{"id":27756,"date":"2026-03-03T19:55:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T00:55:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/?p=27756"},"modified":"2026-03-24T16:37:07","modified_gmt":"2026-03-24T20:37:07","slug":"bu-school-of-hospitality-to-honor-opentable-ceo-debby-soo-at-2026-hospitality-leadership-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/2026\/03\/03\/bu-school-of-hospitality-to-honor-opentable-ceo-debby-soo-at-2026-hospitality-leadership-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"Boston University School of Hospitality names Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, as 2026 Hospitality  ICON Award honoree and spotlights Hospitality AI  at the Hospitality Leadership Summit on April 10, 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/\">Boston University School of Hospitality Administration<\/a><\/span> (BU SHA) is pleased to announce that the 2026 Hospitality ICON Award will be presented to <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/debby-soo\/\">Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable,<\/a><\/span> at the School\u2019s annual <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/events\/summit\/\">Hospitality Leadership Summit<\/a><\/span>, Friday, April 10, 2026.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The full-day Summit will take place at Boston University\u2019s <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/meetatbu\/campus-venues\/43-hawes-street\/\">Wightman Mansion, 43 Hawes Street, Boston<\/a><\/span>. Registration, sponsorship information, and the Summit agenda are available on the <span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/events\/summit\/\">BU SHA website<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Event Details <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Date: Friday, April 10, 2026, 9 AM \u2013 6 PM<\/li>\n<li>Location: Wightman Mansion, 43 Hawes Street, Boston, MA<\/li>\n<li>Tickets &amp; registration: Purchase tickets and view sponsorship opportunities at <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/events\/summit\/\">edu\/hospitality\/events\/summit<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" src=\"\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-636x358.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"636\" height=\"358\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-27745\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-636x358.jpg 636w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-992x558.jpg 992w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-1500x844.jpg 1500w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-670x377.jpg 670w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release-600x338.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/files\/2026\/03\/icon-announcement-email-and-press-release.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 636px) 100vw, 636px\" \/><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <strong>Hospitality Leadership Summit <\/strong>brings together forward-thinking leaders, from journalists and entrepreneurs to owners and operators, who will share innovative ideas and explore cultural shifts shaping the present and future of hospitality with students, faculty, and the broader hospitality community. This year\u2019s Summit centers on Hospitality AI and poses the timely and consequential question: <em>In today\u2019s transformative era of widespread artificial intelligence, how can the hospitality industry embrace AI\u2019s benefits while preserving the unique human experiences that define its value? <\/em><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This year\u2019s Hospitality ICON Award celebrates a leader who believes technology can help foster human connection. <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/debby-soo\/\">Debby Soo<\/a><\/span> will be honored for her leadership at <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.opentable.com\/\">OpenTable<\/a><\/span>, which has accelerated its adoption and development of cutting-edge technologies to support the dining ecosystem of restaurants and diners. Under her guidance, OpenTable is helping future-proof restaurants and the industry at-large, while empowering diners to adapt to the changing discovery landscape. <span>\u00a0<\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cIt\u2019s an honor to be recognized as this year\u2019s Hospitality ICON Award recipient and a privilege to serve restaurants and the hospitality industry,\u201d said <strong>Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable.<\/strong> \u201cHospitality runs on heart\u2014it drives chefs and restaurateurs to share their craft despite the industry\u2019s many challenges. Restaurants are the heartbeat of our communities, creating spaces where meaningful human connections happen every day. That\u2019s why, at OpenTable, we\u2019re energized to deliver new tools and AI solutions that help these businesses thrive\u2014bringing more diners through their doors and giving operators the freedom to focus on creating magic around the table.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWe are delighted to present the Hospitality ICON Award to Debby Soo,\u201d said <strong>Arun Upneja, Ph.D., Dean of Boston University School of Hospitality,<\/strong> who will join Soo for a fireside chat during the Summit. \u201cDebby\u2019s work sits at the intersection of technology, commerce, and human-centered product design. Her perspective is especially relevant as our Summit examines how AI can be harnessed to innovate experiences while safeguarding hospitality\u2019s essential human touch. Her leadership will be an important lesson for our students and industry partners alike.