NYU IHIF 2026 was filled with insights and thought management from a number of the finest and brightest hospitality professionals within the trade.
On this episode of the Suite Spot, you’re going to get to listen to from a number of the most influential and largest names in hospitality within the unique interviews we had been capable of cowl on the occasion.
NYU IHIF is the epicentre of hospitality manufacturers, capital, and fast-paced dealmaking – alternative strikes quick, and so must you. That is the place the rebound takes form, the place leaders uncover what’s subsequent, and the place relationships flip into actual transactions.
Ryan Embree:Welcome to Suite Spot, the place hoteliers verify in, and we try what’s trending in lodge advertising and marketing. I’m your host, Ryan Embree. Whats up everybody. Welcome to a different episode of the Suite Spot. That is your host, Ryan Embree and VP of Advertising right here at Journey Media Group.
Cassady Quintana:And I’m Cassady Quintana, Model Ambassador right here at TMG.
Ryan Embree:And immediately we’re recent again from NYU IHIF 2026. My second time in attending this unbelievable occasion. Cassady, your first, what had been your ideas?
Cassady Quintana:Yeah, I believed general was an amazing occasion. A number of optimism, particularly as we’re heading into the summer season season. So I believed, you understand, the conversations that we heard on the panels and those that we had been having with folks had been superior, and loads of you understand, good issues popping out of that. I really feel like the largest matters that I heard, there have been three main takeaways I took from loads of the panels and other people we had been speaking to, however one being that Okay-shape financial system that we’ve heard quite a bit about, proper? We all know that luxurious remains to be outperforming whereas financial system segments are feeling slightly bit extra of that stress particularly as we head into this summer season season and a few of these tendencies. After which I believe one of many greatest matters now we have been speaking about for the reason that starting of this 12 months is the World Cup and the way worldwide journey we thought was gonna be booming. We had been anticipating loads of busy inns, but it surely’s sort of been on the softer facet, and we’ve truly seen worldwide journey dip a bit. So I believe proper now we’re sort of in that wait and see interval of perhaps you understand individuals are ready to see if their groups make it out of the group levels after which they’ll plan on reserving a lodge. So keeping track of sort of that final minute journey. However the greatest matter that we had been speaking about slightly bit final 12 months, however the greatest one this 12 months is AI and the way inns are utilizing that inside their techniques. You already know, there’s loads of tendencies round utilizing that for extra personalization and with the ability to use it to take a look at your, you understand, income optimization and the way you’re performing on-line. So discovering ways in which we are able to use AI that doesn’t take the hospitality out of hospitality and doesn’t change that human factor. However that sort of went with that overarching theme of the whole occasion, which was sharpening the sting. So the factor I took from that’s that the inns which are actually gonna win are those which are understanding their friends and utilizing AI to additional that, to additional get to know their friends, to make that have slightly bit higher.
Ryan Embree:You already know, and we had some unbelievable conversations and interviews with some professionals that we’re gonna share right here in a second. However simply to sort of soar on what Cassidy’s saying, we’re at a extremely cool inflection level in our trade proper now as we go gear in the direction of the busy journey season. So it’ll be attention-grabbing to see, you understand, we had the chance to fulfill with improvement particular person from Minor inns who’s seeking to deliver their model into US and Canada, which can be very attention-grabbing. We all know how they’ve an enormous world footprint, loads of curiosity early on in stepping into the Americas. Uh, we then visited with AHLA and Kevin Carey and his group doing such great work over there advocacy for our trade and a few actually cool initiatives that we had been capable of sit down with Kevin for a couple of minutes and chat about, uh, Jan Freitag from STR our lodge Knowledge North Star and compass. They only launched a revised forecast for the hospitality trade. So we went over some main factors of that revised forecast and eventually we bought the chance to take a seat down with president and CEO Finest Western Larry Cuculic. What an exquisite dialog about the most effective Western model and the way they’re implementing, um, a few of that AI and expertise into their model, and capitalizing on not solely the World Cup, but additionally America 250. So great insights that you just’re solely gonna discover right here on the candy spot. Thanks for becoming a member of us. We hope you get pleasure from these unique interviews from NYU IHIF 2026. Whats up everybody. Welcome to a different episode of The Candy Spot. We’re reside on location at NYU IHIF 2026 right here with Genna, the VP of US and Canada Growth for Minor Accommodations. Genna, thanks a lot for taking the time to cease and the busy new york and speak with us immediately.
