Events

📅 2026 will see the Independent Hotel Show in Miami. Genna Panagopoulos, VP of Development at Minor Hotels, discussed the event on Suite Spot. She highlighted recent successes, including the launch of 12 brands and the upcoming Wolseley hotel in New York (2024), Anantara Turks and Caicos (2029), and Miami (2030). The focus is on experiential travel and expanding Minor's footprint in North America with strategic development and innovative hospitality concepts.

📊 On November 5, 2026, HSMAI Europe will host its inaugural Commercial Strategy Forum in Paris at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles during EquipHotel Paris (November 2-5, 2026). This full-day event aims to connect hospitality leaders across sales, marketing, revenue, distribution, technology, and leadership. EquipHotel Paris attracts 80,000 industry professionals and features over 1,200 exhibitors, with 30% international. Sessions will include networking and expert-led discussions, fostering sustainable revenue growth in hospitality.

🎨 In 2026, Design Parade in Hyères, France, celebrates its 20th 'Objet' and 10th 'Architecture d’intérieur' competitions. Highlights include Tin Ayala's grand prize for remixed Andean ceramics, Valentin Bayoud's cocoon design, and Simon Searle and Victoire Lesthevenon's public prize. The festival at Villa Noailles showcases eco-conscious, Baroque craft designs, and runs until September 4. Featuring exhibitions at Hôtel des Art, Toulon, it emphasizes Mediterranean wisdom and design innovation amid Europe's heatwaves.

🎨 In Nusfjord, Norway, fishing and tourism are central to the local economy. Svein, a seasoned fisherman, shares tales from his 60-year career on a 60-year-old boat. The Lofoten Islands, historically a hub for 30,000 seasonal fishermen, now attract tourists drawn to its landscapes and cultural renaissance. Highlights include Fotografiska's photography exhibition in Nusfjord (March 20 to October 31, 2026) and creative spaces like the KaviarFactory and Trevarefabrikken, showcasing art and music intertwined with the region's natural allure.

🏨 The Hotel Marketing Association's 2026 Hotel Marketing Awards, part of HOSPA, honored top UK hospitality marketing talent. This annual event acknowledges exceptional strategic and creative marketing efforts.

📌 Las Vegas topped U.S. News & World Report's 2026-2027 rankings as the No. 1 Best Conference City, excelling in convention infrastructure and affordability. Chicago, with North America's largest convention center, and Orlando, known for hospitality and leisure, took second and third places, respectively. Marriott International's Marquis properties dominate the Best Conference Hotels list, securing four top spots. The top 10 cities include Las Vegas, Chicago, and Orlando, with key hotels like The Venetian Resort and Rosen Shingle Creek highlighted.

📈 Nominations for the 2027 Structures of Hospitality Excellence (SOHE) Award & Scholarship Program are now open until October 1, 2026. Awards and scholarships will be presented at ALIS DESIGN+ on January 28, 2027. Scholarships total up to $20,000 for students in hospitality construction fields with a minimum 2.0 GPA. The 2027 SOHE Award will be judged by industry leaders from companies like Hyatt and Host Hotels. Sponsors include Continental Contractors and Delta Faucet Company.

📈 On Wednesday, June 24th at 11am ET, HTS’ Lead Travel Economist Hayley Berg and Cloudbeds’ Sebastien Leitner will discuss HTS' report: The Flexibility Imperative. Surveying 1,000+ Americans, it reveals that 87% want cancellation flexibility, essential for 65% of bookers. Among frequent travelers, 85% prioritize Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR). Flexibility boosts conversions and loyalty. Hoteliers must adapt to thrive. Join the webinar for insights and strategies.

📅 Dubai, UAE, 16 June 2026: From 29 September to 1 October 2026, Madinat Jumeirah hosts the Future Hospitality Summit – FHS World. With the theme "Reinvest in our Future," 30 industry leaders including Ho Kwon Ping and Sonu Shivdasani will discuss global hospitality trends. The summit attracts hospitality owners, operators, investors, developers, consultants, and educators. The speaker list is at https://www.futurehospitality.com/world/speakers, continuously updated. Ali Shahid, CEO of The Bench, emphasized the industry's resilience.