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span>Summit program highlights include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span>Final round and presentations from the Boston University <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/events\/innovation-competition\/\">$50k Hospitality Innovation and the $20k Student Wellbeing competitions<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span>Live podcast recording of <a href=\"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/the-simmer\/id1743492523\">The Simmer,<\/a> hosted by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/kristen-hawley\/\">Kristen Hawley<\/a>, Founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.expedite.news\/\">Expedite<\/a> &amp; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/brandon-barton\/\">Brandon Barton<\/a>, CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getbite.com\/\">Bite<\/a> (Hosts) with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/judy-thelen\/\">Judy Thelen<\/a>, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/beliapp.com\/\">beli<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li>\u201cThe Medium Is the Message,\u201d panel moderated by <span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/eli-feldman\/\">Eli Feldman<\/a>, Adjunct Professor of Restaurant Innovation, and owner of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.shybird.com\/\">Shy Bird<\/a>, with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/josh-sharkey\/\">Josh Sharkey<\/a>, CEO &amp; Co-Founder of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.getmeez.com\/\">Meez<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/gretchen-thomas\/\">Gretchen Thomas<\/a>, Chief Creative Officer at<a href=\"https:\/\/barcelonawinebar.com\/\">Barcelona Wine Bar<\/a> and Co-Creator of <a href=\"https:\/\/conservaculture.com\/pages\/our-story\">Conserva<\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/evan-armstrong\/\">Evan Armstrong<\/a>, Founder &amp; CEO of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gettheleverage.com\/\">The Leverage<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/maddyshannon\/\">Maddy Shannon,<\/a> Head of Product Strategy at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spoton.com\/\">SpotOn<\/a>, presenting \u201cHospitality as Product, Product as Hospitality\u201d <\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/debby-soo\/\">Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable<\/a><br \/>\nDebby Soo brings\u00a0expertise\u00a0in product-first commercialization, strategic\u00a0partnerships,\u00a0and international growth. Prior to OpenTable, she spent 10+ years building KAYAK\u2019s travel commercial team,\u00a0establishing\u00a0the APAC business, and then overseeing global business development for both KAYAK and OpenTable. She started her career at Citi as an investment banking analyst for the technology sector before joining Google\u2019s Strategic Partnership Group where she focused on global content acquisition and partnerships for Google Maps. Debby is a graduate of Stanford University and has an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.<\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Co-Chairs of the 2026 Hospitality Leadership Summit:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/mara-littman\/\">Mara Littman<\/a>, Executive Director of Strategic Operations &amp; Corporate Relations<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/eleni-granas\/\">Eleni Granas<\/a>, Clinical Assistant Professor of Hospitality and Events Management; Director of Event Curriculum &amp; Planning<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/eli-feldman\/\">Eli Feldman<\/a>, Adjunct Professor of Restaurant Innovation and owner of Shy Bird<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span><br \/>\nPast School of Hospitality <strong>ICON awardees<\/strong> include <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/martha-sheridan\/\">Martha Sheridan<\/a>, President and CEO of Meet Boston, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/padma-lakshmi\/\">Padma\u00a0Lakshmi,<\/a> an Emmy-nominated producer, television host, food expert, and a\u00a0<em>New York Times<\/em>\u00a0best-selling author, as well as one of <em>Time Magazine&#8217;s<\/em> 100 Most Influential People (2023); <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/niki-leondakis\/\">Niki Leondakis,<\/a> CEO of CorePower Yoga; the co-founders of Airbnb <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/nathan-blecharczyk\/\">Nathan Blecharczyk,<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/brian-chesky\/\">Brian Chesky,<\/a> and\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/joe-gebbia\/\">Joe Gebbia<\/a>; restaurant pioneer <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/danny-meyer\/\">Danny Meyer<\/a>, Founder and CEO of Union Square Hospitality Group and Shake Shack; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/profile\/richard-l-friedman\/\">Richard L. Friedman,<\/a> President and CEO of Carpenter &amp; Company Inc., credited, among a long list of accolades, for reshaping the Boston skyline with The Four Seasons Hotel &amp; Private Residences at One Dalton. For a list of Hospitality ICON awardees, visit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/events\/summit\/icon-award-winners\/\">ICON Award Winners.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>2026 Hospitality Leadership Summit Sponsors* <\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">BU School of Hospitality Administration is grateful for the generous support from:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Platinum Level:<\/strong> Hotel Commonwealth, Kataram Studios<\/li>\n<li><strong>Gold Level:<\/strong> Aramark, bartaco, Columbus Hospitality Group, Davio\u2019s, PEAK Event Services, Restaurant Associates, Seaport Hotel, Sonesta International Hotels, TPNI, Tripleseat, Xenia Greek Hospitality, and WildLeaf Design<\/li>\n<li><strong>Silver Level:<\/strong> Meet Boston<\/li>\n<li><strong>Supporter Level: <\/strong>Entertainment Specialists, Hyatt Regency Boston\/Cambridge, Massachusetts Restaurants United (MRU), Uncommon Hospitality<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><em>*Sponsor List is current as of 3\/24\/26<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Boston University School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) is pleased to announce that the 2026 Hospitality ICON Award will be presented to Debby Soo, CEO of OpenTable, at the School\u2019s annual Hospitality Leadership Summit, Friday, April 10, 2026. The full-day Summit will take place at Boston University\u2019s Wightman Mansion, 43 Hawes Street, Boston. Registration, sponsorship [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25559,"featured_media":27745,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[449,19,226,8],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27756"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25559"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=27756"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27756\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27872,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/27756\/revisions\/27872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/27745"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=27756"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=27756"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/hospitality\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=27756"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}