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California Boutique Hotel Conference Debuts in 2027 with Appellation President Courtland Palmer as Keynote Speaker

Registration opens October 1 for the newly reimagined conference, taking place April 12–14, 2027, in San Diego

SACRAMENTO, CA — Registration opens October 1 for the California Boutique Hotel Conference, a three-day gathering of independent hotel owners, operators, marketers, industry partners, and hospitality leaders, taking place April 12–14, 2027, at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego.

Formerly known as the InnSpire Conference, the event has been reimagined to reflect the evolution of California’s independent lodging industry and the people shaping its future. The conference will feature educational sessions and panel discussions on the opportunities and challenges facing independent hotels, along with networking events and a marketplace connecting hoteliers with hospitality products, technology, services, and industry partners.

“Traveler expectations are evolving, independent hospitality is evolving, and this conference is evolving with them. The new name and expanded focus reflect the creativity and entrepreneurial spirit we see across California’s boutique hotel community,” said Lynn Mohrfeld, President and CEO of the California Hotel & Lodging Association and Boutique Hotels of California. “The California Boutique Hotel Conference is designed to give boutique hoteliers a place to make connections, share ideas, have candid conversations, and gain valuable insights they can put to work at their hotels.”

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,” said Courtland Palmer, President, Appellation Hotels. “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.” 

Conference registration opens October 1, with Early Bird pricing available through December 31, 2026. For conference details and registration, visit CaliforniaBoutiqueHotelConference.com.

About the California Boutique Hotel Conference
The California Boutique Hotel Conference brings together independent hotel owners, operators, marketers, hospitality leaders, and industry partners to exchange ideas, learn from one another, and build meaningful connections. Formerly the InnSpire Conference, the annual event has been reimagined to meet the evolving needs of the boutique and independent hospitality industry. The 2027 California Boutique Hotel Conference will be held April 12–14 at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego.

About Boutique Hotels of California
A division of the California Hotel & Lodging Association, Boutique Hotels of California is a statewide collective and curated guide to the Golden State’s most inspiring independent stays. The organization connects travelers with distinctive boutique hotels and supports independent hoteliers through marketing, advocacy, education, and industry connections. Formerly known as the California Association of Boutique & Breakfast Inns (CABBI), the organization has championed California’s independent lodging community for more than 35 years. Today, Boutique Hotels of California builds on that legacy by elevating independent hospitality, amplifying distinctive hotel stories, and strengthening connections across the state.

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Media Contact
Ranee Ruble-Dotts
Marketing & Creative Director
ranee@calodging.com
279.205.5827