Face-to-face connections can’t be beat, especially in the hospitality industry. That’s why hotel conferences matter — attending the right one puts you in the room with industry leaders, giving you direct access to emerging technology, shifting traveler trends and revenue-driving strategies.
Curious if it’s worth the ticket cost? Wifitalents reports that the average return on investment (ROI) for exhibiting at a tradeshow is $2.50 for every dollar spent. And there’s the benefit beyond the budget; regardless of your role or brand size, these events provide actionable insights and long lasting connections. In this guide, we’re breaking down the top 16 hotel conferences and events to attend in 2026.
Attending hospitality trade shows is a great way to get more plugged into the industry. These gatherings are fun, immersive, educational and engaging. But with so many on the calendar, it’s important to understand which ones are truly worth your time.
Below, you’ll find a chronological breakdown of can’t-miss hotel conferences, complete with details on why each one stands out.
Dates: February 4-5
Location: Nice, France
This event leans heavily into applied tech rather than theory. Expect deep-dive case studies where operators walk through real deployments. Sessions often cover AI-driven guest messaging workflows, Property Management Systems (PMS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) integrations, plus how revenue teams actually use automation day to day.
Small group workshops tend to focus on change management — crucial when successful tech adoption requires staff buy-in. The networking skews senior and technical, making it easier to have real conversations about budgets, timelines and ROI.
Dates: February 11-12
Location: San Juan, Puerto Rico
INDIEConfab stands out because it doesn’t try to look like your stereotypical “trade show.” Programming usually mixes strategy sessions with creative labs like brand storytelling workshops, social content ideation and experiential design walk-throughs.
Panels often feature independent owners sharing mistakes and wins. You also see sessions on community partnerships, local sourcing and alternative revenue streams (think memberships and hybrid hospitality models). The audience stays intentionally small, which makes peer conversations more valuable than just collecting business cards.
Dates: March 3-5
Location: Berlin, Germany
ITB’s superpower lives in its scale, which makes it ripe for making connections. Beyond the massive exhibition floor, the real value lives in its themed talk tracks. Hospitality leaders can sit in on sessions covering global travel demand, long-haul recovery trends, sustainability regulations and cross-border distribution strategies.
Tech-focused stages dive into AI, data privacy and platform interoperability at a global level. For hotels with international ambitions, this is where market intelligence and partnership-building happen fast.
Dates: April 8-10
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
The Asian American Hotel Owners Association's (AAHOA) programming reflects its ownership-heavy audience. Educational sessions often focus on asset management, franchise relations, financing structures and portfolio scaling.
You’ll see panels on construction costs, renovation planning and navigating brand standards without killing profitability. The trade show floor leans practical, with vendors focused on cost control, compliance and operational efficiency rather than flashy guest-facing tech. This event works especially well for owners managing multiple properties.
Dates: April 21-23
Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
IHTF differentiates itself from the convention overwhelm with structured one-on-one meetings. Attendees pre-select vendors and peers for scheduled conversations, which cuts through random booth wandering.
Content usually centers on automation, sustainability tech, data security and the future of the digital guest journey. Roundtables allow operators to compare notes on implementation challenges, not just vendor promises. It’s efficiently built for decision-makers who want outcomes, not inspiration.
Amsterdam, Netherlands: April 22-23, 2026
Miami Beach, FL, USA: September 16-17, 2026
Munich, Germany: September 16-17, 2026
London, UK: October 5-6, 2026
This series is set apart by its balance of inspiration and practicality. Sessions often combine design thinking with operational reality, covering topics like converting public space for events, aligning brand identity with revenue goals and using technology without losing personality.
Live demos and supplier showcases focus on boutique-friendly tools rather than enterprise-only platforms. The audience is mostly owner-operators and GMs, which keeps conversations grounded and peer-driven.
Dates: April 30 - May 1
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
This conference drills into the staffing and workplace problems hotels struggle to solve. Educational tracks typically include labor law updates, benefits optimization, leadership development and retention strategies.
You’ll see case studies on reducing turnover, improving onboarding and building career pathways in hospitality. Workshops often focus on compliance and workforce planning, making this event especially valuable for HR leaders who need tactical guidance.
Dates: May 12-13
Location: Mexico City, Mexico
This summit stays laser-focused on profitability. Sessions break down website conversion strategies, loyalty program design and metasearch performance with real metrics.
Hoteliers often walk through before-and-after performance results tied to specific changes in UX, pricing or messaging. Roundtables let revenue, marketing and distribution leaders compare notes on what actually drives direct demand today. It’s tactical, fast-paced and metrics-driven.
Dates: June 8-10
Location: San Diego, CA, USA
Hotec Operations works because of its curated format. One-on-one meetings pair operators with solution providers based on specific operational needs. Educational sessions typically cover housekeeping efficiency, labor optimization, preventative maintenance and guest service workflows.
Peer discussion groups allow ops leaders to talk candidly about staffing shortages, rising costs and tech fatigue. The smaller scale makes the conversations more honest and actionable.
Dates: June 15-18
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
HITEC’s value comes from its breadth. Educational tracks cover cybersecurity, data management, mobile solutions, AI and infrastructure. Live demos allow teams to compare platforms side by side.
Many sessions focus on integration challenges and future-proofing tech stacks, not just buying new tools. This is where IT leaders, operations teams and vendors align on what hospitality tech needs to do next.