Genna Panagopoulos:Thanks for having me.
Ryan Embree:Enthusiastic about, this present. A number of vitality, loads of buzz. You already know, once you come to an NYU speaking to ownerships, loads of capital right here, what are the dialog sort of stem round, and what does a profitable NYU present seem like as you head again to your house base? Certain.
Genna Panagopoulos:Profitable NYU would actually be discovering some offers, perpetuating some offers. So hopefully advancing some alternatives and it’s actually all about for proper now as a result of we’re comparatively new into the area. Educating our house owners and the, the broader improvement neighborhood. So, you understand, a few of, a number of the gamers do already know us, however within the luxurious house, however there’s lots of people we gotta get out in entrance of and introduce Minor inns to.
Ryan Embree:And this can be a excellent place and, clearly an amazing metropolis to do this in. What has been sort of the suggestions? I imply, you’ve been tasked with this huge job. We now have such an amazing model, worldwide, you’re bringing it right here to us, Canada, and North America. What have been a few of these preliminary conversations and listening to that and preliminary curiosity and suggestions from house owners?
Genna Panagopoulos:Yeah, we’ve had loads of suggestions and curiosity on Anantara. So a few of our, you understand, established luxurious manufacturers which are fairly well-known when you understand the luxurious lodge house in a worldwide surroundings. Certain. So these house owners have truly come to us saying, we’re actually excited in regards to the alternatives right here. In order that’s one piece. After all now we have NH Accommodations, NH assortment, and NH, that are very well-known manufacturers, particularly in Mediterranean, Europe. Yeah. And, Central and South America. So there’s pleasure round that too.
Ryan Embree:Does it assist, I imply, having such a global model, we bought the World Cup right here, proper? In a pair months. You sort of utilizing that as perhaps some momentum as you sort of come into, and introduce this model into the Americas.
Genna Panagopoulos:Completely. There’s loads of, you understand, I’m additionally educating Minor of the markets we wanna be in and in order that’s positively serving to as properly and placing some locations on the map.
Ryan Embree:And let’s speak about that as a result of there’s been some introduced tasks already proper right here truly in New York. Speak about that undertaking slightly bit.
Genna Panagopoulos:Sure. Thanks for asking too. We now have a Worsely Lodge that’s opening, right here subsequent 12 months. It’s gonna be tremendous thrilling as a result of Worsely is a restaurant model that we’re taking into the lodge house. So it’s the primary of its form and nowhere higher than to start out in New York comes from London. So there’s loads of correlation between the 2 markets.
Ryan Embree:One among a form hospitality venue and a considered one of a form metropolis, so. Precisely. However one other undertaking we’re actually enthusiastic about simply ’trigger we’re residence based mostly, clearly in Orlando proper down the highway, a vibrant line away in Miami. Speak to us slightly bit about that undertaking and the way that’s completely different. Yeah,
Genna Panagopoulos:It’s a excessive rise constructing inbuilt Miami. Hasn’t began building but, but it surely’ll open in 2030. It’ll be an Anantara lodge with branded residences, each personal branded residences and, um, ones that can be capable of be rented to lodge friends as properly. Tremendous wellness oriented. There’s gonna be a extremely intensive spa. Proper. Very experiential. Fantastic for the residents which are gonna be shopping for, the residence.
Ryan Embree:It’s unbelievable. It sounds such as you guys are actually taking good care of the entire sort of standard journey tendencies proper now. Proper. FMB has actually had this resurgence in hospitality with the undertaking right here. Wellness, clearly an enormous piece of what hospitality is leaning into and what vacationers are trying ahead to. So having that flexibility between the manufacturers too, I’m positive is a positively a enjoyable place to be when having these conversations with house owners. However you talked about one other undertaking in Turks and Caicos.
Genna Panagopoulos:Turks and Caicos. So now we have an Anantara in Turks and Caicos that I consider will open in 2029. So so as we’ll have one in New York subsequent 12 months, after which 29 on Ontario journeys and Caicos 2030, Miami.
Ryan Embree:So no scarcity of reports on the Minor Lodge facet. Congratulations to you and your group. Thanks. As you wrap up, I imply, what’s your imaginative and prescient? What’s your aim? As you deliver Minor Accommodations into the North American area?
