Hear from Some of the World’s Leading Industry Experts
Our Knowledge sessions are all about giving a platform to experts— Speakers, Visionaries, Specialists, Authors, Professionals, Facilitators, Veterans, Senior Executives, Entrepreneurs, Influencers and Decision-Makers. Attendees can expect groundbreaking ideas, actionable insights, thought-provoking opinions, fresh perspectives, emerging trends and other valuable information.
Keynote Speakers
Josh Linkner
Innovation Keynote Speaker
Josh Linkner started his career as a jazz guitarist and then went on to become the founder and CEO of five tech companies
Nina Sossamon-Pogue
Keynote Speaker & Owner, NSP CommunicationsNina Sossamon-Pogue is a respected keynote speaker on Resilience. A former executive at a high growth tech company during its IPO
Thought Leaders at The Innofac Show 2021
Biran Patel
Chairman, AAHOABiran Patel is the Chairman of AAHOA. He has been an active member of the association since 2003
Greg Walker
Director of Research, CABAWalker is an accomplished research and business operations professional with many years of experience in science research
Michael Lee Sherwood
Chief Innovation Officer, City of Las VegasMichael has more than 20 years of experience in the fields of process improvement, technology, and innovation
Pawel Pietrasienski
Director, Intl. Trade, Nevada GoED, Las VegasPawel Pietrasienski serves as the Director of International Trade in The Nevada, Office of Economic Development International Division
Glenn Haussman
Show Host, No Vacancy NewsGlenn Haussman loves the hospitality business. That’s why he’s hosts the No Vacancy Live Video Podcast
Calvin Tilokee
CEO, Revpar Media LLCAfter a 20 year career in hospitality, Calvin founded Revpar Media to help hotels properly strategize social media
Harman Narula
Co-Founder, Canary TechnologiesHarman Singh Narula is one of the founders of Canary Technologies, a venture backed hotel technology company
Are Morch
Customer Experience CoachAre Morch provides social media consulting for hotels and resorts. He works closely with hotels to create social media strategies
Brian Tkac
Director of Hospitality Analytics – U.S. Midwest, CoStar GroupBrian has over 25 years of Sales & Marketing experience in Hotels & Resorts, with numerous executive Sales & Marketing positions
Dr. Andy Cooper
Senior Vice President, EcolabDr. Andy Cooper joined Ecolab in 1998 and has been responsible for diverse innovation and customer support teams across Ecolab
Prof. Dr. Willy Legrand
Professor, IU Intl. University of Applied SciencesDr. Willy Legrand is a Professor of Hospitality Management at the IU International University of Applied Sciences in Germany
Ritu R. Pahwa
National Commercial Chair, AREAARitu Rani Pahwa earned her MBA in Global Marketing and Management from the University of Texas at Austin
Faustino Fernandez
Founder and CEO, STAYmywayFaustino Fernandez is the Founder and CEO of STAYmyway, a hospitality technology company that offers mobile access to hoteliers
Mark Dorr
President, New York State Hospitality & Tourism AssociationMark currently serves as the President of the New York State Hospitality & Tourism Association (NYSH&TA)
James Lemon
Founder & CEO, OtoloJames is Founder & CEO of Otolo, a mentoring community platform for people passionate about hospitality to realise their potential
Eric Eisenberg
VP of Hospitality, Pürlin, LLCEric Eisenberg is VP of Hospitality for Pürlin, LLC. Pürlin provides a truly sustainable linen option that creates a unique guest experience
Yani Deros
CEO, CIRQ+A Technologist with decades of experience developing 100’s of advanced product solutions for start-ups and global corporation
Ron Pohl
COO, Best Western InternationalRon Pohl is Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer for Best Western Hotels & Resorts
Kelley Jones
Principal, Kelley Jones HospitalityKelley Jones is the founding partner of Hospitality Alliance and principal of Kelley Jones Hospitality with offices in New York City
Christopher Puntureri
