Events

🍵 The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza hosts the 'Valextra Afternoon Tea' from 1 September to 16 November 2026, at Sophie at EDITION, its Italian trattoria on the 14th floor. Highlights include Vitello Tonnato and a Tiramisu with the Valextra logo. Guests receive a Valextra postcard exchangeable for a leather charm. The tea costs JPY7,500, with an additional JPY1,000 for extra scones, including tax and service charge.

💰 Dubai, 24 August 2026: The Bench announced the rebranding of Branded Residences Forum to 'FHS Living', debuting on 1 October 2026 at FHS World in Dubai. Subsequent events include Cairo on 11 November 2026, Paris on 23-24 February 2027, and Riyadh on 23 March 2027. In 2025, €46.9 billion was invested in European real estate, with a planned €50 billion over the next three years. The FHS series convenes over 3,000 leaders, facilitating $3 billion in opportunities.

🖨 2026, Los Angeles, CA: The Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) labels 2026 as the "Age of Wonder," host to the 17th Boutique Hotel Owners Conference (BHOC) on October 19–20, at Westlake Village Inn. Sessions include topics like “The Lost Art of Innkeeping” and “The Budget Is a Love Language”. Notable speakers include Ed Scheetz and Daniel André Langer. Sponsors include Capital One Travel and Nespresso. Registration is open for this pivotal event in boutique hospitality.

📅 September 28-29, 2026, Orlando, Florida: The Digital Travel Summit will feature industry leaders discussing how social media, AI, and technology can enhance the traveler journey. Emma Shaybani of HEI Hotels & Resorts will attend, focusing on digital marketing and event-driven travel, reflecting trends like the Taylor Swift effect. HEI, now with over 100 hotels, emphasizes AI in marketing, balancing automation with human creativity for guest experience. 📍 Stay tuned for insights on AI's role in hospitality.

📰 August 18, 2026, Europe: OpenAI launches ChatGPT Ads in 31 countries next week for free-tier travelers, including Germany, France, and Spain. Initially, ads are sold through OpenAI's own sales team and partners, with self-service options coming later this summer. In the U.S., the self-serve Ads Manager launched on May 5, running cost-per-click campaigns. Click-through rates range from 1.6% to 1.9%, costing $3-$3.50 per click. European cost data is yet unavailable.

📅 On November 9th, 2026, the BDNY Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast will be held at River Pavilion, Javits Center, New York. The event features eight industry leaders, including Alison Bowman Sobeck from Marriott and Sarah Dusek from Few & Far. Running from 9:00 to 10:30 a.m., attendees will enjoy breakfast, a NEWH presentation, and a panel discussion moderated by Alissa Ponchione, BD's editor in chief.

🏨 Dina Belon, President of Staypineapple Hotels Inc., will be a special guest at the Independent Hotel Show Miami 2026, happening in just over a month. Staypineapple Hotels emphasizes boutique experiences with a personal touch, highlighted by their "naked experience" and pet-friendly focus, offering a 14-day free trial of calming pet sounds. The hotel brand operates under the philosophy of being "unchained," promoting creativity and individuality in hospitality without standard operating procedures. Staypineapple encourages authenticity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence in its staff.

🏨 The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) in McLean, VA, begins nominations for the Robert A. "Bob" Gilbert Award and 2027 Top 25 Extraordinary Minds on August 10, 2026, closing on September 30. Winners will be honored at events in Orlando and Las Vegas in 2027. HSMAI, with over 5,000 members globally, supports hotel industry growth through programs like the Adrian Awards.