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Hotel Management
9 min read

12 Best Hospitality Conferences To Help You Innovate In 2024

Ashley Vaughan
By
Ashley Vaughan
Ashley Vaughan

Working in Human Resources at luxury hotels, Ashley has not only implemented employee customer service training but also taken on nearly every hotel role, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Ashley has always been passionate about the tourism industry. Traveling with her husband, who also worked in the hotel sector, she has enjoyed stays at some incredible places worldwide.

More about Ashley
Last updated on Nov 19, 2024
QUICK SUMMARY

Attending hospitality and hotel conferences is a fantastic way for hotel managers and hospitality industry leaders to stay on top of industry trends, network with peers, and learn from experts. In 2024, there are several conferences worth attending. Each offers unique insights and opportunities that can enhance your professional growth and operational excellence. Plus, hospitality […]

HOT-hospitality-conferences-of-2024-featured-image-1889


Attending hospitality and hotel conferences is a fantastic way for hotel managers and hospitality industry leaders to stay on top of industry trends, network with peers, and learn from experts. In 2024, there are several conferences worth attending. Each offers unique insights and opportunities that can enhance your professional growth and operational excellence. Plus, hospitality conferences are the perfect venue to learn about cutting-edge hotel management platforms.

Whether you're looking to expand your knowledge, explore new technologies, develop partnerships with exhibitors, or understand the latest market dynamics, these industry events and trade shows have something valuable to offer.

Best Hospitality Conferences 2024 Shortlist

Hospitality courses are a must-have on any hotel manager resume. Here's my shortlist of the best hospitality conferences I think are worth attending in 2024:

  1. Hospitality Expo 2024 - Dublin, Ireland (February 2024)
  2. Women in Travel and Hospitality 2024 - Los Angeles, Calfornia (March 2024)
  3. Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit - Kansas City, MO (March 2024)
  4. International Hospitality Investment Forum - Berlin, Germany (April 2024)
  5. International Hotel Technology Forum - Barcelona, Spain (April 2024)
  6. Hospitality & Travel Technology Innovation Summit - Amsterdam, Netherlands (May 2024)
  7. NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference - New York, NY (June 2024)
  8. HOTEC Operations North America - Palm Beach Gardens, FL (June 2024)
  9. HSMAI Strategy Conference - Charlotte, North Carolina (June 2024)
  10. HITEC 2024: The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference - Charlotte, North Carolina (June 2024)
  11. Hotel Data Conference - Nashville, Tennessee (August 2024)
  12. The Phocuswright Conference - Phoenix, Arizona (Nov 2024)

A hospitality conference provides an ideal platform to gain knowledge and advance your hotel manager skills through expert panels and networking. Find more details about each conference below.

Best Hospitality Conferences Of 2024

Hospitality courses teach you simple steps to improve your hotel management career. Here are some of my recommendations:

1. Hospitality Expo 2024 - Dublin, Ireland (Feb 2024)

Hospitality Expo attendees at the trade show
Hospitality Expo 2024

Overview: Hospitality Expo 2024 is a key event for those in the hospitality industry, set to take place in Dublin. The conference will feature various stages, including the Hospitality Stage, Technology & Innovation Stage, and a Sustainability Stage. Topics covered range from industry developments, finance, digital marketing, and social media strategies to sustainability and staff motivation. Notable keynote speakers include Denyse Campbell from the Irish Hotels Federation, Gerardo Larios Rizo from the Bank of Ireland, and many others from different sectors of the hospitality industry.

Why You Should Attend: This event is an excellent opportunity for hospitality professionals to gain insights into current industry trends and challenges, especially in areas like digital marketing strategy and sustainability. Networking opportunities with industry leaders and learning from diverse panels and discussions make this expo valuable for staying informed and competitive in the hospitality sector.

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2. Women in Travel and Hospitality 2024 - Westlake Village, CA (March 2024)

Speakers presenting at the 2019 Women in Travel & Hospitality Conference
Speakers at the Women In Travel and Hospitality Conference

Overview: Focusing on the role of women in the hospitality industry, this conference offers a platform for discussing leadership, entrepreneurship, and the future of travel. It features inspiring female leaders from various sectors within hospitality.

Why You Should Attend: The conference emphasizes diversity and inclusion, offering unique perspectives on tourism industry challenges. It's a must-attend for those looking to support and learn in-person from women leaders in hospitality.

In 2024, the theme of this gathering is Empowering Change: Reclamation in Travel, Tourism, and Hospitality, where participants will discuss tools and strategies to proactively create a space that is authentic, motivating, and beneficial to both their personal and professional lives.

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3. Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit - Kansas City, MO (March 2024)

How Schlotzsky's, Auntie Anne's, Krystal, Huey Magoo's bring technology to the table | Restaurant Franchising & Innovation Summit | Fast Casual
Panel discussion at the Restaurant Franchising and Innovation Summit

Overview: This summit delves into the world of restaurant franchising, covering topics like growth strategies, marketing, and technology in the restaurant industry.

Why You Should Attend: Ideal for those in the restaurant sector of hospitality, especially if you're interested in franchising and business growth.

4. International Hospitality Investment Forum - Berlin, Germany (April 2024)

Attendees networking at the International Hospitality Investment Forum
International Hospitality Investment Forum

Overview: A global platform focusing on hospitality investment, this forum discusses market trends, investment opportunities, and global economic factors affecting the industry.

Why You Should Attend: For anyone involved in the investment side of hospitality, this forum offers crucial insights into global market trends and investment strategies.