COO, Iridescent HotelsChristopher Puntureri is the Chief Operating Officer at Iridescent Hotels. He started his Hospitality career in 2004
Lloyd Major
CEO & Co-Founder, Halo Solutions LtdLloyd has nearly 20 years experience as a police officer and has developed his expertise at the College of Policing, Coventry University
Jonathan Hayes
Risk Director, Moto HospitalityJonathan Hayes is a commercially minded Chartered Environmental Health Practitioner specializing in operational risk
Dr. Jeffrey O
President, International Hospitality InstituteDr. Jeffrey O is a seasoned CEO, hospitality educator, coach, and author. He currently serves as President of the International Hospitality
Jacques Barthelemy
President, Charme & CaractereJacques Barthelemy is both the President of Charme & Caractere and Professor at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaures (France)
Calvin Stovall
CEO, ICONIC Presentations, LLCCalvin is the CEO for ICONIC Presentations, LLC. Calvin specializes in delivering high-energy, customized keynote presentations
Mili Majumdar
Sr. Vice President, U.S. Green Building CouncilMili Majumdar is Senior VP, US Green Building Council and MD of Green Business Certification Institute Pvt. Ltd., India
Tracey Hartford
Vice President of Client Services, Windover ConstructionTracey is the Vice President of Client Services for Windover Construction and has nearly 20 years of experience in the construction industry
Eric Reinarman
Policy Counsel & Director, State & Local Government AffairsPrior to joining AAHOA, was a Chief of Staff in the Florida Senate and served in the same role as Broward County Board of Commissioners
Holly Stiel
Speaker, Consultant, Thank You Very Much IncHolly Stiel is a trailblazing service philosopher who innovated a method of training based on the practices and principles
Steve Arehart
Director, GBAC a Division of ISSASteve Arehart, GBAC Director of Technical Operations, has more than a decade of environmental health and safety experience
Suzanne Markham Bagnera
Clinical Assistant Professor, Boston UniversitySuzanne Markham Bagnera is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the School of Hospitality Administration at Boston University
Robert Stevenson
CEO, IntelityRobert Stevenson is a tech and entertainment executive with more than 20 years of rich experience
Vicky Smith
Founder, Earth-changersVicky’s worked in tourism since the mid-90s, and sustainable tourism since the mid-90s, in destinations, marketing and e-commerce
Amr Raafat
Vice President, VDC & TechnologyTechnology Leader and Expert in the Construction industry’s most cutting-edge technologies
Abid Butt
Managing Director, AB AmbassadorsAbid Butt has a keen knowledge of organizational design and developing high performing teams
Shafi Syed
Global Head of Department, Equinox HotelsShafi Syed is the Global Head Hotel Development & Acquisitions at Equinox Hotels, leading the Group’s expansion
Roger A. Allen
Group CEO, RLA GlobalRoger is the Group Chief Executive Officer of RLA Global, a recognized global advisory to investors, owners & developers
Peter Ricci
Clinical Associate Professor & DirectorPeter Ricci is Clinical Asso. Prof. & Director of the Hospitality & Tourism Program with s 25+ years experience in tourism industry
Elle Rustique
CEO & Founder, TipBrightlyElle Rustique, PhD is an educator and social scientist turned fin-tech startup founder on a social impact mission
Fred Gordy
Director of Cybersecurity, Intelligent BuildingsFred Gordy is a SmartBuilding industry expert and thought leader with 20 years of experience in secure control system
Lara Paemen
EMEA Director, IFMALara is also a member of the European Advisory Board, she acquired 17 years of experience as a Strategic Workplace Consultant
Khristina Quigley
Host, Revenue HacksKhristina is a former commercial manager working in the hospitality industry. Also a Guest Speaker on revenue, recovery & strategies
Howard Weiss
Hospitality & Entertainment Strategy, AREA15Howard Weiss serves as Head of Entertainment & Events for AREA15. He is an experienced Entertainment & Hospitality Executive
