Cobblestone Hotels 2026 Conference
October 4th & 5th, 2026
San Antonio, TX
About the event
Rooted in Hospitality. Rising Together.
Inspired by the Spirit of San Antonio
Like San Antonio, our success is built on strong foundations, rich traditions, resilient people, and vibrant communities. This conference is about strengthening ourselves, empowering our teams, elevating our hotels, and shaping the future of hospitality together.
Where
When
4 & 5 October 2026
HOTEL INFO
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk
San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter on the River Walk greets you with the city's authentic culture. This newly renovated hotel in San Antonio features our exclusive M Club alongside indoor and outdoor pools. Our San Antonio River Walk hotel places you in the heart of the city, just steps from popular attractions, dining, shopping, and entertainment. Enjoy a day of family fun exploring the Alamo, take in views from the Tower of the Americas, or visit local adventure parks. For those visiting the Mission City on business, we are located only a moment's walk from the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center and offer over 70,000 square feet of meeting and event space. At the end of the day, come together to enjoy award-winning dishes and handcrafted cocktails at our signature bar and restaurant, Tributary, and start your next morning with your favorite coffee beverage at Cafe Bocadillo. Experience our San Antonio River Walk hotel with style and convenience when you visit the Alamo City.
RESERVATION INFO
TO MAKE YOUR HOTEL RESERVATIONS, PLEASE CLICK HERE
Conference pricing and group block cut off is September 4, 2026. Once the block is full, even if before the cutoff date, it is full. We will do our best to add more or extend the cutoff date, but rates and inventory are subject to hotel availability.
72 hours prior to arrival. Also, guests are subject to an early departure fee. (An Early Departure Fee may only be charged if an attendee checks out of the Hotel prior to the attendee’s scheduled departure date, without having notified the Hotel at check-in of the change in scheduled departure.)
Parking Rates
Day Guests
Valet
- 0-2hrs: $27.00 Plus tax
- 30min-1hr: $22.00 Plus tax
- Over 6hrs: $60.00 Plus tax
Self
- 10min-30min: $14.00 Plus tax
- 2-6hrs: $41.00 Plus tax
- 1hr-3hr: $30.00 Plus tax
- 3hr-5hr: $39.00 Plus tax
*No in/out privileges.*
Overnight Guests
- Self-Parking: $47.00 Plus tax
- Valet Parking: $60.00 Plus tax
*Parking rates are subject to change.*
Have A Look At The
Event Schedule
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change
Day 1
October 4, 2026
8:00 am to 1:00 pm
REGISTRATION
Name badges will be required for all conference events, so stop by the registration desk during
registration hours to get your conference materials!
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Registration Desk
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
WELCOME & GENERAL SESSIONS
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
Keynote: Sean Bott
We’re kicking off conference with a keynote experience that is going to be anything but ordinary.
Meet SEAN — mind reader, mentalist, comedian, psychology enthusiast, connection expert, and the man behind what promises to be one of the most unforgettable moments of our conference.
Growing up in Saudi Arabia, Sean developed a scorching sense of humor and discovered his love of magic at just 12 years old. More than 15 years later, after studying hypnosis, psychology, stagecraft, and comedy, including time at Chicago’s Second City, he’s built a career blowing minds, making people laugh, and helping people connect. And what better place to explore the power of connection than San Antonio, a city built around bringing people together?
- Great hospitality starts with connection.
- Great teams are built on belonging.
- Great leaders know how to make people feel seen
Sean brings together mentalism, psychology, empathy, comedy, and real-world leadership tools to show us how to create genuine human connection quickly and authentically.
Whether you're welcoming a new team member, building relationships with guests, developing your leaders, or working to retain great people, Sean will give us practical tools to help people feel like they belong.
He’s worked with more than 1,500 associations, corporations, and universities around the world, including Google, Disney, and Dell, and now he’s bringing his unique brand of mind-blowing entertainment and meaningful connection to San Antonio.
So grab your boots, bring your best Fiesta spirit, and get ready…
Brand Updates
Award Teaser
3:00 pm to 3:30 pm
BREAK
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Foyer
3:00 pm to 5:00 pm
EDUCATIONAL BREAKOUTS
DAY 1 BRAND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
>> 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Rooted in Excellence: Brand Standards & Quality Assurance
Your brand standards are more than a checklist, they are the foundation of a consistent guest experience. Join the Brand Team for an interactive hour focused on the standards that keep our hotels strong, the quality expectations that matter most, and the practical ways we can elevate our properties every day.
We’ll break down key brand standards, share insights from Quality Assurance, highlight common opportunities, and discuss simple actions that can make a meaningful difference at your hotel. Come ready to learn, ask questions, and leave with a clearer understanding of what it takes to protect the brand and deliver an exceptional guest experience.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
>> 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Powering Your Property: Q&A with Stayntouch
Your Property Management System is at the heart of your hotel’s daily operation. Join the Stayntouch Team for a fast-paced, 30-minute Q&A designed to answer your questions, solve common challenges, and uncover ways to get more from the system you use every day.
