen has specialized in providing food assistance to those affected by natural and humanitarian disasters, delivering more than 350 million meals worldwide.
The keynote address, titled “Changing the World Through the Power of Food,” will focus on Andrés’ belief in positive change and his assertion that food is a fundamental human right. Andrés was named one of Time’s “100 Most Influential People” in 2012 and 2018 and was named “Outstanding Chef” and “Humanist of the Year” by the James Beard Foundation.
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Last year, the show debuted in Las Vegas, attracting more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors, and selling out every space on the show floor. Alexi Khajavi, president of Questex Hospitality, Travel & Wellness, called it a “remarkable achievement” that the vendor space sold out last year during its inaugural event. He said in a statement that this year and in the future, “The Hospitality Show will be an unforgettable event, offering unparalleled opportunities for growth, learning and networking.”
The Hospitality Show, now in its second year, will feature an exhibition space with more than 400 exhibitors and a conference program with more than 100 industry leaders who will offer insights and advice on maximizing profitability and managing operations efficiently. Exhibitors include Oracle Hospitality, LG Electronics USA, GE Appliances, Cox Business, Clean the World and Relay Robotics, among others.
Three stages will address issues facing hoteliers, including changing guest expectations, workforce and stakeholder alignment, and best practices in franchising and brand differentiation.
Sessions will include “Charting Profitable Paths in Uncertain Times,” which will offer guidance on how hotel managers can remain profitable despite economic headwinds; and “Intentional Innovation: AI Meets ROI,” which will focus on how industry players can modernize operations by integrating AI into their business strategies.
Another session, “From Green to Gold: Sustainability as a Profit Maker,” will teach attendees how going green can also lead to increased profits. Experts will discuss the economic benefits of sustainable practices in the hospitality industry, from energy-efficient operations to waste reduction and environmentally friendly amenities.
AHLA is America’s largest hospitality association, representing more than 30,000 members from every industry segment nationwide. Questex brings together stakeholders from the travel, hospitality and wellness markets.
Find information on registration and The Hospitality Show here.