Blazing Trails in Tucson for MPCon24

As our team sifts through countless photos and video footage, unboxes crates, returns emails, and attempts to return to regularly scheduled programming, we can't help but reflect on the past week at MPCon24 and boil it down to one word: joy.

From the moment attendees arrived at the Loews Ventana Canyon Resort in Tucson, AZ for the My Place brand conference, they were immediately greeted with a vivacious hug, an intense high five, or, at the very least, a genuine smile. It can only be compared to a holiday homecoming, being reunited with those you haven't seen in a year — but potentially without the in-laws. The aura that surrounded this three-day convention was electric, and we were sorry to see it end.

"The 2024 My Place Convention truly showcased the strength and synergy of our My Place family," recalled Sarah Dinger, Executive Vice President of Franchise Operations. "From the engaging and educational sessions to the enthusiastic participation of our attendees and the invaluable support from our sponsors, MPCON was a remarkable celebration of what we’ve achieved together."

All My Place Hotel conference agendas have historically been packed with valuable sessions featuring industry leaders and thought provokers — and 2024 was no exception.

• We heard from leading extended-stay expert, Mark Skinner, Partner at the Highland Group, as he dove into surprising details regarding our segment of hospitality.
• Rachel Humphrey, Founder of The Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance, led a panel of trailblazers discussing leadership and empowering the next generation.
• The My Place Hotels leadership team dove into their hospitality journeys, explored what makes My Place unique, and tackled operations FAQs.
• CJ Arlotta with CJ Media Solutions moderated a panel on digital marketing topics that every operations team is continuing to explore.
• We had the privilege of hearing from Kevin Carey, the American Hotel & Lodging Association's Interim President/CEO; Anna Blue, President of the AHLA Foundation; and Chirag Shah, EVP of Federal and Political Affairs & Counsel.

And that's only scratching the surface of the 20+ sessions our 250+ guests had the opportunity to attend during their time in Tucson.

One of the most exciting aspects of MPCon24 had to be the announcement from MPHOA President/CEO Ryan Rivett regarding a new My Place Hotels prototype, My Place 3.0, that features a new exterior design, product enhancements and the My Place Biz Suite available for upgrade.

As sessions wrapped up Thursday afternoon, our My Place executive team was honored to present awards to a few properties and management companies that exceed expectations and represent what My Place stands for.

• TGC Group was named Community Contributor for going above and beyond to make the areas they represent better places to live.
• My Place Hotel-Bozeman, MT was awarded Top Dollar for their incomparable performance metrics.
• My Place Hotel-Hastings, NE was named Property of the Year for exceptionally representing the brand on all fronts.

And last but certainly not least, Jen Ohare, Aberdeen, SD General Manager, was presented with the Ron Rivett Spirit of Hospitality Award for the second time. While she has been awarded this once before, it was the inaugural year the award was named in honor of our Co-Founder and Chairman, Ron Rivett. It was a moment none of us will easily forget.

While the content was expansive, the speakers top-notch, and the takeaways plentiful, it was the interactions outside the session rooms that our team — and hopefully the attendees — remember most vividly. Between our Tacos and Tequila welcome reception, networking happy hours, and a cowboy cookout farewell, there was no shortage of comradery that made this event worthwhile.

A highlight for our corporate team was the General Manager's dinner on Wednesday evening. As Stay Rewarded Elite and Commitment to Cleanliness awards were handed out, the energy was something you had to feel to believe. We were overcome by the support each award recipient received, not only from their own management companies and colleagues but also from the other general managers in attendance. My Place truly is a family, and this reception demonstrated that to the fullest.

Of course, these events don't happen without our sponsors. We're incredibly thankful to be surrounded by so many companies who share our values and continue to support My Place operations each and every day — so thank you to all our MPCon24 partners, but especially our Premier Platinum sponsor, Quest Hospitality Suppliers.

While a brand conference such as this takes months, if not years of preparation, we quickly remember why we continue to put them on: the people. We're so grateful for every franchisee, operations executive, media representative, general manager, and friend who took the time out of their hectic schedules and vast responsibilities to spend a few days with us — it certainly doesn't go unnoticed. We hope you found as much value in participating as we did in hosting.

Our Chief Operating Officer, Matt Campbell, said it best as he summarized the week. "It was incredibly rewarding to host our franchisees, general managers, partners, friends, and vendors at our convention in Tucson, Arizona. This event truly illustrates why My Place Hotels has been a driving force in our industry since its inception because it is, and always has been, about the people around us," he said. "We enjoyed numerous engaging panels, insightful discussions, and valuable networking opportunities throughout the week, showcasing our commitment to deliver superior service to our guests and asset owners."

A My Place Convention at its core is a family reunion, and we wouldn't want it any other way. We can't wait to see everyone again in 2026. Until then, keep on Blazing Trails!