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THE EIGHTH CALIFORNIA Lodging Investment Conference is scheduled for March 5 to 6 in Long Beach, California. It begins with a networking mixer and the 2025 Hotel Development of the Year Award, sponsored by Lodging Econometrics. The conference continues on March 6 with a full day of panels and networking, CLIC said in a statement. "The business outlook remains positive, with an increased level of consumer confidence laying the groundwork for a boom in travel and hospitality," said Craig Sullivan, CLIC's founder and president. "Savvy hoteliers who want to gain valuable knowledge on the California hotel market and network with the leading hospitality players on the West Coast will gain valuable insight into the ever-changing hotel landscape." Following opening remarks, Rachel Humphrey and Lan Elliot of the Women in Hospitality Alliance will present on the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, the statement said. Bruce Ford, senior vice president of global business development at Lodging Econometrics, will then deliver the annual hotel market update before the day's panels.

KABANI HOTEL GROUP, a Miami-based hotel brokerage firm, is set to host its 8th Annual Hotel Investment Forum at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami on Oct. 14. The forum, themed "The Time Is Now," will provide insights and opportunities for attendees to connect with industry peers through sessions, panel discussions and networking, Kabani Hotel said in a statement. Kabani Hotel Group is led by its Founder and CEO Ahmed Kabani, a South Asian and former leader of Marcus & Millichap's national hospitality group. He launched the group with partners Luis Garino, Suraj Dalal, Kian McLean and Lucas Mondino. "The Hotel Investment Forum serves as a pivotal platform for discussing the hospitality industry's future in South Florida," said Kabani. "This year, we look forward to sharing insights on how we can collectively navigate the evolving market landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities." The forum will cover topics such as the national and Florida hospitality outlook, cost management strategies, capital market availability and the evolving travel landscape.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association and the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Americas have formed a partnership that will more closely align the two associations to benefit their respective members and advance the hospitality industry, AHLA said in a statement. Also, AHLA and its technology committee, HTNG, announced the inaugural AHLA Technology Acceleration Award, a new program to recognize companies that are advancing innovation in hospitality technology. According to the statement, the partnership will create linkages to the industry's sales, marketing, and revenue optimization professionals for AHLA, while expanding HSMAI's organizational reach by aligning it with America's largest hotel association. Under the new agreement, effective April 25, AHLA will provide HSMAI with opportunities to participate in AHLA's On the Road events, and HSMAI will promote the events to its members and local chapters. AHLA and HSMAI will also promote each other's events, campaigns, and education and certification programs, and have reciprocal participation in distribution-focused committees. As per the agreement, AHLA and HSMAI will further explore opportunities to align the work of both organizations' foundations to address industry-wide initiatives on workforce and promoting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. AHLA and HSMAI leadership will meet regularly to discuss and coordinate key strategic industry issues and shared objectives, the agreement noted. AHLA said the AHLA-HSMAI partnership expands upon a relationship the two organizations started early last year, when HSMAI became a content partner for AHLA's On The Road state hotel conference series, offering innovative and exclusive revenue generation insights at On The Road events.

Mary Beth Cutshall is the new chief growth officer at Vision Hospitality Group. In this role, she will oversee the expansion of the company's U.S. hotel portfolio. Chattanooga, Tennessee-based Vision Hospitality is led by founder and CEO Mitch Patel. "With 35 years of hospitality experience across sales, marketing, acquisitions, and business growth, Mary Beth is the perfect candidate to lead Vision's growth into new markets and segments with new partners," said Patel. "She has worked at all levels of the industry-from property-level sales to C-suite positions with major hotel management companies-providing her with invaluable industry insights and meaningful relationships with brands, owners, operators, and virtually every other hotel stakeholder. Mary Beth shares Vision's purpose-driven mentality, and we have no doubt she will help us achieve our expansion goals."

KNOWLAND, A HOSPITALITY data-as-a-service provider, recently integrated a sub-market filter into its search and dashboard functions, adding to its market snapshot and new-to-market capabilities. This new feature enables precise filtering down to the sub-market level within larger markets, identifying localized opportunities, Knowland said in a statement. "To stay agile in this competitive industry, hotel sellers must be savvy about community activity," said Jeff Bzdawka, Knowland's CEO. "With this localized market view, they see opportunities in their immediate area rather than sifting through broad datasets. We continue to innovate our platform with new features and functionalities to help sales teams excel in account-based selling and automate the sales process for better outcomes." Hotel sales teams rely on detailed data analytics for sourcing new business, Knowland said. The sub-market filter provides accessible metrics on top neighborhoods, aiding teams in adopting an account-based selling approach.

