Heather Carnes Moderates “Ignition Point” at Red Roof IGNITE 2026
Carnes Agency joins hospitality leaders in Hollywood, Florida, for a conference centered on leadership, meaningful conversations, and the relationships shaping the industry.
Lina Patel, Harmeet Mann-Bains, Heather Carnes (Founder & Managing Director, Carnes Agency), Priyank Patel, Sonali Agarwal, and Yulia Houghtaling, at Red Roof IGNITE 2026.
The Red Roof IGNITE 2026 Conference, held at the Signia by Hilton Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood, Florida, brought together hospitality professionals and industry leaders for insightful discussions, shared experiences, and opportunities to reconnect.
Representing Carnes Agency, Founder & Managing Director Heather Carnes had the privilege of developing and moderating “Ignition Point,” an opening panel exploring how ambitious goals can be turned into meaningful action.
Joined by Yulia Houghtaling, Harmeet Mann-Bains, Sonali Agarwal, and Priyank Patel, Heather facilitated a candid discussion shaped by the panelists' professional experiences and personal journeys. Their openness offered attendees practical perspectives on goal setting, growth, and navigating challenges.
Heather Carnes (Founder & Managing Director, Carnes Agency), Harmeet Mann-Bains, Priyank Patel, Sonali Agarwal, and Yulia Houghtaling, at Red Roof IGNITE 2026.
The conversation reflected Red Roof's commitment to supporting opportunities within hospitality. Through its RIDE initiative, the organization has helped more than 40 women become independent Red Roof hotel owners, creating a lasting impact on the industry.
For Heather, the experience also reinforced a personal lesson about preparation and presence. Having a strong understanding of the discussion allowed her to trust her experience, listen attentively, and engage naturally with the audience.
Another highlight was seeing Carnes Agency client Hospitality Visual Group (HVG) exhibit at its first industry event. After months of collaboration, watching the booth come together and welcome attendees was a rewarding milestone for both teams. Congratulations to Saahil Patel and the HVG team!
Saahil Patel of Hospitality Visual Group (Booth at Red Roof IGNITE Conference 2026)
Carnes Agency extends its sincere appreciation to Lina Patel and Matthew Hostetler for the opportunity to develop and moderate the panel, and to Zack Gharib, Edelyn Parker-Frye, and the entire Red Roof team for their thoughtful hospitality and dedication to making the conference a success.
