A Celebrity Chef, a Sports Broadcaster and Outstanding Hotel GM’s: Highlights from The Hospitality Show 2024
The Hospitality Show 2024 (The Show), produced by Questex and the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), attracted 4,800 attendees and 460 vendors to its second annual event at the Henry B. González Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas. This year’s event, held from October 28 to 30, served as a vital platform for hospitality professionals to network, learn, and discover innovative solutions to help them run more profitable and efficient hotels.
A Celebration of Service, Leadership and Innovation
The event commenced with AHLA’s annual GM Summit, which honored the achievements of general managers. Awards were presented to outstanding individuals across various categories and highlighted the dedication of general managers in creating exceptional guest experiences.
During the event, attendees participated in a charitable initiative with Clean The World, assembling over 1,000 hygiene kits for hurricane victims in Florida and North Carolina. This act of community support underscored the industry’s commitment to social responsibility.
Innovation took over the Solutions Stage as AHLA’s technology committee, HTNG, hosted the TechOvation and Tech Acceleration Awards. Hyatt and Nonius won the Technology Acceleration Award in the hotelier and vendor categories, respectively.
Ten semifinalists presented their products competing for the TechOvation Award:
- Allin, by Alliants
- AMP with Event Manager, by SONIFI
- Away Together, Experience Better Experiences, by Away Together
- Event Elevate, by Enseo
- H2O Connected LeakAlertor PRO, by H2O Connected LLC
- ONE, by InnSpire
- Levee, by Levee
- Mobile Access with Web Provisioning, by Vingcard
- OPERA Cloud Central, by Oracle Hospitality
- Smart Summaries for BI, by Lighthouse
Congratulations to H2O Connected LLC, which won the TechOvation Award for its LeakAlertor PRO product. This product helps hoteliers save money by detecting and preventing water leaks.
Keynote Insights
Chef, author, humanitarian and founder of the nonprofit World Central Kitchen, José Andrés’ spoke about using food as a force for good. His inspiring message emphasized the impact of hospitality on society and how hospitality professionals can use their skills for positive change within their communities. His advice on addressing challenges: “Embrace the complexity of the moment and adapt by the hour, minute, second”, don’t get too caught up in planning that you fail to act and recognize that sometimes big problems have simple solutions.
Erin Andrews’ keynote session on leadership and resilience resonated with the audience, particularly the general managers. There were several parallels to her success with live broadcasting and the best hospitality professionals: love what you do, be willing to go the extra mile, constantly think of ways to improve and be able to think on your feet.
Solutions from the Expo Floor
The expansive trade show showcased cutting-edge operational and technology solutions. In addition, Questex’s Bar & Restaurant Expo Texas, was co-located with The Hospitality Show, creating a unique opportunity for cross-industry interaction and inspiration. Among the many exhibitors:
Guest Supply is a leading provider of hospitality supplies and services, offering everything from amenities to housekeeping products tailored for hotels and resorts. With a focus on quality and customer satisfaction, Guest Supply partners with clients to enhance guest experiences through innovative solutions and reliable service delivery. Their extensive product range supports the diverse needs of the hospitality industry.
If you want to make a great impression on guests before they even walk into your hotel, Towne Park can help. They are a hospitality service provider focusing on parking management and guest services for hotels, hospitals, and other venues.
And if you need EV charging solutions for those guests, Stay-N-Charge provides innovative solutions for hotels and public spaces by integrating charging stations for electronic devices into their environments. Their products cater to the increasing demand for accessible charging options, enhancing guest satisfaction and convenience. Stay-N-Charge’s systems are designed to blend seamlessly into various settings while promoting a tech-friendly atmosphere.
Green Suites Hotel Solutions specializes in eco-friendly products and services designed for the hospitality industry. They promote sustainability without compromising quality or comfort. They offer a variety of green amenities, cleaning supplies, and operational solutions that help hotels reduce their environmental footprint while enhancing guest satisfaction. Best of all, they offer free dispensers, free liquids, and free shipping.
Rate Gain offers technology solutions for the hospitality industry, specializing in revenue management, distribution, and business intelligence. Their platform helps hotels optimize pricing strategies and improve operational efficiency through data-driven insights.
Robots are the next addition to your workforce. RobotLAB displayed interactive robots that can help improve operational efficiency.
