In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, several hospitality industry conferences have postponed or gone virtual with events, while others are moving forward with their original dates and even launching new virtual events to address issues the industry is facing in the current environment. Below is a list of 2021 conference announcements.
Updated on May 21, 2021
INDIE Confab: Philadelphia
The Independent Lodging Congress announced on April 19, 2021, that registration is officially open for the group’s first in-person event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in Philadelphia. Taking place from July 12-13 in Philadelphia’s Bok Building and PHS Pop-Up Garden-Manayunk, respectively, INDIE Confab: Philadelphia will connect creative provocateurs and disruptors from the worlds of hotels, food and beverage, design, and finance.
INDIE Confab: Philadelphia will kick off on July 12 with a welcome dinner and an immersive experience in the Bok Building, followed by a day of expert panels and networking opportunities on July 13 at the PHS Pop-Up Garden-Manayunk with topics ranging from cannabis to the unique intersection of fashion, art, and hospitality.
Confirmed speakers for this year’s event include Nick Bayer, founder and CEO of Saxbys; David Gutstadt, managing partner and CEO of Fitler Club; Jonathan Grosser, partner of Royer Cooper Cohen Braunfeld; Hasu P. Shah, founder and chairman of Hersha Hospitality Trust; Jay H. Shah, CEO of Hersha Hospitality Trust; Ellen Yin, founder and co-owner of High Street Hospitality Group; Bela Shehu, founder and designer of NINO brand; Jared Cannon, founder and CEO of Simply Good Jars; Yasmine Mustafa, CEO of ROAR for Good; Christopher Plant, owner and president of KISMET CoWork; and Brian Linton, founder and CEO of United By Blue.
“We are thrilled to return to a sense of normalcy after such a tumultuous year by hosting INDIE Confab in the city of brotherly love and exploring the wonderful hospitality scene Philadelphia has to offer,” said Andrew Benioff, founder and chairman of the Independent Lodging Congress. “The Independent Lodging Congress has become what attendees and speakers have called the ‘gathering for disruptors in hospitality and travel,’ and having the chance to usher in the human element of an in-person event will be a great opportunity to ask the uncomfortable questions that lead to provocative conversation and actionable resolution. We chose Philadelphia because we view it as a bustling destination and we are dedicated to giving our guests a chance to absorb the city’s brilliant art, design, urban revitalization, and architecture, especially in terms of independent hospitality.”