Genna Panagopoulos:Yeah. Properly, if I take into consideration subsequent 12 months at NYU, I hope folks, extra individuals are coming in the direction of us. Enthusiastic about us being a distinct model a distinct mindset. So we provide, we consider ourselves slightly bit otherwise from the mum or dad manufacturers which are already established right here as a result of now we have, you understand, possession nonetheless of most of our portfolio or we lease most of our portfolio. Um, so I hope there’s extra inbound visitors coming in the direction of my means. I hope folks usually simply strolling down the road know us slightly bit extra. Actually. You already know, white Lotus helped us with Anantara, so there’s lots of people who Oh, sure, are are diehard Anantara followers due to that. However that’s what I’m hoping for. And finally we’d like to have an workplace right here. So so long as we do our, our, our work, proper, we, we get a robust pipeline, we’ll be capable of have an workplace, a regional workplace in, in North America.
Ryan Embree:Unbelievable. Properly, tremendous thrilling. Can’t wait to compensate for all of the thrilling tasks that you’ve got at Minor Accommodations. That is the primary of a pair collaborations we’ll be doing with Minor inns, so ensure you keep tuned. Congratulations once more, Genna. And thanks for taking the time to talk with us immediately.
Genna Panagopoulos:Thanks for having me.
Ryan Embree:Whats up everybody. Welcome to a different episode of The Suite Spot. We’re reside on location, New York Metropolis at NYU IHIF. I’m right here with Kevin Carey, President and CEO of the AHLA Basis and COO of AHLA. Kevin, not your first time on the Suite Spot. Respect you taking a while and becoming a member of me right here immediately.
Kevin Carey:It’s lways a pleasure to spend time with you.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, it’s enjoyable.Unbelievable occasion to this point. NYU clearly AHLA, AHLA Basis Ahead has an enormous presence right here. What does, you understand, once you come to the occasion like this, we all the time speak in hospitality, these occasions are all the time going to exist it doesn’t matter what. Know-how comes down the pike as a result of hospitality, we’re folks, proper. We like connecting. What’s a profitable NYU IHIF seem like for you and your group?
Kevin Carey:Properly, It’s all the time an necessary time period within the 12 months at, as we method midyear to verify in with our members, to have that dialog in regards to the advocacy points we’re main on behalf of the trade to listen to how the enterprise efficiency is monitoring as properly. And simply to construct enthusiasm and engagement for the occasions and the initiatives that we’re main, not solely within the affiliation, however with the muse as properly.
Ryan Embree:And none extra necessary than the No Room for Trafficking initiative that you just and your group have finished some fabulous work on. I imply, now we have all types of manufacturers up on stage, typically with differing opinions right here and there, however one trigger that everybody in our trade has actually gotten behind, and it’s the work of you and your group, is that this No Room for Rrafficking? We all the time prefer to unfold consciousness of this. Speak to us slightly about, about on that entrance and the progress you’re seeing and making.
Kevin Carey:Properly, this can be a longstanding dedication that the trade has to human trafficking prevention and consciousness. It began in 2019 with the event of the No Room For Trafficking Initiative and its deal with coaching and expanded in 2022 to incorporate the Survivor Fund. So that is an space the place AHLA and the muse particularly serves as a convening entity to deliver the trade collectively to rally round this necessary situation to work, to construct consciousness that’ll drive prevention of human trafficking, and likewise to assemble funds to assist help survivors. So this can be a dedication not solely on a longstanding foundation, but additionally on a going ahead foundation as properly.
Ryan Embree:And such inspiring tales that you just’ve informed through the years. And other people, you understand, hoteliers and different folks listening to this will actually get behind and encourage folks to kinda take a look at that initiative. One other sort of initiative that you just’ve finished in these occasions that, once we’re speaking about these occasions is ahead. We had a report breaking attendance a pair months in the past within the spring. Speak to us about how that’s. And also you even have a few of these the ahead initiatives right here at NYU.
