2023 Agenda

Expedia Fireside

A personal chat with Ariane Gorin President, Expedia for Business

Host: Merilee Karr, Chair STAA

Speakers: Ariane Gorin - President Expedia for Business at Expedia Group

Invest for the Guest

Learn how to create a guest experience that differentiates your company.

Where can short term rentals learn from the wider hospitality sector? What will differentiate your company in a competitive marketplace? How can you meet the evolving needs and expectations to drive growth? What role will technology play, or not play in this space?

Important questions for any business to answer in an inflationary world where tradeoffs are challenging choices to make.

Host: Emily Newman, Co-Founder NewDog PR

Speakers: Matt Loney - President & CEO, Xplorie, Steve Milo - CEO and Founder, VTrips, Tim Rosolio - VP, Partner Success Vacation Rentals Expedia Group

Navigating the next wave

Inflationary pressures, Cost of living crisis, Revenge Travel, and Regulatory headwinds. Just a few of the market trends and challenges to think about in the year ahead. What are the new strategies to remain competitive in a changing world?

Host: Dr. Wouter Geerts, Head of Research, Skift

Speakers: Joss Croft, OBE - CEO UKinbound, Vered Raviv-Schwarz - President & COO Guesty, Demi Horvat - CEO, AirDNA

Beyond Leisure

Business travel, government stays, and film and entertainment are all important segments for driving growth in what has traditionally been a leisure-driven market. How you can access counter-cyclical demand and new sources of revenue while expanding your customer base.

Host: Eloise Hanson, Editor Boutique Hotel News

Speakers: Merilee Karr - Chair, STAA and Founder and CEO, UnderTheDoormat, Marcos Isaac - CEO The Apartment Network, Mark Harris - Director, Travel Intelligence Network

Booking Fireside

Fireside chat on how Booking is aligning their 2023 partner and product strategy with the everchanging travel landscape.

Host: Sally Henry, VP Business Development, Key Data

Speakers: Ryan Pearson - Regional Manager, UK/IE, Booking.com, Laura Davies - Senior Product Manager, Bookng.com

Accessing the money

When investors can earn 8% yield investing in property, what opportunities will motivate them to part with their cash in our typically asset light industry?

In today's uncertain world, investors are looking for profitability, scalability and resilience. Which business models will get the money and why? Which companies in our sector are most attractive and what can businesses learn to attract investors?

Host: Simon Lehmann, CEO AJL Atelier

Speakers: Johannes Siebers - CEO Holidu, Zinab Bercheq - VP Advent International, Amiad Soto - CEO & Co-Founder Guesty

"Pay as you go" living

If a consumer can pay as you go for their mobile phone, why can't they do that where they live? From Hotel residences in the luxury space, to Build to Rent and Multifamily offering flexible options in residential real estate, our industry is at the heart of convergence providing the hospitality and standards guests expect.

Sustainability and better utilisation of assets go hand in hand and are important for both investors and consumers and building communities will be critical to the success of flexible offerings in developments in Europe, North America and beyond.

Host: Paolo Rigutto, Partner Second Century Ventures

Speakers: Will Parry - Altido, CEO, Merilee Karr - Chair, STAA and Founder and CEO, UnderTheDoormat, Ben Harper - Group Managing Director at Watergate Bay Hotel, Beach Retreats and Another Place, Brendan Geraghty - CEO UKAA

Integration or Marketplace?

Technology is revolutionising the short-term rental space, making it easier for property owners and operators to manage more properties, streamline operations, and provide a better guest experience.

With new technologies emerging all the time, is it better to build your own and connect your favorites or choose a single integrated technology? What does this mean for property managers and why this is potentially the most important decision for your company?

Host: Jessica Gillingham, Founder Abode Worldwide

Speakers: Richard Bridger - COO, Hospiria, Steve Davis - CEO, Operto, Jeremy Gall - CEO, Breezeway, Maria Lopez - VP Product Hostaway

The Future of Tech: What’s Next

ChatGPT, AI, ML, AR,VR, Bots, Virtual Tours
It's here and coming fast - what you need to know and why it is important to keep up

Speakers: Dana Young - CEO Aipex Technologies

Revenue is King!

Scaling your business is a priority for any entrepreneur or small business owner. What are the most important routes to expanding the size of your portfolio, increasing revenue and reaching new markets in today's competitive market?

Host: Julie George, Author Million Dollar Host

Speakers: John Crosby - COO, Awaze, James Kinnersly - Sales Director at AirDNA, Alexander Limpert - CEO, GuestReady, Veronique Lalonde - COO & Co-Founder Angel Host

What’s in a Price? Factors impacting your revenue management goals

How to balance science, people and a pulse on the market to maximise your growth.

