Destination AI Unveils Third Annual Hospitality Summit: Expanding Horizons in Response to Industry Demand
Destination AI (DAI) is thrilled to announce the third annual hospitality summit, scheduled for September 29-30, 2026, in the heart of Washington, D.C. Building on the success of the past two years, the conference is expanding to a 1.5-day format, offering attendees an even richer experience. This growth reflects the industry's rapid adoption of AI and the need for deeper connections and knowledge-sharing.
The event's popularity and positive feedback have been overwhelming. Nazpari Aydin, Co-Founder & Managing Director of Destination AI Forum, expressed enthusiasm, "The energy and growth we've witnessed over the past two years have been incredible. Feedback from attendees, speakers, and sponsors consistently highlights their desire for more opportunities to connect and explore the limitless possibilities AI offers. With our expanded program, we're confident next year will be our best yet."
What Sets DAI Apart
DAI stands out by focusing on practical results rather than hype. Each session delivers tangible outcomes, proven use cases, and open discussions about AI adoption's successes and challenges in hospitality. The event has fostered a unique, collaborative community where industry leaders share frontline insights, accelerating transformation across the sector.
Douglas Rice, Founder & CEO Emeritus of HTNG, praised the event's impact: "This amazing one-day gathering brought together a fantastic audience of thought leaders from the hospitality industry and top speakers. Despite being only in its second year, it's already the best event globally for hotel technologists and operators in terms of thought leadership."
Who Attends
DAI attracts a highly strategic audience, with over 80% of attendees holding senior roles in technology decision-making and investment. The diverse attendee mix reflects the conference's growing influence across the hospitality ecosystem, including:
- 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 powerful concentration of decision-makers creates a dynamic environment where ideas thrive and collaboration translates into action. George Roukas, President of Gaipan, shared, "Destination AI turned 'what if' into 'let's go!' It was a rare event where ideas, talent, and momentum converged in one place."
Gopu Menon, EVP of Revenue & Distribution at Highgate Hotels, further emphasized the event's impact: "I left the conference invigorated by the individuals I met, the insightful discussions we engaged in, and the practical strategies we brought back. I'm looking forward to the 2026 conference, anticipating significant advancements and quantifiable outcomes across hotels."
What to Expect in 2026
The 2026 DAI summit will feature an expanded format, providing attendees with more time to engage directly with speakers, partners, and peers driving AI adoption in hospitality.
The schedule will be as follows:
Day 1 - Tuesday, September 29
* Afternoon programming to kick things off
* Evening reception to continue conversations in a relaxed setting
Day 2 - Wednesday, September 30
* Full schedule of keynotes, panels, demos, and conversations offering a comprehensive view of AI's impact on hospitality
Past speakers have included major industry innovators such as Marriott International, Hilton, Hyatt, Microsoft, Oracle, and numerous AI and travel-tech leaders.
How to Participate
Organizations can engage with DAI 2026 in various ways:
- Sponsorship & Exhibiting: Reach hospitality leaders investing in AI
- Speaking Opportunities: Present case studies and practical insights
- Industry & Media Partnerships: Contribute to industry-wide AI learning
For partnership and speaking opportunities, contact email protected.
Register for DAI 2026
Registration is now open at www.destinationaiforum.com (http://www.destinationaiforum.com/). Early-bird pricing is available through July 31, 2026.
About Destination AI Forum
Destination AI Forum is a nonprofit platform dedicated to advancing the adoption of artificial intelligence across the hospitality industry. Founded in 2024, DAI brings together hoteliers, technologists, investors, researchers, and innovators to share real-world applications and accelerate the future of AI in hospitality.
Nazpari Aydin, Co-Founder & Managing Director