HD Supply is one of the largest wholesale distributors in North America, serving various sectors including hospitality, construction, and maintenance. They offer a broad array of products ranging from plumbing supplies to electrical components, focusing on providing quality goods at competitive prices. With a commitment to customer service and operational efficiency, HD Supply supports businesses in optimizing their supply chain management.
The biggest names in hospitality and travel work with Sertifi for digital contracts and e-signatures, card and ACH payment processing, and card authorization and verification.
Pineapple Hospitality focuses on the product categories that create value for operators while benefiting guests and the environment. These include luxury hotel amenities, best-in-class dispensing systems, in-room coffee programs, towels, key cards and more.
Images from The Show
Looking to leave a tip but don’t have cash on hand? eTip.io offers a digital tipping solution designed to simplify gratuity transactions in the service industry.
Founded in 2000, Chetu is a US-based software development company that provides tailored software solutions to businesses worldwide. It leverages a team of over 2,800 industry-specific developers.
EntryReady provides innovative, reliable access control solutions that enhance guest safety and comfort while making operations smoother for hotel staff and owners.
Made in Italy, GFL Cosmetics creates and develops high-quality personal care products that are natural, organic, and vegan certified.
Avolutions Inc provides biodegradable straws and cutlery made with agave fiber.
Huge Brands creates custom merchandise that drives revenue, recognition, and engagement.
Akia is an AI-powered engagement platform that provides messaging, mobile check-in, digital surveys, F&B menus, arrival guides, and more to streamline operations and increase guest satisfaction.
Lowe’s Pro is the professional division of Lowe’s Companies, Inc., which also serves the hospitality industry.
QReady specializes in providing accurate and timely tracking of maintenance, facilities and staff.
Affordable disinfecting without quats, bleach, or alcohol is possible with Wexfordlabs.
Ghostwood Distilling Co. is a craft distillery known for producing high-quality spirits. It emphasizes local ingredients and traditional distilling methods.
The Service Companies provides integrated facility services tailored to the hospitality sector, focusing on housekeeping, maintenance, and staffing solutions.
Cobra offers innovative communication solutions, including two-way radios and accessories, that enhance connectivity in various industries, such as security, hospitality, and construction.
Source1 is a leading data & technology company for hospitality procurement that provides innovative procurement-based solutions, supply chain management options, and strategic supply chain management services.
Offering plant-based sustainable alternatives, Greenprint helps businesses reduce their environmental impact..
BarTrack provides inventory management solutions specifically designed for bars and restaurants. Their technology helps establishments monitor stock levels accurately to reduce waste and improve profitability.
With its various food products, LandOLakes Foodservice can be a valuable partner in your kitchen—and its team served the best queso at the trade show!
FLD Remarketing eliminates fleet remarketing risks by purchasing assets upfront in a quick, seamless transaction. You can receive a quote on your used shuttle bus in hours and full payment within days.
Safety Net Access provides secure and high-performance Wi-Fi solutions, ensuring seamless connectivity for guests and supporting IoT integration in hotels.
Protecting your business from digital threats is a necessity. Cybertek is a managed security service provider that specializes in cybersecurity solutions.
Since 2014, Wizehire has helped over 18,000 companies find top talent with their easy-to-use applicant tracking system, expert hiring coaches, and industry-optimized job templates to attract qualified candidates to fill your staffing needs.
Boomerang Water provides on-site water bottling systems with customization options to help hotels and guests reduce the waste of single-use plastic bottles.
AHLA Foundation supports education and workforce development initiatives within the hospitality industry through scholarships and training programs. Their mission is to foster talent development while enhancing career opportunities in hospitality.
Pineapple Audio specializes in audio production services to enhance media content through professional sound design and engineering.
Looking for an additional revenue stream for your hotel? ResortPass offers day pass access to resort amenities for non-hotel guests, allowing individuals to enjoy luxury facilities without overnight stays.
Looking Ahead to 2025
Mark your calendars for The Hospitality Show 2025 at the Denver Convention Centre from October 26-28. This upcoming event promises to build on the momentum established this year, offering even more opportunities for learning and networking.
For more information about The Hospitality Show and updates leading up to next year’s event, visit thehospitalityshow.com
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