Nashville, TN, USA July 13-16
London, Europe October 21–22
This global event brings together hospitality leaders, event planners and technology teams with a sharp focus on group and event-driven revenue. Educational tracks center on venue sourcing, sales effectiveness and aligning hotel teams with how planners actually buy.
Sessions often dig into request for proposal (RFP) strategies, demand trends and the use of technology. Many focus on how to best use technology to improve collaboration across sales, marketing and operations. It’s built for hotels and venues that want a clearer view of meeting demand and a stronger, more competitive approach to winning group business.
Dates: August 5-7
Location: Nashville, TN, USA
Powered by CoStar, this event stands out for its analytical depth. Sessions unpack data to explain performance trends by market, segment and asset type.
Panels focus on forecasting, benchmarking and demand drivers rather than gut instinct. Owners and revenue leaders attend to pressure-test strategy against real market signals.
Dates: September 29-30
Location: London, UK
This expo is hands-on. Interactive demos showcase guest experience platforms, contactless tech, CRM tools and operational software. Panel discussions often focus on practical adoption, including staff training and guest communication.
The UK and European focus makes it especially relevant for hotels navigating regional regulations and guest expectations. It’s a strong option for teams evaluating multiple solutions at once.
Dates: October 5-8
Location: Phoenix, AZ, USA
This is where capital conversations happen. Programming centers on investment strategy, development pipelines, brand performance and market outlooks.
Panels feature owners, lenders and developers speaking candidly about risk, returns and timing. Networking carries real deal-making energy, making it valuable for executives shaping long-term growth plans rather than day-to-day operations.
Dates: October 19-20
Location: Westlake Village, CA, USA
This conference keeps its focus tight. Sessions often explore brand differentiation, personalized guest experiences and marketing strategies that work without massive budgets.
Owners share how they balance design, service and profitability. Workshops dig into storytelling, digital presence and guest loyalty for boutique properties that compete on experience.
Dates: November 2-4
Location: Miami Beach, FL, USA
Produced by American Hotel & Lodging Association and Hotel Management, this newer event pulls together operations, tech, labor and investment under one roof. Educational tracks tend to focus on unified systems, cross-department collaboration and scaling smarter.
Panels often address staffing challenges, operational resilience and technology alignment across portfolios. It’s built for executives who want a holistic view of how hotels run better.
Hospitality trade shows in 2026 give you real ROI by equipping you with knowledge, connections and tools that impact your bottom line. Whether you operate a boutique hotel, a resort or a global chain, attending the right conferences will keep you competitive with fresh ideas and insights.
Here’s why you should visit industry events this year:
The hospitality landscape evolves fast. Staying ahead of the curve is vital for an understanding of what's coming next, from sustainability and personalization to AI and automation. Tap into exclusive trend reports, hear from thought leaders and explore strategies to meet changing guest expectations.
These insights help you:
Trade shows give you hands-on exposure to emerging solutions of all types, from luxury hotel tech to budgeting software designed for boutiques. In fact, as many as 77% of executive attendees discover at least one new supplier when attending a tradeshow, according to tradeshowlabs.com. When you attend, use these events to evaluate tools and compare solutions side by side. Even better, you’ll also hear case studies from hotels that have already implemented the tools you’re exploring.
You walk away ready to:
Even with many tech advancements, hospitality is still a human-focused industry. Going to trade shows is one of the best ways to connect with providers, consultants and decision-makers who shape your hotel’s growth.
Whether you’re exploring hotel operation software or sourcing new design vendors, events like these streamline discovery and negotiations.
Use these events to:
Understanding what leading hotels are doing can inform your strategy. Hospitality conferences are packed with sessions led by top operators and disruptors in the space. Attending sessions on hotel operations management trends helps you benchmark your efforts and identify untapped opportunities.
Expect to leave with:
Hospitality conferences are important for team development because they offer in-depth training sessions, certifications and interactive workshops in one place. Team members learn invaluable skills from revenue management to staff training. It's an efficient and fun way to support professional growth and increase retention.
Benefits include:
Attending a hotel expo is one of the most strategic moves you can make to stay competitive in the hospitality industry. Whether you’re there to scout the latest tech, network with fellow hoteliers or showcase your property, how you prepare can make or break your experience.
From choosing the right team members to represent your hotel to setting measurable goals before you arrive, here’s a preparation checklist to ensure you walk in — and out — of the expo with confidence.
Before the Expo
During the Expo
After the Expo
Attending hotel conferences is a powerful way to stay competitive, but to truly capitalize on the insights and connections, you need a tech partner that transforms ideas into action.
Canary’s end-to-end Guest Management System is built to simplify operations, increase revenue and elevate the entire guest experience. Canary’s tools integrate seamlessly into your existing workflows which helps you modernize without disruption.
Here’s how we do it:
Book a demo today and see how Canary helps streamline hotel operations.
Some of the most prominent hotel conferences in the U.S. include HITEC, The Lodging Conference, AAHOA Convention & Trade Show and The Hospitality Show. These events draw thousands of attendees annually and cover a wide range of topics, from technology and operations to ownership and investment.
Start by defining your goals. Are you looking to source new tech, network with investors or train your team? Match your objectives to each conference’s focus, audience and session offerings. It’s also helpful to prioritize events that align with your hotel’s size, market segment and long-term strategy.
Preparation is key to getting value out of an event. Make sure your team:
Maximize your ROI by being strategic with your time. Sessions you attend at hospitality conventions should align with your current challenges, participate in workshops and take notes to share with your broader team. Don’t forget to walk the expo floor. You can discover new tools and innovations that may not be on your radar yet.
