MORE CONNECTING THE DOTS

• 5 min read

While there are headwinds—reaching a peace deal with Iran, oil prices and government funding—there also are positive signs for the economy. Unemployment is steady. There’s an uptick in spending, especially for hotels and travel. Corporate earnings have been…

• 5 min read

The hotel industry ended the first quarter with a record-growth period, group business is holding steady, and with top 25 markets performing well, the industry overall is healthy. The second half of 2026 is favorable with the World Cup and the 250th birthday of the U.S. still to…

• 4 min read

With 18 million people in the United States alone on some type of weight-loss medication or plan, and more expected now that these medications are available in a pill form, hotels and meeting planners will need to rethink menus to reduce sugar to enable meeting attendees and…

• 6 min read

Meeting planners take note of behavior changes taking place among meeting attendees. Consider these factors: the percentage of the population on weight-loss or diabetic drugs is having an impact on food and beverage; golf has experienced the second largest growth rate in history…

• 8 min read

GDP forecasts, projected tax refunds, falling rents resulting in disposable income are among the factors that point to a steady economic perspective for 2026. There could still be headwinds, such as assessing the impact of storms early in the year that led to thousands of flight…

• 3 min read

While the 2026 FIFA World Cup is creating compression at hotels in cities where matches are being played, that doesn’t mean that meeting planners won’t be able to find space. Yes, some destinations like Austin and Dallas already had limitations due to convention…

• 3 min read

Editor's note: While overall F&B pricing is still up from 2019, coffee and orange juice costs have stabilized as beef prices are increasing. Meeting planners are encouraged to explore menu design to manage budgets in this installment of “Connecting the…

• 7 min read

The human connection is at the core of the meeting and event industry. With the emergence of AI, it’s important for leaders to ensure that human engagement stays connected as new business models impact the workplace. This topic is addressed in Connecting the Dots, a series…

• 5 min read

Editor’s Note: Connecting the Dots is a series of monthly conversations with Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. The series examines issues in the global economy that will “connect the dots” to be helpful not only…

• 4 min read

Editor’s Note: Connecting the Dots is a series of monthly conversations with Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. The series examines issues in the global economy that will “connect the dots” to be helpful not only…

• 4 min read

Editor’s Note: Connecting the Dots is a series of monthly conversations with Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. The series examines issues in the global economy that will “connect the dots” to be helpful not only…

• 5 min read

Editor’s Note: Connecting the Dots is a series of monthly conversations with Michael Dominguez, President and CEO of Associated Luxury Hotels International. The series examines issues in the global economy that will “connect the dots” to be helpful not only…