Education

Get ready for a high-energy, rock-and-roll-fueled keynote with best-selling author Jim Knight, as he shares bold, actionable strategies to create a guest-obsessed culture. Drawing on his 21 years with Hard Rock International, Jim will show how to stand out from the competition and become the business of choice. Through dynamic visuals, stories, and real-world case studies, this session will explore service mentality, avoiding mediocrity, boosting value, and building resiliency—all with some serious edge. It’s not just a keynote—it’s edu-tainment that sticks! 

Labor shortages and rising costs are pressing concerns for the hospitality industry, but many hoteliers are rising to the challenge with creative and effective solutions. In this session, we’ll explore strategies to address labor shortages through smarter hiring practices, employee retention tactics, and automation. We’ll also hear from a panel of buyers and industry experts who are successfully navigating these challenges. Attendees will leave with actionable insights and inspiration to turn these challenges into opportunities for great operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. 

Sponsored by: Veridian

In this panel discussion, we’ll explore how AI agents reduce time by >80% in hotel finance operations and how human expertise remains essential for strategic decision-making. From automating routine tasks like data analysis to leveraging human judgment for complex financial decisions, this session will highlight the key synergies between human and AI roles. Attendees will gain valuable insights into how finance teams can optimize operations, improve efficiency, and drive stronger financial performance by tapping into the unique strengths of both.