| | 8 HOSPITALITY BUSINESS REVIEWJANUARY - FEBRUARY 2026 John Hamm, a Regional Director of Business Travel at KAJ Hospitality and Area Director of Sales for Wichita, brings over a decade of leadership experience in the hospitality industry. Honored with Visit Wichita's 2016 Innkeeper of the Year award, he assists multiple properties across Kansas, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Nebraska, with a new Sioux Falls, SD hotel opening soon. His expertise spans sales, marketing, and business travel strategy. In an exclusive interview with Hospitality Business Review, he shared invaluable insights on how success in the hospitality sector blends adaptability, cultural awareness, and personal connections to craft unforgettable guest experiences.PEOPLE AT THE HEART OF HOSPITALITYBy John Hamm, Regional Director of Business Travel, KAJ Hospitality Four Decades in HospitalityI have been part of the hospitality industry for nearly four decades. What started as a part-time job to support my education quickly became a lifelong passion. Over the years, I have witnessed the industry transform from manual processes, such as credit card impressions on paper slips and handwritten folios, to AI-driven platforms and global booking systems.Today, as the Regional Director of Business Travel at KAJ Hospitality, I oversee national accounts, group bookings, and strategic partnerships across our Wichita and Omaha properties, which include Marriott and IHG brands.John HammIN MY OPINION
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