ForWard Conference Moves to Atlanta, Centers Theme on Amplifying Power for Women in Hospitality

Atlanta, Georgia—The flagship ForWard Conference by the Assess the Foundation successfully debuted in Atlanta, drawing in nearly 1,000 hospitality professionals to the Hyatt Regency Atlanta. Focused on acknowledging, accessing, and amplifying power, the two-day event provided discussions, leadership resources, and activities to empower women in the hospitality sector.

Despite women making up the majority of the hospitality workforce, they are underrepresented in leadership roles. The ForWard initiative, beyond the annual conference, continues to tackle this disparity through tailored professional growth opportunities and networking events.

Kevin Carey, the president and CEO of the AHLA Foundation, highlighted the importance of connections in the industry. Bringing ForWard to Atlanta facilitated engaging a broader audience and fostering meaningful change in a significant hospitality hub.

Rosanna Maietta, president and CEO of AHLA, emphasized the impact of Forward in uniting women and men to support upcoming leaders in the field. The movement’s influence was acknowledged, showcasing the industry’s commitment to empowering women.

The conference featured industry executives and speakers from related fields, such as Jennifer Hyman from Rent The Runway, Lamiaa Laurene Daif from Apple, and Grammy-nominated songwriter Makeba Riddick.

Some standout sessions included a Negotiations Workshop led by Kathryn Valentine, the Future of Guest Expectations panel with industry leaders, an Unlocking AI discussion by Steve Berrey, and a panel on Hidden Careers in Hospitality exploring unconventional paths to leadership within the sector. Additionally, there was a debate on strengthening community ties for hotels as a competitive edge.