The hospitality industry has come a long way since the “coaching” inns of medieval Europe. Technology and transportation have advanced to the point that the world has over 21 million hotels. This enormous figure is more unwieldy, as hotel micro-brands proliferate. It’s no longer enough for many hotels to just provide a consistent experience and a comfortable bed. It’s about a connection to the location. It’s about community. It’s about merging seamless technology with memorable hospitality. While it’s never been easy to be a hotelier, today’s landscape is a vibrant and exciting place for hotel professionals.