11 Top Hospitality Conferences to Attend in 2026-2027
The best hospitality conferences put you in the same room as the people shaping the industry. Whether you're chasing new partnerships, fresh ideas, or a clearer view of where hospitality is heading, the right event can move the needle. Here's a look at the top conferences worth adding to your calendar.
Best Hospitality Conference Shortlist
Here's a shortlist of the best hospitality conferences I think are worth attending in 2026-2027:
- GBTA Convention - Chicago, IL (August 3-5, 2026)
- NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Expo - Sydney, Australia (September 23-24, 2026)
- Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo - London, UK (September 29-30, 2026)
- The Lodging Conference - Phoenix, AZ (October 5-8, 2026)
- HICAP - Singapore (October 20-22, 2026)
- The Hospitality Show - Miami Beach, FL (November 2-4, 2026)
- Global Restaurant Leadership Conference - Cannes, France (November 4-6, 2026)
- The Phocuswright Conference 2026 - Fort Lauderdale, FL (November 17-19, 2026)
- INSPIRE - Orlando, FL (December 15-16, 2026)
- AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show - Anaheim, CA (May 4-6, 2027)
- HD Expo + Conference - Las Vegas, NV (May 4-6, 2027)
Best Hospitality Conferences of 2026-2027
Below are my summaries of the best hospitality conferences that made it onto my shortlist. My reviews offer a look at each event’s dates, location, pricing, and unique offering.
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1. GBTA Convention - Chicago, IL (August 3-5, 2026)
- Dates: August 3-5, 2026
- Location: McCormick Place Convention Center
- Pricing: From $2,645 (members), from $3,195 (non-members)
- Social Media: LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook
The GBTA Convention is a leading event for professionals in business travel and meetings management. Organized by the Global Business Travel Association, it offers insights into the latest trends and technologies shaping the industry. The convention provides valuable perspectives on travel management and procurement.
Why attend? Attending the GBTA Convention gives you a front-row seat to the latest in business travel innovation. It's an opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore solutions that can optimize your travel programs. With a focus on technology and best practices, you'll gain insights that can enhance your team's travel efficiency and effectiveness.
2. NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Expo - Sydney, Australia (September 23-24, 2026)
- Dates: September 23-24, 2026
- Location: ICC Sydney
- Pricing: Free (expo access)
- Social Media: Instagram, LinkedIn
NoVacancy is Australia's largest annual hotel and accommodation industry event, organized by Terrapinn, drawing 6,000+ attendees, 200+ exhibitors, and around 190 speakers across two days at ICC Sydney.
Why attend? The event covers technology, revenue, design, operations, and marketing across dedicated summits and an expo floor. What sets it apart is its breadth — from PMS demos to interior design trends — alongside structured and informal networking, giving you a practical, hands-on experience in one place.
3. Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo - London, UK (September 29-30, 2026)
- Dates: September 29-30, 2026
- Location: ExCeL London
- Pricing: Free (for pre-registered attendees)
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
The Hotel & Resort Innovation Expo is the UK's leading hospitality event, organized by Fortem International, drawing around 5,000 attendees and roughly 300 exhibitors focused on hotel and resort innovation.
Why attend? The expo spans topics like marketing, branding, operations, and technology, with seminars, panel discussions, networking, and innovation competitions. A dedicated Keynote Theatre delivers expert insights, while the HI Connect section offers structured networking opportunities.
4. The Lodging Conference - Phoenix, AZ (October 5-8, 2026)
- Dates: October 5-8, 2026
- Location: JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge Resort & Spa
- Pricing: $2,995 (early bird registration fee)
- Social Media: LinkedIn
The Lodging Conference is a key event for hotel owners, operators, and developers. It is a platform for networking and discussing trends in the lodging industry, covering hotel development, finance and investment, and design and construction. The event is a mix of leisure and networking, where attendees can build meaningful connections more easily compared to pure business-conference formats.
"I come to the Lodging Conference and I’ve been coming for more than 25 years because it’s great. It’s one of the best opportunities to meet our owners and franchisees – that’s it in a nutshell."
- Liam Brown Group President, United States and Canada, of Marriott International
Why attend? The Lodging Conference provides a unique setting to connect with industry peers and explore new business opportunities. It's a chance to engage in meaningful discussions and gain insights from top executives. Whether you're looking to expand your network or gain new perspectives, this event offers valuable experiences tailored to the lodging industry.
5. HICAP - Singapore (October 20-22, 2026)
- Dates: October 20-22, 2026
- Location: Fairmont Singapore & Swissotel The Stamford
- Pricing: $3,400
HICAP (Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific) is a 35+ year-old investment-focused hotel conference organized by Burba Hotel Network, drawing 150+ senior executives and investors from across the Asia Pacific region.
