Robots, artificial intelligence, sustainability, and self-service tools are among the approaches being used to gain customers and win their loyalty through service

São Paulo, September 2023 – In more competitive times, with online ratings and a more demanding public, how can hotels and hospitality centers, including guest houses, not just attract, but delight customers? In search of an answer that covers a range of solutions, from technology to services, all geared toward hospitality, thousands of professionals attended the 60th Equipotel, an industry reference, to see what's new while networking and ding business.

"We're proud to gather so many exhibitors, a reference for the market, and visitors, who are looking to optimize experiences and provide more comfort for customers, making the 60th anniversary edition a celebration of history and a connection to the future. Lots of business is developed after the show, but it's at the pavilion where there's a stronger chemistry. It was amazing to witness a key turnaround in the industry, which can continue relying on Equipotel for many years, I'm sure," says Daniel Pereira, the event manager.

This year's success didn't just establish its place as one of Brazil's oldest shows and the witness to major social transformations, but also as a showcase of the trends influencing decisions in the industry over the coming months. It's at the expo that restaurants, spas, gyms, bars, hospitality venues, and so many other segments are looking for inspiration to drive their operations. The show is even held strategically in September to retrofit these companies with the high season (December/January) in mind.

Technology, accessibility, and sustainability

Have you ever imagined being welcomed to a hospitality venue by a robot, who takes care of everything from check-in to service times? The age of machines supporting human work has made advances in hospitality. This technology was the focus of Pluginbot, which brought in models that operate to provide concierge service and remote customer service, and even handle risky situations, such as investigating gas leaks.

In accessibility, Box Acessível showed a solution in which a wheelchair can completely enter the bathing area and used water is also collected. In sustainability, Topema Innovations highlighted its eco-recyclers, equipment that can help reduce organic waste volume by up to 90%. More details on these and other solutions highlighted at the show can be found in the digital press kit.

Event Numbers

In relation to attendance, reflecting the positive movement in the tourism and hospitality sectors, Equipotel is also once again reaching pre-pandemic levels. This show saw a total of 20,255 unique visitors over four days. That is 15% more than the last show.

The qualification of attendees was another point worth mentioning. Out of all participants, 62% were decision-makers or responsible for procurement, 36% held leadership roles, and 6% had funds available to spend at the show. Visitors came from the following regions: Southeast 81%, Northeast 6%, South 7%, Center-West 2%, and North 2%. The event also welcomed professionals from other countries in Latin America as well as from France, the United Kingdom, the Czech Republic, China, South Korea, Japan, the United States, Canada, and Portugal.

If visitors numbers were up, so were exhibitor brand numbers. Over 350 were there, around 10% more than the 2022 show. With hard strong intelligence work and supported by connective technologies, there were 46,887 leads. Qualified attendees were also at the base of productive business talks.

Content and experiences

Continuing professional education was intense. The program included no less than 145 hours of presentations and talks in a total of 11 content spaces. For the sixth year, the National Congress of Hotels (CONOTEL) was held inside of the Hospitality Arena, but the public was also able to check out approaches to the most current topics in the market at the Hotel Housekeeping Workshop and in various other attractions. There were also other arenas offering content, such as the Motel Xperience, Hotel School, Gastronomic Area – in partnership with SENAC, the Hospitality Trends area, the Tech Arena, HSMAI Innovation, the Breathing Hotel, and the Hospitality Marathon.

This edition was also the stage for the biggest immersive experience ever held at the event: the Inn House Experience. A 300 sqm guest house was assembled, with areas including a reception, kitchen with bar, bedroom adapted as a home office, lounge, and garden. The project, developed based on an immersive experience from the organizers of Equipotel Paris, included talks such as "From 0 to a Million with your guest house;" "Well-being in hospitality through neuroarchitecture;" and "Inn House - Turning hosts into successful entrepreneurs," and more. It was designed by Brazil Sales, architect Cris Paola of Cris Paola Studio, MDF Technology, and the Marcenaria Show. 

Interactivity was also the highlight of nominations for the 2023 Hospitality Seal. The traditional action once again gave the public the chance to identify the latest products and services that fulfill criteria related to innovation, cost reduction, operation, design, and reduced environmental impact, such as the Vegano Plus package, a new product from Harus, offering advantages such as sustainability and biodegradability and which was developed to use a certified paper refill package. This product integrates the amenities solutions developed by the company.

Testimonials

The 60th anniversary edition was symbolic and the talk of all of the exhibitors and visitors. Thiago Guilherme Santin, CEO of Blitz Software discussed the movement: "It was busier than in previous years. We were able to do business and get contacts to close deals later. While Tec Toy pointed out the visibility for the qualified public: "Our space for automated check-in and check-out totems garnered a lot of attention," said Juliete Correia, the company's CCO. App Sistemas, Di Pratos, Komeco, and Plumatex also discussed their impressions. Find full testimonials from participants at the link: https://shre.ink/ngKK.

Brands within the exhibitor pool included: Döhler, eeCoo, Wier, OXTREAT, Raízen Power, Castor, Ortobom, Alloy Iluminação, App Sistemas, Altenburg, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions, Camesa – Hotel Selection Professional, Colortel, Dayhome Food Service, Eco Flame Garden, Euro On Demand Colchões por Assinatura, Frutmel Alimentos Personalizados, Girbau Beyond Laundry, Grosfillex, Harus Soluções em Hospitalidade, Hoteleads, Hotelflow, Komeco, Mobly, Móveis Delucci, Nonius, and more.

The result of this show is a tribute to the 60 years built by the event, which has kept pace with advances and transformations in the market and has carved out its space as an important professional meet-up in Latin America for introducing innovations, products, and trends and fostering partnerships and business.

The date has already been set for the next edition. RX, the event's organizer, is announcing that Equipotel 2024 will be held September 17 to 20, at Expo Center Norte.

More information at: https://www.equipotel.com.br

About Equipotel

Equipotel is a reference in Latin America's hospitality industry, by bringing together a wide range of product and service offerings in just one place, with a vast program of experiences and qualified content for the show's visitors. The show celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2023, valuing the plurality of our people, who carry in their DNA the art of great hospitality, in all of its forms. For more information visit:  https://www.equipotel.com.br/

RX

RX offers opportunities for connection and to build business to individuals, communities, and organizations. We harness the power of in-person events, combining data and digital products to connect people by offering experiences and business opportunities through over 400 events held in 22 countries and in 42 different economic sectors. As a company, we are dedicated to making a positive impact on society and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all.

RX is part of RELX, a global provider of analyses based on information and decision-making tools for professionals and corporate clients. RX – In the business of building businesses www.rxglobal.com/rx-brazil

RELX

RELX is a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. RELX serves clients in over 180 countries and has offices in around 40 countries. The company has a staff of 35,000, over 40% of whom work out of North America. Shares in RELX PLC, its parent company, are traded on the stock markets of London, Amsterdam, and New York, under the following ticker symbols: London: REL; Amsterdam: REN; New York: RELX.

*Note: The current market capitalization can be found at http://www.relx.com/investors 

Press information

KB!COM | Corporate Communications

11 4332.9808 | 11 99211.7420

Rogério Porto –  roger@kbcomunicacao.com.br

Kelly Boscarioli – kelly@kbcomunicacao.com.br