International Luxury Hotel Association Adds Culture, Wellness and AI Sessions to INSPIRE 2026 Agenda
The International Luxury Hotel Association (ILHA) announced a new wave of confirmed sessions for INSPIRE 2026, its flagship luxury hospitality conference taking place December 15 to 17 at the JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa in Orlando.
Culture & Relational Wellness
- Elizabeth Mullins (Evermore Hospitality) and Phil Keb (IHG Hotels & Resorts) will discuss how luxury hospitality can respond to an “age of loneliness.”
- Focus: creating spaces and experiences that foster genuine human connection.
- Quote: “Guests today aren’t just booking a room, they’re searching for a sense of belonging.” – Phil Keb
AI in Hospitality
- Rodney Linville (Nobu Hospitality), Shane O’Flaherty (Microsoft), and Neha Jaitpal (Honeywell) will explore AI’s real ROI.
- Session: “AI at Scale: Building the Business Case for Hospitality” moderated by ILHA President Barak Hirschowitz.
- Key theme: moving AI from pilot projects to scaled operations.
Wellness & Longevity
- Panel: “The Science of Prevention, Performance and Longevity in Luxury Wellness” with leaders from Hyatt, Starwood, and Matrix.
- Moderated by Kelleye Martin (Trellis Spa, The Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa, ISPA).
Guest Experience Strategy
- Panelists from Marriott International, Nikki Beach Hotels & Resorts, and The Boca Raton will discuss making guest experience central to luxury hotel strategy.
Event Connectivity
- Encore will present “AI Raises the Stakes on Luxury Event Connectivity” focusing on smarter tech for high-stakes events.
Fireside Chat
- Tina Edmundson (Marriott International) and Carolyne Doyon (Club Med North America & Caribbean) will headline the opening lineup.
📅 Dates: December 15–17, 2026
📍 Location: JW Marriott Bonnet Creek Resort & Spa, Orlando
This mix of culture, wellness, and AI signals how luxury hospitality is evolving: blending human connection with cutting-edge technology.
