International Hotel Technology Forum 2024 (IHTF)

Join us for the International Hotel Technology Forum, for 3 days of exclusive content, one-to-one business meetings, industry-led case studies and unprecedented networking.

16 - 18

April

2024
  • Rome, Italy
  • Complimentary
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2023 Featured Speakers

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Bertrand Blacha​

VP Global Hotel Technology Accor

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Chris Bowling​

Head Of Digital Marketing & Ecommerce at Best Western Hotels GB Best Western

As a passionate digital marketer with a fascination for everything e-commerce, Chris currently leads the digital team at Best Western Hotels GB. Chris and his team have delivered strong performance in an ever-changing digital landscape. Originally joining Best Western GB as a website executive, Chris has progressed through a variety of roles that have allowed Chris to put passion into action. Whether this is CRO, project management or digital strategy Chris has consistently delivered business objectives. Chris is passionate about motivating his team to deliver exceptional results, be this by helping them as they grow there skillset or allowing them to take on new projects, Chris aims to create a team that works together in synergy.

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Tasha Morrison​

Innovation Manager Whitbread

Focusing on finding new opportunities to collaborate and utilise existing technologies across Premier Inn and restaurants.

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Vineeth Purushothaman​

Regional Director, Commercial Planning & Distribution EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

Vineeth has a strong background in using technology to maximise global commercial impact of hotel distribution, marketing and sales strategies. Vineeth currently head Distribution & Commercial Planning for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in EMEA - and absolutely love the fast-paced environment of Wyndham and the world of online distribution.

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Roger Tabbal​

VP Global Guest Technology & Innovation – Tech for Hotels Accor

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Alexandre Pereira​

Head of Commercial Strategy, Real Hotels Group

Alexandre is an experience director of revenue and passionate about the hotel industry with expertise across revenue, e-commerce, channel management, social media marketing, reservations and more.

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    Why attend?

    Join us for the International Hotel Technology Forum for 3 days of exclusive content, one-to-one business meetings, industry-led case studies and unprecedented networking.

    Our unique event format attracts over 200 C-Suite executives who attend to discuss the most recent challenges and innovations in hotel technology. The event will bring together hoteliers, management companies, OTAs, and solution providers to discuss challenges and the future direction of the industry, as well as how technology is transforming the hotel industry by enhancing guest experience to increase revenue and operational efficiency.

    WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2024?

    Join leading hotels in the region to discuss new trends and opportunities and learn the latest innovations and technological developments in hospitality to stay ahead of the game. Find the right solution providers to partner with to accelerate your project timeline and achieve the optimal result.

    200+

    Attendees to meet each year

    		30+

    Exhibitors to meet each year

    		80%

    Attendees at Director+ level
    200+

    Attendees to meet each year

    		30+

    Exhibitors to meet each year
    80%

    Attendees at Director+ level

    Testimonials

    IHTF 2023

    2023 Agenda

    • 28 Mar 2023
    • 29 Mar 2023
    • 30 Mar 2023
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    Streams

    Stream one

    Technology & Operations

    Stream two

    Distribution & Marketing

    12:15 PM

    Registration & Welcome Lunch

    1:15 PM

    Chair’s opening remarks

    Speakers

    1:30 PM

    Back to basics: Understanding the hotel technology ecosystem

    • Considering the various segmented markets, procurement models, and geographical locations
    • Investing in technology that is tailored to the specifics of your hotel model
    • Teaching technology to solve existing problems
    • Coordination with partners to determine whether they have suitable applications for your hotel

    Speakers

    2 PM

    Unifying payments across all channels: Powerful tools to surpass guests’ expectations!

    • Predicting cross-channel behaviours
    • Tailoring experiences based on payments data
    • Creating flexible guest journeys
    • Success story of a luxury hotel chain digital transformation

    Speakers

    2:30 PM

    Fireside Chat: Achieving an automated, effortless, and simplified customer journey: Is AI the answer?

