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ILHA Introduces New Sessions for INSPIRE 2026

The International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) has made headlines today with its announcement of new sessions for the upcoming INSPIRE 2026 conference. Set to take place on December 15-16 at the JW Marriott Orlando Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, this flagship event in North America's luxury hospitality sector aims to gather industry leaders to discuss critical investment, development, and brand strategies that will dictate the future of luxury hospitality in 2027.

Key Sessions Highlighted

Among the notable additions, the conference will feature a compelling panel titled "Owning Luxury in 2027: Value, Risk, and What Comes Next." This fireside chat will bring together Barry Bloom, President and COO of Xenia Hotels & Resorts, and Keith Space, President of Fort Hospitality, in a discussion moderated by Jonathan Falik, CEO of JF Capital. This session seeks to provide insights from the ownership perspective, answering pivotal questions such as what luxury guests are willing to pay and the costs associated with delivering these high-quality experiences.

"Every owner is going into 2027 asking the same two questions: what will the luxury guest pay for, and what will it cost to deliver it?" remarks Falik. His insights emphasize the need for clarity on evolving capital directions and the expectations from operators and brands in the hospitality landscape.

Additional Discussions on Capital Trends

Other newly introduced sessions will tackle various facets of the luxury hotel investment landscape. The session titled "Value Creation Roadmap: Where Smart Capital Is Moving in Luxury Hotels" will showcase influences from Lily Hu, EVP of Business Strategy at Crescent Hotels & Resorts; Sonia Egyhazy, VP of Luxury Hotel Development at Accor; and Kristina D'Amico, VP of Hotels Asset Management at JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group, moderated by Carolina Lacerda from EY-Parthenon. This line-up is designed to explore the optimal capital directions in luxury hotel investments.

Branding and Margin Optimization in Focus

Another critical session, "Building the Brand: Luxury Development in 2027," will feature leaders such as Shafi Syed from Equinox Hotels and FeiFei Wang from Mandarin Oriental. Together, they'll discuss strategies for branding luxury hospitality in the upcoming year moderated by Dr. Clay B. Dickinson from Horwath HTL.

In addition, the session focused on "Quiet Margins: Protecting Profit Without Touching Guest Experience" examines operational efficiencies to strengthen margins without compromising guest satisfaction, featuring experts like John C. Tolbert and Zach Demuth.

The Future of Design Identity

Moreover, "Luxury Branded Residences: The Future of Design Identity" will highlight how luxury brands leverage branded residences to enhance their identity through design. This session boasts a panel that includes Anna Masello of The One Atelier and Anne Billaz of Lagardere Active Enterprises.

These fresh discussions join an extensive lineup that already includes a conversation with Tina Edmundson, President of Luxury at Marriott International, and Carolyne Doyon, President and CEO of Club Med North America.

Registration and Participation

Registration for INSPIRE 2026 is currently open, and interested parties are encouraged to secure their place before the event. More information can be found at ilha.org/inspire.

About ILHA

For those unfamiliar, the International Luxury Hotel Association stands at the forefront of the luxury hospitality industry's evolution. It links professionals dedicated to enhancing the luxury experience across real estate, hospitality, and travel, with a community exceeding one million members. By facilitating high-level networking and collaborative opportunities, ILHA plays a crucial role in shaping what luxury hospitality will look like in the future.