NEW YORK — North America’s largest hospitality trade show, HX: The Hotel Experience, will fill the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York Nov. 12-13, says show producer Hospitality Management Group (HMG).
HX will feature 400 exhibitors presenting a broad range of hospitality products and services that create a 360-degree impression of the guest experience, including laundry and linen service, show management says.
“HX gives the hospitality professional an expansive, 360-degree look at the guest experience and how it will impact their property’s appeal, efficiency and profitability,” says Phil Robinson, VP/group show director of event producer HMG.
THE EXPERIENCE
The show features exhibitors, top-of-the-line industry speakers and panels, and live interactive demos, according to HMG.
Special feature areas for HX 2017 include:
- HX360° INNOVATION ZONES. New this year, HMG says the zones are three fully built-out areas designed by industry visionaries to engage attendees in the latest trends in the key hospitality areas of Lobby & Bar, Food & Beverage, and Spa & Wellness.
- HX: TECH. This ever-popular section is bigger than ever, says HMG—filled with the latest technology impacting the hospitality industry. From digital security and signage to drones and robotic service opportunities, attendees are immersed in all the latest hospitality tech. Interactive product demos and thought-provoking presentations round out this high-touch, high-energy area.
- HX: STAGES. The popular HX: Onstage Hotel and Onstage Restaurant returns with rich content, thought-provoking presentations and interactive panel discussions, according to HMG.
EDUCATION
Educational sessions at HX will offer attendees information on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to multi-location food and beverage concepts to deep-dive research into the minds of hotel guests, according to HMG.
“We strive to make the overall content of HX second to none. And this year, we are particularly excited with HX’s conference component,” says Robinson.
Sessions are presented on three stages located on the HX exhibit floor; attendee registration to HX includes unlimited session attendance. Three headliner sessions are planned for HX 2017.
Siri, Alexa, Cortana and Rosie. Oh My! AI on the Rise! Trending Tech Talk: AI + Robotics in the Hospitality Industry (Nov. 12, 3-3:45p.m.)
The constant innovations to the industry driven by tech are astounding. Moderator Valerie Ferguson, director, experience planning and integration, hotels and resorts, Walt Disney Parks & Resorts, explores the impact of robotics and the coming wave of artificial intelligence. The panel features Micah Green, president and CEO, Maidbot, and Steve Ransone, vice president of rooms operations, White Lodging. HMG says they will walk through how robots are already deeply rooted in hotels overseas and analyze how this innovation will enhance the guest experience in North America.
Creating One-of-a-Kind Multi-Concept Operations: Yes, It Can Be Done (Nov. 12, 4-5 p.m.)
Alex Taylor, senior vice president, restaurants and bars, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, looks at a more human element of the guest experience and asks, “How do you maintain the feel of an independent boutique when your operation grows to multiple locations?” The presentation explores how Kimpton has made it work in the hotel restaurant space, says HMG. The key is allowing freedom and creativity to thrive inside the company culture.
Understanding the Minds of Your Guests (Nov. 13, 1-1:30 p.m.)
Knowing how guests respond to your offering is more than just intuitive. Chris Davidson, executive vice president of global strategy, MMGY Global, explores the data and trends from MMGY’s 2017/2018 Portrait of American Travelers®. HMG says Davidson will cover hot topics such as: What is the impact of shared accommodations in micro-hotels? And, are travel agents increasing or decreasing in relevance to guests?
HMG has also shared that Connie Chi, founder and CEO of The Chi Group, a brand agency humanizing brands to better engage and evoke curiosity in the world, will be hosting the Influencer Marketing & Scaling Your Social Media Reach panel Nov. 13 at 11:30 a.m. HMG says that not only will attendees see the latest innovations in hospitality products and services, they will also have the opportunity to stay up-to-date on strategies for marketing, branding, customer satisfaction and more from top names in the industry.
Besides these headliner sessions, HMG says it has a full slate of sessions planned for each day of HX. Topics will include new technology, future trends and hotel culture.
HX: The Hotel Experience is presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), the Hotel Association of New York City Inc. (HANYC), and the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA).
HX is co-located with Boutique Design New York (BDNY). HMG says attendees of the HX show will also be permitted entry into the BDNY show to give a 360-degree view of all things hospitality.
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