Channing Henry

Hotel development pipelines hit record highs in 2026.Travel is a $1.37 trillion market in the U.S. The data is clear: Now is the time to rethink how hospitality projects come to be. Owners, developers, investors and brands have a unique opportunity to capitalize on the strength of the industry to rewrite the rulebook. Conventional development thinking considers the hotel as an asset first and foremost. The question is “What can we build here?” Now, development, financial strategy, ownership, conservation and creative direction are sitting at the table together asking “What can this place become and how can it serve the guest, the land and the community?” Hear from leaders in design, ownership and strategy on how they’re building an integrated model, one where capital, operations, guest experience and design begin shaping the project together from the start. Find out what skills designers need to build to elevate their role upstream in the development process. Learn how pioneering clients are redefining the “what” and the “how” of hospitality development. Can hotels change the world? In 2026, the answer is yes - and design plays a central role in powering that positive impact on the guest, community, ecology and yes, business model.