Three Key Takeaways from the 2025 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference

Ramaker’s hospitality team had a blast at this year’s Hunter Hotel Investment Conference!  The theme of this year’s conference was Elevate Your Game, and one question seemed to stand out—how do we elevate ourselves?

From hospitality, to multifamily to aquatics, Ramaker has the professionals on staff for everything from front-end due diligence surveying, environmental and geotech reporting, through architectural, interiors, structural, MEP, aquatics and civil engineering for projects of any size/scale. Ramaker has worked with almost every hotel brand and chain; from new builds and conversions to PIPs and interior renovations – Ramaker can assist in all facets of hotel design! But, so can many other firms. So – how do we elevate our game?

Embracing Ramaker’s branding by wearing orange helped us stand out on the trade show floor!

This question became a focused variable throughout every presentation we attended this year while at Hunter and really seemed to be the framework for many conversations we had. It also highlights our key takeaways from the 2025 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference:

1. Embrace Uncertainty and Navigate with Confidence

2025 has highlighted the unpredictable nature of today’s world, making it challenging to plan for costs in industries like construction and renovation, where prices fluctuate daily due to tariffs. Flexibility, conviction, and diversification are key themes in navigating this uncertainty. While short-term volatility remains, historical data points to strong long-term returns, a view shared by many investors.

2. Efficiencies with AI Integration in Hotel Operations

We had the opportunity to attend a roundtable focused on the role of Artificial Intelligence in improving the daily operations of hotel management. While there was interest in how AI could enhance the guest experience, it quickly became clear that its applications extend far beyond that. AI can streamline routine tasks, enabling staff to focus on more complex or high-value responsibilities. By automating certain processes, hotels can increase operational efficiency, allowing employees to devote more time to areas that require a human touch.

3. Hotel Property Improvement Plans Drive 2025 Development

Hotel Property Improvement Plans (PIPs) will be a major focus for 2025 development, and the momentum around them is impressive. “Shaping Tomorrow’s Hospitality: Trends, Emerging Markets, and Cutting-Edge Deal Structures” was the title of a heavily attended roundtable discussion at the Hunter conference, featuring prominent industry leaders. It was clear that asset repositioning, including conversions and PIPs, is a key growth strategy. With high construction costs, acquisitions are proving to be the most cost-effective way to expand portfolios, especially when paired with renovations or brand conversions. “The statistics are eye-opening: there are over 4,200 Marriott limited-service hotels are currently in the U.S., with nearly 3,000 needing or overdue for a PIP,” commented Joe Delli Santi, CIO of MCR and Matt Welch of Rockbridge. This highlights a significant opportunity for both growth and improvement across the sector.

These key takeaways circle back to the overarching theme of the 2025 Hunter Hotel Investment Conference – Elevate Your Game.  The conference emphasizes the importance of elevating all aspects of the hospitality business: from strategic decision-making in uncertain times to optimizing operations with AI, and finally, elevating the very spaces that house these transformative changes. From the front-of-house to the behind-the-scenes teams, these spaces play a vital role in ensuring operational success. This is where Ramaker can come in as a trusted partner. Whether it’s creating, re-imagining, or maintaining hotel spaces, Ramaker is ready to elevate projects across the hospitality market, ensuring the best outcomes for both guests and staff alike.

Ready to discuss your next project? Contact Ramaker’s hospitality experts to discuss your unique needs today!