Michael Osgood, vice president of Preferred Hotels & Resorts, is set to attend Hotec Design, an annual conference presented by Questex, the parent company of Hotel Management. At the conference—scheduled this year for June 16-18 at the Fairmont Scottsdale (Ariz.) Princess—buyers meet one-on-one with hospitality-focused suppliers to learn about new products and services and to keep up-to-date on emerging trends.
Ahead of the conference, Osgood talked about technology, sustainability and the company's eco-conscious Beyond Green brand.
1. What are you most excited about for your company in 2025 (and beyond)?
The continued global growth and expansion in the independent luxury space. We continue to grow globally amongst independent and properties looking to de-flag from a major brand.
2. What are some of the biggest design-related changes you’ve seen in the hotel industry over the past year?
With the growth in technology related features for both properties and guests. The design firms are having to take into account all aspects of technology in public space and guestrooms.
3. How has your business adjusted to these changes?
We continue to search for the right technology partners to reduce the number of technology vendors a property has to utilize.
4. How are you incorporating new technology, especially AI, into your business?
We are using AI to assist our properties with online reputation management. [We also are] using CoPilot to assist with prospecting and business planning.
5. What steps are you taking to improve sustainability in the industry?
We created our own fully sustainable brand called Beyond Green.
6. What are some trends you think will have staying power beyond 2025?
Sustainability initiatives, technology advancement in guest services and AI.
7. What is the biggest challenge you have overcome over the past year? How did you overcome it?
Development of new properties slowed with the interest rates being where they were but the activity is picking up based on the positive signs of the economy globally.
8. What is the value of meeting hospitality suppliers one-on-one?
The allows us the opportunity to come to one location to maximize our time and energy.
9. What do you hope to accomplish at Hotec this year?
Meeting, networking and creating long-term partnerships.