I had the pleasure of attending The Hospitality Show and the co-located HSMAI Commercial Futures Forum in lively San Antonio this fall. My wife and I always enjoy visiting San Antonio with the delightful Riverwalk, great restaurants, entertainment, music, and friendly folks. In fact, we had just spent several days earlier in the month for an assignment consisting of stories about the Alamo Trust, World Heritage Center, the Riverwalk, Re:Rooted Urban Winery, Boudro’s, the San Antonio Botanical Gardens, and the SA Zoo.
Organizers of The Hospitality Show describe this exciting multi-day event as an opportunity to:
Enhance revenue, optimize your operations, and improve guest satisfaction. It’s all here! From main stage case studies to a vibrant marketplace showcasing the latest technology innovations, plus world-class networking, The Hospitality Show brings you the partners and tools you need to accelerate your business.
After spending three days listening to the outstanding speakers and browsing through the vast exhibition hall, I agree. No matter what your role, you are bound to find numerous opportunities to enhance revenue, optimize your operations, improve guest satisfaction – and so much more!
Motivational Speakers
Keynote speakers included Jose Andres, the Chef/Restauranteur known for his hymanitarian efforts, Erin Andrews, the popular sports announcer, CEO Geoff Ballotti with Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, and Scott Greenberg, the successful franchise author. These outstanding speakers, along with a slew of high-powered hotel and hospitality leaders in the field and top vendors from around the world, combined for a very interesting, informative, and fun week in San Antonio.
Andrews talked about passion, resilience, dedication, and the the willingness and commitment to do whatever whenever needed. Her extensive knowledge and love of sports come across to the millions of viewers who follow her in the NFL, NHL, and other broadcasting gigs over the years. Many people also remember her time as a participant and as MC for Dancing With the Stars, the extremely popular dance competition show for celebrities.
Jose Andres, the well-known Chef, restauranteur, and humanitarian captivated the audience with his passion, insight, and humor. A very successful chef from Spain who has called Washington DC his home since the early 1990s. One of his well-known quotes that encapsulates much of his philosophy:
Food is hope, food is dignity, food is empathy. Food is community, food is family, food is caring. Food is nourishment and food is resilience. Food is building longer tables. Food is peace.
In addition to opening and operating many restaurants, Andres is the founder of World Central Kitchen (WCK), a non-profit devoted to providing meals in the wake of natural disasters. Spurred by the humanitarian needs in ravaged Haiti, Andres has provided food and other needs after disasters after Hurrican Harvey, the lower Puna eruption, the earthquakes in Syria and Turkey, war-torn Ukraine, and the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
Red Ribbon cutting ceremony © Scott Kendall
Over 400 Innovative Exhibitors
Over 400 of the top hospitality businesses provided samples, literature, exhibits, simulations, and descriptions of their many products. As I strolled through the exhibits, I saw many recognizeable hotel names like Hilton, Hyatt Hotels International, IHG, Marriott International, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts. There were also many technology companies, including Oracle Hospitality, Sabre, and Security Validation. Other booths housed reps and exhibits from Amadeus, Booking.com, BWH Hotels, Charter Communications, Choice Hotels International, and many more.
A Variety of Businesses, Suppliers, and Others in the Hospitality Industry
I chatted with Chef Chocolatier Sebastien Beline and Director of Sales Barry W. Sussman from Astor Chocolates. And, of course, tried a few tasty samples. I listened to Jeff Zimmerman, a very interesting entrepreneur explain how his Bed Bug Heat Doctor detected and killed the dreaded beg bugs. Mabel Tusino shared products and strategies for the line of Buzz soaps, lotions, and perfumed products designed to pamper guests. Around the next corner, Cobra Communications Solutions showed me a line of new age walkie talkies to keep staff connected to each other.
Wyndham Hotels and Resorts © Scott Kendall
Fun and Games
I watched with interest as CEO Juha Kauppinen demonstrated with his team some of the virtual reality games on the floor of the exhibition hall. We had fun watching people play soccer, with one player maneuvering to kick the ball while the other played a virtual goalkeeper to block the shot. In addition to soccer, iWall offers football, kayaking, ski-cross, and many other fun and active games. CSE is an innovative company based in Finland. With fully motion sensor-controlled technology and games that can be played from a wheelchair, iWall ensures that everyone, regardless of their physical ability, can participate and have fun. And no controllers needed – players use their bodies to control the screen.
Food and Beverage and More
All types of food and beverage companies were represented at The Hospitality Show. The Lobby Bar offered coffee and treats to attendees. DQ franchises, wine, beer, breakfast foods, snacks, and every conceivable food and beverage need was represented at the Food and Beverage Expo section. After I sampled some awesome chocolate, I downed a mini-shot of Salted Caramel Whiskey – so smooth and tasty!
HSMAI Commercial Futures Forum: Focus on Business Travel and Loyalty
A half-day special conference was presented by HSMAI immediately before The Hospitality Show began. The Commercial Futures Forum was a great introduction to the related topics, speakers, and products presented over the next few days. As described in their literature:
Join commercial leaders at the first of a series of HSMAI Futures Forum events for an in-depth exploration of “Understanding the Changing Dynamics of Business Travel. This half-day session will focus on the commercial impacts of NDC (New Distribution Capability) on the hotel industry, the framework of today’s multi sourcing, and the importance of actively managing brands and properties in the onward distribution space.
Engage with subject matter experts through presentations, panels, and discussions to enhance your knowledge and challenge your B2B2C thinking. Elevate your approach and drive success in the evolving business travel landscape, addressing how different generations of business travelers shop, source, and book business travel.
The Hospitality Show Goes to Denver in 2025
The Hospitality Show will be in Denver, Colorado next year. From October 25 – 28, many of the top hotels, vendors, and other top companies in the hospitality industry will share their wares at the Denver Convention Center. Mark it on your calendar to learn and network with the leading edge companies to maximize your profits and delight your customers.
Thanks to The Hospitality Show and the HSMAI Commercial Futures Forum for hosting me. All opinions are my own.
