Lodging Conference 2026: Hospitality Outlook, Financing Trends, and Industry Connections

HALL Structured Finance (HSF) recently attended The Lodging Conference 2026 in Phoenix, Arizona, joining hotel owners, developers, lenders, and industry leaders for conversations about the opportunities and challenges shaping the hospitality market.

The conference brought together HSF’s loan origination team, President Mark Klipsch, and members of the capital markets team for several days of meetings, industry discussions, and networking.

Throughout the conference, one theme stood out: While confidence in the long-term outlook for hospitality remains strong, today’s development and financing environment requires a more thoughtful approach to getting projects off the ground.

A Changing Landscape for Hotel Development

The hospitality industry continues to navigate a complex operating and development environment. Elevated construction costs, interest rate uncertainty, and uneven performance across markets are influencing how hotel owners and developers evaluate new opportunities.

Despite these challenges, there are reasons for optimism. Limited new hotel construction in many markets could create opportunities for well-positioned projects as demand continues to grow. However, the ability to secure financing remains a critical factor in determining which developments move forward.

For HSF, these conversations reinforced the importance of evaluating each opportunity based on its individual merits, including market fundamentals, sponsorship strength, brand positioning, and overall deal structure.

As a direct balance sheet lender, HSF works with hotel developers to structure construction financing around the specific needs of a project, providing flexibility in a market where traditional lending options can remain constrained.

Mike Canning Joins Industry Leaders to Discuss Hotel Financing

A highlight of the conference was a panel featuring Mike Canning, Senior Vice President of Capital Markets at HALL Group, titled “Secure Your Construction, PIP or Renovation Loan.”

Alongside representatives from MUFG Bank, US Hotel Advisors, Peachtree Group, and Blank Rome, Canning participated in a discussion examining the current landscape for hotel construction and renovation financing.

The panel explored a range of topics directly affecting hotel developers, including construction loan availability, interest rates, loan-to-cost ratios, recourse requirements, and alternative financing structures. The conversation also addressed how lenders are evaluating projects in the current market, with particular attention to sponsorship, market fundamentals, brand affiliation and deal structure.

Canning also had the opportunity to discuss HSF’s recently announced Hyatt Studios Structured Loan Program, an initiative designed to support the development of Hyatt Studios hotels across the country.

The discussion highlighted the importance of finding financing solutions that align with both the realities of today’s capital markets and the long-term objectives of hotel developers.

Bringing the Industry Together with HALL Wines

In addition to the conference programming and meetings, HSF hosted a HALL Wines happy hour, bringing together clients, colleagues, and industry partners for an evening of conversation and connection.

Guests enjoyed a selection of wines from HALL Wines, the Napa Valley winery founded by Craig and Kathryn Hall, while catching up with longtime relationships and making new connections across the hospitality industry.

The annual gathering has become a valuable opportunity for the HSF team to connect with industry peers outside the conference’s formal programming and continue conversations about current projects, market conditions, and future opportunities.

Looking Ahead to 2027

The Lodging Conference reinforced an important distinction in today’s hospitality market: Interest in new development remains, but getting projects financed requires careful planning, realistic underwriting, and the right capital partners.

For HALL Structured Finance, hospitality remains a core focus as the firm continues to evaluate new construction and bridge lending opportunities across the country.

As the industry moves toward 2027, the HSF team looks forward to building on the conversations and relationships from this year’s conference and continuing to provide financing solutions for experienced hotel owners and developers nationwide.