Hilton today published its Why We Gather special section of the 2026 Trends Report, drawing on a global Ipsos survey of 3,150 adults in the U.S., U.K. and India who plan to attend an in-person work event over the next two years. Investors should note that 84% of respondents say experiencing a local culture is a major perk, while 49% cite meeting new people and team bonding as their primary motivation for attending. Furthermore, 67% agree that AI assistance during events helps them maximize their experience by saving time, signaling growth opportunities for Hilton’s technology-enabled meeting services and premium event packages.

Since March 2025, Hilton shares have generated a total return of 27%, reflecting resilient RevPAR trends and unit growth despite macro headwinds. Consensus estimates project 13.2% growth in full-year 2026 EPS, driven by continued industry recovery and a $4.6 billion share repurchase authorization. This program represents roughly 4% of current market capitalization and underscores management’s confidence in free cash flow generation from its 9,000-property global footprint.

Hilton maintains leadership through ongoing innovation in digital tools such as Digital Key Share and automated room upgrades, as well as robust loyalty engagement via over 235 million Hilton Honors members. The company’s Meet with Purpose and EventReady Playbook initiatives build on last year’s Meetings Maximizer, positioning Hilton to capture a greater share of the estimated $1 trillion global meetings and events market. Its diverse portfolio of 25 brands across 141 countries further bolsters cross-sell opportunities and strengthens long-term revenue visibility.