The September 2023 issue of Asian Hospitality magazine offers in-depth coverage of the latest trends and developments in the hospitality industry. This edition highlights crucial topics such as the surge in hotel development, innovative technologies transforming the guest experience, and key insights from industry leaders. Readers can explore detailed articles on sustainability, financial performance, and the evolving landscape of extended-stay hotels. Additionally, the issue delves into diversity initiatives and workforce challenges, providing a comprehensive view of the hospitality sector's future. Stay informed with expert analysis and forward-thinking strategies shaping the industry in 2023 and beyond.

HOSPITALITY SOFTWARE PROVIDER Canary Technologies recently closed a $50 million Series C funding round to research AI guest technology in the hospitality sector, bringing its total fundraising to nearly $100 million. The company's software includes mobile check-in and checkout, tablet registration, upsells, guest messaging, Canary AI and digital tipping. The recent investment round was led by global software investor Insight Partners, who also led the company's Series B, with participation from existing investors F-Prime Capital, Thayer Ventures, Y-Combinator and Commerce Ventures, Canary said in a statement. California-based Canary is led by CEO Harman Singh Narula and President SJ Sawhney. "AI is transforming the way we live, work and travel," said Narula. "Canary is at the forefront of delivering enterprise-grade hospitality AI solutions that empower hoteliers to streamline operations, boost efficiency and elevate the guest experience, This funding milestone is a reflection of the team's hard work and the immense impact that Canary is making for hoteliers, including many of the world's largest enterprise hotel brands. We continue to see significant demand in the market for our products and are excited to extend our partnership with existing investors."

REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT management firm Noble Investment Group partnered with Host Hotels & Resorts to tap and expand travel, leisure and hospitality opportunities, a statement said. As part of the initiative, Host will invest $150 million as a limited partner in an existing Noble investment vehicle and provide Noble with first-look at select-service and extended-stay hotel opportunities sourced through Host's channels. Host also will become a minority investment partner in Noble's fee-based asset management business, according to Noble's press release. "As we continue to expand our institutional investment management platform, this strategic partnership further augments Noble's ability to develop, source, and execute innovative growth strategies in travel, leisure, and hospitality," said Mit Shah, Noble's CEO. According to the statement, the partnership will combine Noble's operational expertise and development acumen with Host's scale, market insights, data analytics, and breadth of resources. They aim to source differentiated investment strategies including property technology solutions, development, and alternative lodging.

THE AMERICAN HOTEL & Lodging Association has announced the dates, cities, and registration information for its "On the Road" State Hotel Conferences for 17 states in 2023. The conferences will provide hoteliers, suppliers, and service providers opportunities to connect with their peers as well as hospitality and policy leaders to learn about the latest news and information affecting the hotel and lodging industry, AHLA said in a statement. Anyone who works in the hotel industry can attend these half-day, free events, it added. "AHLA's 'On The Road' State Hotel Conferences are designed to help local hoteliers connect with their peers, gain insights on national and local market business performance trends and learn from top hospitality leaders, service providers and policy experts," said Chip Rogers, AHLA president and CEO. "The events are also a vital tool to help AHLA build coalitions, grow our grassroots network and rally hoteliers around the industry's goals and initiatives. We are excited to bring AHLA's successful On The Road State Hotel Conference series to a record number of cities in 2023." AHLA will host these conferences in partnership with its state or city lodging association partners. Since starting with four events in 2021, AHLA's On The Road State Hotel Conferences have brought together thousands of hoteliers in cities across the nation. Last year, 11 events were held.

NOBLE INVESTMENT GROUP, led by Mit Shah as CEO, has closed the latest installment in its Noble Hospitality Fund V, securing $1 billion. The fund focuses on value-added investments in select-service and extended-stay hotels across the U.S. and was oversubscribed, attracting $1 billion in equity commitments from a global institutional base, Noble said in a statement. Ninety percent of Noble's existing limited partners recommit to Noble Fund V, alongside new institutional investors, Noble said. The company has achieved a 15 percent net IRR on $3 billion of realized capital over thirty years, spanning multiple market cycles. "Our team, sourcing relationships, research DNA, data, and insights continue to generate outstanding returns for our investors and provide Noble with a significant and scalable competitive advantage," said Shah. "The overwhelming support of Noble Fund V reflects the enduring trust of our limited partners, and we remain deeply grateful for their continued confidence in us as their fiduciary."

