Kabani Hotel Group’s 10th Annual Hotel Investment Forum delivers a year’s worth of insight, capital and connections in a single day
MIAMI, FL — November 2, 2026 — On Thursday, October 29, Kabani Hotel Group brought more than 300 hotel owners, operators, brands, lenders and investors to the JW Marriott Marquis Miami for its 10th Annual Hotel Investment Forum, “RESET 26: Think Ahead. Think Growth.” Ten editions since 2016, the Forum delivered its strongest program yet, all in one day.
One Day. Every Conversation That Matters
The day opened with the Hospitality Investment Outlook from Greg Friedman (Peachtree Group), John Lancet’s Florida Hospitality Update (HVS), and a keynote fireside chat between Neil H. Shah (Hersha) and Greg Friedman. Three panels then took on the questions that will shape the next decade of hotel investment. The message from the stage was clear: hotel demand is at record levels, Florida deal activity is back with $7.2 billion in sales over the past year, and $129 billion in maturing hotel debt is creating opportunity for owners who plan ahead.
Three Panels. The Next Decade.
Panel 1: Hospitality 2030
The hotel of 2030 is being built today. Leaders from the brand, ownership, operating, capital and legal sides of the business laid out how the industry must adapt to compete and grow through the end of the decade.
MODERATOR: Daniel H. Lesser, LW Hospitality Advisors
PANELISTS: Laura Lee Blake, AAHOA • David Wilner, Wyndham • Zack Gharib, Red Roof • Tim Muir, TPG Hotels & Resorts • Samantha Ahuja, Greenberg Traurig • Nick Escoff, MCR
Panel 2: Financing the Next Deal
The capital is there for owners who are ready. With $129 billion in hotel debt maturing in 2026 and 2027, lenders showed owners where the money is today, covering refinancing, new acquisitions and C-PACE as a tool to close the gap.
MODERATOR: Suraj Dalal, Kabani Hotel Group
PANELISTS: Billy Gilchrist, Peachtree Group • Nicholas Meli, Access Point Financial • Rushi Shah, Mag Mile Capital • Ethan Elser, PACE Equity
Panel 3: Extended Stay & Profitability
Extended stay: built for margins, built to last. A focused look at one of the industry’s most resilient segments: how extended-stay hotels drive profitability, and what owners need to know before they build, convert or buy.
MODERATOR Adil Kabani, Kabani Hotel Group
PANELISTS: Paul Novak, Robert Scribner, CJ Car, Pranav Bhakta, Trisha Grisko
Between sessions, the sponsor trade show put attendees face to face with lenders, brands, builders and service providers, and the evening networking reception turned a day of insight into relationships and deals.
“Ten years ago, I started this Forum to put owners, lenders and brands in one room. On October 29, more than 300 of them filled it, and in one day left with the insight, the capital and the relationships to act. That is what a decade of showing up builds,” said Ahmed Kabani, founder & CEO, Kabani Hotel Group.
Ten Years. With Gratitude.
Kabani Hotel Group thanks every speaker, attendee, its 20 sponsors and academic partner Florida International University for ten years of support. Dr. Clay Dickinson of FIU served as Master of Ceremonies. The 11th Annual Hotel Investment Forum returns in 2027.
About Kabani Hotel Group: A Miami-based hotel brokerage, advisory and investment firm specializing in hotel sales, acquisitions, capital markets and advisory across Florida and nationwide. 150 SE 2nd Ave, Suite 403, Miami, FL 33131.
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