Conference | 5th September 2017
8:00am - 8:50am
Registrations Opens
Registrations for the conference open at 8am. Come and register early and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee or tea and start networking with fellow conference delegates and check the conference exhibitor stands.
8:50am - 9:00am
Conference Welcome and Opening
Conference organiser Adrian Caruso will welcome delegates and run through the conference agenda and what to expect over the next two days.
9:00am - 9:25am
The State of the Nation
Stephen Hamilton Director
Horwath HTL (Hotel, Tourism, Leisure)
Big changes are taking place in the accommodation sector, with the next few years presenting new challenges for hoteliers. In this session Stephen Hamilton, one of New Zealand's leading accommodation industry consultants shares the 'State of the Industry' in New Zealand and APAC. Listen to important insights including the investment forecast for the industry, shared economy rooms entering the market, increased Asian guest arrivals and the opportunities in this market, and issues with regional dispersal.
9:25am - 9:50am
STR Update: Trends in Occupancy and Distribution
Matthew Burke Regional Manager Pacific
STR
Matthew Burke is the man with all the numbers for the industry, and the only person who can turn this data into actionable insights and strategies for hoteliers. In his presentation Matthew will share with you the latest accommodation trends for the New Zealand market within the Asia Pacific context. The trends presented explore and propose ways New Zealand hotel operators of all types, sizes and markets can further leverage the recent positive performance driving additional revenue and ultimately profitability.
9:50am - 10:15am
Using Digital to Attract the Lucrative Chinese Traveller
Dr Mathew McDougall Founder & CEO
Digital Jungle
The numbers that come out of China are just staggering - Tourism Research Institute, China had 61.90 million outbound visitors in the first half of 2015, an increase of 12.1% compared with the same period in 2014. In this session, learn how to position and market your brand in China to the inbound and outbound travel with one of APAC leaders in getting your hotel brand visible in China.
10:15am-10:30am
A message from our Platinum conference sponsor
Lachlan Young, Australasian Sales Manager for RMS will outline their full integration product and their channel management aspects.
10:30am-10:55am
Morning Tea
Enjoy a delicious array of cakes, biscuits and beverages while networking with other conference attendees.
10:55am-11:35am
Hotel CEO and Leader Meet-Up
In this panel session, Sally Attfield from TIANZ will ask some of New Zealand's and APAC's leading hotel leaders and CEOs their views on the latest trends, issues and opportunities facing the accommodation industry in New Zealand.
Panellists
Facilitator
11:35am-12:15pm
How to Drive More Direct Bookings in a Mobile First World
Adrian Caruso CEO and Founder
Fastrack Group
Listen to one of the industry's leading direct booking strategy experts, Adrian Caruso, on how hoteliers of all types can easily drive more direct bookings every day and reach Maximum Occupancy. Find out how to instantly regain market share from OTA's, win more direct bookings, via direct channels with 'real-life' examples of his clients.
12:15pm-12:40pm
How to Bring out the Best in Your People to Make Guests Lifelong Customers
Chris Till CEO
Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ)
Listen to Chris Till, CEO of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand (HRINZ) discuss the importance of “good work” and “good work places”, how this relates to excellent customer service in the accommodation and hotel industry and how it directly affects customer loyalty and revenue.
12:40pm-12:50pm
A message from one of our conference sponsors
Thank you to our conference sponsor, Rategain.
12:50pm - 1:35pm
Lunch
Network with your colleagues over a sumptuous buffet lunch.
1:35pm - 2:05pm
Where Should You Be Investing Your Valuable Marketing Dollars for Maximum ROI
Revenue, guest numbers and occupancy rates are rising, but life as a hotel marketer is still not easy. In this panel session, hear from leading independent hotel and accommodation chain Heads of Marketing about which channels are growing and what customer communications are driving sales, engagement and loyalty. A Q&A will follow this session.
Panellists
Facilitator
2:05pm - 2:40pm
Revenue Management - Balancing Art, Science and Opportunity
Join in and listen to this panel discussion with some of the industry's leading Revenue Managers discussing issues and opportunities around RM including how they calculate value and balance risk, critical daily functions of the revenue manager and skills required to master the art and science of revenue management.
Panellists
Facilitator
2:40pm - 3:15pm
Digital Disruption: Harnessing the Power of Change
Teresa Matheson Head of New Zealand & Pacific Islands
Expedia
Technology is changing the travel landscape quickly, and it’s up to business leaders to harness the power of change as the world of travel evolves. Teresa will outline the key tech-driven trends transforming the travel sphere and discuss Expedia’s formula for success and framework for innovation, outlining the agile strategies that allow Expedia to remain at the forefront of a fast-moving industry.
3:15pm - 3:25pm
A message from one of our conference sponsor
Thank you to our conference sponsor, CMS Hospitality.
3:25pm - 3:50pm
Afternoon Tea
Enjoy a delicious array of cakes, biscuits and beverages while networking with other conference attendees.
3:50pm - 4:30pm
Industry Think Tank
In a New Zealand accommodation industry conference first, a ‘Think Tank’ style session will be held. Conference delegates will meet in a round table format to discuss the industry’s most pressing topics, trends and share their knowledge. Topics for each round table will be suggested by delegates upon registering for the conference. A powerful session of knowledge sharing between delegates and a great way to network with others.
4:30pm - 5:00pm
Guest Facing Technology
Guest-facing technology is far from a new discussion. Some initiatives have been successful; others have failed. And guest expectations change faster than we can adapt. This panel will take a fresh look at the state of guest-facing technology and where as an industry we are headed in the coming years.
Panellists
Facilitator
5:00pm - 5:30pm
Guests, Google and Your Hotel: Making the Connection
Cameron Clark Agency Development Manager
Listen to the latest Google trends and insights in the market presented by Cameron Clark from Google Australia. Listen how travellers search for travel in a cross device world and how to best capture these potential travellers and turn them into guests. Learn the innovations across all the Google products available and how they can boost your direct bookings. Finally learn the importance of correct attribution and how this can drastically affect your campaign performance.
5:30pm - 7:00pm
Networking drinks
Enjoy networking drinks and discuss all that you've learned from the conference with fellow colleagues.
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Optional Conference Dinner
Join us for a sumptuous buffet dinner with fellow delegates at the award winning Aria Restaurant & Bar at the conference hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel Auckland. (Please note dinner must have been pre-purchased with your conference registration. If you haven’t purchased the dinner and would like to attend, please contact Amy Wood at amy.wood@fastrackg.com)