Newport to Bring ‘Living Hospitality’ to Life at 2026 Leadership Retreat

Newport Hospitality Group will host its 2026 Leadership Retreat in Myrtle Beach, S.C., next month.  The annual gathering, to be held April 13 to 16 at the Ellie Resort, will bring together hotel leaders, industry experts, and valued partners for several days of immersive learning, collaboration, and connection designed to strengthen professional performance and personal growth.

The theme of this year’s event, Living Hospitality, reflects Newport’s belief that hospitality is not simply a service model, but a daily commitment to guests, colleagues, and partners alike. It embodies our focus on cultivating a people-first culture, delivering exceptional guest experiences, and building meaningful relationships across every touchpoint of the business. We intentionally structured this event to balance education and rejuvenation, ensuring attendees leave inspired and equipped with practical tools to succeed.

Newport CEO Andrew Carey

Each year the Leadership Retreat serves as a cornerstone of Newport’s commitment to ongoing development. Through general sessions, role-specific breakouts, and hands-on experiences, attendees gain insights into industry trends, operational excellence, and leadership strategies while also strengthening connections across the organization.

People can expect inspiring conversations, peer-led insights, hands-on learning, and moments that remind us why hospitality is more than a business—it’s how we show up for our teams, our partners, and our guests. In addition to the educational program, attendees will enjoy coastal dinners, music, and unstructured time to recharge. Every detail is intentional. This is where leadership meets culture and where Newport’s future takes shape.

Newport President Wayne West III

Impressive 2026 Speaker Lineup

Respected voices from across hospitality and related industries will present perspectives on leadership, marketing, revenue strategy, and performance optimization. Featured speakers include:

• Stuart Butler, President of Visit Myrtle Beach, will kick off the event with a talk titled “Scrappy Always Wins.” He will share a hospitality-centered perspective on how hotel leaders stay grounded, optimistic, and effective in times of constant change.
• Leora Halpern Lanz, Associate Professor at Boston University’s School of Hospitality Administration, will lead “Developing Your Marketing Mindset with AI” to enable hospitality leaders to connect guest experience, storytelling, and strategic thinking across the organization.
• Michael Faricy, Strategic Account Manager at Lighthouse, will lead an interactive session on data, trends, and tools shaping helping hotel teams translate commercial intelligence and market data into real business strategy.
• Bill DeForrest, retired CEO of Spire Hospitality, will explore how small decisions and intentional habits can influence leadership, team culture, and personal resilience in “Living Your Best Day.” He will discuss reframing success, building support systems, practicing honesty, and recognizing the moments that create meaning.
• Cindy Estis Green and Joanna Tu of Kalibri Labs will speak to “Practical Profitability Calibration—Metrics, Habits, and Decisions that Drive Results.” They will explain how hotel leaders can shift from a revenue-only mindset to a profit-first commercial strategy.
• Nate Smith and Jason Lee of Travel Media Group discuss “Reputation & Social in an Agentic World.” As the landscape of online reputation and social media rapidly evolves and AI becomes increasingly agentic, Smith and Lee will explore how hotels can stay visible, credible, and chosen in this new environment.

Sessions will conclude with Newport leaders Andrew Carey and Gib Carey reiterating the importance of culture, leadership, and the practice of “Living Hospitality.”

Emphasis on Partnership

A defining element of this Leadership Retreat is Newport’s commitment to its partners. With a philosophy of “Collaboration Over Transaction,” the company uses this forum to invest time and resources in the people they work alongside. Industry partners Ecolab Inc., Hilton Supply Management, Avendra, BMS Cat, Guest Supply, Lighthouse, M3, Ferguson Facilities Supply, FCP Services, Nations Roof, Recco, Quore, Commercial Green Solutions, Painter Bros, Jacaruso Enterprises Inc., HD Supply, Actabl, Reconcile OTA, and LG Electronics will be on-site to engage directly with attendees and contribute to the overall experience.

“Bringing our partners into this environment is essential to how we operate as a company,” said Whitney Altizer, SVP and Chief Commercial Officer at Newport Hospitality Group. “These relationships are not transactional—they are collaborative, strategic, and deeply integrated into how we deliver results. This event creates the space for meaningful dialogue, shared innovation, and stronger alignment across everything we do.”

Partner organizations consistently point to this annual event as a unique opportunity to deepen relationships and better support Newport’s portfolio.

Avendra gains meaningful value by being immersed in Newport’s culture, priorities, and people. The retreat gives us direct access to leadership and on-property operators, allowing us to better understand operational challenges and strategic goals. That insight helps us ensure our programs and partnerships are aligned to deliver real, measurable value

Brian Rash, Account Manager at Avendra

Faricy also emphasized the importance of the event’s in-person collaboration. “In an era of virtual communication, having face-to-face conversations with the entire Newport team brings a deeper understanding of how our solutions can support their success,” Faricy said. “These interactions strengthen relationships and reinforce the spirit of partnership that defines this industry.”

As Newport continues to grow, its Leadership Retreat remains a vital platform for aligning strategy, reinforcing culture, and living out the company’s core belief: that hospitality, at its best, is something you practice every day.

For more information about Newport Hospitality Group, visit www.nhghotels.com.

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Barb Worcester

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