ILHA Expands INSPIRE 2026 Agenda to Address AI ROI and Human Connection

The conference, scheduled for December 15 to 17 at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Orlando, will feature a high-level dialogue between Elizabeth Mullins of Evermore Hospitality and Phil Keb of IHG Hotels & Resorts. The pair aims to dissect how the industry can leverage the increasing demand for genuine human interaction to counter the alienation often fueled by hyper-connectivity.

Technical strategy takes center stage in a separate session titled "AI at Scale: Building the Business Case for Hospitality." Rodney Linville of Nobu Hospitality, Microsoft’s Shane O'Flaherty, and Honeywell’s Neha Jaitpal will lead a critical examination of AI integration, focusing on moving beyond pilot programs to achieve measurable financial impact. The agenda also includes panels on longevity science and guest experience strategies, featuring experts from Marriott International, Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts, and The Boca Raton. Encore’s Alex Wedesky will round out the tech discussions by addressing the connectivity requirements for high-stakes luxury events in an increasingly automated landscape.