
For 2025, The Hospitality Show—presented by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Questex, parent company of Hotel Management magazine—is bringing together visionary voices, from futurists and tech leaders to investment trailblazers, offering both insider and outsider perspectives to spark bold conversations about what’s next for hospitality. Three of the keynotes have been named for this year's event, taking place Oct. 26-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.
Chris Barton, founder of Shazam and pioneer of music-recognition technology, shares the unlikely story behind building the world’s first AI-powered app. From being told it couldn’t be done to creating a product used by over 2 billion people, Barton explores how radical ideas gain traction—and how hospitality leaders can harness that same mindset to reimagine what’s possible.

In a world where change moves faster than ever, successful organizations don’t just react—they spot what’s next and act confidently. From shifting tech to evolving workplace norms, the future of work is unfolding now. In this fast-paced and interactive session, technology futurist Crystal Washington shows hoteliers how to uncover the signals of what’s coming, focus on what matters most and turn insight into impact.
In this session, attendees will:
- Spot the difference between passing fads and game changing trends.
- Discover the top shifts reshaping work, leadership, and innovation.
- Learn simple tools to track trends and stay ahead of the curve.
- Apply trend insights to boost team performance and future readiness.

In an era defined by economic volatility and geopolitical disruption, hospitality leaders must think beyond day-to-day operations and plan with a global lens. Ozan Özkural, founder and managing partner of Tanto Capital Partners, for a keynote that explores the intersection of global finance, policy shifts and long-term investment strategy. Drawing from his deep experience in international markets and advisory roles, Ozan will offer a clear-eyed view of the forces shaping the business landscape—and how hospitality leaders can position themselves to adapt and thrive.
Registration is now open for The Hospitality Show, taking place Oct. 26-28 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver. Visit TheHospitalityShow.com to register and for more information.