RESOLUTE ROAD HOSPITALITY and Choice Hotels International recently hosted an investment forum in Dallas titled "Exploring Extended Stay in Texas." Around 100 hospitality executives discussed best management practices, emerging market trends, and Choice's new extended-stay brand, Everhome Suites, at the forum. Gary Horton, Resolute Road Hospitality's president, and Daniel Pinheiro, chief business development officer, presented strategies for managing and operating in the extended-stay industry, the companies said in a joint statement. "The forum was highly productive, bringing together industry professionals eager to explore the rapidly expanding extended-stay sector," said Pinheiro. "The attendees exchanged invaluable insights and collaborated on best practices specific to hotels in the midscale extended-stay class."

STR HAS UNVEILED the forward-looking component of its product "Forward STAR" in 104 new markets/submarkets across the U.S. and Canada. Forward STAR, which is presently live in 450 areas around the globe, allows hotel property and portfolio users to benchmark the next 365 days of occupancy on the books against the competition and market. "This launch represents our largest Forward STAR expansion to date and adds significant value to our overall benchmarking offering," said Amanda Hite, STR's president. "Adding to the historical data that drives so many operational decisions around the industry, this directly sourced forward data provides intel into where hotels can gain available business, adjust their approach to pricing, and implement actions around market events. When combining historical metrics, profitability data and these forward bookings insights, industry stakeholders are positioned to analyze performance from every angle." According to the statement, Forward STAR was launched in 17 of the country's 25 largest hotel markets, including Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Boston and Phoenix. More granular submarkets were added with the addition of central business districts in markets such as Austin, Chicago, Nashville and New Orleans as well as airport submarkets in areas such as Miami, San Francisco and Bradenton, Florida.

Five Star Group affiliates, Five Star Hospitality Management and Dream Capital, recently named Justin Patel senior associate, investments and asset management and Kimberly Rowell to executive vice president. Patel was previously a senior asset management analyst at Peachtree Group while Rowell joined in February 2023. Dalton, Georgia-based Five Star Group, founded by Naren Patel in 1990, announced the changes. At Peachtree Group, Patel managed more than 20 hotels nationwide and assisting in 12 dispositions. Prior to Peachtree, he was asset manager at 33 Degrees, a commercial real estate firm. "Justin takes an insightful approach to project management, making him an invaluable member of the Dream Capital team as we continue to provide our investors with the opportunity to invest in both credit and equity investments in various asset classes in commercial real estate," said Ankit Govan, Dream Capital's managing principal and co-founder. "We remain committed to pursuing acquisition and development opportunities with well-branded hotels such as Hilton and Marriott in markets with high barriers to entry. With a wealth of asset management and investment experience, Justin is the ideal candidate to help us along the path."

MORE WEALTH AMONG 1.5 billion people in India is driving a surge in new travelers with increased disposable income, creating significant demand for hotel rooms across the subcontinent, according to HotStats. This demand spans all asset classes, making it both easier and more challenging for developers and operators to determine what to build and operate. HotStats' latest blog reveals that India's hospitality sector is poised for growth due to its expanding economy, population and market performance. "India mirrors China's growth from 20 years ago, but a key difference emerged when India recently surpassed China as the world's most populous nation," wrote Tareq Bagaeen, HotStats' senior consultant. "While China's population is set to drop below one billion in the coming decades, India will continue growing, reaching 1.7 billion in 30 years. With a growing economy and strong market performance, India's hospitality sector is primed for growth."

U.S. HOTEL REVENUE and profitability saw a rise in October, propelled by increased group demand across the top 25 markets, according to CoStar's October 2023 Profit & Loss data. Meanwhile, the U.S. hospitality industry also witnessed its largest year-over-year increases in GOPPAR and TRevPAR since March 2023. In October, GOPPAR reached $97.45, marking a 3.7 percent increase from the same month in 2022. TRevPAR stood at $240.74, indicating a 4 percent increase, whereas EBITDA PAR amounted to $69.60, down 1.2 percent from September 2022. Labor costs notably rose to $74.48, reflecting a 5.9 percent increase. "The top 25 markets have demonstrated an 11 percent year-to-date increase in GOPPAR, surpassing a 14 percent rise in labor costs," said Audrey Kallman, research analyst at STR. "This double-digit GOPPAR growth is over 10 times the level observed in all other markets. New York City, a prominent business-centric market, spearheaded growth in the metric across major markets both on a year-to-date and monthly basis."

