Hospitality Leaders Must Evolve: Hunter Hotel Investment Conference 2025 Takeaways

Approximately 2,000 hospitality professionals convened at the 36th annual Hunter Hotel Investment Conference this month at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. The event highlighted strategies and insights for today's evolving landscape and brought together hotel owners, investors, consultants, and industry leaders. Riveron experts compiled key conference takeaways for business leaders in the sector:

• Anticipating continued uncertainty: Industry experts, including major hospitality brands and owners, highlighted ongoing market volatility driven by shifting policies, anticipated slowing economic growth, and geopolitical factors. The hospitality industry's resilience—honed through the challenges of the pandemic—remains a strong counterforce.
• Monitoring buy/sell activity in the hospitality sector: With debt maturities and valuation adjustments on the horizon, 2025 presents a strategic opportunity for acquiring lodging assets. Additionally, a forecasted increase in distressed properties available in the market magnifies the opportunity to buy, especially by private equity sponsors. It is time to go shopping—for investment opportunities. Scott Trebilco, Senior Managing Director of Real Estate at Blackstone, noted that while hotel supply is limited and demand remains robust, broader economic factors are causing the firm to be prudent with new hotel investments in the United States. Instead, Blackstone has been focusing on opportunities in international markets like Japan and Europe, as well as sectors such as data centers and housing.
• Considering revenue trends and the need for operational efficiency: Rising labor costs, commodities costs, and inflation continue to outpace revenue growth. To drive profitability, business leaders must focus on shared services, innovation, and streamlined back-office processes, according to hospitality industry experts.
• Keeping it simple with the right technological innovations: The discussion reinforced the need for technology solutions that enhance not only guest experiences but also owner experiences. Hospitality organizations can achieve this by simplifying technology complexities, such as mechanisms and protocols that enable different software platforms, property systems, and databases to communicate and share data efficiently. This will enable leaders to use technology for timely reporting, forecasting, and better decision-making. Further, leaders should consider how to unify and simplify technology across brands, hotel ownership portfolios, and management companies.
• Remembering the last word: A universal agreement emerged—success in the face of headwinds depends on delivering consistent brand experiences while prioritizing guest satisfaction.

Overall, the conference underscored the critical need for adaptability, operational excellence, and strategic foresight as the hospitality industry navigates an evolving landscape.