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Hospitality Net
23-06-2025
- Business
- Hospitality Net
Understanding trade show impacts on hotels and hospitality
Occasions like large-scale conventions and trade shows aren't just about hotels; they drive powerful demand surges that ripple across restaurants and many other services. For hoteliers and service providers, this creates significant opportunities. Among these events, trade shows are powerful economic drivers. They attract thousands of business travelers and exhibitors from all over the globe. If you're looking to maximize revenue and stay competitive, understanding how these shows influence your hotel's demand and pricing is essential. In this blog post, we'll explore the wide-reaching effects of trade shows and offer our top tips for capitalizing on these dynamic markets. How trade shows impact the hospitality industry Trade shows spark a wave of activity and networking that significantly benefits the entire hospitality sector. Airlines see fuller flights, taxis and rideshares experience heightened demand, and local restaurants enjoy increased foot traffic. For hotel owners, trade shows are particularly impactful. They can drive occupancy to peak levels, especially when events fall outside traditional travel seasons. This influx of attendees, such as exhibitors, delegates, and organizers, creates a valuable window for hospitality businesses to boost revenue. By understanding and proactively planning for trade show demand, hoteliers can optimize pricing, staffing, and services, making these events a vital focus for maximizing off-peak profitability and long-term growth. Higher demand means increased room rates for hotels When a trade show comes to town, hotel demand will usually spike, especially near the event venue. As availability tightens, prices naturally rise. This classic supply-and-demand dynamic allows you to increase your hotel room rates, particularly if the event draws large numbers of out-of-town attendees. As a hotelier, this presents a clear opportunity to drive revenue, but only if you're ready to act strategically. To make the most of trade show periods, you should implement dynamic pricing strategies that reflect real-time demand and competitor behavior, something we expand on below. Proper staffing is also critical, as service quality must match increased guest expectations. Crucially, hotels should assess how a specific event will impact their property – those closest to the expo center or main venue typically see the highest demand, while those farther away may need to offer incentives or transport solutions. With the right preparation, trade shows can become powerful revenue-generating moments outside of a traditional high season. How 5 of the biggest trade shows impact the hospitality industry Trade shows draw thousands of professionals and generate major economic impact – and some have an outsized influence on local hotels. From pet products in Orlando to global travel expos in London and Berlin, here are five of the world's most influential trade shows and how they affect the hotel industry. 1. Global Pet Expo The Global Pet Expo positions itself as the premier event for the pet industry, presented by the American Pet Products Association (APPA) and the Pet Industry Distributors Association (PIDA). Held annually at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, the 2025 show took place from March 26th to 28th. It featured over 1,000 exhibitors across 3,500 booths, showcasing more than 3,000 new product launches. The expo attracted nearly 20,000 pet industry leaders from over 105 countries, including independent retailers, distributors, mass-market buyers and other qualified professionals. In 2024, the Global Pet Expo delivered over $45 million in local economic impact to the Orlando metropolitan area. While specific data on hotel pricing during the event isn't publicly available, such significant economic contributions strongly suggest a substantial increase in demand for local accommodation during the expo period. 2. New York International Auto Show The New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) is one of the most prestigious automotive events in North America. Held annually at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, the 2025 show marked its 125th anniversary from April 18th to 27th. Showcasing over 700 vehicles across a million square feet of exhibit space, it featured major automakers like Ford, GM and Toyota, and high-end brands such as Porsche and Lamborghini. NYIAS attracts more than 1 million attendees each year, including industry professionals, media and car enthusiasts. Approximately 319,000 new vehicle buyers attend annually, with over half reporting that the show influences their purchase decisions. Clearly, this massive influx of attendees significantly boosts demand for accommodation in Manhattan and beyond. This surge often leads to increased room rates, particularly for hotels in proximity to the Javits Center. Wise hoteliers in the New York City area can capitalize on this yearly demand by implementing dynamic pricing strategies and ensuring optimal staffing levels to enhance guest experiences during the event. 3. Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival The Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival is Nevada's largest educational event, celebrating STEM through nine days of free, community-driven programming. The 2025 festival ran from April 25th to May 3rd, culminating in the Giant Expo on May 3rd at the World Market Center. This hands-on event features robotics demonstrations, fossil exhibits, interactive science experiments and on-stage entertainment, attracting nearly 10,000 attendees annually. Exhibitors include local museums, research institutions, universities and tech organizations, offering engaging experiences for families and students. While the festival's family-oriented and local focus may not cause significant spikes in hotel prices, its timing during spring – a popular season for events in Las Vegas – can contribute to increased demand for accommodations. Hotels near the World Market Center may experience higher occupancy rates during this period, so local hoteliers should monitor event calendars and, as above, consider flexible pricing strategies to accommodate potential fluctuations in demand. 4. WTM London World Travel Market (WTM) London is one of the most influential events in the global travel and tourism industry. Held annually at ExCeL London, the 2024 show took place from November 5th to 7th, attracting over 46,000 travel and hospitality professionals from 184 countries. The hospitality conference featured more than 4,000 exhibitors, including tourism boards, hotels, airlines and technology providers. Notably, 82% of attendees were international visitors, with many extending their stay in London beyond the event dates. WTM London 2024 generated an estimated £200 million (€238 million) in economic impact through local spending on transportation, accommodation and leisure activities. While specific data on hotel pricing during the event is not publicly available, the significant influx of international attendees likely led to increased demand for accommodations, particularly near the ExCeL London venue. Hoteliers in the area often experience higher occupancy rates during WTM, presenting opportunities to implement dynamic pricing strategies and enhance revenue. 5. ITB Berlin Yes, it's another travel and hospitality trade show but we couldn't really omit ITB Berlin from this line-up. Often seen as the world's leading trade show in its sector, it's held annually at Messe Berlin in Germany. The 2025 edition, from March 4th to 6th, featured over 5,800 exhibitors from more than 170 countries, attracting approximately 100,000 attendees, including 1,300 senior buyers in the ITB Buyers Circle. The event showcases a wide range of sectors, including tourism boards, airlines, hotels, travel technology providers and cruise companies. During ITB Berlin 2025, hotels in the city experienced significant occupancy increases, with rates reaching 92.1% over the three-day event – a 9.1 percentage point rise compared to the previous year. The first day saw occupancy rates as high as 98%. Additionally, average daily rates (ADR) surged, often 20–60% higher than regular March pricing, with some hotels near Messe Berlin charging two to four times their usual rates. For hoteliers, ITB Berlin represents a prime opportunity to implement dynamic pricing strategies and optimize staffing to accommodate the influx of international guests, thereby maximizing revenue during this high-demand period. How to attract trade show attendees and drive revenue To maximize revenue from trade show attendees, you should adopt strategic approaches at your hotel. Key tactics include implementing dynamic pricing to stay competitive, offering value-added amenities that enhance guest experience and investing in targeted marketing campaigns to boost visibility and drive direct bookings well ahead of event dates. Let's examine each of these initiatives in turn. Implement dynamic pricing Dynamic pricing is a strategy that promotes adjusting room rates in real time based on market demand, competitor pricing, local events and booking patterns. For trade show periods – when demand often spikes – this approach helps hotels optimize revenue while staying competitively priced. Rather than relying on static rates, dynamic pricing allows you to respond to fluctuations as they happen, capturing higher revenue during peak times and remaining attractive during lulls. Dynamic pricing software makes implementation seamless, analyzing real-time data to recommend or automate pricing changes, reducing manual effort and ensuring timely rate adjustments. These tools factor in market demand as a result of events, forecasted occupancy and competitor pricing so you can maximize occupancy and ADR with minimal oversight. Offer value adds Offering value-added amenities and special offers is a powerful way to attract trade show attendees and increase hotel revenue. When travelers are deciding where to stay during busy event periods, thoughtful perks can make your property stand out from the competition. These extras not only enhance guest satisfaction but encourage direct bookings and upsells. For trade show attendees, convenience and comfort are key. Popular value adds include late check-in and check-out options to accommodate irregular schedules, shuttle services to and from the expo or trade show venues and complimentary Wi-Fi to support business needs. Suite upgrades or bundled packages such as breakfast included or discounted dining also appeal to attendees looking for a more comfortable stay. Tailoring these offers to the specific event's schedule and audience helps you build loyalty and capture more ancillary revenue, making value adds a win-win for both you and your guests. Invest in targeted marketing Targeted marketing campaigns are essential for boosting a hotel's visibility among trade show attendees and driving direct bookings. By focusing your marketing strategies on the right audience – such as exhibitors, attendees and event organizers – you can maximize your return on investment and avoid wasted spend on broad, unfocused advertising. To start, you should identify your target audience based on the specific trade show's attendee profile and