Kevin Carey:We do throughout the basis, our mission is to advance the workforce of the trade. And we try this by a spotlight not solely on the present workforce, these over 2 million associates and colleagues who ship hospitality everyday, but additionally how will we entice the longer term workforce to the trade. I talked about being a convening entity. The inspiration brings collectively the trade throughout all segments. And there’s two areas the place we consider we are able to make a distinction. One is round human trafficking that we simply spoke about, but additionally across the ahead initiative which is geared in the direction of, and its functions to advance girls within the hospitality trade and in management roles within the hospitality trade. So we had been delighted to host our most up-to-date ahead convention in Atlanta, again in April. And the outcomes had been excellent however actually the momentum and the influence that that ahead is having is basically, which has us so enthusiastic and dedicated to this initiative shifting ahead.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, that’s gotta be so cool to see trade leaders in hospitality increase their fingers and wish to be part of this motion and actually see the outcomes from that.
Kevin Carey:Properly, it’s grown from simply being a convention, that began in 2018 and had about 150 folks on the first occasion to now over 1100 attendees. However because it because it has expanded from a convention to a management improvement curriculum. And also you talked about the ahead alternate, which occurred, right here in New York earlier immediately, the place it introduced collectively over 100 early and mid stage profession and professionals of girls and a few males who’re collaborating together with their friends to deal with networking and constructing these relationships to allow them to be properly suited and tackle roles, over time within the trade.
Ryan Embree:Actually cool to see. And once more, most likely some unbelievable tales coming from that through the years because the because the initiative matures. One factor that, that hospitality usually, actually trying ahead to, we bought large summer season, proper? We’re normally actually enthusiastic about summer season is simply ’explanation for the journey season, children being outta college. However this summer season specifically, we’ve been trying ahead to for a pair years. We bought World Cup on the horizon, lastly. We performed only a couple miles from right here and in America 250. What are you sort of listening to from hoteliers and the way are AHLA actually, gearing up for these large occasions, showcasing our trade?
Kevin Carey:Properly, these are actually defining alternatives, for the trade to help these friends to welcome that demand, to drive the hospitality infrastructure over time. So there’s loads of enthusiasm across the potential that that represents and as we’ve seen on stage already immediately the leads to the primary a part of the 12 months for the trade have been constructive. a lot of the outlooks are growing the Revpar and ADR and different trade metrics, right here with the these massive occasions we’re nonetheless ready to see a number of the demand materialize and we’re in a vital time period proper now, about 10 days out earlier than the video games to see that hopefully what’ll be a late surge in bookings, then translate into additional enterprise success for the trade.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. Hopefully, and hopefully see that worldwide journey proceed to come back again to North America, you understand, loads of hoteliers, hoping for that. Zooming in slightly bit on a AHLA summertime, additionally time for interns, proper. Are available and we’ve talked about this earlier than. I imply, internships, mentorship in hospitality. So vital. I imply, all through the years we’ve had these staffing shortages and we’ve talked about getting artistic, our trade, getting artistic on methods to fill these roles, internships being considered one of them. Speak about slightly bit in regards to the AHLA internship program and what these interns are are prepared for this summer season.
Kevin Carey:Properly, it’s not new. We’ve had a properly established program from a lot of years now. And, and we’re excited yearly to deliver a lot of interns into our group throughout every perform. we’ll have an interns within the authorities affairs group, in advertising and marketing, within the basis. it’s so refreshing to interact them in our work to see their enthusiasm about their future to see them decide up precious expertise and expertise of being in an workplace surroundings, studying extra. And you understand what? They, they’ve an actual influence. They’ve some enjoyable alongside the best way as properly and now we have an exquisite session on the finish the place they get to current the outcomes of a number of the work within the initiatives that they’ve been engaged on. So it’s an annual alternative that we glance very ahead to. They usually’ll be beginning simply in a couple of week’s time. so it’ll be an amazing one other repeatevent for us.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. Like to see it. You already know, once more, any means that we are able to have extra publicity to all sides of hospitality. Beause as we all know, it’s not simply, you understand, the entrance desk. There’s so many parts to it and there’s none extra demonstrated by how large our hospitality trade is than by the hospitality present that you just placed on. And this 12 months is gonna be proper in our yard. In Miami, Florida. Get us slightly bit enthusiastic about what we are able to count on at this 12 months’s fourth annual. That is our fourth Hospitality Present, right?
