Hotel Career Fairs 2025: Your VIP Pass to Hospitality Jobs!

Key Takeaways

• With 1.3M job openings and 12% projected job growth (50% above the national average), 2025 is the perfect year to break into or level up in the hotel industry
• This guide highlights 8 top hotel career fairs where 80+ employers are actively hiring—many offering on-the-spot interviews.
• Learn how to stand out before, during and after the fair—including resume hacks, outfit tips, networking strategies and smart follow-up tactics.
• These events connect you with hiring managers from major hotel brands and innovative boutique properties—no job boards or middlemen
• Many roles are filled through face-to-face interactions at fairs—not online. Show up prepared and you could walk away with an offer in hand

You craft the perfect application, hit submit and then... crickets. You're not alone in this frustration. With 1.3 million job openings in the leisure and hospitality sector and 67% of hoteliers struggling with staffing shortages, the timing couldn't be better for job seekers like you.

Here's what makes 2025 your golden opportunity: The hotel industry employs 1.8 million workers and projects 12% job growth over the next five years – that's 50% higher than the national average. 

In this guide, you'll discover the exact 5-step process to dominate any hotel career fair, get direct access to the biggest 2025 hospitality job fairs where 80+ employers are actively hiring and master the follow-up formula that makes recruiters remember you weeks later.

Your 5-Step Hotel Career Fair Domination Plan

Career fairs aren’t just about showing up—they’re about showing up prepared. With the right approach, these events can be your fastest route to interviews, job offers and lasting industry connections.

Let’s dive into what it takes to stand out—before, during and after the fair.

Step 1: Target the Right Career Fairs

Don't make the mistake of thinking all job fairs are created equal. Research shows that specialized hospitality fairs have 3x higher success rates than general job fairs. You want to be strategic about where you invest your time and energy.

Ready to jumpstart your hospitality career? Here are 8 standout hotel career fairs you need to attend in 2025:

1. Queens Job Fair 

Date: July 17, 2025
Location: New York City, NY
Registration: Eventbrite

This Queens Job Fair connects you directly with 12–15 hospitality employers hiring in hotels, restaurants, tourism and more. Perfect if you’re job hunting—meet employers face-to-face, ask questions and land interviews on-the-spot. 

Dress professionally, bring plenty of resumes and come prepared—this event is your opportunity to leave with a real job offer in hospitality!

2. Marriott Career Fair - Long Beach

Date: September 19, 2025
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Registration: Eventbrite

What makes this event worth your time? Employers here aren’t browsing—they’re actively hiring. Many are reviewing resumes before the event, with interview slots ready to fill. If you're prepared, you could walk in with a resume and walk out with a job lead—or an offer.

Make sure to bring multiple copies of your resume and come ready to speak confidently about your experience, availability and goals. This is your moment to get in front of decision-makers who rarely post to job boards—and who want to hire now.

3. HITEC Indianapolis 2025

Date: June 16–19, 2025
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Registration: HITEC

HITEC 2025 is the world’s largest and most influential hospitality technology event. For job seekers in hospitality, especially those interested in where the industry is headed, this isn’t just a conference—it’s a front-row seat to the future of your career.

This global gathering draws thousands of hotel professionals, executives and tech innovators, creating a unique opportunity to understand exactly what’s changing in hospitality—and who’s leading the charge. 

As a job seeker, HITEC gives you rare access to decision-makers from major hotel brands and rising tech companies. It’s where you can observe the skills employers are prioritizing, the technology shaping operations and the gaps you might fill as someone entering or advancing in the field. 

You’ll walk away with insight into what the most competitive hospitality companies are looking for—and how you can become that candidate.

4. Prospanica Conference & Career Expo 2025

Date: October 19–22, 2025
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Registration: Prospanica

If you’re exploring your next career move, this is the place to be. Designed for Hispanic professionals at every stage—from recent grads to seasoned leaders—it’s your chance to connect with over 50 top employers and have real conversations that could lead to job offers.

You’ll find professional development sessions, fun and meaningful networking events and the inspiring Brillante Awards Gala. Whether you're looking to land your next role or simply want to surround yourself with like-minded professionals, Prospanica 2025 is a launchpad for your goals.

5. Columbus Job Fair

Date: June 26, 2025
Location: Columbus, OH
Registration: BestHire Career Fairs

If you're looking to take the next step in your career,  the Columbus Job Fair is your chance to connect face-to-face with top hospitality employers. Whether you’re just starting out or ready for a career change, this event offers direct access to decision-makers who are hiring now. 

You’ll meet recruiters, explore roles across all experience levels and gain insights into what employers are really looking for. Come dressed professionally, bring plenty of resumes and be ready to make meaningful connections that could lead to your next big job. 

6. Atlanta Career Fair

Date: August 26, 2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
Registration: Eventbrite

The Atlanta Career Fair is a great chance to connect with real employers who are actively hiring across a wide range of industries. Bring a few copies of your resume, dress professionally and come ready to have real conversations about your next career move. 

If you’d like a head start, you can send your resume ahead of time to [email protected]. Their team is reviewing submissions and may be able to match you with open roles before the event.

It’s free to attend, but make sure to register so you’re on the list. This event is built for job seekers who are ready to take the next step. Whether you're just getting started or looking to level up, this is a smart place to be.

