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When Partnership Drives Innovation: TIED @ the Bay Sets the Stage for What’s Possible
- Suzanne Bagnera and Emily Penfold Dailey
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Innovation moves faster when the right partners come together. That was the clear message from TIED @ the Bay — Technology Innovation Entrepreneurship Day at the Bay — hosted by the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management in partnership with the HSMAI South Florida Chapter and HFTP South Florida Chapter.
According to organizer Dale Gomez, more than 350 attendees, 54 speakers, 20 sponsors, seven universities, and three industry partners joined TIED @ the Bay. More important than the numbers was the purpose: connecting education and industry to shape the future of hospitality through technology, entrepreneurship, and artificial intelligence. Students, many of whom have never known a life without digital technology, connected with industry professionals who have created and adapted to these tools in real time.
From practical insights to bold ideas, TIED @ the Bay created a space where students, educators, executives, and innovators could engage in meaningful dialogue. I was proud to moderate a panel focused on preparing the next generation of hospitality leaders for a tech-driven industry, joined by industry expert Emily Penfold Dailey. Her perspective reinforced the need for leadership development that keeps pace with rapid change.
"Upcoming hoteliers, beyond technical skills, will need to hone soft skills like adaptability, change management, and empathy to keep up with technology and maintain a positive guest experience.” –– Emily Penfold Dailey
Technology is already being leveraged to drive topline revenue with enhanced data analysis and collaboration. In a session moderated by Eric Szymanski (Amadeus), the panel explored how they are using AI tools for marketing, revenue strategy, sales, and distribution. In a RevMax meeting role play focused on the World Cup, they demonstrated how tech-assisted data can help unify the team behind a strong strategy.
The day also proved that innovation is no longer theoretical. It is here now. In one of the event’s most memorable moments, a humanoid robot joined the closing session as a panelist, offering a powerful symbol of how technology is entering the mainstream hospitality conversation in new and unexpected ways.
Support from leaders including Robert Levine (HSMAI South Florida Chapter Co-President) and Mihai Bote (HFTP South Florida President) helped make the experience possible. Their partnership shows what can happen when industry invests directly in the future workforce.
“FIU brought the right people into the room. Hospitality, data, robotics, education, and operations were part of the same conversation. No system exists in isolation. Real progress happens when the right people connect early and build together.” — Jessie Fischer, GuestOS
Attendees made one thing clear: this event filled an important gap in the market. Hospitality needs more spaces where academia and industry can collaborate, test ideas, and build talent pipelines together. TIED @ the Bay delivered exactly that.
The momentum is already building for what comes next.
Save the Date: TIED @ the Bay 2027
April 15, 2027 Florida International University
Watch the highlights from TIED @ the Bay and see the energy, innovation, and industry collaboration in action on YouTube. If this year was any indication, the next chapter will be even bigger.
NBC South Florida featured this experience in the Innovation Monday’s series.
Dr. Suzanne Bagnera is an Assistant Professor and Director of Hospitality Executive Education at the Chaplin School of Hospitality & Tourism Management at Florida International University. Her pioneering online certificate program in AI and Machine Learning for hospitality professionals is now available. Use code HERTELIER@20% for a 20% discount. The next opportunity to continue the momentum is the AI Deployment Lab for Hospitality Leaders on October 22, 2026, an in-person experience in Miami, Florida, where Dale Gomez and I will lead a hands-on executive program focused on practical AI tools, automation, guest engagement, and leadership strategies for implementation. Use discount code ailab$tied10 to register with a 10% discount.
Emily Penfold Dailey is the Founder and CEO of PenDailey Consulting. She is also a board member for Accelerate Women Leaders in Travel and a Cohort Lead for Female Founders in Hospitality.