    • Increasing direct bookings and offering personalised quotes through automation
    • Analysing demographics and understanding customers’ wants and needs; will AI overlap with the human touch?
    • Navigating the importance of AI education to avoid causing complex problems
    • Understanding the top considerations before implementing AI

    Speakers

    3 PM

    Purpose-driven technology for HSP

    In a highly fragmented scenario of powerful but disjointed technologies, the risk for the hotel market is to end up adapting business to technology and not the other way around.

     

    Modern technological developments in AI, Private Networks, building automation, cloud/edge architectures and cybersecurity offer undisputed advantages when introduced with the goal of improving the efficiency and effectiveness of hotel management while preventing complexity from becoming a distraction to the real core business.

     

    Let's find out together what modern design criteria and technology choices maximize the convergence of network infrastructures and applications for the HSP market.

    Speakers

    3:30 PM

    Coffee break

    3:40 PM

    Business meeting 1

    4:15 PM

    Business meeting 2

    4:50 PM

    Business meeting 3

    5:25 PM

    Panel Discussion Navigating the industry’s in-room entertainment innovation

    • Investigating in-room guest entertainment innovations such as virtual remotes, room voice automation and metaverse games
    • Ensuring implemented technology is user-friendly and personalised for guests
    • Examining current guest room behaviours and emphasising the significance of a strong and dependable WIFI network

    Speakers

    6 PM

    Conference Close and Networking Drinks in the Exhibition Hall

    7:15 PM

    Dinner hosted at the Melia

    12:15 PM

    Registration & Welcome Lunch

    1:15 PM

    Chair’s opening remarks

    Speakers

    1:30 PM

    Panel Discussion Combating staffing shortages with digital marketing and technology

    • How can we ensure that the customer journey is not hampered by staffing issues?
    • Which online channels in the hiring process should we prioritise and how can existing tools be optimised?
    • How can we use social media in a more creative way?
    • What can we do to appeal to and engage Generation Z?

    Speakers

    2 PM

    ONDA: Empowering hospitality with blockchain: Unlocking new frontiers and possibilities

    • Maximizing hotel brand image by creating organic and vivid community with blockchain
    • Loyalty programme that utilizing NFT and blockchain
    • Other possible usage of blockchain tech with strong membership community

    Speakers

    2:30 PM

    Working with not against: What can we learn from OTA’s to convert direct bookings?

    • Exploring advertisement strategies to increase eyeball awareness of your brand including examples of Facebook, TV and YouTube advertisements
    • Implementing tactical strategies to increase revenue such as personalised codes for different levels of customers
    • Offering the best web price guaranteed and using automation to stay ahead
    • Aligning with the OTA to make sure that the right people see your advertisements

    Speakers

    3:30 PM

    Coffee Break

    5:25 PM

    Learnings from building a digital hotel experience: A Limehome case study

    • What was effective?
    • What are we still battling?
    • What lies ahead for us?
    • What is a simple starting point for others?

    Speakers

    6 PM

    Conference Close and Networking Drinks in the Exhibition Hall

    7:15 PM

    Dinner hosted at the Melia

    Streams

    Stream one

    Technology & Operations

    Stream two

    Distribution & Marketing

    8 AM

    Registration

    8:45 AM

    Chair’s opening remarks

    Speakers

    9 AM

    The evolution of digital check-ins and key cards: What exactly do our guests want?

    • Allowing guests to start their hotel experience immediately with apps, online and digital onsite check-in
    • Using mobile key cards to meet guest expectations and reduce carbon footprint
    • Ensuring personalisation and human interaction is still present in other areas of the hotel
    • Do we still need to provide guests with a choice in how they check in and begin their stay?

    Speakers

    9:30 AM

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    • Accelerating loyalty through guest personalisation and communications from research, booking, check-in, during the stay, and after check-out
    • Scaling the personal touch to thousands of guests and increasing revenue
    • What guest-personalisation strategies can we learn from other leisure industries?
    • As hospitality is one of the most data-rich industries in the world, how can we break the siloed data across systems to personalize experiences better?

