Where is hotel development headed — and what does it mean for the design community? In this data-rich session, Bruce Ford, SVP and Director of Global Business Development at Lodging Econometrics, unpacks the latest North America hotel development pipeline across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, giving an on-the-ground view of where the real opportunity lies. From new construction to announced renovations, brand conversions, and sales transactions, Bruce drills into the numbers by market, province, city, franchise company, and brand — while also spotlighting the project types reshaping the industry. With North America's hotel landscape evolving, this session gives you the clearest picture of what's coming — and where to position yourself.

New restaurants and bars deliver more than hospitality. Today, patrons expect immersive environments that offer moments of surprise and emotional connection. Panelists will discuss how to balance spectacle with authenticity and how operational realities inform design choices. They will also touch on the need to incorporate off-premises and convenience-driven options.  The session will offer both big-picture thinking and practical insight into how experiential restaurant design drives brand engagement and creates a strong ROI.

Desert Rock, the LEED Platinum resort carved into Saudi Arabia’s ancient Hejaz Mountains, offers a new model for luxury hospitality that aligns environmental performance with exceptional guest experience. This project demonstrates how building with the land rather than on it can enhance hospitality outcomes while improving long-term operational efficiency. In a Fireside Chat led by Founding Principal of Chad Oppenheim of Oppenheim Architecture and Paolo Ferrari, Founder of Studio Paolo Ferrari, this session examines the design strategies, systems thinking, and decision-making behind creating a high-end destination. It underscores the reciprocal relationship between architecture and interiors in defining the resort’s character and performance, while addressing today’s most pressing challenges of climate, cost, and competition through an environmentally centred approach.