10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Keep Calm & Embrace Technology—The State of Industry in the Sea of Technology
While many shake in fear at the exponential evolution of technology, the hospitality industry has embraced it. This session will cover how the latest technology is helping industry professionals tailor their businesses to their consumers’ needs and desires.
11:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Millennial Mindset: Gearing Your Wellness Program to Attract the Young at Heart
The millennial mindset encompasses more than just millennials; it includes guests of all ages who are in favor of choices without restrictions—a state of mind impacting all aspects of life, especially wellness. This session explores how properties are courting the “young at heart” through flexible wellness initiatives, and what hoteliers can do to stay ahead of guests on providing diverse and up-and-coming wellness programs and training resources.
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Hotel Investment Trends and What They Mean for the Industry
At the core of the lodging industry is the physical hotel real estate. Tens of billions of dollars are spent on hotel acquisitions each year, and more than 5,000 new hotels are under construction. Join JLL’s global head of hotel research for an update on U.S. hotel transactions activity and learn firsthand how the composition of hotel owners is changing. Get an update on who is developing new hotels and what’s happening in the ever-evolving landscape of hotel brands, property conversions and capital expenditure. Arm yourself with the latest on hotel real estate and position yourself to capitalize on the active sector.
2:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Realities of the Future: Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality
What do these different types of realities mean for the hospitality industry? Many hotels have already been introducing a new element into guest experiences as well as operations using VR experiences. This session will discuss how virtual, augmented and mixed realities will become a bigger part of the hospitality industry.
3:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m.
A Deep Dive into Hotel Brand Strategy
This session will explore the increasing number of hotel brands in the marketplace and how parent companies are determining what types of hotels and resorts will be a part of their portfolio. A discussion on the strategies surrounding brand development will be at the core of the session, which will further dive into brand identity and brand proliferation. Why are new brands created and existing brands refreshed or eliminated? Why do some hotels feel that soft brands, highlighting individual identities, are the most powerful direction for their chain? This session will answer these questions and more.
4:15 p.m. – 4:45 p.m.
Artificial Intelligence Beyond the Invisible Technology
We’re already seeing applications of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives and other sectors, and it’s further applied in the hospitality sector. From centralized data management to interlinking hotel systems, learn how artificial intelligence is being applied to change the hospitality industry and your universe as you know it.
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Your Next Big Opportunity: Select-Service
AAHOA members drill down on how hotel giants, new brands, repositioned flags and innovative interior programs that make affordable hotels sizzling targets for designers’ business development planning. Hear how to tap into the next wave of growth.
11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Hospitality Innovation Roundtable
Technology and audiovisual systems have gone from being futuristic wish-list items to integral tools in mainstream design. Get insider strategies in this session led by AVIXA for capitalizing on new developments in the tech world to make every project magic.
12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Hotel Renovations: Bridging the Gap Between the Designer’s Vision and Asset Manager’s Expectations
Hospitality designers and hotel asset managers share insights on how to align priorities, work through process issues and navigate the complexities of making renovations happen faster, better, smarter. Get both sides of the discussion here.
1:20 p.m. – 2:20 p.m.
Investor Outlook
What will the hotel pipeline look like for 2017 and beyond? Where is the smart development money going? How will budgets reflect new guest demands and what does that mean for clients’ choice of design partners? Find out what’s ahead from some of the industry’s leading investors.
2:00 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
Telling the Local Story Through Art
Hotels are now a part of the local fabric rather than a separate space meant for travelers. Learn from industry experts how art opens a window to the true culture and life of a place, for locals and visitors alike.
2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Marijuana: Its Effect on the Hotel Industry
Here’s the lowdown on everything you need to know about design and operations for a hotel property where cannabis use is legalized. From air filtration system design to regulatory issues, there’s a bumper crop of takeaways for this new niche as well as every hotel where air quality and a fresh feel to interiors are priorities.
