Events

📚 In 2026, the HSMAI Commercial Awards Asia Pacific judging was held in Singapore. Judges reviewed dozens of submissions, emphasizing genuine strategies over operational work dressed as strategy. Key evaluation criteria included measurable outcomes, resilience beyond individual contributors, necessary cross-departmental changes, and original language. Submissions showing durable impact, despite initial setbacks, scored higher. Judges valued evidence over claims, seeking clarity in presentations, a skill crucial for advancing careers and ensuring revenue growth.

📅 On November 9th, 2026, Cipriani 42nd Street in New York will host the 46th annual Gold Key Awards, coinciding with BDNY. Judged by industry leaders like Dala Al-Fuwaires and Paul Haslhofer, the awards celebrate global hospitality designs across 24 categories. Entries close on July 31st, 2026. Winners of the Mic Drop Moment and Designer of the Year will be honored, along with the 2026 Ones to Watch class.

Mallorca is in the path of totality for the 2026 solar eclipse – and its hotels are ready with boats, rooftops and clifftop dinners

🏢 BDNY returns to New York’s Javits Center on November 8-9. The event, presented by *Boutique Design*, will feature global hospitality discussions, custom-designed spaces, and the BDNY Power Players: Women Leaders in Hospitality Breakfast. Notable collaborations include IHG and CRÈME, and Ennismore with Avenue Interior Design. The 46th Gold Key Awards concludes BDNY on November 9 at Cipriani 42nd Street. The Platinum Circle gala kicks off on November 6 at Cipriani Wall Street.

🏨 December 15–16, 2026, Orlando, Florida will host ILHA INSPIRE 2026 at JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa. The conference expects 900–1,000 attendees from the luxury hospitality industry. Keynote speakers include Tina Edmundson of Marriott International and Hermann Elger of Forbes Travel Guide. Discussions will cover luxury hotel strategy, AI, sustainability, and more. Registration is open at ilha.org/inspire.

📅 McLean, VA – The 2026 Adrian Awards, marking its 70th anniversary, is now open for submissions. Spanning 34 categories, this prestigious event celebrates excellence in hospitality and travel marketing. Winners will be honored on March 4, 2027, at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas. Submissions close on September 15, 2026. Entries are scored on objectives, creativity, quality, content, and results, with opportunities for Gold, Silver, Bronze, and Best of Show awards. More info at adrianawards.hsmai.org.

📱 In June, 125 industry professionals gathered at Viceroy Chicago for *Hospitality Design*’s CitySCENE: Next Generation networking event. Sponsors included Better Designed Lighting, Durkan | Mohawk Group, Kimball Hospitality, Solaire Lighting, Waterworks, Williams-Sonoma Business to Business, and Wolf-Gordon.

🏨 Dave Jacoby, owner of Hotel Lucine, and Kaleigh Wiese, CEO of Ode Places, discuss the indie hotel landscape and the 2026 Independent Hotel Show Miami in an episode of Suite Spot. Since 2016, Hotel Lucine in Galveston focuses on community integration and unique offerings, using local events and customized guest experiences to attract visitors. Independent hotels can capitalize on local markets, the three-hour travel trend, and "bleisure" trips, blending work and leisure stays to drive revenue and enhance guest experiences.

📅 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.