     

    Speakers

    10 AM

    Digital@Scale for guests, employees & operator: The Schani story

    ·       Showcasing a case study of two innovative hotel brands

    ·       From key challenges to a seamless, efficient experience for guests & employee

    Speakers

    10:30 AM

    Panel Discussion Moving away from manual: Aligning hotel processes

    • Investigating the technological and human changes in workflow
    • Providing case studies of increasing efficiency by scaling a platform across multiple chains
    • Removing manual procedures to increase productivity and guest satisfaction

    Speakers

    11 AM

    Coffee Break

    11:10 AM

    iOL Pay – The NextGen in payment solutions for hotels

    • Providing one Global Fintech Platform
    • Providing a contactless & frictionless guest experience
    • Providing 1-click payment facility
    • Providing guests, the option to pay with their card or wallet of choice
    • Eliminating high cross-border merchant fees
    • Eliminating manual payment processing
    • Eliminating fraudulent bookings and costly no-shows

    Speakers

    11:50 AM

    Business meeting 4

    12:25 PM

    Business meeting 5

    1 PM

    Business meeting 6

    1:35 PM

    Networking Lunch

    2:35 PM

    Implementing sustainability strategies into the IT infrastructure

    • How can we effectively manage power on-site?
    • What are our options for dealing with climate control in computer rooms?
    • Should we consider local rather than global suppliers when delivering new IT equipment to employees?
    • Do we need to collaborate with a supplier who does not use plastic?
    • What are our guests expecting of us to help in the fight to become more climate-friendly?

    Speakers

    3:05 PM

    Connect Teams. Elevate Service. Tapping into the tools to provide operational efficiencies

    • Identifying and overcoming the challenges of today
    • The key to delivering stand-out service
    • The power of operational technology solutions
    • Proven operational efficiencies in the market today

    Speakers

    3:35 PM

    Afternoon Coffee Break

    3:50 PM

    Business meeting 7

    4:25 PM

    Business meeting 8

    5 PM

    Business meeting 9

    5:35 PM

    Effective techniques for technology budgeting and integration

    • Scheduling current and future technology requirements
    • Ensuring that the technology you invest in can be implemented on existing legacy systems
    • Improving your IT infrastructure with a reduced expenditure

    Speakers

    6:05 PM

    Conference Day Two Close

    6:10 PM

    Drinks Reception

    7:15 PM

    Dinner hosted at the Melia

    10 AM

    Modernising the MICE & group buyer experience

    • Why did the MICE & Group booking process not evolve like most other buying processes in this day and age?
    • 70% of MICE & Group sales is done offline but direct, what are the pains and gains?
    • Why hotels should prevent 3rd parties from getting in control of their data and distribution mix (like OTA's did to room sales)

    Speakers

    10:30 AM

    Panel Discussion Unlocking the power of data to increase overall revenue

    • Analysing customer data to determine what they want from a stay
    • Utilising patterns and segmentation to incorporate a data strategy
    • Creating user-centric experiences with CRM data
    • Using real-world guest data to guide business decisions and generate revenue and cost savings

    Speakers

    11 AM

    Coffee Break

    11:10 AM

    Google travel & revenue maximization: Getting the most out of direct bookings

    • It is well known that direct bookings via official website are critical for profitability. This session will show you how easy it can be to implement data-driven strategies, when using the correct tools and a full value-chain integrated approach, with a special focus on the potential unlocked by Google Travel.
    • It's fundamental to build fully interconnected systems in order to maximise the impact and profitability of direct bookings. Switching from the “patchwork mode” to a “full-integration mode” is essential to develop and implement an integrated, data-driven strategy, throughout the full value chain.
    • Learn how impactful it can be having a large database fed by multiple sources such as Metasearch, OTA, Google, Market Data, PMS, in order to turn unrefined data into strategies. Are you ready to upgrade to an integrated approach, or you want to stay stuck in the patchwork?

    Speakers

    1:35 PM

    Networking Lunch

    3:05 PM

    Data by design; Analytics for the real world | Duetto

    • Predictive analytics allowed us to forecast using a mix of advanced data sources; ingesting current, future and historical data to produce accurate pricing; but what does this look like in real-time? 
    • Now that data is produced and analysed in real-time, how do our revenue managers ensure they are ready to act upon it immediately after it is generated? 
    • The goal is not complexity, its trust; how do we trust the data we receive so that we can apply it in the real world?