Why attend? HICAP is purpose-built for hotel investors, owners, and developers — not operators. Its three-day agenda covers deal-making, acquisitions, development trends, and regional investment outlooks across Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and Oceania, with structured networking receptions and Deal of the Year Awards built in.
6. The Hospitality Show - Miami Beach, FL (November 2-4, 2026)
- Dates: November 2-4, 2026
- Location: Miami Beach Convention Center
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: Facebook, LinkedIn
The Hospitality Show is a major event for hospitality professionals seeking to explore the latest industry trends and innovations. It features hundreds of exhibitors showcasing new products and technologies and is known for its engaging sessions and opportunities to network with industry leaders.
"The Hospitality Show has quickly established itself as a cornerstone event for the hotel industry’s top leaders."
– Rosanna Maietta, AHLA President & CEO
Why attend? The Hospitality Show offers your team a chance to dive into the latest industry innovations and best practices. With a focus on technology and operational excellence, you'll gain insights that can transform your business. Enjoy networking opportunities and workshops designed to inspire and inform, making this event a must-attend for hospitality professionals.
7. Global Restaurant Leadership Conference - Cannes, France (November 4-6, 2026)
- Dates: November 4-6, 2026
- Location: JW Marriott Cannes
- Pricing: From $295-$395 + tax
- Social Media: Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook
GRLC is an invitation-only global restaurant industry conference organized by Informa Connect, drawing C-suite leaders from 50+ countries. The 2026 Cannes edition debuts the Globie Awards, honoring innovation, sustainability, and community impact.
Why attend? GRLC is built exclusively for senior restaurant executives and global chain leaders — think Chick-fil-A, Wendy's, and Texas Roadhouse. Beyond sessions on global foodservice trends, you'll get structured networking with peers from 50+ countries and front-row seats to the inaugural Globie Awards ceremony.
8. The Phocuswright Conference 2026 - Fort Lauderdale, FL (November 17-19, 2026)
- Dates: November 17-19, 2026
- Location: Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort
- Pricing: $4,199
- Social Media: Facebook
The Phocuswright Conference is a leading event for travel industry professionals, focusing on innovation and technology. It emphasizes networking, deal-making, and innovation showcases, enabling connections between buyers and providers. The event offers engaging sessions that provide deep insights to trends in the hospitality, tech, and tourism industry.
The conference has hosted influential speakers like Omri Morgenshtern, Chief Executive Officer at Agoda; Stephen Kaufer, Founder and Former CEO of Tripadvisor; and Caroline Strachan, CEO of Festive Road.
Why attend? The Phocuswright Conference offers your team an exclusive look at the latest travel technology trends and innovations. It's a unique opportunity to connect with industry leaders and explore solutions that can drive your business forward. With a focus on technology and market insights, you'll leave with actionable strategies to enhance your operations and customer experience.
9. INSPIRE - Orlando, FL (December 15-16, 2026)
- Dates: December 15-16, 2026
- Location: JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek
- Pricing: $1,199 (Phase 2 rate)
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
INSPIRE is the ILHA's annual luxury hospitality summit, now in its 17th year. It draws 1,000+ owners, operators, and commercial leaders — including speakers from Marriott International, IHG, Nobu Hotels, and Club Med.
Why attend? INSPIRE is the only event where real estate, operations, and distribution leaders share the same room — a deliberate break from siloed industry events. With 50+ sessions, closed-door dinners, and a curated hosted buyer program offering pre-matched 1:1 meetings, it's built for deal-making at the highest level.
10. AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show - Anaheim, CA (May 4-6, 2027)
- Dates: May 4-6, 2027
- Location: Anaheim Convention Center
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: Instagram
The AAHOA Annual Convention & Trade Show is hosted by AAHOA — the largest hotel owners association in the world — representing nearly 20,000 members who own 60%+ of U.S. hotels. Founded in 1989, it's hospitality's largest owner-focused event.
Why attend? No other hospitality conference puts hotel owners this directly in the room with major brands, vendors, and policy leaders. The trade show floor is the largest in the industry, paired with 40+ education sessions, advocacy programming, and networking events — all tailored specifically to hotel owners and operators.
11. HD Expo + Conference - Las Vegas, NV (May 4-6, 2027)
- Dates: May 4-6, 2027
- Location: Mandalay Bay
- Pricing: TBA
- Social Media: Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn
HD Expo + Conference is organized by Emerald X and published alongside Hospitality Design magazine. It's the industry's top trade show for hospitality design and FF&E, drawing designers, developers, hotel brands, and purchasing firms from 50+ states and 42 countries.
Why attend? With 600+ suppliers across 25+ product categories, you can source everything for a full project scope in one place. Beyond the expo floor, the event includes curated education sessions, brand activations, hosted buyer appointments, and networking events — all set in Las Vegas, which is itself a living lab for experimental hospitality design.
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