An Invitation to ThinkGrowth 2025

Every company reaches a moment when the next step feels both inevitable and a little daunting. For ThinkReservations, that moment is now.

This December, we’re hosting our first-ever annual virtual conference, called ThinkGrowth 2025. It’s something we’ve talked about doing for years: gathering our community, our customers, and our partners, but the timing finally feels right. The independent hospitality industry is evolving quickly, and this event is our way to pause, take stock, and look forward together.

When we first began planning ThinkGrowth, I didn’t want it to feel like another vendor showcase. What we do need is conversations (honest ones) about how independent properties can stay competitive, grow sustainably, and continue delivering the kind of hospitality guests remember.

That’s the spirit behind ThinkGrowth.

This isn’t a one-way presentation. It’s a full-scale conversation about where independent hospitality is headed: how technology, marketing, and human connection overlap, and what independent operators can actually do to grow in a shifting world.

What you’ll learn

Day one starts with our keynote, Technology trends fueling growth, which looks at how innovation is transforming operations, guest satisfaction, and revenue. We’ll also share a first look at what’s next for ThinkReservations.

Then we’ll zoom out with What’s ahead for independent lodging in 2026, exploring trends and projections to help owners plan with confidence.

From there, it’s a full lineup designed to help you grow smarter:

• Marketing that works: strategies for independent hospitality, what’s really driving bookings in today’s AI-driven world
• Raising the standard for hospitality websites, how your website impacts search, visibility, and guest trust.
• Prepare your financials for growth, building a strong foundation for expansion.
• Straight from the source, property leaders share what’s working (and what’s not) in real time.

The future is powered by AI — and human creativity

We’re also spending time where the industry is heading fastest: AI.

Sessions like Harnessing AI for smarter content marketing and leveraging AI to go from prompt to post focus on how to make AI useful, not intimidating.

And in Google Hotel Ads and the future of direct bookings, Chris Anderson from Cornell University will explore how AI and visibility tools are reshaping how guests find (and choose) independent properties.

These sessions aren’t about theory. They’re about helping you use AI to save time, enhance creativity, and stay visible in a new search landscape.

A look at operations, pricing, and community

We’ll dig into the heart of daily operations, too. Transform your front desk with process and technology explores how automation can free your staff to focus on guests.

Modern Rates: A roadmap to pricing success will help you refine pricing strategies, from early-stage foundations to AI-powered dynamic pricing.

And one of the conversations I’m most looking forward to: Associations and the future of independent hospitality brings Sarah Gazi (ALP) and Mark Reichle (Select Registry) together to discuss how collaboration and advocacy strengthen our industry.

Ending with connection

We’ll close with a Leadership Q&A, where Sean Rolsen, Annie Buck, and I will answer questions about where we’re heading next, as a company and as a community.

I’ve always believed that the most important part of any conference isn’t the presentation slides. It’s the shared ideas, the moments that spark action, and the sense that we’re building something together.

That’s the goal of ThinkGrowth 2025.

Join us

Whether you’re a ThinkReservations customer or simply curious about where hospitality is heading, I hope you’ll join us.

Ask questions. Share your perspective. Bring your experience to the conversation.

Because the future of independent hospitality isn’t something we predict, it’s something we create together.

ThinkGrowth 2025

🗓️ December 10–11, 2025

💻 Virtual and free to attend

Register here