5. International Hotel Technology Forum - Barcelona, Spain (April 2024)

21st Annual International Hotel Technology Forum (IHTF)
A panel discussion at the International Hotel Technology Forum

Overview: This forum concentrates on the technological advancements in the hotel industry. It covers a wide array of topics in educational sessions including digital marketing, guest experience, and operational efficiency.

Why You Should Attend: If you're a hotelier looking to understand how technology can optimize hotel operations and enhance guest experiences, this is the place to be.

6. Hospitality & Travel Technology Innovation Summit - Amsterdam, Netherlands (May 2024)

speaker presenting to hoteliers at hospitality and travel technology innovation summit
Presenting at the Hospitality & Travel Technology Innovation Summit

Overview: The summit explores the latest innovations in travel and hospitality technology. It's a hub for discussing emerging travel industry trends and how they can be applied to improve business practices.

Why You Should Attend: This summit is perfect for those who want to stay ahead of the curve in travel technology and innovation.

7. NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference - New York, NY (June 2024)

Participants networking at the NYU International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference
International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference

Overview: This conference provides a comprehensive view of the investment landscape in the hospitality industry. Topics include market trends, investment opportunities, and financial management.

Why You Should Attend: Ideal for those interested in the financial and investment side of hospitality. It offers valuable insights into market dynamics and investment strategies.

8. HOTEC Operations North America - Palm Beach Gardens, FL (June 2024)

HOTEC hospitality conference attendees shaking hands
Networking at the HOTEC Operations Conference

Overview: This event is a blend of conference and networking, focusing on supplier and buyer interactions in the North American hospitality market.

Why You Should Attend: It's a great opportunity for networking with industry professionals and establishing business relationships and partnerships in the hospitality supply chain.

9. HSMAI Strategy Conference - Charlotte, NC (June 2024)

  • Dates: June 25-26 2024
  • Location: In-Person in Charlotte, NC
  • Pricing:
    • 1-day entrance: $850 (Member rate) and $1390 (Non-Member rate)
    • Full conference: $1275 (Member rate) and $1790 (Non-Member rate)
  • Website: HSMAI Strategy Conference
Attendees of the HSMAI hospitality conference attending a dinner and speeches
HMAI Strategy Conference

Overview: This conference addresses sales, marketing, and revenue optimization strategies in the hospitality industry.

Why You Should Attend: Ideal for gaining insights into integrated strategies for sales, marketing, and revenue management in order to achieve greater profitability.

10. HITEC 2024: The Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference - Charlotte, North Carolina (June 2024)

An exhibitor at the Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference
Hospitality Industry Technology Exposition and Conference

Overview: HITEC focuses on technology in the hospitality industry, showcasing the latest innovations in hotel technology, from property management systems to guest experience enhancements.

Why You Should Attend: This is the go-to conference for leading hotel brands to better understand and leverage technology in the hospitality sector. It's essential for staying ahead in an increasingly digital world.

11. Hotel Data Conference - Nashville, TN (August 2024)

Hotel Data Conference attendees networking
The Hotel Data Conference
  • Dates: August 9-11 2024
  • Location: In-Person in Nashville
  • Pricing: See registration page for current pricing
  • Website: Hotel Data Conference

Overview: Focused on data analytics in the hotel industry, this annual conference discusses market data, forecasting, and performance analytics. This has become a must-attend event as the industry becomes more digitalized and hotel management teams need to understand how to process high volumes of complex data in order to extract insights.

Why You Should Attend: Attend this conference to gain a deeper understanding of how data can drive decision-making and improve hotel performance.

12. The Phocuswright Conference 2024 - Phoenix, AZ (Nov 2024)

Susie Vowinkel, managing director, travel, Google with Pete Comeau, managing director, Phocuswright hospitality conference
Speakers at the Phocuswright Conference

Overview: The Phocuswright Conference 2024 is a premier event in the travel industry. It focuses on igniting solutions and collaborations in response to cutting-edge innovations. This conference is a meeting point for establishing an edge in the industry, leveraging the pace of innovation, and working towards outcomes that raise the bar for the entire travel sector.

Why You Should Attend: This conference is valuable for its focus on innovative solutions in the travel industry. It's an opportunity to join a community of global innovators and connect with the brightest minds in the industry. The event is designed for those looking to gain insights into the latest products, technology, research, and investment opportunities in travel. Attending this conference is essential for professionals seeking to stay on top of the latest trends in the rapidly evolving travel industry.

Hospitality Management FAQ

Do You Need a Hospitality Degree to Work in Hotel Management?

You don’t have to have a hospitality degree to work in hotel management, though it can give you an advantage. Many successful hotel managers have climbed the ladder through experience rather than education. What really matters is being good at handling people, solving issues, and managing daily hotel operations.

Still, some companies may prefer applicants who have completed hotel management courses or have a degree, as this shows a more structured background in hospitality.

Summary

Conferences are just one way to start expanding your hospitality community network so that you can share resource and learn from the best in your industry. That way, you can stay abreast of new techologies, trends, and ideas from around the globe. This can help you negotiate a better salary as a hotel manager in the future.

In conclusion, these conferences offer a wealth of knowledge and networking opportunities for hospitality professionals. They provide a platform to learn, share ideas, and stay ahead in the dynamic hospitality industry.

Make sure you join our newsletter to learn about more industry events and resources for hotel managers!

Ashley Vaughan
By Ashley Vaughan

Working in Human Resources at luxury hotels, Ashley has not only implemented employee customer service training but also taken on nearly every hotel role, giving her a well-rounded understanding of the industry. Ashley has always been passionate about the tourism industry. Traveling with her husband, who also worked in the hotel sector, she has enjoyed stays at some incredible places worldwide.

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