geographic reach. Campaigns ideally begin three to six months before the event, giving travelers ample time to plan and book, while digital channels like social media ads, search engine marketing and email campaigns tailored to event registrants or local business groups often yield the best results. Partnerships with trade show organizers for official hotel listings or promotions can also increase exposure. And personalizing messages with event-specific offers and emphasizing proximity to the venue helps capture attention. Well-executed targeted marketing not only boosts bookings but also builds lasting brand awareness in key business markets and emerging markets. Find out how competitive market data helps hotels stay competitive Data-driven insights are crucial for hotels preparing to capitalize on event-driven tourism. Understanding market and industry trends, competitor pricing and demand patterns enables you to make informed decisions and optimize revenue. Lighthouse is a powerful tool that provides real-time competitive market data, helping hotels anticipate demand spikes during major events and keep on top of the latest trends. By leveraging Lighthouse and its latest technology, you can implement smarter pricing strategies, tailor offers and boost bookings, ensuring you stay ahead in a competitive market when major events bring a surge of visitors. About Lighthouse Lighthouse is the leading commercial platform for the travel & hospitality industry. We transform complexity into confidence by providing actionable market insights, business intelligence, and pricing tools that maximize revenue growth. We continually innovate to deliver the best platform for hospitality professionals to price more effectively, measure performance more efficiently, and understand the market in new ways. Trusted by over 70,000 hotels in 185 countries, Lighthouse is the only solution that provides real-time hotel and short-term rental data in a single platform. We strive to deliver the best possible experience with unmatched customer service. We consider our clients as true partners—their success is our success. For more information about Lighthouse, please visit: View source
CBC
07-06-2025
- Business
- CBC
Homeless people with most acute needs overlooked for Ottawa supportive housing, audit finds
Homeless people with the most complex needs are being overlooked on wait lists for the city's supportive housing, according to a new report by the office of Ottawa's auditor general. The report presented to the audit committee on Friday looked into the city's supportive housing program. This program aims to reduce homelessness by providing housing with additional services and support, which experts say is essential as homelessness often overlaps with complex mental health and addiction issues. The city administers funding from all levels of government to fund supportive housing providers, but the audit found that resources are stretched thin. While the city receives capital funding from the federal and provincial governments, these levels of government do not provide additional funding for ongoing operational costs. "The city is then left in a constant state of reactivity to try to find the operating funds to support this critical type of housing," the audit found. "The current level of operating funding is not sufficient to address the needs of individuals with higher acuity levels or more complex needs," it continued. The audit found the city allocated $10.7 million in capital funding and $15.3 million in operating funding to supportive housing last year. In 2023, it allocated $24.8 million for capital funding and $11.3 million for operating funding. Service providers told the auditors that they do not always receive funds for required repairs to buildings. Demand for accommodation in supportive housing exceeds supply, resulting in a wait list. But the wait list is not prioritized based on need or how long people have been waiting. Due to resource constraints, service providers may not choose applicants with the most complex needs. "Individuals who have been in the system the longest and potentially require intensive or specialized supports may never get housed because their needs are considered too high for the available supports," audit principal Rhea Khanna told the audit committee. People who live near supportive housing complexes have raised safety concerns. Community housing in Wateridge Village is an example of how capital investment has not been matched by needed support funding, according to Roxanne Field, president of the Wateridge Village Community Association. On land that was formerly part of Canadian Forces Base Rockcliffe, the city built three zero-carbon, eco-friendly buildings providing 271 affordable housing units, including 57 fully accessible units. But Field said there is insufficient support on site, resulting in regular emergency services calls to the buildings. "These people are terrified, angry and stressed out; they do not feel safe in their own home, and this is not OK," she told the committee on Friday. "This is out of control," she said, adding that people with serious mental health and addiction issues are "just not getting the care they need." Coun. Rawlson King, whose Ward 13 Rideau-Rockcliffe includes Wateridge, said the report highlighted the need for greater funding for wraparound services. "What we really need is the federal and provincial governments to step up to recognize that their capital investments are meaningless without corresponding operating and health funding," he said. "We simply can't continue expecting municipalities to absorb these costs while simultaneously demanding we balance budgets and maintain service levels."