Kevin Carey:So we began in Vegas, went to San Antonio, we’re in Denver final 12 months. A number of enthusiasm popping out of Denver for the content material. After which what’s distinctive in regards to the hospitality present is it’s actually the one convention within the trade with a deal with operations and the way operations is driving profitability. So there’s a terrific enthusiasm and individuals are trying ahead to being in Miami, coming collectively in This fall, all segments of the trade represented. So we’ll have the manufacturers we’ll have administration firms, house owners, service suppliers, suppliers, impartial inns additionally play an necessary function within the trade. So we’re about to open registration and that’ll actually kickstart, the deal with November 2-4 in Miami.
Ryan Embree:Properly we’re trying ahead to it. We’re hoping to go 4/4 on masking the hospitality present. Particularly with it being proper there in our yard. Kevin, we all know you’re busy. Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk with us immediately on a few of these necessary initiatives. And hopefully we’ll see you in Miami in only a few months.
Kevin Carey:Hopefully I’ve one thing else on.
Ryan Embree:Alright. Respect it. Thanks.
Kevin Carey:Thanks a lot.
Ryan Embree:Whats up everybody. Ryan Embree. right here reside at NYU IHIF 2026 right here with Jan the Nationwide Director of Hospitality Analytics at CoStar. Jan, you had been simply on a panel. Thanks for taking the time to leap off and communicate with us.
Jan Freitag:Completely.
Ryan Embree:State of the state, love the title clearly you’re the north star of hospitality knowledge on the market. Jan, revised forecasts simply got here out. Speak to us slightly bit about these factors that you just had been sharing with the viewers immediately.
Jan Freitag:So we’re suggesting that RevPAR this 12 months is gonna develop 2.8%, which may be very completely different from the best way we appeared on the world on the ALIS Lodge Funding Convention. First quarter efficiency was way more stronger than we had anticipated than the general public traded firms had anticipated the manufacturers or the …. And loads of them have revised their 12 months finish forecast up. So, you understand, we adopted go well with. Now they, most of them simply revised their forecast by the outperformance of Q1. However we’re suggesting No, no, there’s momentum. So we truly took our forecast up by much more to 2.8%, 2% pushed by ADR and 0.8 by occupancy, which is basically good to see. ’trigger it implies that demand is outpacing provide. You already know, so we get occupancy good points after which some pricing energy.
Ryan Embree:Like to see that. I imply we had been right here a 12 months in the past with Amanda who’s speaking about making an attempt to decipher by the noise, loads of noise proper now. However nice to see the momentum with these revisions and so necessary to have these revisions as a result of the panorama can change ever so quickly as you understand. However speaking in regards to the provide, speak to us slightly bit, go into slightly bit extra in depth after which clearly each market is completely different. What markets proper now are operating slightly bit scorching on provide?
Jan Freitag:Yeah, so fational forecast for Provide goes to 0.4%, not a complete lot. Proper. The long term common is 1.6, so we’re properly beneath that. The variety of rooms in building was once between, we all know, 150,000 – 160,000. It’s now 140,000. So it’s kind of staying there. It’s simply so costly to get something finished. And rates of interest are nonetheless excessive and will go larger. Who is aware of, we’re not making rate of interest forecast. However you understand, there’s positively not this concept of how we must always reduce, you understand, rates of interest twice this 12 months or so. I believe these days are gone, you understand, and so now the query is, okay, so the place are folks getting issues finished? And you may take a look at it by markets. So a few them are ordinary suspects. So Nashville, very sturdy, Dallas, Houston, Denver, Phoenix. So these are markets kind of within the smile states, kind of within the Sunbelt that also get lots of people shifting there. And you understand, migration determines the financial efficiency. And so we’re seeing much more room provide development there, however there’re simply loads of markets the place it’s very, very onerous to get something finished due to that larger value of building and of the upper rate of interest. So I might single out these markets, however general the image is relatively muted. On the provision facet. So what meaning then, for current house owners is the time to renovate is true now %. Since you wish to be the brand new child on the block with the brand new lodge, there’s not loads of new competitors coming. That is time to renovate and actually put your finest foot ahead.
Ryan Embree:One hundred percent. And you understand, one of many different matters we talked about, otherwise you talked about relatively on stage was segments proper now luxurious, doing very, very properly main the best way. Clearly loads of bifurcation, that Okay-shaped financial system. What are you seeing throughout the segments proper now?
