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

GUWAHATI, India (AP) — The flood crisis in India’s northeastern Assam state remained critical on Monday, with the death toll reaching 100 after two more people died overnight, officials said.

Several rivers remain above danger levels, raising the risk of fresh flooding in vulnerable areas, the Assam State Disaster Management Authority said. Days of heavy monsoon rain has caused rivers, including the Brahmaputra, to overflow that inundated communities while disrupting livelihoods and damaging infrastructure.

The river, one of Asia’s largest that originates in China’s Tibet region and flows about 900 kilometers (560 miles) through Assam, flooded villages, swept away homes and forced nearly 300,000 people into government-run relief camps, officials said.

The floods that began last month displaced more than 700,000 people and submerged vast stretches of farmland and damaged roads and other local infrastructure. Although many residents have begun returning to their homes as floodwaters recede, at least 49,000 flood-affected residents remain housed in 125 relief camps and relief distribution centers, officials said.

Authorities remained engaged in relief and monitoring efforts as they assessed the extent of the damage and the needs of affected populations.

The floods also devastated livestock, with large numbers of cattle lost, dealing a blow to rural communities and raising concerns about disease outbreaks. As the waters receded in some areas, many families returned to homes buried under thick layers of silt, adding to the challenges of recovery.

"We have directed officials to complete damage assessment as soon as possible so the government could provide financial assistance for their rehabilitation,” Assam Agriculture and Irrigation Minister Pijush Hazarika said after a review meeting. He said some 500,000 affected people were already paid interim monetary compensation.

The annual monsoon season frequently triggers flooding in Assam, where swollen rivers inundate large areas and displace thousands of residents each year.

Experts say human-caused climate change is intensifying South Asia’s monsoons, which traditionally run from June to September and again from October to December. The rains, once predictable, now arrive in erratic bursts that dump extreme amounts of water in short periods, followed by dry spells.

A cyclist waits to cross a street in the rain in Chennai, India, Sunday, Aug. 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A.)