DENVER — Over three days at the Colorado Convention Center, the third annual Hospitality Show, produced by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Questex, brought together thousands of hospitality leaders, innovators and suppliers to explore the ideas and technology shaping the future of the industry.
“The Hospitality Show has quickly established itself as a cornerstone event for the hotel industry’s top leaders,” said Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO. “This year’s conference brought together thousands of attendees to share how innovation and technology are driving greater efficiency, profitability, and long-term growth across the hotel sector.”
Education and Workforce Take Center Stage
Attendees accessed more than 50 education sessions led by more than 100 speakers addressing critical issues that drive profitability, including AI and automation, workforce optimization and sustainability. The program also featured AHLA’s GM Summit and the Emerging Leaders Program, both focused on professional development and leadership pathways. Panels, mentoring sessions, and one-on-one coaching helped rising professionals strengthen skills and expand networks.
“In just three years, The Hospitality Show has become the place where the industry comes together to solve for profitability,” said Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Hospitality, Travel and Wellness, Questex. “This year in Denver, we focused on providing practical solutions through an experiential show floor, the launch of THS Connect curated 1:1 meetings, and a conference program that helped hotel leaders improve efficiency, margins, and overall performance.”
Innovation on the Show Floor
The show floor hosted 350+ exhibitors, including over 200 first-time participants, presenting breakthroughs in guest experience, payments, design, and operations. Specialized zones included:
- The F&B Zone, sponsored by Entegra, featuring live demonstrations and tastings from leading brands like Kraft Heinz and The Cheesecake Factory.
- The Interactive Zone, spotlighting immersive tech and guest experience tools.
- The Recharge Zone, sponsored by Ecolab, featured a puppy park, golf simulator, and pool lounge.
New this year, THS Connect matched 50 suppliers and nearly 60 buyers for pre-scheduled meetings, enhancing ROI and relationship-building between solution providers and decision-makers.
Keynotes and Leadership Insights
Main stage programming featured Chris Barton (Shazam founder) on innovation and customer connection, Crystal Washington on the future of work and automation, and Ozan Özkural (Tanto Capital Partners) on global investment trends. Senior leaders from brands such as Marriott, United Airlines, PwC, Sonesta, Stonebridge Companies, and Sage Hospitality joined panels on leadership, tech strategy, and resilience in a rapidly changing market.
Networking and Celebration
Networking remained at the heart of The Hospitality Show. The Welcome Party and the popular ‘90s Mega Dance Party, sponsored by premier sponsor DIRECTV Hospitality and supporting sponsor ADA Cosmetics, brought attendees together to exchange ideas and celebrate industry momentum. This year also marked Hotel Management’s 150th anniversary, commemorated through an interactive exhibit highlighting a century and a half of hospitality innovation.
“Celebrating 150 years of Hotel Management at The Hospitality Show was a reminder of how far this industry has come and how fast it’s still evolving,” said Esther Hertzfeld, executive editor of Hotel Management Magazine. “The innovation and energy we saw in Denver prove that hospitality’s next chapter will be every bit as dynamic as its past.”
The Hospitality Show 2026
The Hospitality Show returns Nov. 2–4, 2026, to Miami Beach, Florida, promising an expanded program of education, technology and networking opportunities for the entire hospitality ecosystem.