What a week in Philadelphia! Last week marked our second consecutive year attending AAHOACON – and if we thought our first experience was great, 2026 completely exceeded expectations. 

The energy at Ocra is still through the roof. Our post-conference team meetings have been buzzing with new ideas, fresh connections, and a whole lot of gratitude for the hospitality community. 

Here’s a look back at our whirlwind of a week.

Wednesday: Setting the Stage

The convention kicked off with the hustle of move-in day. 

As we set up the Ocra booth, we were surrounded by the sights and sounds of hundreds of vendors building their homes for the week at the same time. Watching the convention floor transform into a vibrant hotelier marketplace was incredible.

Our booth became a hub for discussing one of the most overlooked assets in hospitality: the parking lot. 

We spent the week speaking with hotel owners and operators who were eager to see if any assets in their portfolios are positioned to sell excess parking to increase Net Operating Income (NOI). 

Ocra makes this transition seamless by using AI-powered revenue management to sell vacant spaces to non-guest customers – like airport travelers or event-goers – at optimal rates via major online marketplaces like SpotHero, Airport Parking Reservations, and more.

That evening, the Welcome Reception set the tone for the entire event. The room was filled with old friends reconnecting and new partnerships beginning, which was the perfect lead into the busy days ahead.

Thursday: Tradeshow Day 1

As the trade show floor officially opened, hoteliers and guests began to trickle in at a steady pace. We appreciated having the time to have meaningful conversations with every visitor who stopped by our booth. 

The flow was consistent, giving us the opportunity to truly listen to the challenges today’s hoteliers face. It’s clear what’s on the minds of hotel professionals right now: while RevPAR remains a concern, the conversation has shifted toward holistic asset optimization. We heard a lot about streamlining F&B operations, maximizing ancillary revenue, and more aggressive revenue management strategies to combat rising labor costs.

We spoke with many owners about the untapped potential of ancillary parking revenue – particularly those located near airports and event venues.

These conversations were incredibly valuable, and we were able to take them a step further by completing on-the-spot revenue analyses at our booth. This allowed us to showcase the untapped potential of their assets and demonstrate how Ocra can help drive topline revenue.

Between the hot lunch buffet, to-go lunches, the endless snacks, and those much-needed mid-day tea breaks, they kept our team fueled and energized all day long.

We also had the chance to explore the floor ourselves – visiting booths and catching parts of the education sessions across both main hubs. The general themes of the conference felt more urgent this year, focusing on how to maintain margins in a changing economy. 

A few recurring themes stood out:

• Leveraging AI: Using technology to solve day-to-day operational challenges and labor shortages while simultaneously increasing revenue
• Optimizing Occupancy: Thinking beyond rooms to diversify revenue streams
• Investment Strategy: Gaining a deeper understanding of what’s driving hotel investment and property valuations in 2026

Philadelphia was the perfect backdrop for the Stars, Stripes, and Liberty Nights party that evening where everyone leaned into the dress code of red, white and blue. We were also treated to an incredible performance by Penn Masala, whose fusion of Indian and Western music perfectly reflected the vibrant diversity of the AAHOA community.

Friday: Tech Pitch Day

While we continued our conversations about the future of parking at the booth, the Tech Pitch was a major highlight of our Friday. Ethan took the stage to pitch Ocra to a panel of experts in technology and hospitality.

It was an honor to be selected as one of the eight finalists alongside this lineup of innovative companies: Lilo, Roomiy Finance, Sadie AI, StayNow, TakeUp AI, VSR Network Technologies, LLC, and WithCoverage.

We’re honored to share that Ocra took home third place, and we want to extend a huge congratulations to Sadie AI for the win and Roomiy Finance for taking second. The level of talent on that stage was a clear testament to how quickly hospitality tech is evolving.

Ocra’s recognition reflects a significant shift in the industry: one where hotel owners and operators are moving toward a full embrace of ancillary revenue streams like parking. It’s exciting to see the market re-think assets that have historically been overlooked or under-monetized. This shift in mindset signals a future where every square foot of a hotel asset is strategically optimized for profitability.

To wrap it all up, the Closing Gala was nothing short of spectacular. We spent the evening celebrating the week’s successes, ending an unforgettable week on a high note.

See You in 2027

To everyone we met, connected with, and learned from in Philly: Thank you. In an industry undergoing tremendous transformation, we’re proud to be part of the rising tide that lifts all ships.

We’re already counting down the days until we see you all again in Anaheim, California. But until then, catch a glimpse of our CEO and Co-Founder, Ethan Glass, alongside Account Executive Esme Brown featured in AAHOA’s recap video.

Want to learn more about increasing NOI with ancillary parking revenue at your locations? Visit our website, connect with us on LinkedIn, or email info@getocra.com.