The 2026 Aloha Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE Aloha) was another stellar event in Honolulu recently (Sep 29-30) with global speakers, attendees and sponsors gathering at Outrigger Reef Waikiki Beach Resort for an action-packed event.

The focus for AHICE Aloha, which had over 25 partners and sponsors led by Foundation Partner Outrigger Hospitality Group and Principal Partner Accor, was on informative and educational sessions on stage before a gala poolside networking event that featured local and international artists, world-class cuisine and Hawaiian cocktails.

Headlining the speaking program were leading hoteliers and industry executives from Hawaii, the US mainland and across the world, who will all offer their take on the accommodation industry in the Hawaiian Islands.

Leaders who to the stage for one-on-ones and Q&As and presentations including Outrigger Hospitality Group President & CEO, JEFF WAGONER; Castle Resorts and Hotels President and CEO, MATT BAILEY; Outrigger Area Director of Cultural Experience, C. LUANA MAITLAND; lead singer of Ashenmoon, RadioXX and Juke Kartel, Las Vegas-based TOBY RAND; Colliers International Associate Vice President – Hawaii, MICHAEL PERKINS; and Nobu Hospitality Regional Director – Asia Pacific, LEE LIN.

Several panels looked at key trends from hoteliers and tourism executives, including DAN WACKSMAN, Principal, Sassato LLC & HawaiiHotelHui; JENNIFER BATARA, General Manager, Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra; JIM BRAMAN, General Manager, The Cliffs at Princeville; ROB ROBINSON, President, Hotel Equities; THOMAS FOTI, Managing Director, Hilton Hawaiian Village; MYRA GALINATO, Vice President Commerical, Blue Hawaiian; TOM McMENEMIE, General Manager – Commercial, Luxury Escapes; MARK BRATTON, Senior Vice President – Hawaii, Investment Services Division, Colliers; BOB WALSH, Full-Service & Lifestyle Hotel Development – California & Hawaii, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts; F. KEVIN AUCELLO, Principal, Powell and Aucello; and PATRICIA MOAD, Vice President of Operations, Continental Assets Management.

A number of networking dinners and social activities were also be held during AHICE Aloha, with an all-new ‘AHICE Social’ afternoon on September 30 that featured a catamaran sail, hotel tours of Ka Lai Waikiki and a networking dinner.