As the hospitality industry enters 2026, the question is no longer whether to innovate but how to do so intelligently. According to Infor’s global productivity and technology research, over 80% of organizations agree that their success now depends on how well they use and adopt new technologies. The hotels that will thrive are those that combine operational resilience, guest-centric innovation, and strategic collaboration across their technology ecosystem.
Infor Hospitality’s Innovation Fest 2025, presented in partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS),
brings together forward-thinking hotel leaders to examine this intersection where automation, data, and creativity converge to redefine service and profitability.
The one-day event isn’t about futuristic concepts in isolation; it’s about the near-term technologies reshaping how hospitality is run and experienced.
Rethinking the Operating Model for Tomorrow’s Hotel
In the opening session, “Shaping Tomorrow: Exploring Innovation in Hospitality Today and Beyond,” leaders from Infor, AWS, Ocean Casino Resort, and Sea Island will discuss the forces currently reshaping hospitality—sustainability, digital transformation, and the ongoing redefinition of the guest experience.
From labor optimization to eco-efficiency, the conversation will move beyond theory to show how data, AI, and unified cloud ecosystems are creating measurable outcomes. These insights align with trends identified in Infor’s 2024-2025 outlook, where hotels that integrate technology holistically—rather than through fragmented solutions—are reporting higher margins and improved staff engagement.
Key value for attendees: understand how sustainability, automation, and innovation intersect to drive profit without compromising authenticity.
Facial Recognition and Augmented Reality in Action
The second session introduces a joint proof of concept by Infor and AWS, revealing how augmented reality (AR) and facial recognition can personalize guest experiences while improving back-of-house efficiency.
Beyond the technology demonstration, this session provides a look at the real business outcomes these capabilities create: faster guest recognition, frictionless check-ins, and automated inventory auditing using computer vision and IoT. These are not hypothetical tools—they represent the next wave of operational transformation that combines digital precision with the human touch guests still value.
Key value for attendees: gain a first look at deployable technologies that improve service delivery, accuracy, and profitability in the luxury segment.
A Fireside Chat on Innovation and Intuition
The day concludes with a fireside chat between Camille Oostwegel, Owner and Managing Director of Oostwegel Collection, and Alan Young, VP of Strategy at Infor Hospitality. Oostwegel, known for blending cultural heritage with cutting-edge hospitality, will explore how technology can elevate—not replace—the emotional intelligence at the heart of service.
The discussion underscores a central theme: innovation is not about technology for its own sake, but about enabling more meaningful human connections and smarter business models. This principle echoes Infor’s broader philosophy that automation should amplify, not replace, the human element—a perspective increasingly supported by operators who use AI-driven systems to reallocate human capital to higher-value interactions.
Key value for attendees: hear from a hospitality visionary who has successfully balanced modernity and authenticity in one of Europe’s most admired independent hotel groups.
Why This Event Matters
Innovation Fest 2025 represents more than an event. It is a collective step toward a smarter, more human future for hospitality. For hotel executives, the ability to interpret technology through a strategic lens is becoming a decisive advantage. Events like this foster exactly that: a clearer understanding of how data intelligence, sustainability, and personalization converge into measurable ROI.
Attendees will leave with a tangible framework for evaluating investments, whether that’s in AI-powered revenue systems, data-driven guest recognition, or next-generation automation. As 75% of organizations expect to increase productivity by more than 20% through technology adoption within the next three years, the case for proactive innovation has never been clearer.
If innovation once meant building systems to manage operations, the next era will be about designing ecosystems that learn, adapt, and connect people intelligently.
Be part of the community leading that change.
View full agenda and register today.
About Infor
Infor is a global leader in business cloud software specialized by industry. We develop complete solutions for our focus industries. Infor’s mission-critical enterprise applications and services are designed to deliver sustainable operational advantages with security and faster time to value. Over 60,000 organizations in more than 175 countries rely on Infor’s 17,000 employees to help achieve their business goals. As a Koch company, our financial strength, ownership structure, and long-term view empower us to foster enduring, mutually beneficial relationships with our customers. Visit www.infor.com.
Alan Young
VP, Hospitality Strategy, Infor