    Speakers

    3:35 PM

    Afternoon Coffee Break

    5:35 PM

    Case Study: Developing an in-house real-time data streaming platform (MDP) and cutting integration costs

    • Showcasing a case study demonstrating how Valamar Riviera is moving toward Enterprise Data Integration and Data Mesh concepts
    • Understanding how to develop a real-time data streaming platform (MDP) to slash integration costs
    • Presenting a new call centre platform integrated in only 30 days through MDP
    • Bringing ideas into action; why does solution prototyping matter?

    Speakers

    6:05 PM

    Conference Day Two Close

    6:10 PM

    Drinks Reception

    7:15 PM

    Dinner hosted at the Melia

    Streams

    Stream one

    Technology & Operations

    Stream two

    Distribution & Marketing

    8 AM

    Registration

    8:45 AM

    Chair’s opening remarks

    Speakers

    9 AM

    Panel Discussion How to identify the perfect match when selecting for a solution provider?

    • Navigating finding the most suitable provider for your hotel to stay head ahead in the industry
    • Creating a barrier of mutual understanding and outlining budget expectations
    • Ensuring initial contact is clear and concise while confirming the technical specifications and requirements
    • Exploring the different IT and technological solution areas

    Speakers

    9:30 AM

    Putting the spotlight on cyber security: How can we ensure that all hotels adhere to regulations and requirements?

    • Examining previous industry blunders and determining what we can learn from them
    • Ensuring franchises are meeting brand expectations and cyber security policies
    • What additional strategies should be implemented to protect the data of guests?
    • Navigating the most suited applications available

    Speakers

    10 AM

    Practical application of PCI 4.0 for hoteliers

    • Discus the significant Changes from version 3.2.1
    • Approach to implementing changes prior to the March 2025 deadline
    • Enforcement efforts (then versus now)
    • Compliance impact on Cyber Insurance

    Speakers

    10:30 AM

    Interactive Audience Session Ethical dilemmas in technology: Factors we might overlook

    • Exploring instances of the indiscrimate use of AI, facial regoniton and other technology applications
    • Do these applications contribute to or address issues with racial, gender, or other equity issues?
    • Is there bias in algorithms, and how does this affect the hotel industry?

    Speakers

    11 AM

    Coffee Break

    11:10 AM

    Business meeting 10

    11:45 AM

    Business meeting 11

    12:20 PM

    Business meeting 12

    12:55 PM

    Closing Panel Discussion Bringing it all together: Key trends, discussion points and takeaways

    • Consider the implications of emerging industry trends through a new analytical and visualisation lens as you reflect on the event sessions
    • Discuss the future direction of customer behaviour, distribution, and hotel technology
    • What can the industry anticipate in the coming months?

    Speakers

    1:25 PM

    Networking Lunch

    2:25 PM

    Conference Close

    8 AM

    Registration

    9:30 AM

    Maximising revenue at all stages of the customer journey

    • Implementing effective revenue management strategies to boost value per guest
    • Increasing revenue across all hotel departments and guest service areas
    • Assessing your current hotel model and putting change management strategies in place
    • Utilising forecasting to determine what is driving consumer demands

    Speakers

    11 AM

    Coffee Break

    1:25 PM

    Networking Lunch

    2023 Speakers

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    Raimund Notz
    Director, Hotel Revenue Optimization Central & Eastern Europe, Preferred Hotels & Resorts

    Raimund has worked in the hospitality industry for over 20 years and has both strong on-property operational expertise as well as multi-property and regional capabilities. Raimund has worked in various roles during his diverse career including reservations management, conventions sales agent, and director of revenue management for hard brands including Hilton, Accor, and Starwood. In 2016, Raimund joined Preferred Hotels & Resorts as Director of Hotel Revenue Optimization, supporting over 45 independent member properties across Central & Eastern Europe. Raimund is CRME certified by HSMAI and has been a proud member of HSMAI DACH Advisory Board since May 2022. A keen coach and consult to hotels in the area of revenue management, he provides hotel members with global market intelligence data to increase business from both feeder and emerging markets in order to maximize the hotels but also the brand’s income and profit. Raimund lives in Munich with his family and has a BA in Business with a major in Finance Management and Sales & Marketing from Hamburger Fernhochschule.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Unlocking the power of data to increase overall revenue

