Taking place 1-3 June 2025, NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum (NYU IHIF) has unveiled the 2025 conference agenda.

Operated by Questex in partnership with the NYU School of Professional Studies and its Jonathan M. Tisch Centre of Hospitality, NYU IHIF will deliver thought leadership through keynotes, general sessions, workshops and networking events. Top industry executives from CEOs of hotel brands to various investment and real estate executives will discuss the latest trends, economic influences and projections.

As the hospitality investment market braces for take-off this year, a revitalised business environment is set to reward the bold. The savviest players are those who lean into innovation, decisiveness and engagement. Underscored by the theme “Engagement Drives Returns”, NYU IHIF is a unique platform for the hospitality investment ecosystem with curated tracks and deep content for three days of networking, insights and deal-making.

“For nearly five decades, the NYU International Hospitality Investment Forum has served as the premier conference dedicated to building the future of hospitality investment,” says Jonathan M. Tisch, Executive Chairman, Loews Hotels & Co and Chairman Emeritus, NYU IHIF. “The conference offers thought provoking speakers offering their lens on the industry, significant networking opportunities and a place for leaders to come and uncover deals. We look forward to gathering investors and hospitality stakeholders in June.”

NYU IHIF Highlights
Matthew Luzzetti, Chief US Economist at Deutsche Bank, will open the conference with a look at the macro-economic forces driving success in the hospitality real estate market.

Jeff T. Blau, CEO of major development group Related Companies, will deliver a keynote where he will share his insights on innovative approaches, stakeholder engagement strategies, and value-creation principles guiding complex real estate developments, with a focus on Hudson Yards as a landmark regeneration project.

The Global Hospitality CEO Panel is shaping the industry on global collaboration and growth. Panellists include:

Geoff Ballotti, President & CEO, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts
Sébastien Bazin, Chairman and CEO, Accor
Anthony Capuano, President and Chief Executive Officer, Marriott International
Mark Hoplamazian, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hyatt Hotels
Elie Maalouf, Global Chief Executive Officer, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Christopher J. Nassetta, President and Chief Executive Officer, Hilton
Moderated by Sara Eisen, Anchor, CNBC

“We are extremely pleased to welcome Matthew Luzzetti and Jeff Blau to keynote the event. The Global Hospitality CEO Panel stands as a defining conversation between hospitality’s top executives each year. This discussion will showcase the financial strategies driving the future of hospitality,” comments Alexi Khajavi, Group President Hospitality and Wellness, Questex. “We are also very pleased to feature the women shaping the future of hospitality investment as well as speakers from top investors and financial companies. They are driving change within their organizations and also redefining the leadership landscape of the industry. NYU IHIF allows the hospitality investment industry to meet the executives behind the biggest brands, explore strategic partnerships, and gain exclusive insights into the latest trends shaping hospitality investments.”

The NYU IHIF programme will also feature the top investors and financial companies, including:

Tim Abram, Managing Director, Starwood Capital Group
Ryan Bosch, Principal, Arriba Capital
Benjamin Brunt, Managing Principal & Chief Investment Officer, Noble Investment Group
Deric Eubanks, Chief Financial Officer, Ashford Inc.
Sourav Ghosh, EVP/CFO, Host Hotels & Resorts
Afshin Kateb, CFO | Head of Hospitality, Palladius Capital Management
Ramsey Mankarious, Chief Executive, Cedar Capital Partners
Mit Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Noble Investment Group

NYU IHIF is focused on championing diverse leadership, celebrating achievements and creating opportunities for the future. Attendees will hear from the women actively shaping the industry, including:

Tiffany Cooper, Head of Development, Americas, Mandarin Oriental
Andrea Grigg, Global Head of Hotel Asset Management, CBRE Hotels
Laura Lee Blake, President & CEO, AAHOA
Deanne Brand, SVP, Strategy, Analytics, Risk & Treasurer, Host Hotels & Resorts
Benedetta Cassinelli, Co-Founder & CEO, Considerate Group
Rosanna Maietta, President & CEO, AHLA

View the complete conference agenda here, and register to attend here.