HSMAI’s 2025 Commercial Strategy Conference Draws Record-Breaking Attendance and Accelerates Commercial Integration Across Hospitality Sectors

The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI) successfully concluded its second Commercial Strategy Conference, which took place June 16–18, 2025, at the Indianapolis Convention Center. The event welcomed a record-breaking 950 commercial professionals from across the hospitality industry, underscoring the growing momentum behind the integration of sales, marketing, distribution, and revenue optimization.

From Guests to Data to Dollars: 5 Ways Unified Hotel Tech Boosts Revenue and Loyalty

Imagine this: A guest walks into your hotel. The front desk greets them by name, already knows they prefer a room away from the elevator, and offers a complimentary drink, the same cocktail they ordered at your rooftop bar during their last stay. At breakfast the waiter suggests asks if the guest wants the usual omelet or the menu to try something new, and at checkout, they’re offered a late checkout because their flight doesn’t leave until 8 p.m.

Sonesta Executes Definitive Agreement with Aken Hotels & Resorts

Sonesta International Hotels Corporation (Sonesta) today announced the execution of a strategic alliance with AKEN Hotels & Resorts LLC, a distinguished hotel group with a growing presence across South America and the Caribbean. This definitive agreement marks a pivotal moment in Sonesta’s ongoing international growth strategy, with a concentrated focus on the high-potential Latin American (LATAM) region.

Watch how easy laser engraving can be!

Ready to unlock your creativity with laser engraving? Check out this quick demo of the GCSTIMES K9 Desktop Laser Engraver in action! No more complicated setups or steep learning curves. Designed for busy hospitality teams, we show you just how easy it is to start engraving, from importing your design on our free app to bringing it to life on wooden key cards, gifts, and more.

The guest journey starts with identity: are you getting it right?

Talk to any hotelier about the guest journey, and the same themes tend to emerge: personalisation, seamless booking, loyalty, guest experience. Technology is expected to enhance all these moments. But there’s one step that often gets overlooked and yet it underpins the entire guest relationship: identity verification.