Jan Freitag:Yeah, I imply there aren’t any incorrect solutions in luxurious, proper? I imply, luxurious final 12 months was the winner. This 12 months is the winner. We’re projecting, very wholesome RevPAR development double of what we’re saying for the nation. We predict the luxurious class can materialize. After which what’s very nice to see is that for upscale higher midscale midscale, there’s additionally RevPAR development there, which we hadn’t seen final 12 months. And to me that speaks to the power actually of the American financial system. However it kind of permeates towards all revenue lessons. Now the exception is was and sadly can be doubtless the financial system sector now even there we’re suggesting RevPAR’s rising, but it surely’s simply, you understand, 0.8% name that flat for all intent and functions.
Ryan Embree:Worldwide journey too, clearly World Cup on the heels of this. What are you see any attention-grabbing knowledge factors there you wanna share good forward of the America 250 and World Cup?
Jan Freitag:There are two very completely different vibes coming from the panel that I used to be on. Adam Sacks previous to US presenting was speaking about, oh wow, worldwide inbound is basically nonetheless fairly a bit decrease than it was in 2019. However the gentleman from the NTTO, the Nationwide Journey Tourism Group was like, no, we’re projecting rock and roll, actually sturdy development of worldwide inbound. The reality might be gonna someplace within the tween this 12 months. World Cup is gonna drive loads of worldwide vacationers. What I’m questioning about although is are a few of these vacationers mainly stealing from 2025 and from 2027 and now they’re saying, oh, let’s not go in 25, let’s go in 26. After which when subsequent 12 months comes round, they’re like, we simply went to the us you understand, and never go in 27 both. So I simply hope that the extra constructive spin from the federal government comes true and this and, and never that we’re simply kind of packing every little thing into this 12 months after which worldwide inbound is gonna deteriorate.
Ryan Embree:So many attention-grabbing knowledge factors. Anybody specifically you could have your eyes on the place, you understand, clearly we love a pleasant rosy outlook and attempt to search for alternatives by the entire knowledge that’s on the market, however anybody’s which are like surprising knowledge factors or one thing that you just’re no less than keeping track of proper now?
Jan Freitag:Yeah, so there are a pair, however the one which I’m actually targeted on is client value index. All the things is getting costlier and in order that signifies that inns will see their value improve. And the large query then is how a lot of that value improve can they go on to the shopper? And I simply informed you that our ADR forecast for this 12 months is 2% and inflation is gonna be what, 3.5 or one thing? I imply, it’s gonna be way more than that outpacing that. In order that’s actually the crux and I believe that’s what we right here at NYU, to speak to house owners and buyers and administration firms have determine, okay, so how can we hold our margins increasing even perhaps how do you try this on this surroundings the place high line development could also be not retaining tempo with with inflation. So the CPI quantity is basically one thing I’m keeping track of.
Ryan Embree:Yeah, fairly difficult time proper now. relating to margins and hospitality that we, once more, making an attempt to suss out and determine right here, what are these perhaps opportunistic knowledge factors that you just’re seeing that you just’re saying this, that is actually good, perhaps surprising on the opposite finish of the spectrum?
Jan Freitag:Yeah, I believe the People are wealthier than they ever have been. And Adam Sachs has this fascinating knowledge level the place he exhibits on the emerge that the center class in America is shrinking, however a part of it’s as a result of much more individuals are wealthy. So individuals are shifting up the revenue chain and that permits ’em then to spend extra money on experiences, very clear that individuals favor experiences over items. And we’re proper in that Suite Spot.
Ryan Embree:That continues to be the expertise over stuff. We like to see that. And then you definitely’re sort of right here celebrating an anniversary/birthday of your podcast, is it? You already know you’re, you’re normally, usually was once within the host, not a lot the friends, so thanks. Inform us slightly bit extra and perhaps the place our lodge viewers can discover the insights that you just present.
Jan Freitag:Yeah, and thanks for having me. So now we have our personal podcast. My colleague Isaac Collazo from STR and myself get collectively as soon as a month. It’s referred to as Inform Me Extra, A Hospitality Knowledge podcast. And three years in the past at juniors throughout the road over cheesecake, we kind of hatched the thought. And so now we’re, I don’t know, like, you understand, nearly 30 episodes into it. And we get collectively as soon as a month and we simply kind of riff on the information and hopefully you may be a part of us.
