The International Luxury Hotel Association‘s INSPIRE 2024 conference was a spectacular event, held at the iconic Fontainebleau Las Vegas on December 4-5. This year’s gathering brought together almost 1000 industry leaders, including hotel executives, investors, developers, and innovative partners from various sectors that support the industry.
Conference Highlights
Dynamic Speakers and Engaging Sessions
The conference featured an impressive lineup of speakers who shared their insights on the luxury hospitality landscape. Key sessions included:
- Opening Remarks: Barak Hirschowitz, President of ILHA, welcomed attendees, followed by Shane Green, founder & CEO of SGEi, who served as the energetic emcee throughout the event.
- Crafting Distinct Brand Identities: A panel with Dan Flannery (Loews Hotels), Jennifer Barnwell (Curator Hotel & Resort Collection), and David Kuperberg (Dream Hotels) moderated by Shane Green.
- Trends in Luxury and Industry Disruptors: Walter Isenberg (Sage Hospitality Group), Keith Space (Fort Hospitality), and Ayesha Molino (Aria Las Vegas) discussed emerging trends and innovations.
- Luxury Hospitality from the Owner’s Perspective: Phil Keb (IHG) led a discussion featuring Homi Vazifdar (Canyon Equity) and Richard Stockton (Braemar Hotels & Resorts).
- Meeting the Needs of Changing Demographics: Ron Pohl (WorldHotels) and Peter Kressaty (LWHA) explored evolving traveler expectations.
- People & Culture Innovations: A dynamic session sponsored by Encore highlighted new strategies for enhancing workplace culture.
Inspiring Initiatives
Brittany Dunn, co-founder of Safe House Project, captivated attendees with her mission to combat human trafficking through strategic partnerships with hotels.
Networking with a Twist
The event was not just about learning; it was also about connecting in a vibrant atmosphere.
- Day one concluded with the Industry Showcase Reception: Cocktails & Conversations, sponsored by Avendra International. Attendees mingled over cocktails in a lively setting that fostered collaboration and camaraderie. Day two wrapped up with an evening reception sponsored by Encore, featuring entertainment from New Moon Entertainment. New Moon brought us an exhilarating roller-skating duo that thrilled the audience with their daring acts. This duo was featured on America’s Got Talent where they received the coveted Golden Buzzer. They have literally performed all over the world and continue to do so, having boarded a plane immediately after their performance at ILHA. Prior to the skating duo was Monika Limlingan, a renowned violinist who has performed on prestigious stages worldwide opened the evening. She has shared the stage as part of the “ALIZMA’ triplets sister violinist group and seen on AGT, the Oscars Governer’s Ball, and her music at the Emmy’s. She also performed with Michael Buble, joining his orchestra at the T-mobile arena in Las Vegas and contributed to his residency at Resorts World.
ILHA Partners
None of this would be possible without the ILHA partners who work with us throughout the year to create an event where incredible people can meet and learn about everything in luxury hospitality. We thank you and are grateful for your support.
Looking Ahead
The ILHA looks forward to announcing INSPIRE 2025 and is already planning to elevate the experience even further, promising an event that will continue to inspire and connect luxury hospitality professionals worldwide.
