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Dr. Aluri is an internationally recognized scholar, speaker, and thought leader in hospitality innovation and technology. He serves on the editorial and advisory boards of leading hospitality and tourism journals and organizations. He is also a member of the Global Board of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP). Dr. Aluri has been invited to speak at numerous national and international conferences, trade shows, and industry events. Dr. Aluri has received multiple honors from academic, professional, and industry organizations at the international, national, and state levels. Most recently, the International Hospitality Institute (IHI) recognized him as one of the Top 100 Most Powerful People in USA Hospitality and one of the Top 25 Most Influential Educators in Hospitality. He was also honored by International CHRIE with the 2022 McCool Breakthrough Award, which recognizes an individual, group, program, school, college, association, or corporation that has made significant breakthroughs through a unique approach in the spirit of ICHRIE’s mission.

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At the John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University, Dr. Aluri established the state-of-the-art Nemacolin Hospitality Innovation and Technology (HIT) Lab, a pioneering space designed to advance innovation, research, and industry collaboration. He is the Founding Director of the Nemacolin HIT Lab, a platform that bridges academia and industry through applied research, innovation, and experiential learning. Dr. Aluri’s academic and research expertise spans hospitality information technology, management, and information systems, with a focus on how emerging technologies influence hospitality organizations, consumer behavior, education, and society. His current research explores AI, automation, augmented reality, and robotics to enhance operational efficiency and elevate guest experiences across the hospitality industry. His work has been published in leading academic journals and industry outlets.

A passionate educator and innovator, Dr. Aluri incorporates real-world business challenges into the classroom, giving students hands-on opportunities to solve contemporary hospitality problems and preparing them to lead beyond the classroom. He also played a vital role in developing the Hardy Family Hospitality and Tourism Management Program at West Virginia University. Dr. Aluri currently serves as Associate Professor of Hospitality in the WVU John Chambers College of Business and Economics.