MAUI, HAWAII—OUTRIGGER Resorts & Hotels recently hosted Youth Ambassadors at OUTRIGGER Kā‘anapali Beach Resort as part of the expanded Sea The Future initiative, originally founded in Hawai‘i in 2018 and now entering a new phase that brings together young leaders from across the Pacific to champion ocean stewardship through education, cultural exchange and hands-on conservation. The initiative spans the Pacific Ocean, West to East, through a new partnership between Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania (HTO) and the Hawai‘i Visitors & Convention Bureau (HVCB). This year’s program gathered Youth Ambassadors from Seattle, Australia, New Zealand and Hawai‘i for a five-day immersive experience on Maui from September 19 to...

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.—On Saturday, September 6, 2025, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City hosted the Out of the Darkness Walk for the sixth consecutive year, in support of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP). Since 2018, Hard Rock Atlantic City has united the local community to raise awareness and funds for suicide prevention, surpassing $1 million in total contributions. As a result of this ongoing commitment, the Atlantic-Cape Out of the Darkness Walk has become the largest event of its kind in the state of New Jersey. For the second year, under the leadership of Hard Rock Atlantic City General Manager Michael Sampson, The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ)...

DENVER—The Hospitality Show, a combination trade show/educational experience, is set for October 26 to 28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. The event promises more than 400 innovative hospitality vendors, more than 100 leading educators and more than 13 hours of networking. “The Hospitality Show is built for you—seriously strategic hotel owners and operators with a razor-sharp focus on profitability,” says Questex LLC, the owner of the show. “From AI-powered housekeeping to revenue management platforms, this is where you’ll find the tools to cut costs, boost revenue, and streamline your operations. Because it’s all about working smarter, not harder.” Highlights of the Show...

GALVESTON, TEXAS—Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa and Convention Center will begin a transformative refresh this fall, investing more than $6 million to upgrade its guestrooms and meeting spaces with a fresh, modern design inspired by nature. The project is scheduled to begin September 22 and continue through February 27, 2026. “This cosmetic upgrade will modernize our guestrooms in a way that draws inspiration from the resort’s lush botanical gardens and organic materials,” said Steve Kalbaugh, General Manager of Moody Gardens Hotel. “We’re excited to provide a refreshed look and feel that aligns with our guests’ expectations and delivers an elevated, AAA Four-Diamond experience.” The refresh includes: Guestroom enhancements,...

PUNTA MITA, MEXICO—Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico announces its debut at Design Miami with “Immersion: Return to Stillness,” a multisensory installation that invites attendees to step into the world of Naviva—a distinctive Four Seasons retreat, with just 15 luxury tented bungalows nestled along the coast of Mexico’s Riviera Nayarit. Premiering at Design Miami.Paris (October 22-26, 2025) before traveling to Design Miami (December 3-7, 2025), the bamboo latticed pavilion, collaboratively designed by Naviva and Luxury Frontiers, embodies the resort’s philosophy that luxury design is not defined by what is added, but instead by the excess that is stripped away. The installation’s debut...

CHICAGO—Outbound Hotels announces the upcoming openings of Outbound Yosemite and Outbound Sedona, two landmark additions in the brand’s portfolio of outdoor-inspired destinations. The news comes alongside an expanded strategic partnership with CoralTree Hospitality, which now manages Outbound’s existing properties, including The Virginian Lodge in Jackson Hole, Wyo., underscoring the brand’s rapid national growth and position as a leader in nature-first hospitality. These milestones mark a new era for the brand, reinforcing its commitment to delivering thoughtfully designed, accessibly priced stays in locations where outdoor adventure, design, and culture intersect. “With the openings of Outbound Yosemite and Outbound Sedona, we’re delivering on our vision to...

ORLANDO, FLA.—The Florida Restaurant Show will return to the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando from November 11 to 13. Attendees will learn about the hottest menu trends, state-of-the-art design and decor, advances in operations, and have an opportunity to visit with hundreds of the leading vendors and purveyors dedicated to serving the restaurant and foodservice community—all under one roof. Two session highlights from the three days of educational programming include: “The Power of Taste Memory: Reinventing Tradition with Local Ingredients,” and “Personal Development and Wellness: Strategies to Safeguard Your Wellness.” Among the suppliers in attendance: Beyond Oil, Commercial Kitchen Stop, deSter,...

ATLANTA—The Asian American Hotel Owners Association (AAHOA) is highly alarmed and deeply impacted by a disturbing surge of deadly violence targeting hotel owners. In just 72 hours last week, three hoteliers were killed—two in Charlotte, N.C., and one in Pittsburgh. Anilkumar Patel and Pankaj Patel were fatally shot on Thursday in Charlotte, with a suspect now charged and in custody, while Rakesh Ehagaban was shot and killed Friday in Pittsburgh in an incident in which a police officer also was shot along with the suspect. The deaths follow the murder of a hotel manager last month in Dallas. That slaying came on...

HILTON HEAD, S.C.—“Guiding Light: Leading with Strength, Shining with Purpose” was the driving theme of AAHOA’s 4th Annual HerOwnership Conference, held September 11 to 12 at the Sonesta Resort Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Women hoteliers from across the country gathered for this two-day, women-led event designed to elevate and empower women in hotel ownership and leadership. With educational sessions focused on creating a sustainable hotel operation, marketing and storytelling, and using artificial intelligence for women entrepreneurs, the conference showcased the growing impact of women in hospitality and the strong community behind their continued success. “Women hoteliers are essential forces...

INTERNATIONAL REPORT—A recent survey by MMGY Travel Intelligence reveals that Generation Z is at the forefront of a significant surge in European travel, showing a strong intent to spend more on international trips and take more holidays than any other age group in the next year. Despite economic pressures and global uncertainties, Europeans remain committed to leisure travel, with Gen Z setting the pace in terms of both expenditure and the number of trips planned. The study also highlights the growing influence of artificial intelligence in travel planning, a heightened demand for sustainable and authentic experiences, and the impact...