Ryan Embree:I like it. That’s superior. Properly, Jan, thanks a lot. Very busy time. Respect you stopping by and speaking to us.
Jan Freitag:My pleasure. Thanks a lot.
Ryan Embree:Alright. Whats up everybody. Ryan Embree right here with the Suite Spot. We’re reside at NYU IHIF 2026 right here with Larry Cuculic, President and CEO of BWH Accommodations. Larry, thanks a lot for taking time outta your busy schedule to hitch us right here on the Suite Spot.
Larry Cuculic:It’s my absolute pleasure. Thanks for the invitation and for permitting me to share some ideas with regard to the success and BWH inns.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. We’ve bought quite a bit to cowl trigger you’ve bought quite a bit occurring proper now. However let’s begin with this occasion, proper? NYU IHIF, lot of main manufacturers right here what does a profitable NYU seem like for you and your group?
Larry Cuculic:To us, a profitable NYU is interacting with builders and buyers such that they’re conscious of what BWH has develop into. We’re now 18 manufacturers, over 4,000 inns in over 100 international locations and territories from premium financial system as much as luxurious inns. We acquired world inns about six years in the past. And so it actually is continuous to teach in regards to the potentialities of their associating with BWH inns as a result of we might be singularly targeted on their success in the event that they companion with us. And also you’re additionally in a powerhouse panel tomorrow, the Government Trade Hospitality Efficiency Methods for Success give our viewers slightly bit a sneak peek of what you’re gonna be speaking about on stage.
Larry Cuculic:Properly, we’re gonna be speaking about after all, the financial system close to time period in addition to long run projections for what that appears like. we’ll be speaking in regards to the significance of loyalty packages. We’ll be speaking in regards to the influence of actually the financial system and issues like labor insurance coverage and the way we as manufacturers must deal with the success of our inns by providing them packages to essentially offset that influence on web RevPAR.
Ryan Embree:And I’m positive one of many topics and matters that we introduced up in your panel, definitely one thing we speak about these hospitality occasions is, AI and expertise. And we had the privilege of getting SVP and your CTO Invoice Ryan on on the Hospitality Present a pair months in October, gave us slightly little bit of lay of the land when it got here to AI and expertise. How do you’re feeling personally that this expertise is basically altering the best way that vacationers select inns, but additionally how they’ve their lodge expertise, their visitor expertise?
Larry Cuculic:Certain. So the very first thing we’re doing is we’re reinvesting in our .com in addition to our app. And we wish them to be straightforward to make use of intuitive, however we additionally wanna make sure that they’ve content material that convinces friends once they’re procuring that our inns will present them sort of that customization and personalization. ’trigger it’s not a couple of commodity, a lodge room, it’s about all these issues that we are able to supply. By means of instance we’re partnering with an AI company to sort of harvest content material with regard to the place our inns are positioned in these communities. On the identical time, we’ll take that harvested content material and we’ll filter it by our hoteliers who reside in these communities and create the content material that would be the AI reply when any individual’s on the lookout for a spot to remain. They usually’ll know that we wish them to have the absolute best time whereas we’re in that neighborhood, not simply staying with us as a lodge, that we acknowledge that individuals don’t need simply to remain, they need actually a journey.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. One thing that we aspire in hospitality to supply that not only a lodge keep, however an expertise. And we talked to Joelle Park in regards to the energy of storytelling and the way that may play a part in among the finest tales, clearly that you just simply had a extremely thrilling announcement with is America 250 and the story of this nice nation. So speak to us slightly bit about that partnership and what BWH Accommodations is doing with America 250.
Larry Cuculic:Properly, we’re a sponsor of America 250, and we’re encouraging our hoteliers to embrace the 250th anniversary of the beginning of our nation. And a part of that’s not simply USA 250, we even have the a hundredth anniversary of Route 66. We now have inns which have been with us, consider it or not, now we have a lodge that’s been with us 75 years. And it speaks to the heritage of our model. So we’ll be leaning into the historical past of this nice nation. On the identical time we’ll be leaning into the historical past of our nice model and inspiring folks to journey and see america and all that it has to supply regardless of the place you go. And the great thing about our inns now we have 2200 of them in North America and wherever they’re going to go, we wish them to know that now we have a lodge that can meet their journey leads such that they’ll expertise actually the 250th anniversary of USA.
