Rooted in Hospitality: Looking Back at MPCon 2026
The bags are unpacked, the out-of-office replies are turned off, and the last of the Miami sunshine has officially worn off. As our team settles back into the usual routines, we can't help but look back on three unforgettable days spent with our My Place family at MPCon 2026.
From September 22-24, the JW Marriott Miami Turnberry welcomed franchise owners, operators, general managers, industry partners, friends, and members of the My Place Hotels team for our biennial brand convention. Between the warm reunions, engaging conversations, and celebrations, one thing became clear: there's something special about getting the My Place family together under one roof.
With this year's theme, Rooted in Hospitality, we celebrated the relationships, values, and shared experiences that have helped shape My Place Hotels from the beginning. And while there was plenty of business to discuss, it was the people who made the week one to remember.
Rooted in Hospitality, Growing Together
If there's one thing our convention agendas never lack, it's opportunities to learn, connect, and share ideas. MPCon 2026 was certainly no exception!
Throughout the week, attendees heard from brand leadership and industry professionals on topics ranging from hotel operations and revenue management to marketing, technology, and franchise development. Educational sessions, panel discussions, and breakout conversations offered plenty of opportunities to exchange ideas, explore new strategies, and take home insights to put into action at their properties.
Looking Ahead: Exciting Developments for My Place Hotels
One of the exciting developments shared during MPCon 2026 was the re-launch of Trend by My Place, a new three-tier hotel brand designed to provide flexible conversion opportunities for existing properties across multiple segments of the lodging industry. With Trend Hotels & Suites, Trend Hotels, and Trend Inns & Suites, options range from economy to upper-midscale accommodations. Trend expands My Place Hotels of America’s franchise portfolio, offering hotel owners a pathway to join the growing My Place network while maintaining a property's unique identity.
Of course, there's something especially valuable about being able to ask questions, exchange experiences, and connect face to face with the people who understand hospitality the best. From the conversations happening during sessions to those continuing long after they ended, there was no shortage of ideas being shared throughout the week.
And while the presentations and announcements gave us plenty to look forward to, some of our favorite moments came when we had the opportunity to celebrate the people behind it all.
Recognizing the Best of My Place
It is not a secret here that our hotels wouldn't be what they are without the dedicated individuals and teams who show up every day to make guests to feel at home. One of our most rewarding parts of MPCon is having the opportunity to recognize those who go above and beyond.
This year's awards brought plenty of reasons to cheer!
Our Rising Pineapple Award Recipients included Brenna Beddoe of Grand Rapids, MN; Avana Jackson of North Las Vegas, NV; Rodney Mackenzie of Missoula, MT; Nickie Wisely of East Moline, IL; and Alexis Chavez Robles of Idaho Falls, ID.
Venerts Hotel Management received the Community Contributor Award for its properties in Watertown, SD; Mitchell, SD; Twin Falls. ID, recognizing the important contributions made beyond the walls of our hotels.
Top Dollar Honors were awarded to 11 My Place Hotels properties for their outstanding achievements:
Kalispell, MT
Anchorage, AK
Aberdeen, SD
East Moline, IL
Wenatchee, WA
Meridian, ID
Grand Rapids, MN
Colorado Springs, CO
Ankeny, IA
Vancouver, WA
Fort Pierre, SD
One of Convention's biggest honors, Property of the Year, went to My Place Hotel-King George, VA! Congratulations to the entire King George team on this incredible achievement.
And last, but certainly not least, Taylor Grife and Randee Grife of Grand Rapids, MN, were presented with the Ron Rivett Spirit of Hospitality Award. Named in honor of our Co-Founder and Chairman, Ron Rivett, this award holds a special place within the My Place family, making it a meaningful moment of recognition.
But the celebrations didn't end there!
Our General Manager's Dinner brought another opportunity to recognize the people who help bring the My Place experience to life each day. This year's gathering took place aboard the Biscayne Lady yacht, making for an especially memorable evening on the water. Throughout the evening, additional honors were presented for Stay Rewarded® Elite Ambassador, Commitment to Cleanliness, Excellence in Service, and QA Elite Achievements.
Seeing our general managers come together to celebrate another is always a highlight of convention week. It's a reminder that while our properties may be spread across the country, we're all part of something much bigger. To every award recipient, congratulations! Your hard work and dedication don't go unnoticed, and we're grateful to have you as part of the My Place family.
A Little Miami Sunshine and a Lot of Memories
Of course, it wouldn't be a My Place Convention without a little fun mixed into the schedule! Between networking opportunities, evening receptions, and time spent catching up with familiar faces, there were plenty of moments that reminded us why we look forward to these gatherings every two years.
From the opening activities aboard the Biscayne Lady with General Managers, Miami provided quite the backdrop for reconnecting with friends and colleagues from across the country.
The My Place Open golf outing also gave attendees an opportunity to enjoy some friendly competition while supporting the AHLA Foundation and its work to strengthen the future of the hospitality industry. And while the sessions were filled with valuable information, we have a feeling that many of the conversations, laughs, and memories made outside the meeting rooms will be what sticks with us the longest.
There's something about seeing familiar faces from across the country, meeting new members of the My Place family, and finally putting faces to names that makes these events so worthwhile. After all, a My Place Convention has never been just about the meetings. It's about the people sitting next to you, the relationships built over the years, and the shared passion for hospitality that brings everyone together.
Until We Meet Again!
It's hard to believe another My Place Convention has already come and gone. After months of planning and anticipation, those three days in Miami seemed to fly by faster than we could have imagined. To our Franchise owners, operators, general managers, sponsors, speakers, industry partners, and every member of the My Place family who joined us, thank you!
We know stepping away from your properties, teams, and everyday responsibilities isn't always easy, and we're incredibly grateful you chose to spend that time with us. Your enthusiasm, support, and commitment to the brand are what make these gatherings possible and, more importantly, what makes them meaningful.
As we look ahead, we're excited to see the ideas, connections, and inspiration from MPCon 2026 continue to grow throughout the My Place Hotels network. Because if this year's convention reminded us of anything, it's that our roots run deep, our relationships make us stronger, and our future is brighter when we grow together.
Until MPCon 2028, keep growing and stay rooted in hospitality!