7. Independent Hotel Show

Date: September 17-18, 2025
Location: Miami, FL
Registration: Independent Hotel Show Miami

This is the only event in the U.S. dedicated entirely to luxury, boutique and independent hoteliers. Designed for owners, operators and senior hotel professionals, the show brings together over 200 carefully thought leaders who understand the unique needs of the independent hotel space.

Originally founded in London, the show has built a strong reputation for inspiring content, meaningful networking and top-tier business solutions. The Miami edition continues that tradition, offering a platform to discover new products connect with like-minded professionals shaping the future of hospitality.

8. The Hospitality Show

Date: October 26-28, 2025
Location: Denver, CO
Registration: The Hospitality Show

The Hospitality Show brings together the biggest players in hotels, operations and hospitality tech, all under one roof. With over 5,000 attendees, 400+ employers and vendors and 13+ hours of networking, this is your chance to meet decision-makers actively looking for talent.

Whether you're in operations, guest services, sales, F&B or tech, you'll find companies here who are ready to talk careers—not just concepts. Expect real hiring conversations, connections that matter and insight into where the industry’s heading next.

Step 2: Don’t Just Sign Up—Stand Out

Early registration can make all the difference. Many career events have limited capacity and the most popular employer time slots tend to fill up quickly. Aim to register at least 2–3 weeks in advance—waiting until the last minute can mean missing out.

During registration, upload your resume if the option is available. Some employers review attendee materials ahead of time and may even flag candidates to prioritize for conversations. It’s a small step that can give you a real edge.

Before paying any fees, take a moment to look for discount codes. Student groups, professional associations and event social pages often share promo codes or free registration links. 

Worth knowing: In some cases, attendees have received 50–100% off just by being connected to the right community at the right time.

Step 3: Create Application Materials That Get Noticed

Your resume has exactly 6 seconds to make an impression. That's not hyperbole – it's what hiring managers actually spend reviewing each resume at these events. So every word needs to count.

Instead of saying "provided customer service," tell them you "handled 200+ daily guest interactions while maintaining 98% satisfaction scores." Quantify everything you can. Hospitality recruiters want to see numbers because hotels run on metrics.

Make sure you're using the right keywords too. Words like "guest satisfaction," "conflict resolution," "team leadership," and "revenue optimization" catch their attention immediately. Even if your experience is in retail or restaurants, frame it using hospitality language.

For your portfolio, if you're going after Event Coordinator roles, bring photos of events you've organized – even if it was just your college club's fundraiser. Chefs should have menu samples and food photography. 

Guest services candidates should include any customer satisfaction scores or testimonials they can get their hands on.

Also, print 15-20 resumes minimum. You'll be shocked how quickly they disappear when you're having good conversations.

Step 4: Look the Part Without Breaking the Bank

Business or business-casual attire is a must—but it doesn’t have to be expensive. Many of the best-dressed attendees pull their looks together from thrift stores or by borrowing from friends.

Check out local thrift stores—you can often find high-quality blazers for a fraction of the retail price. Try organizing a clothing swap with friends; someone might have the perfect interview outfit they're willing to lend. 

And don’t overlook free or low-cost printing services at libraries or campus centers—they can save you serious money on resume printing.

Just as important: take time to practice your handshake and 30-second introduction before the event. A little prep now can make a big difference when you're standing in front of your next opportunity.

Want help deciding what not to wear? Check out this guide on What Not to Wear to a Job Interview for practical tips that can help you make a strong, professional impression.

Step 5: Network Like Your Career Depends on It (Because It Does)

This is the moment that really counts—and where many candidates slip up. Too often, someone walks up to a recruiter, hands over a resume and jumps straight into talking about what they want. 

But recruiters aren’t just listening for ambition—they’re looking for curiosity, professionalism and fit. So, start with this simple structure:

“Hi, I’m [Name]. I’ve been working in [your experience or field] and I’m passionate about [specific area]. I’d love to learn more about opportunities at [Company Name].”

This opens the door to a real conversation—not just a sales pitch.

Next, ask thoughtful questions. These show you're not just hunting for any job—you’re genuinely exploring the right match. Go beyond the basics and try:

• What makes someone successful in this role long-term?
• What do you enjoy most about the company’s culture?
• How does the team handle challenges or tight deadlines?
• What does growth look like in this role?

Want more examples? Check out our full guide on the best interview questions to ask employers. It includes dozens of smart, targeted questions you can bring to any conversation—whether you're talking to a recruiter or a hiring manager.

And don’t forget the follow-up. Within 24–48 hours of the event, send a personalized LinkedIn message to anyone you spoke with. Something simple like:

“Great meeting you at the NYC Hospitality Fair! I appreciated learning more about the Guest Relations role—looking forward to staying in touch.”

Most people skip this step—which means doing it well helps you stand out from the crowd.

Conclusion: Your Next Step Starts Here

You’re not just attending a career fair—you’re entering one of the most opportunity-rich hiring markets hospitality has seen in years. With demand outpacing supply and employers actively seeking passionate, prepared candidates, you’re in the right place at the right time.

Use this guide as your blueprint. From targeting the right events to asking smart questions and presenting yourself with confidence—each step gets you closer to the role that fits not just your skills, but your ambition.

Whether you're aiming to break into the industry or take your career to the next level, the opportunity is real—but it won’t wait. Be strategic. Be prepared. Be memorable.

The employers are showing up ready to hire. The only question left is—are you ready to stand out?