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Ryan Haynes
    Director, Haynes MarComs

    Ryan is a hotel technology marcomms consultant with over 15 years’ experience working with global systems and software in the sector. He is Managing Director of Haynes MarComs working with technology companies to bring clarity and opportunity for hotels in the journey of digitalisation. As host of Travel Market Life podcast, Ryan explores technology and digital developments to support industry buyers in procurement and market management. Hoteliers’ Voice series explore how hotels are addressing key developments within their tech stacks. Former broadcaster and PR consultant, Ryan supports businesses with engaging market engagement strategies to build profile and gain momentum. Ryan has worked with the likes of eRevMax, HomeAway, SIHOT, Pegasus, bd4travel, Sciant, Arvoia and Beonprice.

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    Bertrand Blacha
    VP Global Hotel Technology Accor

    Session Details:

    Back to basics: Understanding the hotel technology ecosystem

    2023-03-28, 1:30 PM

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    Eric Rogers
    Principal Eric Rogers Global Hospitality & Technology Services

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Combating staffing shortages with digital marketing and technology

    2023-03-28, 1:30 PM

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    Chris Bowling
    Head Of Digital Marketing & Ecommerce at Best Western Hotels GB Best Western

    As a passionate digital marketer with a fascination for everything e-commerce, Chris currently leads the digital team at Best Western Hotels GB. Chris and his team have delivered strong performance in an ever-changing digital landscape. Originally joining Best Western GB as a website executive, Chris has progressed through a variety of roles that have allowed Chris to put passion into action. Whether this is CRO, project management or digital strategy Chris has consistently delivered business objectives. Chris is passionate about motivating his team to deliver exceptional results, be this by helping them as they grow there skillset or allowing them to take on new projects, Chris aims to create a team that works together in synergy.

    Session Details:

    Working with not against: What can we learn from OTA’s to convert direct bookings?

    2023-03-28, 2:30 PM

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    Roger Tabbal
    VP Global Guest Technology & Innovation – Tech for Hotels Accor

    Session Details:

    The evolution of digital check-ins and key cards: What exactly do our guests want?

    2023-03-29, 9:00 AM

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    Gabor Kelemen
    IT Director (Danubius and Ensana Hotels) Danubius Hotels

    Gabor has extensive experience in Hospitality IT management with multi-country, multi-brand hotel chains with strong project management experiences.

    Session Details:

    Effective techniques for technology budgeting and integration

    2023-03-29, 5:35 PM

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    Alexandre Pereira
    Head of Commercial Strategy, Real Hotels Group

    Alexandre is an experience director of revenue and passionate about the hotel industry with expertise across revenue, e-commerce, channel management, social media marketing, reservations and more.

    Session Details:

    Maximising revenue at all stages of the customer journey

    2023-03-30, 9:30 AM

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    Roberto Gobo
    Director of digital strategy and technology Valamar Riviera

    Roberto Gobo is the Director of digital strategy and technology in Valamar Riviera, the largest and leading tourism company in Croatia (7,000 employees), which – in its 61 hotels, resorts, camping sites – can simultaneously accommodate 58.000 guests. Roberto is highly technical, dedicated and result oriented senior software director with a successful track record in the sourcing and delivery of software projects, complex products and data services launches for Enterprise Clients. He has worked as Developer, Technical Lead, Architect, Delivery Manager, Director (in the USA, Ireland, India, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia) with HP, Vodafone, Mobitel, BT, O2, Danieli etc. in delivering outsourced software projects, setting up outsourced operations, improve development process, developing new products and introducing release process into organizations. His main focus in Valamar is digital strategy and transformation of the company, future software architecture, technologies and delivery of strategic digital projects. Roberto’s interests are enterprise architecture, emerging technologies, real time data streaming, Data platforms and adoption of AI/ML.