Host: Julia Lane Willis Napolski, Principal Parlay Vous

Speakers: Maria Flores Portillo - Managing Director EMEA, Beyond, Christopher Dillon - Head of Business Development UK/Ireland Avantio, Fausto Vieira da Silva - Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pricelabs, Andreas Buschermöhle - Co-founder Wheelhouse

Breaking the Mold

Examining Unique Formats and Distribution Channels within Short-Term Rentals

Join us for an insightful panel discussion on the various formats available within the short-term rental market. From luxury villas to fully automated aparthotels, we'll explore what part of the market they represent and distribution options, including direct bookings, beyond popular channels like Airbnb, Booking, and Vrbo. Don't miss out on this opportunity to better understand the multifaceted short-term rental industry!"

Host: Thibault Masson, Founder Rental Scale Up

Speakers: Graham Foulds - COO Plum Guide, Enrique Planas - Head of Business Development Southern Europe Holidu, Juan Miguel Rivera Pecunia - CEO Otium Rentals

Levelling Up Your Guest Services

Tables stakes vs exceeding expectations

Join this panel to hear more about how you can leverage upselling, branding, amenities, guest communications etc. to maximise guest value.

Host: Julie George, Author Million Dollar Host

Speakers: Veronica Rivas - Director, Business Development Homes and Villas by Marriott Bonvoy, Andrew Bate - CEO Safely, Yoav Roth - CRO, Duve, Madison Rifkin - CEO, Mount

Be a Leader in HX (Host Experience)

Owner operations and management

What does the future hold for those looking to transform their business and how you need people, process and technology to achieve success.

Host: Paul Stevens, Editor Short Term Rentalz

Speakers: Vanessa de Souza Lage - CEO & Founder Sustonica, James Cassidy - Sr. Director, Partner Success, Vrbo, part of the Expedia Group, Andrew Martyn - CEO Your.Rentals, Louise Birritteri - CEO Pikl

Demystifying ESG

Travel must become more climate neutral, and travellers are requesting options how do we address:
environmental, social, governance -
diversity, inclusion, community

What role do you play in this journey?

Host: Deborah Heather, CEO QIA (Quality International Assessment Services)

Speakers: Andy Fenner - CEO STAA, Rachel Parsons - Founder & Eco-preneur New Forest Escapes, José Santiago Vázquez Rojel - Founder Master VR, Alvaro Cristobal Boyer - Senior Strategy & Ops | Community | Sustainability, Airbnb

Art Not Science: Balancing Your Marketing Channels

The fine art of balancing your marketing and distribution channels requires focus, planning and investment. Find out how new tools and innovation can help you grow your business.

Host: Damian Sheridan, Director The Scale Rentals Show

Speakers: Alex Vuilleumier - COO, Lodgify, Jenn Boyles - Direct Booking Success, Dale Smith - Founder & CEO The SDD Smith Group, Mark Simpson - Founder Boostly

20 mins break

Networking and Exhibitor Hall

Regulation, threat or opportunity?

A focus on protecting vacation homes and the vacation rental industry.
What role can you play to ensure our voice is heard.

Host: Eduardo Botelho Miranda, Chairman of EHHA

Speakers: Fiona MacConnacher - Public Affairs Manager Booking.com, Shomik Panda - Director General STAA & CEO Inline Policy, Steve Milo - CEO and Founder, VTrips, Fiona Campbell - CEO Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers

England regulation deep dive discussion

The round table will discuss the importance of productive communication and explore the advocacy efforts regarding the tourism industry. The discussion will provide valuable insights for industry professionals looking to learn more about policy changes that effect their businesses.

Host: Charlie Reith, UK & Ireland Gov't Affairs, Expedia

Speakers: Shomik Panda - Director General STAA & CEO Inline Policy, Carl Thomson - Public Policy Manager Airbnb, Andy Fenner - CEO STAA

Mergers and acquisitions (M&A)

How company valuation works.

What you need know about the different methods used to value companies in M&A transactions. What the factors are that influence company valuation, like financial performance, industry outlook, and future potential.

An interactive session to learn how to be a more attractive targets for private equity firms.

By Invitation Only

Speakers: Simon Lehmann - CEO / Co-Founder, AJL Atelier

Wales regulation deep dive discussion

The round table will discuss the importance of productive communication and explore the advocacy efforts regarding the tourism industry. The discussion will provide valuable insights for industry professionals looking to learn more about policy changes that effect their businesses.

Host: Carl Thomson, Public Policy Manager, Airbnb

Speakers: Shomik Panda - Director General STAA & CEO Inline Policy, Charlie Reith - UK & Ireland Gov't Affairs Expedia, Andy Fenner - CEO STAA

Scotland regulation deep dive discussion

The round table will discuss the importance of productive communication and explore the advocacy efforts regarding the tourism industry. The discussion will provide valuable insights for industry professionals looking to learn more about policy changes that effect their businesses.

Host: Fiona MacConnacher, Public Affairs Manager, Booking.com

Speakers: Fiona Campbell - CEO Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers, Andy Fenner - CEO STAA, Charlie Reith - UK & Ireland Gov't Affairs Expedia, Carl Thomson - Public Policy Manager Airbnb, Shomik Panda - Director General STAA & CEO Inline Policy

Networking session

Sponsored by UK STAA

DMO's and Association leaders

Host: VisitEngland