The 2025 Aloha Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) took centre stage in Honolulu on November 7, with the event at Prince Waikiki attracting over 50 speakers from across the globe. The third Aloha Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition to be held in the Hawaiian Islands attracted an audience of over 150 leading executives and a comprehensive look at hotel operations, development, investment and technology in the State. Attendees at AHICE Aloha – which was sponsored by over 20 leading hotel and tourism businesses headlined by Foundation Partner Outrigger and Principal Partner Accor enjoyed a day of engaging keynote talks, evocative panel sessions and enlightening discussions that provided an in-depth look at Hawaii’s hotel and tourism sectors.

The event – which attracted speakers from across the Hawaiian Islands, Tokyo, Los Angeles and Sydney – was kicked-off by the enigmatic Luana Maitland, Outrigger’s Area Director of Cultural Experience, who gave a wonderful, authentic and heartfelt Hawaiian welcome. Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau (HVCB) President and CEO, Aaron J. Salā, then talk to the stage to talk about tourism across the Hawaiian Islands and plans to elevate the marketing for the destination. He said the ongoing success of the Cirque du Soleil show ‘Auana, for which he was the Cultural Creative Producer, was continuing to be a big win for the State, particularly in showcasing Hawaiian culture to visitors.

Leading Hoteliers Daniel Barnard (Ala Moana Hotel by Mantra), Jim Braman (The Cliffs at Princeville) and Jerry Gibson (Hawaii Hospitality Group) then provided an industry outlook for 2026 on a session moderated by Sassato Principal Dan Wacksman. Colliers International Associate Vice President – Hawaii, Michael Perkins, then provided a fantastic insight into the real estate market across the state, highlighting key new developments and recent sales that have attracted major attention. There was an engaging discussion on the Hawai’i Islands Investment & Development Outlook panel – featuring Mark Bratton (Colliers), Bob Walsh (Wyndham), F. Kevin Aucello (Powell and Aucello), Juliette Imhof (Ace Hotel Group) and Kenneth Kan (Outrigger) – which looked some recent announcements by Wyndham, where Ace would like to open hotels and general expectations for the Hawaiian Islands. Outrigger Hospitality Group President and CEO, Jeff Wagoner, then took to the stage for a one-on-one and he spoke about the company’s upgrading of hotels across Hawaii and what’s next – a major upgrade of the Outrigger Waikiki Beach Resort, the hotel that started the business, which will be “absolutely phenomenal”, according to the popular hotelier.

He said work would begin soon on the project, which would firmly elevate the hotel located on the “50-yard line” of Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki. Sassato’s Wacksman was then joined on stage by Talk Agency Founder, Cooper Jitts, with the two providing a fantastic update on the state of play for hotel technology and it proved to be one of the most popular sessions of the day. Ohana Beverage Co Sommelier, Thomas Smith, then looked at food and beverage trends for 2026, which continues to be centred around local produce, bespoke cocktails and high-quality service. Seibu Prince Hotels and Resorts’ Regional President of the Americas, Victor Osumi, was the next of the Q&As and the former US Air Force fighter pilot who grew up in Hawaii spoke about the company’s growth ambitions across the state. Osumi also provided an update on the upgrade of the Mauna Kea Beach Hotel, which he said was firmly elevating the resort in a competitive part of the Big Island.

The lead singer of Ashenmoon, RadioXX and Juke Kartel, Toby Rand, who flew from Los Angeles for AHICE, and local Hawaiian musician, Alx Kawakami, then spoke about the importance of live music in hotels and the important part that plays for artists across the state. Up next, HVS Senior Vice President, Hawaii and Northern California Region Leader, John Berean, provided an insightful update on performance expectations for the Hawaiian Islands, which showed lots of positivity across the State. Castle Resorts and Hotels President and CEO, Matt Bailey, then offered an enlightening insight into his company’s recent Big Island signing with Wyndham and why he chose the popular chain, alongside many issues facing the industry on Maui and O’ahu, growth ambitions and more. The final session of the day looked at tourism expectations for the Hawaiian Islands, with Angela Murphy (Outrigger), Cooper Jitts (Talk Agency), Soo Kim (Holokai Catamaran) and Tyron Hensel (Cirque du Soleil ‘Auana) discussing how they see the market at present, which was firmly positive. AHICE Aloha then wrapped up with a networking event sponsored by Prince Resorts Hawaii and Ohana Beverage Co, which featured high-quality wines, delicious canapes and a brilliant acoustic performance by Toby Rand, his wife Kia Warren and local Hawaiian artists. Major sponsors and affiliates of the event included Foundation Partner Outrigger; Principal Partner Accor; Affiliate Partners IHG Hotel Owners Association, Hawaii Hotel Alliance, Hawaiʻi Visitors and Convention Bureau and the University of Hawaii at Manoa; Emerald Sponsors Hilton and Wyndham; Gold Sponsors Colliers, Hawaii Hotel Hui, IHG Hotels and Resorts, JLL, KHON2, Luxury Escapes, Marriott, Ohana Beverage Co and Purchase Plus; and Silver Sponsors Holokai Catamaran, HVS, Powell and Aucello, Talk Agency, The Orchard Lei Company, THSA Hotel Advisors and Travel + Leisure. Feedback from the event has been fantastic to date and the event will return on Wednesday November 11, 2026, in Honolulu, with a host venue to be revealed soon.