    Session Details:

    Case Study: Developing an in-house real-time data streaming platform (MDP) and cutting integration costs

    2023-03-29, 5:35 PM

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    Vineeth Purushothaman
    Regional Director, Commercial Planning & Distribution EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts

    Vineeth has a strong background in using technology to maximise global commercial impact of hotel distribution, marketing and sales strategies. Vineeth currently head Distribution & Commercial Planning for Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in EMEA - and absolutely love the fast-paced environment of Wyndham and the world of online distribution.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Unlocking the power of data to increase overall revenue

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Dario Artiola
    Directore Revenue Performance, Radisson Hotel Group

    Over 10+ years experience in the hospitality industry Dario has become a revenue expert, working in different companies, and has lived abroad in many European cities, from Milan to Wien and from Brussels to Madrid. Dario is currently Director of Revenue Performance at Radisson Hotel Group, responsible for the results of 150+ hotels together with 50 revenue managers and specialists. From April 22, Dario has been admitted to the Global Executive MBA ( worldwide ranking: 34# Financial Times/ 23# The Economist) of the prestigious WU Executive Academy in Wien, a double master degree in partnership with Carlson University in Minneapolis. Dario’s lifetime passions are Football, Formula 1, cinema and currently, he is very passionate about cyber security and data protection.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Unlocking the power of data to increase overall revenue

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Christoph Peppers
    Director E-Commerce H-Hotels.com

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion How to identify the perfect match when selecting for a solution provider?

    2023-03-30, 9:00 AM

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    Simon Schwitallik
    Director of Commercial Strategy and Analytics Design Hotels GmbH

    Simon is Director of Commercial Strategy and Analytics at Design Hotels, headquartered in Berlin, Germany. In his current role he is advising Design Hotels member hotels on holistic commercial strategies and integrated technology landscapes. Prior to Design Hotels, Simon gained experience in revenue management, e-Commerce and business intelligence with The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, Hyatt Hotels & Resorts and headed up the role out of TravelClick's Demand360 platform into international hotel chains.

    Session Details:

    Closing Panel Discussion Bringing it all together: Key trends, discussion points and takeaways

    2023-03-30, 12:55 PM

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    Ted Horner
    Owner E Horner & Associates
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    Stuart Derricott
    Regional Head of Sales, FCS Computer Systems

    Stuart originally worked within IT retail and Distribution for various vendors and partners including Sony, LG Electronics and Michelin.

    Realizing 10 years ago he had transferable skills Stuart joined the hospitality sector - Originally working in Channel Management solutions and Booking Engines.

    Enjoying the sector and all is offers he moved to his current role 3 years working with Operations Solutions, supporting hotels to automate all their guest requests, hotel maintenance and housekeeping functions to help solve staff shortages and save money.

    The hospitality industry has taken some hard knocks over the last few years with the issues around Covid and the huge increases in the costs of energy but there is still a real hunger to adapt to change and look at how they can improve both their internal operational solutions and guest facing applications.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Combating staffing shortages with digital marketing and technology

    2023-03-28, 1:30 PM

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    Karim El Habashy
    Senior Hospitality Lead, Adyen

    Leading the Hospitality efforts for Adyen in the DACH region, always with the goal of providing the best guest experience with the latest in payments technology.

    Session Details:

    Unifying payments across all channels: Powerful tools to surpass guests’ expectations!

    2023-03-28, 2:00 PM

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    Jakub Czerwiński
    VP CEE

    Hospitality expert with background in Revenue Acceleration & PMS solutions for hotels, at Adyen looking after Central European markets, helping hotels streamline their payments set-up.

    Session Details:

    Unifying payments across all channels: Powerful tools to surpass guests’ expectations!

    2023-03-28, 2:00 PM

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    Steven Bronken
    Head of Global Hospitality, RUCKUS Networks

    IT Executive providing Clients & Partners with the utmost in attention, service and experience, and amateur YouTube host of “The Corner Office”, an industry specific interview series with an informative and comedic tone. Specializing in all forms of IT & Communications, including Guest Networks, Networking Infrastructure, Enterprise Content Management, Software Development and IT Consulting. Understanding of the highly technical (Including WiFi / Ethernet / Networking / Bits & Bytes) to the everyday (including land line; data line, cellular, cellular data, smoke signals, etc...).

