2025 ICHRIE KEYNOTES - Sessions, Introductions & Bios

Wednesday  |  Thursday  |  Friday

Welcome our 2025 Keynotes to Indy!

Find these Keynote's bios below. This is not a panel presentation.

Dr. Aluri is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker and thought leader in the fields of hospitality innovation and technology. Dr. Aluri serves in the editorial and advisory boards of top and cutting-edge hospitality and tourism journals and organizations. He has been invited to speak at several international and national shows and conferences. Dr. Aluri is a recipient of numerous awards from the international, national, and state-level organizations from the academia and industry. He established the state-of-the-art space, Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Technology (HIT) Lab at the John Chambers College of Business and Economics, West Virginia University (WVU). Dr. Aluri’s academic and research expertise combines all areas of his education, research interests, and focus in the areas of hospitality information technology and management and information systems, and how these areas impact international hospitality organizations, society, and education. His current focus is consumer behavior research regarding the use of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, data mining, Internet of Things, robotics, and virtual reality. His research has been published in several top academic journals and industry outlets. Dr. Aluri is the Founding Director of the HIT Lab, a platform to bridge the gaps between academic and industry research. He incorporates real-life projects based on issues faced by hospitality businesses today, so that students can get hands-on problem-solving experience. This is part of Dr. Aluri’s teaching philosophy that students are best prepared for life after the classroom by getting real-life learning experiences with actual businesses along the way. Dr. Aluri played a vital role in developing the Hospitality program at WVU. Dr. Aluri is an Associate Professor in the Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Management program at the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics.

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Katie Lee serves as the Chief Information Officer for AKA Hotels + Hotel Residences. With over 25 years’ experience in hospitality technology, Katie is known for her expertise in hospitality-specific systems, working to optimize products for hotel teams while creating an engaging experience for guests.

Katie began her hospitality career in operations with ARAMARK Harrison Lodging’s Conference Center division and has since held various leadership roles in the industry. As the Senior Director of Hospitality Systems for Sonesta Hotels, she led the technology initiative for the rapid growth the brand saw in 2021.

In her role as CIO for AKA, Katie leads a team of IT professionals and is responsible for developing and implementing IT strategies that enhance the guest experience while ensuring data security and compliance. She is committed to driving innovation and delivering technology solutions that support the company's business goals and improve the guest experience.

Katie holds a Master of Science in the Management of Information Technology degree from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Science in Hotel Administration from Cornell University.

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Lyle Worthington, CHTP, is a hospitality technology executive, start-up mentor, coach, and world-renowned technology consultant with over 25 years of diverse technology experience ranging from software developer to CEO. He is a CIO advisor to multiple global hospitality brands and a Past Global President of HFTP. He has served on and chaired several boards, committees, and councils specific to the hospitality industry, and has been an active voice for technology in Hospitality for over 18 years. He regularly speaks at global technology and hospitality industry events and has written numerous articles for hospitality technology printed and digital publications. Together with HFTP, he created E20X and is a strong advocate for start-ups in hospitality. Outside of work, Lyle spends his time growing, playing, and coaching lacrosse in the Netherlands, running ultramarathons, and working hard on his most important project: raising his newborn daughter.

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Michael Blake has joined KemperSports as Vice President of Information Technology. KemperSports is a leading sports, entertainment, and hospitality company that delivers operational excellence in property and experience management. Headquartered in Chicago with regional offices throughout the U.S., KemperSports manages more than 140 golf courses, private clubs, sports venues, and destination resorts nationwide.

With over 20 years of experience in the hospitality IT sector, Michael brings a wealth of knowledge from his previous leadership roles, including serving as Chief Technology Officer for the American Hotel & Lodging Association and Chief Information Officer for notable hospitality brands such as Commune Hotels and Hyatt. Throughout his career, Michael has spearheaded major cloud migrations, enhanced cybersecurity initiatives, and driven change management across diverse environments, all focusing on delivering cost-effective, high-impact technology solutions.

On a personal note, Michael is a devoted family man, married to his wife Josephine for over 25 years. They have three sons: their eldest recently graduated with a Finance degree from the University of Utah, their middle son is pursuing Accounting at the University of Texas, and their youngest, is attending the U.S. Naval Academy. When not immersed in his work, you can find Michael and Josephine traveling across the country to cheer on their youngest son at various rowing regattas.

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As Vice President of Hotel Operations for Resorts World Las Vegas, Shannon McCallum oversees and executes the strategic direction of the hotel. She is responsible for creating and implementing new innovations to enhance the guest experience, developing short- and long-term goals to generate revenue for the property’s three hotel brands – Las Vegas Hilton, Conrad Las Vegas and Crockfords Las Vegas. McCallum brings more than 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry throughout the U.S. and Canada with some of the industry’s largest and most respected brands. She most recently previously served as Vice President of Operations for both ARIA Resort & Casino and Vdara Hotel & Spa as part of her nearly ten years with MGM Resorts International in Las Vegas.

McCallum currently is an Executive Board of Director for the Nevada Hotel and Lodging Association and a Global Board of Director for the Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals Association. In addition, Shannon sits on the Board of Directors for the Southern Nevada Public Television (Vegas PBS) and is an Executive Board of Director at the Nevada Women’s Chamber of Commerce. Earlier this year, Shannon had the pleasure of being a co-chair of the Hotel Housing and Operations Committee, as part of the 2024 Las Vegas Super Bowl Host Committee and is a prior member of the Forbes Travel Guide Standards Advisory Council that represented Global Gaming properties. In 2015, Shannon was recognized as Hotelier of the Year for the State of Nevada and most recently, Shannon was named in the top 100 hospitality professionals in the USA by Global Hospitality Magazine in the January 2024.

THURSDAY, 19 JUNE 2025

Disruption as Innovation Keynote Panel

PANEL DISCRIPTION: Innovation as disruption is transforming hospitality education, challenging traditional models and inspiring new approaches to learning and industry engagement. This session explores how emerging technologies, digital platforms, and creative business models are redefining the skills and mindsets required for future hospitality leaders. Attendees will discover how disruptive innovations - such as immersive virtual training and collaborative industry-academic partnerships - are accelerating change within curricula and professional development. Join us to examine real-world examples, discuss the test-and-learn mindset essential for innovation, and gain actionable insights into preparing students for a rapidly evolving global hospitality landscape.

Lan Elliott’s career spans 25+ years as a hotel real estate & transactions executive, leading deals in the U.S. and abroad. Most recently, Lan rejoined Acacia Hospitality LLC, a hotel investment entity she co-founded, which owns interests in four urban convention hotels. Prior to Acacia, she spent 10+ years at Host Hotels & Resorts, and roles at IHG, W Hotels, and KPMG. Lan is an Interview Host for It’s Personal Stories, recognized by IHI as a Top Hospitality Podcast. She was named to IHI’s 100 Most Inspirational Leaders in Hospitality and Travel. In 2023, Lan launched Athena Leadership Academy, where she also teaches Introduction to Hotel Ownership. Lan previously served as Co-Chair of Castell@College, for which she was a recipient of the 2022 Industry Recognition Award from ICHRIE, and she led and launched the Women in Hospitality Leadership Alliance Speaker Directory. Lan is also a speaker and serves on conference and hospitality school advisory boards.

More info coming!!!

 ICHRIE would like to thank Jeff Robinson, Managing Director of Marketing at Visit Indy, for his support and warm welcome to Indy!