Visual Matrix Brings More than 70 Hotel Industry Leaders Together for Collaboration, Inspiration, and Innovation

FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Mar 19, 2025--

Visual Matrix, a leading provider of advanced technology solutions for the hospitality industry, celebrated its annual Townsquare event in Fort Worth, Texas, February 17 – 20, 2025, where more than 70 attendees strategized ways to expand collaboration between technology providers and hoteliers, shared tips to combat human trafficking and more. Those in attendance joined as Visual Matrix shared insight and perspective on the current state of hospitality, technology and safety while also gathering valuable feedback on how to increase collaboration across the industry.

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Attendees included leaders from Sonesta, Best Western, Westmont Hospitality Company, Hospitality Technology Consulting, Canary Technologies, RockCheetah and Shift4.

Brought together with key support from Actabl, the hotel industry’s leading platform for maximizing profitability through operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making, Visual Matrix’s 2025 Townsquare took place at the Hotel Drover in Fort Worth’s historic Stockyards, and was attended by more than 70 hotel owners, operators, franchisees, technology providers and consultants.

Speakers at the event included:

“We are thrilled with the turnout at our recent Consultants Townsquare in Fort Worth, where our attendees were united in collaboration, innovation and inspiration as they shared novel approaches to improving hospitality from all angles,” said Georgine Muntz, CEO of Visual Matrix. “Looking back at the discussions that took place, which ranged from musings on the current state of hotel technology partnerships to actionable ways to reduce human trafficking across our industry, I find a renewed excitement for the future of hospitality and how we can work together to continue making a difference.”

The program began with a collaborative panel discussion on ways individuals can help improve technology innovation, and how our industry can remove barriers to new integrations and partnerships. The panel addressed several major questions, including whether the industry is falling short of technology adoption goals, when AI will begin to have an impact on hotel operations and more.

“We are honored to partner with Visual Matrix for the latest Consultants Townsquare in Fort Worth,” said Lindsey Goedeker, SVP of Sales at Actabl. “The hotel industry is constantly evolving with new technologies and strategies, but it’s critical to optimize existing resources—ensuring hotels maximize profitability while maintaining the right staffing levels to enhance operations and reduce turnover. There is no silver bullet for improving our industry, but conversations like these can help shift the conversation toward positive change.”

Key attendees shared observations on the event:

Walking the Walk

The final day of the conference began with a panel discussion on human trafficking and how hoteliers can make an impact in the fight against this practice. The group was joined by Melissa Ice, Founder and Executive Director of The Net Fort Worth and co-founder of the Worthy Co., organizations built with a focus on reducing the spread of human trafficking throughout Texas and supporting survivors in their recovery process. Her suggestions and feedback for hotel consultants were met with an undercurrent of support from industry leaders who are using technology such as cameras, heat maps and more to overcome stigmas associated with spotting and combatting human trafficking in practice.

The event ended with a meeting of the Hospitality Women’s Innovation Council. The discussion not only continued to examine opportunities to overcome human trafficking in hospitality, but also addressed the need to uplift women across hospitality and break through the glass ceiling that still exists. Attendees were urged to remain vulnerable and honest while delivering their message to the industry.

For more information on Visual Matrix, visit www.visualmatrix.com. For more information on the Hospitality Women’s Innovation Council, visit visualmatrix.com/women-hospitality-innovation-council.

About Visual Matrix

More than 3,000 properties in 30+ countries worldwide choose the Visual Matrix hospitality operating platform to optimize hotel operations and serve guests from reservation to return stay. Our system includes a game-changing PMS supported by powerful features and key integrations that are easy to use, including revenue management with automated rate tiering, a fully integrated channel manager, and a mobile app for tracking performance on the go. The Visual Matrix MOP housekeeping and maintenance tool automates routine tasks and streamlines communication to keep the front desk, housekeeping, and maintenance staff focused on guests It also includes a built-in panic button as an Emergency Safety Device (ESD) to help keep hotel staff from harm. For more information, visit visualmatrix.com.

