More than 300 hotel owners, investors and executives gathered at Kabani Hotel Group’s 9th Annual Hotel Investment Forum at the JW Marriott Marquis in Miami to examine the economic and operational trends shaping the next phase of hospitality growth.
Peachtree Group CEO Greg Friedman opened the event with a market outlook highlighting moderating ADRs, tighter capital markets and limited new supply. He noted that anticipated rate easing could create strong investment momentum in 2026 despite near-term headwinds.
John Lancet, senior managing director, HVS, shared an in-depth Florida hospitality market outlook, detailing valuation and transaction trends that drew strong engagement from attendees. A conversation between Friedman and Vision Hospitality CEO Mitch Patel explored Vision’s growth story, investment approach and the evolving owner-brand relationship in today’s market.
Fireside chats with Wyndham CEO Geoff Ballotti and sbe founder Sam Nazarian delved into the impact of AI on efficiency, guest preferences, soft brand strategies and new brand concepts such as Wyndham’s Dazzler Select and ECHO.
The 2025 hotel industry panel, “Adapting, Operating and Growing in a Transforming Hospitality Market,” featured Zack Gharib, CEO, Red Roof; Kamalesh “KP” Patel, chairman, AAHOA; Allie Neary, regional director, North American development, Best Western Hotels & Resorts; Brian Waldman, chief investment officer, Peachtree Group; Robert Scribner, VP, extended stay franchise development, Choice Hotels; Azim Saju, CEO, Ark Holdings; Sonia Egyhazy, VP, luxury hotel and mixed-use development, Accor; and Nilesh “Neil” Patel, partner, MW Law; and was moderated by Suraj Dalal, partner, Kabani Hotel Group. Discussion topics included AI adoption, conversions, interest rates and strategies for growth in evolving market conditions.
“As this year’s sold-out forum concludes, we’re proud of the relationships, insights and opportunities it generated,” said Ahmed G. Kabani, founder/CEO, Kabani Hotel Group. “We look forward to welcoming the industry back to Miami for our 10th Annual Forum in 2026.”
