As the hospitality industry anticipates AAHOACON 2024, a pivotal gathering, hotel owners and operators find themselves on the cusp of transformative change. The industry, Having weathered the storm of pandemic-driven shifts, faces a landscape dotted with daunting challenges and unprecedented opportunities. Innovations in technology, shifting market dynamics, and evolving consumer expectations are sculpting a new path for the industry.

The conversation ahead of AAHOACON 2024 isn’t just idle talk; it’s a strategic exchange crucial for navigating the complex tapestry of today’s hotel industry. Amidst robust technological advancement and the quest for sustainability, hotel owners balance the essence of hospitality—the human touch—with the relentless march towards digitization. Artificial intelligence (AI), once a buzzword, now holds tangible implications for profitability and guest experience, demanding a nuanced approach from industry leaders.

Economic pressures cast long shadows, with rising operational costs and the delicate task of staff retention and training taking center stage. Hoteliers find themselves in a delicate dance, trying to align investments with returns while maintaining the gold standard of guest experiences. It’s a high-stakes chess game where every move counts, and the strategies laid out at AAHOACON 2024 will echo throughout boardrooms and hotel corridors.

As stakeholders prepare to converge in Orlando for AAHOACON 2024, what do the challenges and opportunities for hotel owners and operators look like from the insiders’ perspectives?

Experts Talk, hosted by Daniel Litwin, the Voice of B2B, unwraps the layers of this conversation with hotel industry experts Stephanie Leger, the Chief Excellence Officer at First Rate Hospitality; Calvin Tilokee, the CEO & Creative Director at Revpar Media; Jennifer Suski, the Director of Business Development at HotelKey; and Sarah Dandashy, the Travel & Hospitality Expert at Ask A Concierge.

Main Points of Conversation:

• The synergy of high-tech amenities with the irreplaceable human element in enhancing guest experiences
• The crucial role of comprehensive training and staff engagement in leveraging technological investments effectively
• Strategies for balancing operational efficiency with the preservation of the hotel’s unique identity and service ethos

Stephanie Leger, Chief Excellence Officer at First Rate Hospitality, brings a rich tapestry of experience-enhancing property allure through strategic excellence and guest-centric innovation. Leger’s insights stem from a deep understanding of the equilibrium between technology and personal service in crafting memorable guest experiences.

Calvin Tilokee, CEO & Creative Director at Revpar Media, stands at the intersection of creativity and commerce. His insight into digital marketing and revenue management gives him a unique lens through which to evaluate technological trends, ROI, and the human element in hospitality narratives.

Jennifer Suski, Director of Business Development at HotelKey, offers a vantage point on the digital transformation of hotel operations. Suski’s dialogue revolves around streamlining technological tools for efficiency without losing sight of staff engagement and operational cohesion.

Sarah Dandashy, a Travel & Hospitality Expert with Ask A Concierge, brings frontline experience from the luxury sector. With a finger on the pulse of travel trends and consumer behavior, Dandashy’s perspective is pivotal to understanding the dance between luxury and practicality in modern hospitality.

Article by James Kent