Events

🏁 Malaysia will host the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix at Sepang International Circuit from October 2-4, marking its first race since 2017. The race was relocated from Sakhir due to conflict in the Middle East. Singapore will host its Grand Prix at Marina Bay from October 9-11. Air arrivals from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore for October 5-11 are 74% higher year-on-year, according to Amadeus Travel Intelligence.

💬 October 5-9, 2026: Customer Service Week is celebrated globally, with Global CX Day on October 6. This tradition, started in 1987 and nationally recognized by Congress in 1992, emphasizes the importance of customer service. In 2011, Bruce Temkin and Jeanne Bliss founded the Customer Experience Professionals Association, leading to the first CX Day in 2013. Organizations are encouraged to appreciate employees and customers year-round, beyond this celebratory week.

📅 Sept. 27-28, Nashville, TN: AAHOA's 5th annual women's conference at Delta Hotels by Marriott. 📍 Oct. 5-8, Phoenix, AZ: AAHOA at The Lodging Conference, JW Marriott, as Platinum Sponsor. 🛡️ September: National Preparedness Month and Food Safety Education Month. 🇺🇸 Annually, 48M foodborne illnesses reported in the U.S., causing 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths. ✨ Second week of September: International Housekeepers and Environmental Services Week celebrates custodial staff contributions.

📅 HOSPA acquired the National Hotel Marketing Conference from Martin Evans, who built it over 20 years. The next event is on 27 May 2027 at Hilton St George’s Park. The conference, running for over nine years, will broaden to cover digital innovation and guest behavior changes. HMA restructured under HOSPA in November 2024, solidifying their collaboration, with Andrew Farrow managing the relationship. This acquisition extends HOSPA's integration with the Hotel Marketing Association.

🏨 On February 10, 2027, the House of Commons will host the prestigious Hospitality Apprenticeship Showcase (HAS) during National Apprenticeship Week. The event, from 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM, will feature 120 hospitality apprentices from across the UK. Over the past decade, 1,800 apprentices have participated, highlighting the industry’s dedication to developing future talent. The showcase connects apprentices with MPs, celebrating their achievements and the sector’s vital role in employment and economic growth.

🏆 On September 11, 2026, at the Jakarta International Convention Center, Erastus Radjimin, CEO of Artotel Group, endorsed the transformation of four sports complexes in West Java into sport tourism and wellness hubs. The Business Infrastructure Forum, part of the Indonesia Sports Summit 2026, featured presentations by West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi and Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan. Emphasizing public-private collaboration, the initiative aims to integrate sports with hospitality and wellness to spur economic growth and year-round activity.

🏨 Barry Sternlicht will receive the 2027 ALIS Lifetime Achievement Award and the Shatterproof Hospitality Hero Award on January 25, 2027, in Los Angeles. Founder and CEO of Starwood Capital Group, Sternlicht has structured investments worth over $280 billion and manages assets of around $130 billion. He founded Starwood Hotels, creating brands like W Hotels and expanding St. Regis Hotels globally. Shatterproof, founded by Gary Mendell, has raised over $12 million since 2016 to tackle substance use disorder.

📅 On 11th & 12th November 2026 at Excel London, the White & Private Label Expo will unite hundreds of manufacturers with thousands of retailers and e-commerce professionals. This leading event offers access to four co-located industry shows with a single free ticket. Attendees can explore various sectors, from manufacturing to logistics, and gain insights from e-commerce and retail experts through seminars and keynote talks.

🏀 New research by Expedia Group and PredictHQ forecasts over $537 million in visitor spending from major sporting events in the U.S., with 4 million attendees in 2026. New York alone is set to generate $304 million from 3.1 million visitors. The New York tennis tournament is a standout, expected to attract 1.1 million attendees and $252 million. Surrounding counties like Solano and Montgomery saw notable travel intent increases of up to 180%. International interest surged, with Türkiye's travel intent up by 505%.