Leah Murphy was invited by hertelier to share her takeaways from the recent ForWard Conference - an American Hotel & Lodging Association Foundation's initiative to celebrate and elevate women in hospitality. The full post is available here.
Returning to the AHLA ForWard Conference in Chicago was a significant moment for me. The growth has been amazing since my first experience in 2018 with just 200 attendees to seeing nearly 900 this year.
The event, themed "Right the Narrative," featured powerful discussions and panels emphasizing the importance of sharing women's stories and fostering leadership in the hospitality industry. Highlights included inspiring speeches, networking opportunities, and innovative ideas from leaders like Malaika Myers, Jen Collins, Tracy Prigmore, and Julienne Smith. Key moments included Anna Blue's poignant introduction on challenging outdated stereotypes and the insightful panels that followed, underscoring the critical role of mentorship, diversity, and redefining leadership in the industry.
Five Things I Loved
Before diving into the highlights of the two-day conference at McCormick Place, here are five standout aspects that I particularly enjoyed:
Networking Opportunities: The organizers did an excellent job facilitating and encouraging networking.
Team Spirit: It was great to see groups from Highgate Hotels, Hyatt Hotels, Crescent Hotels & Resorts, DirectTV, and others sporting matching t-shirts, showcasing their team spirit.
Massage Chair: Sponsored by Red Roof, the massage chair was a genius addition.
Headshot Lounge: Offering free professional headshots was a brilliant idea.
Snack Break and Selfie Areas: These fun and engaging spots added a delightful touch to the conference atmosphere.
The 7 Habits of Transformational Leaders with Rachel Vandenburg Massage Chairs - perfect for a break!
Executive Leader Coach
For more on my takeaways, check out the full write-up at the link below.
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