A market-setting overview of where hospitality transactions, capital, and portfolios are headed in 2026.

Where are the deals happening now? What’s driving investor interest—conversions, distressed assets, or new development?

A step-by-step walkthrough of hotel acquisitions—from LOI and diligence through closing.

Managing risk, performance, and value across multi-property hotel portfolios. Topics include acquisitions vs. dispositions, brand strategy, operational alignment, financing considerations, restructurings, and legal exposure at scale.

Capital stacks, lender expectations, creative structuring, and the legal pitfalls that can derail transactions—and how to avoid them.

A diverse audience will benefit from an interactive and fun Jeopardy! game show presentation. Participating audience members will glean current knowledge on ethics and AI issues, along with general updates in the hospitality legal and risk space and will have fun while doing it -- you don't want to miss!

The protection of trade secrets and confidential information is critical to the success of hospitality companies, as safeguarding proprietary data has become increasingly complex. Employers must remain vigilant against the growing risk of sensitive information being compromised, especially during times of significant employee movement, remote work, cloud computing, and the use of personal devices for business purposes. This presentation will provide practical insights and strategies to help hospitality employers safeguard their workforce, trade secrets, and customer relationships in a shifting legal landscape.

Service charges have become a flashpoint in the hospitality industry, drawing increased scrutiny from regulators, plaintiffs' attorneys, and courts across the country. What was once viewed as a flexible revenue tool is now the subject of a growing body of litigation challenging how these charges are disclosed, distributed, and characterized. In this session, Amanda Monroe will break down the evolving legal landscape and unpack the risks facing hospitality operators today.

This presentation will explore the expanding legal and operational issues created by the impending Federal Hemp Ban as national retailers track law changes and make purchasing decision over the next several months, and the alcohol beverage industry and alternative beverage industry experience the ripple effects. We will review evolving federal and state law and resulting considerations for retailers as they track the impending ban and state legislative reaction.

Artificial intelligence can now fabricate video, audio, and images convincing enough to fool anyone, and the deepfake problem does not affect both sides of a case equally. This class address the wave of AI-driven fraud coming for the hospitality industry and examines why the defense holds a structural advantage in the new digital evidentiary landscape. Attendees will leave with a three-part framework for reducing fraudulent claims before they are filed, leveraging the defense's evidentiary advantage when they are, and winning in court.

Presenting the 2026 Anthony G Marshall Hospitality Law Award

Commercial purchase agreements involve a formulaic negotiation process, mandating certain consistent processes and approaches that transcend industry sectors. However, purchase agreements in the hospitality industry present a unique set of issues that require careful consideration and industry-specific knowledge. This presentation focuses on some key negotiable provisions in hospitality-related purchase agreements, including cutoff dates and their impact revenue allocation, treatment of and restrictions on advance deposits that straddle the closing date, and employee transition mechanics.

Most claims aren't underpaid because the damage isn't there; it's because most property owners are not properly educated about the right policy language and the claims process. Most property owners learn hard lessons the moment their property is most vulnerable. And the insurance landscape has shifted: now when a storm hits, carriers aren't looking for ways to pay, they're looking for ways to limit what has to be paid. In this Stormlex Law Group session, you'll get the playbook that levels the playing field between you and the insurance company.