Three of Our Partners Recap the 2025 Lodging Conference and its Benefits to BRP Architects

The Lodging Conference 2025, held October 6–9 at the JW Marriott Phoenix Desert Ridge in Arizona, brought together leaders across the hospitality industry — hotel owners, developers, investors, brand executives, and design professionals. For architecture firms like BRP Architects, the event served as a valuable opportunity to engage directly with the people driving new projects and shaping the future of hotel design and development. Unlike broad design expos, this conference fosters meaningful, deal-oriented conversations that often translate into tangible opportunities.

“Participating in the 2025 Lodging Conference in Arizona offered BRP Architects a meaningful opportunity to engage with developers, hotel owners, contractors, and fellow design professionals,” shared George Mandrik, Partner. “The conversations provided valuable perspectives on current industry health and emerging trends, while also allowing us to strengthen established connections and cultivate promising new relationships. Experiences like these help us stay informed and connected within the hospitality sector.”

Beyond relationship-building, the conference provided a powerful pulse check on the industry’s trajectory. Sessions explored the latest economic indicators, development strategies, and design innovations transforming the lodging landscape. Chris Swan, Managing Partner, reflected, “Attending The Lodging Conference this year was a powerful reminder of how vital it is to come together with industry peers. I enjoyed connecting with hoteliers, investors, and service providers throughout the industry. The sessions were packed with timely economic insights and emerging trends, giving me a clearer view of where the lodging sector is headed.”

For firms working in the hospitality market, this kind of engagement helps maintain relevance and foresight. Ben Van Eps, Partner, added, “Attending the pinnacle networking event in the hospitality sector last week, the 2025 Lodging Conference in Arizona, was a momentum builder. This event provides an exceptional opportunity to connect directly with leading owners, developers, contractors, and design professionals who are shaping the future of hospitality. Conversations throughout the conference highlighted both the current momentum and hurdles in hotel acquisitions, new ground-up construction projects, as well as the latest design and technology trends driving guest experience and operational efficiency. Staying engaged in the broader hospitality network keeps us ahead of emerging opportunities and ensures we remain aligned with the evolving direction of the industry.”

From deepening client relationships to gaining fresh insight into the economic and design trends shaping tomorrow’s hotels, The Lodging Conference 2025 reaffirmed the value of staying actively involved in the hospitality community. For architecture firms, events like these are more than conferences — they are strategic investments that strengthen partnerships, spark innovation, and sustain long-term growth within the industry.