Bring your questions, share your challenges, and hear directly from the experts. Whether you want to improve efficiency, streamline the guest experience, or simply better understand the tools available to your team, this is your opportunity to get answers straight from the source.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
DAY 1 DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
>> 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Build Smarter: Unlocking the Power of Cost Segregation
Every development decision matters. Join our experts for a practical conversation about cost segregation and how it can impact your hotel investment. We’ll explore what cost segregation is, why investors should consider it, potential advantages and downsides, and how it can fit into the overall financial strategy of a hotel project.
Whether you’re considering your first hotel investment or looking for ways to strengthen an existing portfolio, this session will help you understand the opportunity and ask the right questions.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
>> 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Development Q&A and Networking
Have questions about hotel development, your next project, or the path from idea to opening day? Join our Development Team for an interactive half hour of networking, conversation, and Q&A.
This is your opportunity to connect directly with the people who help bring Cobblestone projects to life. Ask questions, gain insight, share ideas, and learn more about the development process; from site selection and planning to construction and beyond.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
WELCOME RECEPTION: Viva Fiesta at the Alamo
Bring your Fiesta Flair! Celebrate the vibrant spirit of San Antonio with bold colors, festive attire, and your favorite Fiesta-inspired accessories. No costume required, just come ready to celebrate with us at this historic landmark.
Just steps from our hotel sits one of the most recognized and historic sites in the country, The Alamo, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known for its timeless colonial architecture and lasting place in history. A place that has welcomed visitors for generations and continues to leave an impression on everyone who walks through it. It only feel rights to kick off our conference here!
We look forward to seeing you there!
Location: The Alamo
Day 2
October 5, 2026
7:00 am to 9:00 am
BREAKFAST
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Prefunction Foyer
8:00 am to 9:00 am
REGISTRATION
Name badges will be required for all conference events, so stop by the registration desk during registration hours to get your conference materials!
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Registration Desk
9:00 am to 11:00 am
WELCOME & GENERAL SESSIONS
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
Keynote: Heather DeSiena
The Quiet Cost of "Good Enough"
Hotels operate on hundreds of small interactions and decisions each day. Good-enough communication. Good-enough service. Good-enough follow-through. Good-enough teamwork.
None of them feels catastrophic in the moment. But they compound, and collectively, they can affect your teams, your guests, and your bottom line. Breaking out of the status quo starts with recognizing when "good enough" has become the standard, and choosing differently in the moments that matter.
You have real power to change what happens next, for Cobblestone and the hospitality industry.
Refresh. Reinvent. Rise: The Power of a PIP
A Property Improvement Plan is more than a renovation, it can be an opportunity to protect the brand, strengthen the guest experience, and drive revenue.
11:00 am to 1:00 pm
Luncheon & Partner Showcase
Browse and interact with partners from all different sectors of the Hospitality Industry. Enjoy live demonstrations, product samples, and relationship building opportunities with your current and future partners.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons ABF
1:00 pm to 1:15 pm
Break: Transition to Educational Sessions
1:15 pm to 5:00 pm
EDUCATIONAL BREAKOUTS
DAY 2 BRAND EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
1:15 pm to 5:00 pm
>> 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Heather DeSiena
Have the Hard Conversation Before It Becomes Bigger
The conversation you put off today can become the problem you have to manage tomorrow. Whether it's an employee issue or a difficult customer interaction, waiting to address the problem usually makes it worse.
This session teaches you how to read the room before tension becomes conflict, when to speak up, and gives you practical tools to do it well without losing trust.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
>> 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
Legal Essentials for Hotel Leaders
Navigating today’s workplace with confidence.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
>> 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Break
>> 3:30 pm – 4:00 pm
Learn from the Leaders: A Management Q&A
Every hotel faces challenges, but the best leaders know how to turn those challenges into opportunities.
Join us for an interactive Q&A with experienced leaders from across the hotel management industry. This session is designed specifically for our hotel managers to learn from leaders who have been in their shoes and gained valuable perspective along the way.
We’ll talk about what works, what doesn’t, and the lessons that can make a difference in your hotel. From leading teams and improving operations to increasing profitability, working with ownership, handling challenges, and staying focused on the guest experience, come ready to ask questions and learn from the people who have seen it all.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
>> 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm
AHLA: Human Trafficking
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salons CDE
DAY 2 DEVELOPMENT EDUCATIONAL SESSIONS
1:15 pm to 5:00 pm
>> 1:15 pm – 2:15 pm
Invest Where You Rise: The Power of Community Incentives
The right community can make all the difference in a hotel’s development. Hear from experienced developers and community partners about how incentives can help offset rising construction costs, strengthen a project’s financial position, and create a competitive advantage.
