NEW YORK—At this year’s HX: The Hotel Experience, which will be held Nov. 11-12 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center here, sessions will cover everything from how technology, food and beverage operations and the economy are affecting the industry. Here’s more on what to expect:
Technology
Tech sessions will discuss the advances necessary to create stronger business practices and outstanding guest experiences, including 5G wireless connectivity, AI, security technology, restaurant technology, productivity apps, bitcoin and more. Other topics to be covered include how to handle information breaches, “disrupters” like Uber and what the future looks like for blockchain.
F&B
Food and beverage sessions will cover sustainability practices like plastic straw bans and composting, along with technology trends like how apps such as Instagram continue to influence the scene. There will also be predictions for 2019 trends and discussion on the risks and benefits restaurateurs face when running a stand-alone restaurant vs. operating under a management agreement in a hotel. Sessions will also focus on how bars, hotels and restaurants should go about crafting a cocktail menu that stands out.
Hotel
Hotel sessions will cover how industry trends, outside influencers and potential disrupters will impact hotel performance; how to retain top performers with labor shortages; strategies focused on millennials and Generation Z; what’s happening in the private accommodation space and how to succeed going forward; and tips for negative critics and how hoteliers of all sizes are adapting to meet the needs of today’s experiential-travel seeker. On the economic side, tax experts will review the provisions in the new law and share insights and projections for additional changes to the tax code that can help hoteliers to improve bottom lines.
