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New speakers, programming announced for The Hospitality Show 2024

The Show will highlight innovations from more than 400 tech and operations vendors

New speakers, programming announced for The Hospitality Show 2024

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and Questex recently updated the lineup of speakers and events for The Hospitality Show, scheduled for Oct. 28 to 30 in San Antonio, Texas. The Show will offer networking opportunities and showcase new products from more than 400 technology and operations vendors, AHLA and Questex said in a joint statement.

Confirmed speakers include Geoff Ballotti, president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; Liam Brown, group president for the U.S. and Canada at Marriott International; Kevin Jacobs, CFO and president of Global Development at Hilton Hotels & Resorts; Brian Kirkland, chief information officer of Choice Hotels International; Kristie Goshow, chief commercial officer of KSL Resorts; Kevin Korab, president of Guest Worldwide; Scott Strickland, chief commercial officer of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; and Greg Land, global segment leader for travel and hospitality at Amazon Web Services.


NFL reporter and TV personality Erin Andrews will lead a discussion titled "Game Changers: Power Plays in Sports, Media, and Hospitality," the statement said. The speakers and attendees will join famed chef and humanitarian José Andrés for an Oct. 28 keynote session titled “Changing the World Through the Power of Food.”

The Hospitality Show 2024 will include a welcome reception sponsored by DIRECTV Hospitality at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 28, the Block Party on the River Walk on Oct. 29, and a VIP Owners’ Reception exclusively for owners, facilitating networking and industry insights exchange.

DIRECTV Hospitality, sponsor of the opening reception, will also host an in-room/hotel entertainment activation within The Show’s Expo, offering hands-on tours of the latest guest entertainment. The event will also introduce several new activations, including Smart Outdoors, which will demonstrate how technology and design can enhance revenue generation in outdoor spaces.

“Last year, in its inaugural debut, The Show set the mark for delivering compelling content and actionable insights from the industry’s top influencers and executive decision makers, convening the major brands and market leading service providers and suppliers on a vibrant tradeshow floor that offered an unmatched experience for conference attendees,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA’s interim president and CEO. “This year, The Show will be bigger and deliver even greater value for owners, operators, brands and sponsors/exhibitors.”

Early Bird pricing for the Expo Pass starts at $299 and the All-Access Pass starts at $649, valid until June 28.

AHLA recently rebranded its regional On the Road series to The Hospitality Show, providing networking opportunities and industry updates for hospitality professionals nationwide.

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Summary:

  • Policy shifts and trade tensions shaped the U.S. hospitality industry.
  • A congressional deadlock triggered a federal shutdown from Oct. 1 to Nov. 12.
  • Visa limitations and the immigration crackdown dampened international travel.

THE U.S. HOSPITALITY industry navigated a year of policy shifts, leadership changes, trade tensions and reflection. From Washington’s decisions affecting travel and tourism to industry gatherings and the loss of influential figures, these stories dominated conversation and shaped the sector.

Policy uncertainty took center stage as Washington ground to a halt. A congressional deadlock over healthcare subsidies and spending priorities triggered a federal government shutdown that began on Oct. 1 and lasted until Nov. 12. The U.S. Travel Association warned the shutdown could cost the travel economy up to $1 billion per week, citing disruptions at federal agencies and the Transportation Security Administration. Industry leaders said prolonged gridlock would further strain hotels already facing rising costs and workforce challenges.

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