California Summit

Hosted by

California Hotel Summit by AHICE

Thursday 12 November 2026

Regent Santa Monica Beach, California

The Americas Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE), hosted by HM and Wayfarer magazines, is set to make its return to California in 2026 in the form of the California Hotel Summit by AHICE, with the third annual 4.5-hour event being held at the luxurious Regent Santa Monica Beach.

The event will be attended by Los Angeles and California’s leading hotel owners, operators, consultants and suppliers.

Our program for the 2026 event includes evocative, educational and insightful keynote speakers, Q&As and panel sessions featuring more than 20 key speakers from across Los Angeles, California and globally.

The return of AHICE to Los Angeles follows the success of our global events in Australia (Adelaide, Perth and Sydney), the United States (Hawaii and Los Angeles), Japan, Singapore, the Maldives, New Zealand, United Kingdom and Fiji, with more than 6,000 people attending what’s become the leading hotel industry event series across the Asia- Pacific region.event series across Asia-Pacific.

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2025 AHICE SUMMIT LOS ANGELES HIGHLIGHTS

2024 AHICE SOCIAL GALLERY

2026 PROGRAM OVERVIEW

2:00pm-2:45pm: REGISTRATION, afternoon tea, coffee and treats.

2:45pm-2:50pm: WELCOME TO THE 2026 CALIFORNIA HOTEL SUMMIT BY AHICE.

2:50pm-3:00pm: PRESENTATION: CALIFORNIA, BY THE NUMBERS.

The essential statistical outlook for California by MICHAEL STATHOKOSTOPOULOS, Senior Director of Hospitality Analytics, CoStar Group.

3:00pm-3:10pm: HOTELIER Q&A.

Talking new hotels and more with IHG Vice President of Operations – Americas, RAJ KHUBCHANDANI.

3:10pm-3:30pm: PANEL SESSION: CALIFORNIA HOTEL & TOURISM OUTLOOK.

What to expect in 2027 from leading executives and voices.

Hosted by:
• MICHAELA GUZY, Host, Oh the People You Meet and travel expert

Panelists:
• TOM McMENEMIE, General Manager, Luxury Escapes
• FRANCES KIRADJIAN, Founder & CEO BLLA
• JOHNNY JET, Travel Expert
• Speakers to be revealed

3:30pm-3:50pm: PANEL SESSION: HOT TECHNOLOGY.

What’s hot in technology for 2027 from leading executives.

Hosted by:
• Speaker to be revealed

Panelists:
• COOPER JITTS, Founder, Talk Agency
• GREG SHAW, Advisor, Mulpha & HubOS
• KAREN O’NEILL, SVP, Revenue, Purchase Plus
• SAL CAPIZZI, SVP, Growth & Marketing – Americas, Trybe
• Speaker to be revealed

3:50pm-4:15pm: KEYNOTE: AUSTRALIAN MADE IN THE USA.

This keynote is led by INXS founding member Garry Gary Beers with Sam Cook, Toby Rand and Paul Stepanek. Combined, they have built up networks across the USA spanning entertainment, government, sport and First Nations engagement, built over 20-plus years living in Los Angeles. They bring the world together through creativity, culture, and unforgettable experiences. Hear insights from an award-winning global collective of Australasian event producers, creatives, and strategists, we deliver everything from Olympic celebrations to major festivals and international cultural showcases.

4:15pm-4:40pm: PANEL SESSION: CALIFORNIA INVESMENT & DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK.

Expectations for 2027 with leading executives.

Hosted by:
• Speaker to be revealed

Panelists:
• BOB WALSH, Full-Service and Lifestyle Hotel Development – California and Hawaii, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
• EDDY NEVAREZ, Managing Director Investments, National Hospitality Division, Marcus & Millichap
• PETER AGNOLETTTI, Founder, Apex Lodging Advisors
• Speakers to be revealed

4:40pm-5:00pm: INVESTOR Q&A

Talking luxury hospitality with Strategic Hotels and Resorts CEO, ANDRE ZOTOFF.

5:00pm-7:00pm: NETWORKING: Drinks, bites and live music.

Expect an acoustic session featuring Garry Beers (INXS), renowned vocalists Toby Rand, Kia Warren-Rand & stellar pianist AJ Oliveira. Playing music from INXS and their LA-based band, AshenMoon.

Presented by:

7:00pm-onwards: NETWORKING dinner at Regent Santa Monica Beach (additional cost)

*Program is subject to change

IMPORTANT: THE AHICE HOUSE RULES

A note from the organisers: Due to a number of unofficial invite-only events taking place during conferences in recent years, we would ask that businesses and individuals please do not host any events during the above times as a courtesy to other sponsors of AHICE Los Angeles.

We all know that without sponsors, events like this cannot happen and we ask that our request is respected. If unapproved events do take place during the official times, the organisers and representatives of those companies will not be able to attend any AHICE sessions and are at the risk of passes being revoked.

We are also requesting that supplier and adviser attendees that aren’t sponsors of the event do not canvas for business with sales materials and documents at AHICE Los Angeles events. Those that do will be at the risk of passes being revoked.