South China Morning Post
05-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
It will pay Hong Kong's workers to check their savings after MPF shake-up
Hong Kong's retirement savings scheme has had its fair share of criticism over the years. The meagre compulsory monthly contributions and relatively high administration fees charged by private service providers mean many retirees are struggling to make ends meet. Thankfully, a revamp is under way. It is welcome news that fees charged under the Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) have fallen by 36 per cent since the launch of a centralised electronic platform last year, one of the scheme's most significant reforms since its introduction in 2000. The fee currently set at 37 basis points (0.37 per cent), which is 36 per cent lower than the average of 58 basis points (0.58 per cent) charged by trustees before switching to the e-platform, is expected to decrease gradually. The cumulative savings from lower fees are estimated to reach HK$30 billion to HK$40 billion (US$3.8 billion to US$5.1 billion) over a 10-year period, representing a decrease of 41 to 55 per cent in fees, according to the MPF authority. The massive savings speak volumes for the inadequacies of the previous arrangements. The eMPF was launched last June to provide a centralised online platform that would replace the separate systems used by 12 different operators, allowing all service providers, 367,000 employers and 4.75 million members to manage fund assets worth HK$1.338 trillion on a single platform on their mobile phones or computers. A quarter of the small and medium-tier accounts would have migrated to the platform by August. The top four players that manage 70 per cent of the MPF's assets are slated to move over between September and December – a process described as very challenging.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fare increases planned for Ring and Ride buses
Fares for the region's Ring and Ride services are set to increase for the first time in eight years due to cost pressures. Charges for a single trip would rise from £1.30 to £2 if the plans are approved by West Midlands Combined Authority's (WMCA) board later this month. Board members are also expected to award contracts to operators which will guarantee the service for a minimum of five years from 1 December. Demand for Ring and Ride services has grown steadily, according to WMCA figures which show 2,487 people have taken a trip in the last six months. Bosses said the last week of March was the busiest since the start of 2020, when the service was hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The authority currently provides a subsidy of nearly £6.5m per year to run the service but this is almost half the figure from 2010/11 when its budget was around £12 million. A WMCA report said income from fares brought in about £250,000 per year and that this was reinvested into the service. Despite rises in inflation, charges have remained the same since April 2017. The fees are much lower than the region's fixed route bus network – which will see fares increased further later this month – which has led to concerns people who do not need Ring and Ride might attempt to switch to it. "Fares are now significantly lower than the standard single bus fares despite the significantly higher level of customer service," the report said. "The current scenario could also potentially drive people who don't need this service to switch to it rather than using fixed route bus. "Without any fares adjustments the service will become increasingly unsustainable and place further pressure on the transport levy." If approved, the new Ring and Ride fare structure would be: £2 – Registered user aged 16+ / essential escort carer (up from £1.30) £1 – Registered user aged 5-15 (up from 65p) £2 – Adult travelling with registered user (down from £2.40) £1 – Child travelling with a registered user (up from 65p) Children under the age of 5 will still travel for free This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Hundreds of jobs saved at Ring and Ride service Strategy to improve bus network could cost £44m 'Ghost buses' and cut services: Passengers complain as bus cap rises WMCA Local Democracy Reporting Service
CTV News
28-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Halifax Regional Municipality closes Geary Street encampment site
An encampment for people experiencing homelessness is seen in Dartmouth, N.S. The Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM) is closing and de-designating the Geary Street green space in Dartmouth, N.S., on Wednesday, according to a news release. The city has issued notices to vacate the site to those sheltering in the space. They have until June 22 to relocate and remove all their belongings from the site. The municipality said it is directing people sheltering at Geary Street to one of the available spaces at provincial shelters or another designated space. The municipality said it will offer resources and supports, including transporting people to other provincially-funded housing options or designated locations in HRM. It will also transport or store their belongings. HRM said the Geary Street site is the least-used designated encampment in recent months after three years of consistently low numbers. Service providers will work with people sleeping rough to determine which shelter is best for them, said the release. As of Friday, municipal housing and homelessness staff determined there were 51 tents and four trailers in the city's remaining designated locations. Those locations, established in July 2022, were always meant to be temporary, said the release. HRM said more designated locations will close and be de-designated as more indoor shelter spaces and supportive housing options become available. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
