STR’S HOTEL DATA Conference will go on in August, but the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has led to some changes in the format. Those changes, including more online events and reduced time for in-person activities, are meant to reduce the likelihood of spreading the highly contagious coronavirus.
The HDC is now scheduled for one day, Aug. 13, rather than several days as it was previously. Instead, there will be a series of seven weekly webinars leading up to the event beginning June 25. Also, the in-person portion, to be held at the JW Marriott Nashville in Nashville, Tennessee, and limited to 150 people, will be live-streamed and recorded.
The conference agenda has been condensed to six hours with general sessions only to limit the amount of movement of in-person attendees. Seating and floorspace will be designed to allow attendees to maintain social distancing of 6 feet and protective masks will be provided and required in conference spaces.
Hand sanitizer stations will be available throughout the conference space and meals will be served individually to reduce contact. Printed conference materials and data will be mailed in advance.
“We are confident that this updated format will provide the value expected by our industry while placing non-negotiable emphasis on safety,” said Patrick Mayock, STR vice president and co-lead of the HDC Planning Committee. “At the same time, we understand that HDC will be one of the first industry events out of the gate and can provide a template for conferences set for later this year and early in 2021. Conferences are such a key part of the industry, not only for the business they bring destinations, but for the opportunities they provide in the exchange of knowledge and advancement of the industry.”
Registration for the HDC is available here.
In April, organizers of the Hunter Hotel Conference in Atlanta cancelled that conference after delaying it in March. AAHOA rescheduled its 2020 AAHOA Convention & Trade Show in Orlando from April to Aug. 9 to 12. Those plans remain intact for the moment.
