Events

📅 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.

🏨 June 3, New York: The Boutique & Luxury Lodging Association (BLLA) hosted its investment conference, themed "The Third Space Renaissance." Led by Ariela Goharik Kiradjian, the event emphasized authenticity and a move away from hustle culture. Panels included Shane Davis's Public Records highlighting cultural authorship, and discussions on wellness misconceptions by industry leaders. Predictions suggest the "third space" concept could become mainstream by 2028, challenging Kiradjian to adapt.

📱 April 25–27, 2027, Boca Raton, Florida: Luxury Summit™, a new forum, will debut, gathering 150 invitation-only leaders from the luxury industry. Hosted by The Boca Raton, the event aims to foster collaboration across the luxury sectors. The summit will include keynotes, panels, and reports like the "State of the Luxury Economy Report" for tracking trends. Organized with Montfort Group, the forum seeks to redefine the luxury landscape through innovation and thought leadership.

📈 On August 19, in Washington D.C., a panel of experts will gather at the Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf for the annual State of the Industry event. Registration starts at 4 p.m. Early-bird registration is available until August 10, costing $90 for HSMAI members and $115 for non-members. After August 11, fees increase to $105 and $130, respectively. Sponsored by multiple organizations, attendees are encouraged to donate backpacks for middle school students in the DMV area.

🍴 Tom Kerridge, a Michelin-starred chef, will host a dinner event at Old Course Hotel's Road Hole Restaurant on 14 November 2026, showcasing Scottish ingredients. Coinneach MacLeod, the Hebridean baker, will host a Scottish-inspired afternoon tea on 17 October 2026, featuring family recipes and island storytelling. These events are part of a Chef series, following previous ones with chefs Rachel Allen and Alex Dilling, aiming to offer unique culinary experiences at this iconic St Andrews location.