As hospitality leaders gather in Miami for The Hospitality Show this November, they will be arriving in one of the nation’s strongest hotel markets at a time of significant growth and transformation.
According to David Whitaker, president and CEO of the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, hosting The Hospitality Show creates an opportunity for local hoteliers and industry executives alike to exchange ideas, explore emerging trends and see firsthand how Miami’s hospitality landscape continues to evolve. “It's always helpful to have our local hotel partners learn best practices and trends,” Whitaker said.
For attendees who have not visited in recent years, Whitaker believes they will encounter a dramatically different city. Among the most notable additions is the soon-to-open 800-room Grand Hyatt Miami Beach, directly connected to the Miami Beach Convention Center. Slated to open in late 2027, the project is a result of a years-long collaboration between Hyatt, Terra, Turnberry, the City of Miami Beach and the Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau. “That is in itself a game-changer for us,” he said.
The destination’s hotel pipeline continues to expand as well, with eight new hotels opening this year alone. Much of that development is focused on higher-end accommodations, a trend Whitaker sees as one of the most exciting shifts in the market.
“The biggest and quite frankly the most exciting trend is the introduction and growth in four- and five-star hotels,” he said.
Miami's Hotel Market
Miami’s hotel market continues to rank among the strongest in the United States, particularly in average daily rate and RevPAR performance. Whitaker attributes that success to years of strategic positioning.
“Our hoteliers and our own brand value proposition are now strongly entrenched in a premium destination and premium hotel product attracting premium-seeking visitors and hotel guests,” he said.
That premium positioning has also reshaped international travel patterns. Rather than focusing solely on visitor volume, Miami is increasingly benefiting from international guests who stay longer and spend more, contributing to stronger hotel performance.
Looking ahead, Whitaker notes that major sporting events such as FIFA World Cup matches can provide short-term demand spikes, but long-term success depends on maintaining a steady pipeline of conventions and group business throughout the year.
“The real long-term growth will never be this, but more importantly a steady book of business and future confirmed bookings of major conventions each and every year,” he said.
Attendees will also experience a convention center that has undergone a $640 million renovation and expansion, transforming the Miami Beach Convention Center into what Whitaker describes as one of the most beautiful convention facilities in the country.
Beyond the convention center, Whitaker encourages visitors to explore the diverse neighborhoods and entertainment districts that make Greater Miami unique. While South Beach remains a global draw, he points to Little Havana’s Calle Ocho as a neighborhood where the city’s future and heritage intersect through its growing collection of restaurants, bars and cultural experiences.
His Wish for Attendees
For executives attending The Hospitality Show, Whitaker has one recommendation that has little to do with networking or trade show floors: Wake up early enough to experience a Miami Beach sunrise.
“One of the most beautiful sunrises on Miami Beach one will ever experience,” he said.
As Miami continues to invest in hospitality infrastructure, expand its luxury hotel offerings and attract premium travelers, Whitaker remains confident about the destination’s trajectory.
“In today’s market, there are few places like Miami that can confidently and tangibly say that our best years are still ahead of us,” he said. “And that is what the next five years will reinforce.”