NEW YORK — HX: The Hotel Experience, North America’s largest trade event for the hospitality industry (formerly IHMRS), has transitioned to full ownership under Hospitality Management Group (HMG), a division of ST Media Group.
HMG announced the change of ownership at the opening of the 2017 show in November. In addition, the event will transition to HX365, a year-round concept.
HX was previously co-owned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA), the Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC), and the New York State Hospitality and Tourism Association (NYSHTA).
The transformation to HX365 is meant to amplify the experience beyond the show, producing content throughout the year, according to HMG. HX365 will provide resources for those who create the guest experience and will curate and explore the latest trends, disruptions and successes in the industry.
The HX365 expansion includes many key features to benefit attendees, hotel and restaurant professionals, and industry suppliers.
“As new owners, we see great opportunity to invest in the transition of HX from a stand-alone trade show to include year-round digital access and a full conference in conjunction with the trade show, both designed around thought leadership in the hotel and hospitality profession,” says ST Media Group President Tedd Swormstedt. "We want to create a home for hotel professionals, a vibrant community where owners, GMs, their teams, and suppliers can learn, network and enhance their leadership skills to grow their organizations.”
HMG says the acquisition also includes purchase of the 50% share of Boutique Design New York (BDNY) owned by AHLA, HANYC and NYSHTA, giving HMG full ownership. BDNY was launched in 2010 as joint venture between HMG and the three associations.
“BDNY has experienced tremendous success, creating a great community of design professionals that reflects an engaging and vibrant experience,” says Swormstedt. “Our goal is to create that same level of community and immersion within HX.”
Mark Dorr, president of NYSHTA says, “We are excited to see what is next for HX and the vision to become a year-long resource for the hotel industry.”
“We are proud of our contributions to grow HX to what it is today and look forward to seeing it evolve to meet the changing needs of our members,” adds HANYC’s President and CEO Vijay Dandapani.
Katherine Lugar, president and CEO of AHLA, echoed the sentiments, saying, “AHLA has been a proud partner of this event celebrating our industry and we look forward to HMG’s plans to build on the 100-plus-year legacy of this important event.”
Swormstedt says that the expansion of HX365 allows for an entirely new engine to drive progress in a rapidly changing industry.
“We see so many disruptions and exciting technological advances in the ways hotels do business today, with more to come at an even quicker rate than before,” he says. “HMG is excited to be at the forefront leading the conversations between GMs and hoteliers for today and for the future. We look forward to the ways HX365 will be a true partner to professionals who shape the hotel experience to stay on the cutting edge of our industry.”
New initiatives are set to roll out beginning in spring 2018.
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