THE HOSPITALITY SHOW, produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association, recently concluded its second annual event. The three-day event at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, drew 4,800 attendees and 460 exhibitors, marking a 26 percent increase in attendance and a 43 percent rise in vendor participation.
“The Hospitality Show exists to convene our industry’s top operations and technology leaders and provide the best networking, learning, and deal-making opportunities,” said Kevin Carey, AHLA’s previous interim president and CEO. “After a successful 2023 event, this year’s Show raised the bar, and next year’s event in Denver will be larger.”
The Hospitality Show 2025 will take place Oct. 26 to 28 at the Denver Convention Center in downtown Denver.
Opening highlights
The Show began on Oct. 28 with AHLA’s GM Summit, honoring general managers for excellence in guest experiences. This year’s awards recognized leaders like Mark Spadoni of The Omni Homestead Resort & Spa and Dasha Chayka of TownePlace Suites by Marriott.
The opening day included a panel titled “Navigating the Dynamics of Ownership and Management,” moderated by Chirag Shah, AHLA’s executive vice president of federal and political affairs. Panelists included Kevin Jacobs, Hilton’s chief financial officer, and Mitch Patel, Vision Hospitality Group’s CEO, who discussed the importance of strategic partnerships for operational efficiency and profitability.
Attendees heard a keynote by chef José Andrés, who urged industry leaders to view food as a tool for positive change. The day concluded with a Día de los Muertos-themed Welcome Reception at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts, sponsored by DIRECTV Hospitality.
The Show also partnered with Clean the World to assemble over 1,000 hygiene kits for hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina.
Technology focus
Day two began with a session titled “River Walk & Beyond: Development Insights from IHG,” where industry leaders discussed aligning brand values with local culture. The expo floor featured over 400 exhibitors showcasing technology and solutions to enhance operational efficiency.
Artificial intelligence was a topic, with sessions exploring how digital tools can streamline guest interactions. AHLA’s technology committee, HTNG, presented the TechOvation and Tech Acceleration Awards, recognizing Hyatt and Nonius in the Technology Acceleration categories and H2O Connected LLC for their contributions.
A fireside chat between Geoff Ballotti, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ president and CEO and author Scott Greenberg provided strategies for optimizing franchise operations.
Day two concluded with a River Walk Block Party, offering additional networking opportunities.
Sustainability and profitability
The final day began with a keynote session featuring Erin Andrews, FOX Sports broadcaster, who discussed leadership and building connections in business and media. The day focused on leveraging technology for operational efficiency, with a panel moderated by Alex Alt, executive vice president of Oracle Hospitality and Oracle Retail, exploring how digital tools can optimize guest experiences and control costs.
Sustainability was central to the session “Green to Gold: Sustainability as Profit,” moderated by Michael Morton, BWH Hotels’ senior vice president of brand managements. Panelists included JoAnna Abrams of MindClick, Ian Koehler of Guest Worldwide, Anick Levesque of Green Key Global, and Emilio Tenuta of Ecolab, who shared strategies for turning green initiatives into profitable ventures.
Attendees explored case studies on maximizing real estate for revenue growth and discovered sustainable initiatives across three dedicated breakout stages. They also accessed the Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, featuring over 60 food and beverage innovators.
“The success of The Hospitality Show demonstrates the power of uniting the hospitality industry to drive innovation and profitability,” said Alexi Khajavi, Questex group president of hospitality, travel and wellness. “The feedback from attendees, exhibitors, and speakers highlights the value this event brings. We’re preparing for next year to build on this momentum.”
Looking ahead, The Hospitality Show 2025 will take place from October 26-28 at the Denver Convention Center, focusing on fostering connections and driving profitability while building on its success.
Last year, AHLA and Questex concluded The Hospitality Show 2023 at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas on June 29, attracting over 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors for its inaugural event.
