The Hunter Hotel Investment Conference has announced speakers and new initiatives added into this year’s programming. The additions to this year’s schedule underscore Hunter’s commitment to incorporate new topics and perspectives to its growing attendee base, establishing itself as the one of the leading conferences in the hospitality industry.
This year, Cassie Kozyrkov, Google’s first chief decision scientist, will lead a session on AI and its evolving impact on the hospitality industry. Joining the 2024 speaker lineup is Oz Pearlman, the mentalist known for his appearances on several reality television shows. Attendees can expect to get a mental break with Pearlman amidst the conference’s busy agenda.
Other key speakers include Ed Bastian, CEO of Delta Air Lines; Anthony Capuano, president and CEO of Marriott International; and Leslie Hale, president and CEO of RLJ Lodging Trust.
This year’s conference will mark a milestone, with 51% of the speakers representing diversity, including women and underrepresented groups. This initiative highlights Hunter’s efforts to feature a range of perspectives and voices for its expanding audience.
“Every event benefits from having greater diversity of thought and balance across its speaker lineup. Showcasing speakers with a wide range of perspectives on the stage is a benefit for attendees while simultaneously ensuring greater visibility for these leaders, which will move the needle further on overall representation in the hospitality industry,” said Rachel Humphrey, founder of Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance.
Hunter has also launched a slew of initiatives this year, which will become regular features in future conferences. Most notably, Hunter will introduce ‘The Table,’ an inclusive initiative inviting attendees to participate in roundtable discussions facilitated by industry professionals with diverse backgrounds, experiences and careers in the hospitality industry. Partnering with the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, ‘The Table’ is the only session open to both registered as well as non-registered attendees, emphasizing Hunter’s commitment to amplifying all voices.
Another notable initiative added this year is the student-focused panel — Class of 2024. Featuring students and industry veterans, such as president and CEO of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Geoff Ballotti and Graduate Hotels president Kevin Osterhaus, the session will explore the intersection of academia and hospitality, reflecting the increasing involvement of colleges in the Hunter conference.
In partnerships with more than 13 universities nationwide, this initiative reflects Hunter’s commitment in investing in the future generation of hospitality leaders, as the conference welcomes more than 100 students this year.
“As we celebrate our 35th conference, we continue to grow the program, perspectives and topics year after year,” said Lee Hunter, chairman of the Hunter Hotel Investment Conference. “With attendees at the forefront of every part of the planning process, I am immensely proud of our team for intentionally crafting this year’s innovative programming, with distinguished speakers and impactful sessions set to debut at Hunter.”
The conference will be held from March 19-21 at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.