From TIFs and utility rebates to tax abatements, state grants, and other incentives, we’ll explore what’s available, how incentives can create long-term impact, and why market selection becomes even more important when incentives aren’t on the table.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
>> 2:15 pm – 3:15 pm
From Vision to Investment: An Investor Perspective
What makes someone say yes to a hotel investment? Hear directly from Cobblestone investors about why they chose to invest, what they look for in a market, and the factors that influence their decisions.
Our investor panel will share real-world perspectives on the turn-key investment model, community selection, economic conditions, depreciation, and what prospective investors should consider before taking their next step.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
>> 3:15 pm – 3:30 pm
Break
>> 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Building the Foundation: What Lenders Look For
A successful hotel development starts with a strong financial foundation. Go behind the lending decision with banking and credit union leaders as they share what they look for when evaluating a hotel project, and the factors that can influence financing terms.
Learn how lenders evaluate investment groups, guarantees, local versus outside investors, project strength, and the overall development opportunity. We’ll also explore how a turn-key approach can influence a lender’s perspective and decision.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
>> 4:30 pm – 5:00 pm
Funding a Property Improvement Plan
Earlier today we discussed the importance of a PIP. In this session, we will discuss financing those improvements, bonus depreciation, and the impact improvements can have on revenue during and after the completion.
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Conf. Rms 1-4
5:00 pm to 6:00 pm
BREAK
Go freshen up, throw on your party face, and get ready. The Awards Ceremony is coming up, and you won’t want to miss a moment to celebrate our award winners!
6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Cocktail Hour
Join us for some drinks, appetizers, networking, and fun!
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Pearl Ballroom
7:30 pm
Dinner & Awards Ceremony
It’s time to dress up, raise a glass, and celebrate the people who make our hotels, and our brand, exceptional!
Join us for an unforgettable evening of dinner, celebration, and recognition as we honor the incredible individuals and teams who go above and beyond every day. This is more than an awards ceremony, it’s a chance to celebrate the dedication, passion, and hospitality that make our organization special.
Come dressed to impress and ready to celebrate our people. Bring your energy, your applause, and your San Antonio spirit as we shine the spotlight on those who truly make a difference!
Location: Marriott Rivercenter Salon CDE
Need to Know
CONFERENCE FAQs
The conference fee includes Sunday and Monday meetings, Welcome Reception and drinks, and dinner on Monday; all food and beverage breaks, and all session and materials
You should make your reservations by September 4, 2026. Any reservations made after this date are subject to availability and prevailing rates.
No, registration is available for the full conference only.
Yes, if your guest plans on attending the full conference, they will register with full access. If they are looking to participate in the welcome reception and final dinner only, please choose the social ticket registration.
Attire for conference is business casual.
For the Welcome Reception, we are encouraging Viva Fiesta theme with Bright colors, festive prints, floral shirts, embroidered tops, colorful dresses, guayaberas, fun accessories, flower crowns, medals, and vibrant jewelry.
Many attendees like to dress up a little more special for the Final Night Dinner and Awards Ceremony; this is not required though and business casual is also accepted for this event.
Welcome Reception Attire: Fiesta Flair Meets Texas Western
Join us at the historic Alamo as we kick off our conference with a Viva Fiesta celebration inspired by the vibrant culture, rich heritage, and warm hospitality of San Antonio.
Embrace the spirit of the evening with Fiesta Flair and a Texas Western twist! Think bold colors, festive prints, embroidered tops, colorful dresses, guayaberas, boots, cowboy hats, turquoise jewelry, Fiesta medals, floral accessories, and your favorite Western-inspired touches. Whether you choose a little Fiesta, a little Texas, or a fun blend of both, come ready to celebrate.
Optional Inspiration:
- Colorful dresses or floral shirts
- Guayaberas or embroidered tops
- Cowboy boots and hats
- Turquoise or Western jewelry
- Fiesta medals and festive accessories
- Bright colors that capture the energy of San Antonio
Please select the sponsorship opportunities link on the home screen of the Conference Website or by visiting www.CobblestoneSponsors.com.
The conference schedule will be available by September 4, 2026, however is subject to change. The most updated conference schedule will always be available on the Cobblestone Conference app.
Award categories include:
Employee of the Year
General Manager of the Year
Investor of the Year
Property of the Year
Top 10 Guest Experience Scores
If you have any dietary restrictions, please note this on your registration form. We will provide all restrictions to the event teams to assist in finding something for everyone.
All of the venues of this years conference are within walking distance of the main San Antonio Marriott Rivercenter hotel. If you feel you may not be able to walk to any off site venues, you will need to obtain your own transportation.
Cancellations must be submitted in writing no later than 5pm CST August 31, 2026. All cancellations are subject to a $200 cancellation fee. There will be no refunds after August 31, 2026. Please write us at info@cobblestoneconference.com
Our Great Sponsors
Platinum Sponsors
Gold Sponsors
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