For nearly three decades, Kassie Smith, Founder & CEO of KS Global, has shaped some of the world’s most iconic luxury destinations – spanning resorts, branded residences, mixed-use master plans, and transformational hospitality developments across global markets. Renowned for her ability to fuse vision, strategy, and cultural nuance, Kassie brings a rare combination of creative leadership and investment intelligence to every project she touches.
This year, she joined the WLCC Board, strengthening the Chamber’s global perspective across luxury development, capital investment, and destination strategy. In this exclusive interview, Kassie shares her insights on the future of luxury, the evolving behavior of capital, and the forces reshaping how affluent travelers live, invest, and explore the world.
Alexander Chetchikov: You’ve dedicated your career to shaping some of the world’s most iconic luxury destinations. When you look at the global luxury landscape today, what fundamental shifts will define the next generation of luxury real estate and hospitality?
Kassie Smith: The future of luxury hospitality will be defined by immersive collaboration – where iconic brands and high-end hotels converge to create deeply layered experiences. Strategic partnerships and luxury licensing are no longer enhancements; they’re becoming core drivers of identity and differentiation.
We’re seeing this evolution accelerate through crossover collaborations between fashion, automotive, and hospitality brands. What began years ago with Bulgari, Versace, and Baccarat has now matured into a powerful global movement, with the 2026 opening of the Louis Vuitton hotel on the Champs-Élysées standing as a landmark example. Affluent travelers increasingly seek experiences that feel both personally expressive and seamlessly integrated with the luxury lifestyles they already inhabit.
Looking ahead, several frontiers are reshaping development:
• Mixed-use luxury communities anchored by hotels and branded residences, where the name alone elevates real estate value.
• Wellness and medical tourism, now fully embedded into the luxury ecosystem with sophisticated, well-being-driven hospitality offerings.
• Private members’ clubs within hotel environments – an increasingly vital revenue stream that enhances exclusivity and long-term engagement.
Together, these forces are crafting a new era where luxury destinations are not merely visited, but lived, felt, and remembered.
AC: What principles guide you when crafting places that become lasting symbols of luxury culture?
KS: Every destination begins with understanding the market’s strongest benchmark, and then elevating it beyond what currently exists. I always ask: What will the affluent traveler desire here that no one else is offering? Luxury must deliver an experience so exclusive and so thoughtfully curated that it becomes unforgettable.
It’s never about cost; it’s about value creation, revenue success, and strategic distinction. I’m willing to innovate boldly, but only when the vision, the market, and the story align. Every project is a precise puzzle – where each element must work together to create something iconic.
AC: As a WLCC Board Member, where do you see the greatest opportunities for WLCC to shape the future of the luxury sector?
KS: WLCC is uniquely positioned to become the global orchestrator between investment, luxury hospitality, and destination development. The organization has built an impressive and polished platform, and the next chapter lies in expanding this foundation through the expertise of leaders across these sectors.
By curating knowledge, showcasing successful journeys, and facilitating high-impact introductions among capital partners, visionary brands, and industry innovators, WLCC can drive transformative partnerships. Capital is at the core of every thriving luxury destination, and WLCC can play a decisive role in connecting the right resources to the right opportunities – shaping the future of the entire luxury ecosystem.
AC: What signals or emerging trends are you watching that luxury leaders should pay attention to?
KS: I closely monitor both market performance and innovation, always distinguishing between long-term value and temporary trends. The luxury segment has demonstrated remarkable resilience through economic cycles, but one area that demands discernment is technology.
The ultra-luxury market will always remain fundamentally high-touch. Human expertise, emotional intelligence, and personalized service are irreplaceable. Technology has great power when it enhances these elements, but it becomes a liability when it attempts to replace them.
Having spent two decades developing in Las Vegas and witnessing multiple reinventions, I’m convinced of one thing: luxury endures when it remains rooted in the human experience.
AC: What shifts are you seeing in how capital behaves in the luxury asset space, and how should leaders adapt?
KS: Capital today behaves very differently than it did a decade ago. Traditional funding models are no longer sufficient; success depends on alternative capital strategies and building a diversified, resilient capital stack. Luxury development is inherently expensive, but it becomes achievable when supported by a compelling story, a proven team, and a robust revenue model.
Family offices and private investors now evaluate opportunities as much through vision and narrative as through traditional financials. Developers must enter conversations from a position of strength – with clarity, differentiation, and optionality. Those who master alternative funding mechanisms and present a unified, high-caliber team will remain competitive and far less vulnerable to shifting lending conditions.
AC: How do brand partnerships elevate the value of a project, and what makes a brand worthy of anchoring a luxury destination?
KS: Brand partnerships are no longer optional – they are essential to positioning a project within the competitive luxury landscape. When the right brand aligns with the right destination, it immediately enhances valuation, strengthens market relevance, and elevates everything from amenities to long-term revenue potential.
Whether it’s a spa, golf experience, fine dining, or a signature moment unique to the location, the brand must feel authentic, complementary, and strategically aligned. Not every luxury brand is the right fit. The most successful collaborations are those where both the property and the brand elevate one another, creating a shared identity that resonates with the global luxury traveler.
AC: What leadership principles guide you when managing large, multi-market luxury development teams?
KS: Leadership in luxury development is both visionary and deeply hands-on. Inspiration fuels my teams, but that inspiration must be anchored in market intelligence, engineered strategy, and cohesive planning. Before anything reaches a large group, my core team and I refine the vision together – listening, analyzing, and aligning.
I work alongside my teams, offering support, clarity, and accountability. A strong middle-management layer and a culture of mentorship are essential. When people feel emotionally invested from the beginning, they produce their best work. Ultimately, leadership is about creating the environment where excellence becomes inevitable.
AC: What long-term impact do you hope to create through your role on the WLCC Board?
KS: My goal is to contribute strategic insight, global connectivity, and long-term vision to WLCC’s mission. I hope to help shape new initiatives and expand existing ones – especially by forming sector-specific committees that unite leaders in capital, luxury development, and consumer brand innovation.
I also aim to support the growth of WLCC in the Western US through curated events that highlight exceptional talent, expand membership, and elevate ambassador engagement. Globally, I look forward to traveling, participating, and serving as an industry expert wherever WLCC seeks to make an impact.
Together, we can build a platform that not only reflects the future of luxury but actively shapes it.
Thank you, Kassie! Kassie’s perspective highlights a truth that increasingly defines the future of luxury: the industry’s most powerful innovations emerge at the intersection of vision, collaboration, and human-centered experience. Her leadership continues to shape global landscapes, and her contribution to the WLCC Board brings a vital strategic dimension to our mission.
To explore more of Kassie’s work and global portfolio, visit https://www.ksglobalco.com/
Want to read more exclusives? Check out our news and insights: https://worldluxurychamber.com/insights-news/ & sign up for our newsletter here: https://worldluxurychamber.com/wlcc-community/
