Destination AI Announces Third Annual Hospitality Summit
The premier hospitality AI conference returns to Washington, D.C., September 29-30, 2026
Destination AI (DAI) is back in Washington, D.C. on September 29-30, 2026-this time with an extended 1.5-day format so leaders have more time to connect, compare notes, and move real AI projects forward.
"The energy and growth we've seen over the past two years of DAI has been incredible and the feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors is that they want more ways to connect and discuss the unlimited growth opportunities that AI offers. With the expanded program we're putting together, next year is going to be our best year yet." -Nazpari Aydin, Co-Founder & Managing Director, Destination AI Forum
What makes DAI different
DAI is built for outcomes. Sessions focus on proven use cases, what worked, what didn't, and the practical steps teams can apply the next day.
"This was an amazing one-day event, with a fantastic audience of thought leaders from across the hospitality space and sessions from so many top speakers. This was only its second year, but from a thought-leadership point of view, there is absolutely no better event anywhere in the world today for hotel technologists and operator." -Douglas Rice, Founder & CEO Emeritus of HTNG
Who attends
More than 80% of attendees hold senior roles guiding technology decisions and investment across hospitality. You'll meet leaders from:
- Global hotel brands, management companies, and ownership groups
- Hospitality technology and AI providers
- Investors, VCs, and private equity firms
- Consulting firms and ecosystem partners
- Media and industry associations
This concentration of decision-makers turns ideas into action. As George Roukas, President of Gaipan, put it, Destination AI turned "what if" into "let's go!"
Gopu Menon, EVP of Revenue & Distribution at Highgate Hotels, shared, "I departed invigorated by the individuals I encountered, the insightful discussions we engaged in, and the practical strategies we brought back with us." He's looking ahead to the 2026 event to see measurable results across hotels building on takeaways from the 2025 conference in D.C.
What to expect in 2026
Expect more time with speakers, partners, and peers who are putting AI to work across operations, commercial strategy, guest experience, and back-of-house workflows.
- Day 1 - Tuesday, September 29: Afternoon programming kicks things off, followed by an evening reception to keep conversations going.
- Day 2 - Wednesday, September 30: A full day of keynotes, panels, demos, and candid conversations on how AI is moving hospitality forward.
Previous speakers have included leaders from Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt, Microsoft, Oracle, and dozens of AI and travel-tech innovators.
How to participate
- Sponsorship & Exhibiting: Reach hospitality leaders investing in AI
- Speaking Opportunities: Share case studies and practical lessons
- Industry & Media Partnerships: Contribute to industry-wide learning
Partnerships or speaking inquiries: nazpari@destinationaiforum.com
Registration
Registration is open at destinationaiforum.com. Early-bird pricing runs through July 31, 2026.
Why this matters for hospitality and events teams
- Preview real implementations that improve forecasting, pricing, labor planning, and guest communications
- Learn how peers structure pilots, measure ROI, and manage data quality and change management
- Build partnerships that speed up procurement, integration, and team training
Want your team prepped before the summit? See curated AI learning by job function here: Complete AI Training - Courses by Job.
About Destination AI Forum
Destination AI Forum is a nonprofit platform dedicated to accelerating practical AI adoption across hospitality. Founded in 2024, DAI brings together hoteliers, technologists, investors, researchers, and innovators to share real-world applications and move the industry forward.
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