SOLD OUT EVENT!
Limited Sponsorship Opportunities still available. Contact Allison Friedman for options.
OVERVIEW
FORWARD is a movement to build community, develop leaders, and create game-changing events that advance women in hospitality.
Join us for FORWARD/26, where the industry comes together to invest in women leaders defining hospitality. Presented by the AHLA Foundation, this high-energy event connects trailblazing executives, rising stars, and committed allies for the kind of dynamic exchanges and authentic connections that don't just inspire—they ignite real change.
This is your chance to invest in yourself, your team, and the future of hospitality. The insights you'll gain, the relationships you'll forge, and the momentum you'll build are worth every moment.
This year’s theme, influence, is all about understanding the fluid force that shapes who we are and how we lead. At FORWARD/26, we’ll explore its many forms — personal, professional, and collective — and how it evolves through every role and season of your career.
Across two days of impactful sessions and networking, you’ll learn to:
🔎 Discover your unique source of influence and leverage it as your greatest leadership asset
▶️ Navigate how your influence evolves, from being inspired to becoming someone else’s inspiration
👣 Use your influence responsibly to elevate others and create lasting change across hospitality
KEYNOTE SPEAKERS
Bobbi Brown
Chief Creative Officer & Founder
Jones Road Beauty
Tiera Kennedy
Singer-Songwriter
Tiera Music
Justin Knight
President & CEO
Apple Hospitality REIT
April 16-17, 2026
START / April 16 @ 9:00 am
END / April 17 @ 12:00 pm
WHY ATTEND
FORWARD/26 is a thoughtfully curated space designed for women leaders and those dedicated to their success. Whether you're just starting your leadership journey, navigating the path to the executive suite, mentoring the next generation, or championing women's advancement in your organization, FORWARD/26 delivers the strategic insights, practical tools, and powerful networks that translate inspiration into real impact.
This is where women leaders find their community and build the connections that matter. Together, we're moving the industry FORWARD.
Experience:
- Electrifying sessions with visionaries rewriting the rules of hospitality leadership
- Strategic networking with peers, mentors, and changemakers across the industry
- Actionable strategies you can implement immediately in your organization
- A thoughtfully designed environment where women leaders connect, collaborate, and create lasting change
HIGHLIGHTS FROM FORWARD/25
FORWARD / 26 SPONSORS
PRESENTING SPONSORS
CATALYST SPONSORS
SUPPORTING SPONSORS
As of 3.24.2026