Christopher M. Henry
Co-Founder & CEO, Majestic HospitalityChristopher M. Henry, ISHC, co-founded the Majestic Hospitality Group in August 2008 and handled projects in Americas, Europe & Asia
Thought Leaders at The Innofac Show Talks
Miraj S. Patel
Board of Director, AAHOAMiraj is a highly motivated second-generation hotelier who began his career in hospitality from a young age
Manuela D'Agata
Education and Certification Director, ISSAManuela D'Agata is the Education and Certification Director at ISSA International where she joined in the beginning of 2019
Patricia Olinger
Executive Director, GBAC (ISSA)Ms. Patricia Olinger is the Executive Director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA
Charles Pappas
Senior Writer, Exhibitor MagazineCharles Pappas has covered the expo industry for Exhibitor Magazine since 2002 and is its defacto historian
David Katz
President, Sustainable Resources Management Inc.David Katz established Sustainable Resources Management in 1993 to invest in and provide, marketing and administration
John Bohlman
Founder, HawkenAQJohn Bohlmann is the founder and CEO of HawkenAQ, a building technology company working to make every building healthy
J. Christopher Larry
Director of Energy Engineering for EXPChris has spent almost 30 years working with clients to minimize the building industry’s energy and environmental
Peter Daly
COO, GettinLocalAs a co-founder of GettinLocal, Peter is hyper-passionate about creating a mobile marketing solution that connects travelers and residents
Maurizio Tripi
CTO, BidroomMaurizio Tripi is a technology leader, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience
Yannis Moati
CEO, HotelsByDayYannis Moati is the CEO of HotelsByDay, a booking platform for daytime hotels. Yannis has a rich background of 15 years in travel
Ken Patel
CEO, EV Hotel GroupKen Patel is the CEO of EV Hotel Group, an Atlanta based Hospitality Management Company
Miraj S. Patel
Board of Director, AAHOA
Miraj is a highly motivated second-generation hotelier who began his career in hospitality from a young age
Charles Pappas
Senior Writer, Exhibitor Magazine
Charles Pappas has covered the expo industry for Exhibitor magazine since 2002 and is its de facto historian
Ritu R Pahwa
National Commercial Chair AREAA
Ritu Rani Pahwa earned her MBA in Global Marketing and Management from the University of Texas at Austin
Faustino Fernandez
Founder and CEO, STAYmyway
Faustino Fernandez is the Founder and CEO of STAYmyway, a hospitality technology company that offers mobile access to hoteliers
Manuela D'Agata
Education and Certification Director at ISSA
Manuela D'Agata is the Education and Certification Director at ISSA International where she joined beginning of 2019
Eric Eisenberg
VP of Hospitality, Purlin, LLC
Eric Eisenberg is VP of Hospitality for Purlin, LLC. Pürlin provides a truly sustainable linen option that creates a unique guest experience
Patricia Olinger
Executive Director, GBAC
Ms. Patricia Olinger is the Executive Director of the Global Biorisk Advisory Council, (GBAC), a Division of ISSA
Ken Patel
CEO, EV Hotel Group
Ken Patel is the CEO of EV Hotel Group, an Atlanta based Hospitality Management Company
Maurizio Tripi
CTO, Bidroom
Maurizio Tripi is a technology leader, and entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience.
Elle Rustique PhD
CEO & Founder, TipBrightly
Elle Rustique, PhD is an educator and social scientist turned fintech startup founder on a social impact mission
Yannis Moati
CEO, HotelsByDay
Yannis Moati is the CEO of HotelsByDay, a booking platform for daytime hotels. Yannis has a rich background of 15 years in travel
Jacques Barthelemy
President, Charme & Caractere
JB is both the President of Charme & Caractere and Professor at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaures (France)
Peter Daly
COO, GettinLocal
As a co-founder of GettinLocal, Peter is hyper-passionate about creating a mobile marketing solution that connects travelers and residents