Moderator: Alissa Ponchione

After graduating from Ohio University with a degree in journalism, Alissa Ponchione received her master’s in literature from American University in Washington, DC in 2009. She has held editor roles at Nightclub & Bar magazine and Hotel News Now, both based in Cleveland, before moving to New York in 2013, where she landed a job at Hospitality Design magazine as associate editor. Since then, she has worked her way up to the role of editor in chief, and for the past 12 years, has helped guide the editorial direction of both the magazine and website. Additionally, Alissa has also been instrumental in organizing HD’s signature events, including the HD Awards, Wave of the Future, Platinum Circle, and HD Expo + Conference.