by Kevin Gaffney
NEW YORK – During the COVID crisis, we’ve heard many clichés such as, “We’re all in the same boat,” but I recently saw a meme that put the old saying into perspective. It basically said, we’re not in the same boat, but we are in the same storm.
The storm is the virus, but the many boats of hospitality are vastly different. Some hotels, lodges, and resorts are well suited to weather the storm, while others are springing leaks.
This month’s HX: The News features a variety of perspectives designed to show readers how other hospitality professionals are coping. How are they responding? What specific actions are they taking to deal with the stunning events of the last two months?
Ultimately, we are in the trade show business, but HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA is a reflection of the industry. Your success is our success, and with that in mind, the Nov. 8-9, 2020 show at the Javits Center in New York is still on, and we are preparing.
There is no question we will never forget 2020, particularly from March onward. Some industries are well suited to sail through the lockdowns, but the hospitality industry is the opposite. We’re well suited to be extremely challenged, and challenged we are.
No one can predict the future, but by the time HX rolls around, we hope the show can serve as a rallying point. The energy, knowledge, and enthusiasm of HX is undeniable, and this year it may indeed be more welcome than ever.
Kevin Gaffney is vice president and group show director for HX: The Hotel Experience Powered by AAHOA.