COSTAR GROUP, A real estate marketplace and analytics provider, granted STR's hotel data subscribers access to its full product suite, enabling users to leverage multisegmented market analytics and forecasts. The services include a tenant database of 7.8 million spaces, an inventory of 6.7 million properties, a pipeline tracking 79,000 projects and a transactions database with 4.2 million sales comparables, CoStar said in a statement. "Today, CoStar becomes the product for tens of thousands of hotel users worldwide," said Andy Florance, CoStar Group's founder and CEO. "With access to the full product offering, hotel owners, operators and brand representatives will gain comprehensive insights across all commercial asset categories, enabling them to refine their sales strategy and identify new investment opportunities." STR's latest benchmarking solution debuted within the CoStar product in May 2023, the statement added. This comprehensive, multilingual tool offers enriched STAR Reports, detailed property and portfolio insights, and advanced visualizations to streamline revenue and performance management, operations, sales, marketing, and finance.

MARK HOPLAMAZIAN, PRESIDENT and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corp., will join Greg Friedman, managing principal and CEO of Peachtree Group, for a fireside chat at the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference on March 19. Hunter introduced this format last year with Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, as the featured guest. In "A Conversation with Mark Hoplamazian," he will share insights on his hospitality career, leadership approach, Hyatt's market position, company outlook and industry developments, Hunter said in a statement. U.S. extended-stay hotels finished 2024 strong after a slow start, with supply, demand and room revenue growth outpacing the industry, while ADR and RevPAR remained positive but gained momentum later in the year, according to The Highland Group.​ "At Hyatt, business is personal-relationships, trust, and a deep understanding of our guests, customers, and owners are at the heart of everything we do," said Hoplamazian. "In today's competitive landscape, hotel performance is driven by the human connections that shape our industry. That's why we collaborate closely with owners and operators like Peachtree Group to create long-term value for their investments."

THE MARTIN LUTHER King Jr. Day calendar shift impacted U.S. hotel performance upward in the third week of January, boosting weekly and year-over-year metrics like occupancy, ADR and RevPAR, according to CoStar. San Francisco led the top 25 markets with the largest gains in all three key metrics. Occupancy increased to 55.8 percent for the week ending Jan. 18, up from 49.2 percent the previous week, reflecting a 6.7 percent year-over-year increase. ADR came in at $155.81 from $144.03, marking a 10 percent rise compared to the same period last year. RevPAR grew to $86.93 from $70.92, a 17.4 percent year-over-year increase. San Francisco led the top 25 markets in year-over-year growth, driven by the J.P. Morgan Healthcare Conference. Occupancy rose 35.9 percent to 71.2 percent, ADR surged 230 percent to $625.98, and RevPAR jumped 348.3 percent to $445.85.

ROB SMITH WILL become president and CEO of Stonebridge Cos. in July. He succeeds Navin Dimond, who founded the Denver-based hotel management company in 1991 and will now serve as chairman. In his new role, Smith will lead the development and execution of the organization's long-term strategies and report to the board of directors, Stonebridge said in a statement. "I am proud of the success our team has achieved as we've built the distinct Stonebridge brand over more than 30 years-and am confident that the best is yet to come," said Dimond. "Rob epitomizes our culture of leveraging innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit to enhance value for our owners, investors and other stakeholders. His extensive, successful track record makes him the ideal person to advance our growth strategy. I look forward to working closely with Rob to take Stonebridge to the next level of growth."

U.S. HOTEL PERFORMANCE has increased in the second week of September compared to the previous week, according to CoStar. However, year-over-year comparisons remained mixed. Occupancy stood at 68.5 percent for the week ending on Oct. 14, a slight uptick from the previous week's 67.8 percent, and a marginal year-over-year decline of 2.3 percent. ADR increased to $164.25, up from the previous week's $163.19, marking a 3.2 percent surge compared to the previous year. RevPAR also showed improvement, reaching $112.51, surpassing the previous week's $110.68, and reflecting a 0.8 percent rise from 2022. Among the top 25 markets, Oahu Island experienced the highest year-over-year growth in occupancy, rising by 17.8 percent to reach 85.2 percent, while RevPAR increased by 29.7 percent to $243.22.