2027 Keynote speaker
Courtland Palmer
President, Appellation
Courtland Palmer, President of the culinary-first hotel brand Appellation, will headline the 2027 conference as the keynote speaker. Palmer brings a distinctive blend of hospitality development, finance, and food-and-beverage experience to the keynote stage. As President of Appellation, he helps guide the company’s growth strategy and long-term vision. Less than a year after opening, the brand’s first ground-up flagship resort, Appellation Healdsburg, was named the No. 1 Resort in California and the No. 1 Resort in the Continental U.S. in Travel + Leisure’s 2026 World’s Best Awards. His background spans hospitality operations, hotel development, finance, and investment banking, including hotel developments with brands like Four Seasons, Montage, and Marriott.
Palmer’s keynote will explore trends shaping boutique hotel development and changing guest expectations, what differentiates successful hotel concepts in an increasingly competitive market, and the characteristics that can position independent hotels and emerging brands for long-term growth. He will also share lessons learned from his own hospitality journey.
“Independent hospitality has always been about creating a sense of place, taking thoughtful risks, and delivering memorable experiences that guests can’t find anywhere else. At Appellation, we believe that place defines us, people power us, and food connects us, and that the most meaningful hotel experiences are those that are authentically connected to the communities and cultures around them.
I’m looking forward to joining the California Boutique Hotel Conference and sharing some of the lessons we’ve learned building Appellation, as well as hearing from the many independent hoteliers who are pushing the industry forward. California has an incredible community of entrepreneurial hospitality leaders, and I’m honored to be part of the conversation.”
Courtland Palmer
President, Appellation
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