2023 NEW 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, 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: Piers Brown, CEO, International Hospitality Media Limited

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

"Somewhere, Anywhere"

An in-depth discussion on how Booking.com are helping guests select the best property and destinations.

What does this mean for Vacation rental and where are the opportunities in a world where the consumer is looking for inspiration when they travel.

How they are offering a wide variety of options, personalized service, and a commitment to safety and accuracy.

Host: Sally Henry, VP Business Development, Key Data

Speakers: Ryan Pearson - Regional Manager, UK/IE, Booking.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

"Airbnb It"

How the leader in homesharing is expanding supply through innovation

Host: Kate Stinchcombe-Gillies, CMO Touch Stay

Speakers: Amanda Cupples - GM for Northern Europe Airbnb

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 - CEO Hospiria, Steve Davis - CEO, Operto, Marcus Radar - CEO, Hostaway, Jeremy Gall - CEO, Breezeway

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: TBA

Speakers: Fausto Vieira da Silva - Head of Strategic Partnerships, Pricelabs, Maria Flores - Beyond UK MD, Andreas Buschermöhle - Co-founder Wheelhouse

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

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: Madison Rifkin - CEO, Mount, Yoav Roth - CRO,Duve, Andrew Bate - CEO Safely, Veronica Rivas - Director, Business Development International Markets Homes & Villas by Marriott International

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: Louise Birritteri - CEO Pikl, James Cassidy - Sr. Director, Partner Success, Vrbo, part of the Expedia Group, Andrew Martyn - CEO Your.Rentals

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

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: Mark Simpson - Founder Boostly, Dale Smith - Founder & CEO The SDD Smith Group

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: Viktorija Molnar, EHHA

Speakers: Shomik Panda - Director General STAA & CEO Inline Policy, Steve Milo - CEO and Founder, VTrips, Fiona Campbell - CEO Association of Scotland's Self-Caterers