Visual Matrix Brings More than 70 Hotel Industry Leaders Together for Collaboration, Inspiration, and Innovation

Visual Matrix Brings More than 70 Hotel Industry Leaders Together for Collaboration, Inspiration, and Innovation

Visual Matrix Brings More than 70 Hotel Industry Leaders Together for Collaboration, Inspiration, and Innovation

Visual Matrix Brings More than 70 Hotel Industry Leaders Together for Collaboration, Inspiration, and Innovation

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stock indexes edged lower following another reminder that big, unsettling policy changes are underway because of President Donald Trump, along with more signals suggesting the U.S. economy remains solid for now. The S&P 500 slipped 0.2% Thursday after flipping between modest gains and losses through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped by less than 0.1% and the Nasdaq composite fell 0.3%. Accenture fell to one of the market’s larger losses on worries about the hit it may take to revenue from the U.S. government as Elon Musk leads efforts to cut federal spending.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below.

NEW YORK (AP) — U.S. stocks are drifting Thursday following signals that the U.S. economy remains solid, for the moment at least, along with reminders that big, unsettling policy changes are underway because of President Donald Trump.

The S&P 500 was down 0.4% in late trading after flipping between modest gains and losses through the day. The Dow Jones Industrial Average was down 29 points, or 0.1%, as of 2:50 p.m. Eastern time, and the Nasdaq composite was 0.5% lower.

Wall Street has been swinging for weeks on a roller-coaster ride, as stock prices veer on uncertainty about what Trump’s trade war will do to the economy. Stocks got a boost Wednesday after the head of the Federal Reserve said the economy remains solid enough at the moment to leave interest rates where they are.

More data arrived Thursday to bolster that view. One report said slightly fewer U.S. workers filed for unemployment benefits last week than economists expected. It’s the latest sign of a potentially “low fire, low hire” job market.

A separate report said sales of previously occupied homes were stronger last month than economists expected, while a third said manufacturing growth in the mid-Atlantic region appears to be better than economists expected.

But Fed Chair Jerome Powell also stressed on Wednesday that extremely high uncertainty is making it difficult to forecast what will happen next.

It's not just uncertainty about the trade war affecting Wall Street. Accenture fell to one of the market's larger losses Thursday even though the consulting and professional services company reported slightly better profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected.

Worries are rising about the hit Accenture may take to its revenue from the U.S. government as Elon Musk leads efforts to cut federal spending. The federal government accounted for 17% of Accenture's North American revenue last fiscal year, and its stock sank 7.9%.

The broad U.S. stock market was likely due for its recent drop, which took it more than 10% below its all-time high in just a few weeks, after prices climbed much faster than corporate profits to make it look too expensive, said Barry Bannister, chief equity strategist at Stifel.

He said the S&P 500 could bounce higher in the near term, particularly after Fed officials indicated Wednesday they see room to cut interest rates twice this year. Lower interest rates would give a boost to the economy, as well as prices for investments. The market has also traditionally had “relief rallies” after major, long-term upward runs for stocks cracked.

But Bannister expects stock prices to remain under pressure as the economy’s growth slows more sharply in the second half of the year and as inflation remains stubbornly high. That could create a mild form of “stagflation,” which is something the Fed doesn’t have good tools to fix. The Fed could lower interest rates further to help the economy, but that would also push upward on inflation.

On Wall Street, Darden Restaurants climbed 5.4% after reporting profit for the latest quarter that matched analysts’ expectations. That was despite what the company behind Olive Garden, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and other restaurant chains called “a challenging environment.”

Discount retailer Five Below rose 2.5% after reporting quarterly revenue and profit that topped analysts' expectations. The Philadelphia company also issued strong sales guidance and said it expects to open 150 stores this year.

In stock markets abroad, London’s FTSE 100 fell 0.1% after the Bank of England held its main interest rate steady.

Indexes fell more sharply across much of the rest of Europe, and German stocks in the DAX lost 1.2%. The loss was even worse in Hong Kong, where the Hang Seng index fell 2.2% following heavy pressure on tech-related stocks.

In the bond market, the yield on the 10-year Treasury fell to 4.23% from 4.25% late Wednesday.

AP Business Writers Matt Ott and Elaine Kurtenbach contributed.

People work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

A general view of the skyline of commercial buildings, in London, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

People work on the options floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

People work on the options floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

People work on the floor at the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell speaks during a news conference after the Federal Open Market Committee meeting, Wednesday, March 19, 2025, at the Federal Reserve in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

A news conference by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is displayed on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange in New York, Wednesday, March 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)