Events

📅 March 16-18, 2026, Atlanta: The 37th annual Hunter Conference takes place at Signia by Hilton Atlanta, attracting over 2,300 hospitality professionals. Founded by Bob Hunter in partnership with Georgia State University's Cecil B. Day School, the conference promotes networking and education, featuring 12 Focus Sessions, special guests like Tony Ressler, and an award for Glade Knight. New features include The Hub and late-night events. Hilton CEO Chris Nassetta and AHLA President Rosanna Maietta are among the speakers.

🍳 The Craft Guild of Chefs has opened entries for the National Chef of the Year 2026 in the UK, with the theme "Our Sustainable Future." The competition includes 40 chefs advancing to semi-finals on June 24th at Sheffield College and July 1st at Capital City College. The final with 10 chefs will occur on October 6th, 2026, at Le Cordon Bleu Cookery School. Chefs must create a three-course menu in three hours, focusing on seasonal, sustainable ingredients.

📅 Who? ITB Berlin 2026 attendees, ReGuest & opensmjle booth team. When? During the ITB Berlin event in 2026. Where? Berlin, Germany. What? The booth was busier than ever despite the event's smaller scale; celebrated the first-ever Partner Event with nearly 60 partners. How? Through the introduction of a new Partner Program and hosting numerous events and reunions. The team's energy and collaboration highlighted the event, making it a memorable and successful experience.

📅 Suzanne Speak joins the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026 at Prince Philip House, London. As Radisson Hotel Group's UK&I managing director, she oversees 44 hotels, expanding to 48 by year-end. With nearly 30 years in hospitality, Speak will share insights on hotel acquisitions, revenue strategy, and owner relations, amidst the sector's growth. Michael Northcott, editor of Hotel Owner, highlights her expertise in portfolio management and brand standards. Full details are on the event's official website.

🏨 HBD Partners, a London-based recruitment consultancy, joins as a Supporter for the Hotel Owner Conference on 3rd November 2026. The event, in Wimbledon, aims to unite hotel owners, operators, and investors to discuss the industry's future. HBD Partners, known for their expertise in hospitality recruitment, align with the conference's mission to offer networking and actionable insights. Co-founders Will Davies and Mark Hulton highlight the partnership's potential for meaningful industry connections.

💻 June 15–18, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, USA, the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference (HITEC®) will take place. Known as the world's largest and longest-running hospitality technology event, HITEC® is produced by HFTP® and offers access to the latest in hospitality tech, industry experts, and essential education, helping attendees find cost-effective strategies to enhance their company bottom lines.

🍴 From March 30 to April 1, 2026, HRC returns to Excel London for Food, Drink & Hospitality Week. Featuring over 100 industry leaders, the event hosts panels and interviews on leadership, equality, and food trends. Key speakers include Adam Handling MBE, Sally Abé, and Kate Nicholls OBE. Sessions cover the future of food and drinks, workplace culture, and competitive socializing. The event is free for trade professionals, with registration open on HRC's website.

🌎 Kansas City, June 2026: The World Cup draws millions, transforming neighborhoods into international hubs, but reveals coordination gaps in transit and visitor guidance. KC2026's Game Plan unites small businesses and government for smoother experiences. In Onomichi, Japan, local efforts revived tourism through coordinated projects, fostering memorable visits. Barcelona's structured visitor management now predicts tourist influxes, showing proactive planning. Effective destination coordination aligns visitor expectations with reality, enhancing retention without major investments.