Ryan Embree:Yeah. It’s a extremely thrilling partnership proper in at an inflection level with the World Cup as properly. So introducing perhaps some worldwide journey additionally to the model and the nation. You already know, you’re an amazing following on LinkedIn. I encourage our viewers, should you haven’t, ensure you observe Larry, however one of many belongings you’re reflecting in your North American regional conferences that you just’ve finished up so far in 2026 and also you quoted to say that you really want BWH inns to develop into essentially the most welcoming model on this planet. What does that imply to you and the way is your group working to attain that?
Larry Cuculic:Properly, welcoming signifies that we’re gracious hosts, but it surely additionally signifies that we’re, I’ll name it straightforward to do enterprise with understanding, being versatile and recognizing that we’re any individual you’d wish to be companions with. At any time when anybody walks right into a lodge we must always inform them, you understand, welcome, we’re glad you’re right here by means of instance. However I used to think about it that means by way of being gracious host and every little thing that occurs on the lodge, however once I consider welcoming, I additionally wish to take into consideration our new.com and app. Once more, it’s that ease of use and personalization in order that once you go there, we all know it’s you and we wish to assist you to make good choices with regard to journey. So welcoming is about ease of.com, the app we’re redoing our loyalty program. I believe Joel most likely talked to you about that. And we wish the loyalty program to be welcoming as properly. Properly, what does that imply? Properly, that signifies that once you work together with us, you’ll know what number of factors you could have. You’ll know they by no means expire. You’ll know that you need to use them to purchase down the worth of a room at any level. That you simply don’t should, to have as many factors for a full keep to leverage these factors. It’s a price of this system. And naturally welcoming. I all the time lean into the significance of being not only a gracious host, however any individual that appreciates our friends. To me, that’s welcoming as a result of you need to acknowledge that individuals, they’re touring with their households, it’s one thing that you just wanna depart a terrific impression on them and their household. And also you additionally need them to know that we admire that they’ve spent their hard-earned cash staying with us. To me, that’s being appreciative gracious hosts. And that’s a part of the welcoming. It’s not, the welcoming doesn’t simply occur once they enter. Welcoming needs to be total keep.
Ryan Embree:So key. And the manufacturers that sort of make that reference to their vacationers, particularly in a time the place, I imply, we simply talked about on this interview AI expertise, there’s far more locations develop into disconnected, to seek out that connection, that human to human connection. Essential proper now. In order we wrap up the interview, clearly at these occasions we’re all the time, whether or not it’s the hospitality knowledge we’re trying into, whether or not it’s a dialog, we’re all the time making an attempt to take a glimpse into the longer term, making an attempt to foretell that future. Larry what do you see, what’s your imaginative and prescient for the way forward for BWH Accommodations.
Larry Cuculic:Folks will all the time wanna journey. And for us, if we are able to develop into that welcoming model that appreciates our friends, we are going to construct that loyalty. After we construct that loyalty, that program will develop. Our income supply model direct will develop which is the bottom value for us by way of that reservation for our hoteliers however what I believe I might additionally supply to you is we’re additionally very targeted on considerate development. And what meaning is should you develop your loyalty program, you additionally wanna ensure you have inns which are in places the place friends wish to go. Be it London, be it Rome, be it Frankfurt, be it Bangkok, regardless of the place it’s all over the world. And so, you understand, now we have a, a spotlight aim of 5,000 inns, which suggests we are going to develop thoughtfully, however with our friends in thoughts. And since when now we have a lodge be a part of us, our sole focus is the success of that lodge in addition to having a top quality lodge the place friends wish to go.
Ryan Embree:That’s superior. Properly, we want you nothing however success. Hopefully perhaps can be a part of the Suite Spot when that 5,000 lodge opens and we are able to have a good time that collectively. However within the meantime, thanks, Larry, for taking the outing of your day to hitch us right here on the Suite spot.
Larry Cuculic:Properly, thanks. Thanks for the chance. Very a lot admire it.
Speaker 2:To affix our loyalty program, be sure you subscribe and provides us a 5 star studying on iTunes. Suite Spot is produced by Journey Media Group. Our editor is Brandon Bell with Cowl Artwork by Bary Gordon. I’m your host Ryan Embree, and we hope you loved your keep.