    Experience growing and leading a team that provides the best solution for the customers’ needs and budget; that not only meets requirements but exceeds expectations; providing clients with a solution we all can be passionate about. Building trusted, deep relationships with clients, partners and industry stakeholders.

    Session Details:

    Purpose-driven technology for HSP

    2023-03-28, 3:00 PM

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    Massimo Mazzeo Ocello
    Vice President, Global Systems Engineering, RUCKUS Networks

    Session Details:

    Purpose-driven technology for HSP

    2023-03-28, 3:00 PM

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    Nils Ziehn
    VP Product, Limehome

    Session Details:

    Learnings from building a digital hotel experience: A Limehome case study

    2023-03-28, 5:25 PM

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    Patrick Lomsdalen
    CEO, FLEXIPASS Digital Keys

    From launching the world’s first virtual hospitality fair, to providing door access and in room technology to global hotel chains as Marriott, HILTON, IHG, Accor, Starhotels and private hotels his current focus is delivering an intelligent Digital Keys PLATFORM for the accommodation + PMS + Guest Communication industry.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Moving away from manual: Aligning hotel processes

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Steve Danelian
    CEO, NexGen Guest

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Moving away from manual: Aligning hotel processes

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Sandro Christofori
    Major Account Executive, Revinate

    Christofori has over 15 years of experience working for the most competitive, leading hospitality & technology companies worldwide and always tries to find the perfect solution for his customer’s complex challenges. As Revinate's Major Account Executive, Sandro is responsible for building long-term partnerships and expanding our cooperation in EMEA. Christofori believes that intuitive technology is the future and will play a significant role in the overall customer experience across all kinds of industries. If you'd like to start a conversation with Christofori, feel free to email him at sandro.christofori@revinate.com

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    2023-03-29, 9:30 AM

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    William Lee
    Global Business, Chief Business Development Officer, ONDA

    Experienced Business Development Specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software in the hospitality and tourism industry(property management system, global distribution system). Skilled in Business Planning, strategy, project management.

    Session Details:

    ONDA: Empowering hospitality with blockchain: Unlocking new frontiers and possibilities

    2023-03-28, 2:00 PM

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    Markus Mueller
    Managing Director, GauVendi

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Unlocking the power of data to increase overall revenue

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Antonis Chalkiopoulos
    Co-Founder & CEO, Triparound

    Antonis Chalkiopoulos is the co-Founder and CEO of Triparound. He is an entrepreneur, engineer, and travel tech innovator with significant working experience in the information technology services industry. His previous travel startup, Tooristas, was recognized as a first of its kind travel platform in the Greek tech ecosystem and became a cornerstone of what is now Triparound. Antonis is an alumnus of egg, the leading startup incubator in Greece, and was selected to participate in the StartMIT initiative for entrepreneurs and innovators in Boston, as well as in the MIT Enterprise Forum Startup Competition in Greece.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Moving away from manual: Aligning hotel processes

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Joost Doevendans
    Head of Sales, Proposales

    Hospitality enthusiast with a demonstrated history of working with travel tech companies, always looking for the latest innovations to move the hotel industry forward, enabling hotels to create modern guest experiences! Loves a round of cycling, golf and a game of padel!

    Session Details:

    Modernising the MICE & group buyer experience

    2023-03-29, 10:00 AM

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    Piergiorgio Schirru
    EVP, Head of Revenue Management and Research & Development, Blastness

    Passionate, positive and hard worker with over 20 years' experience in Revenue Management & Digital Marketing, Piergiorgio started his career working for airline companies on intercontinental markets, switching to the hospitality industry in 2009 and since 2011 he applied his knowledge to create in Blastness the largest italian independent team of Revenue Management with focus on direct bookings.

    In Blastness Piergiorgio developed the next step of “Web Revenue Management” as it plays a crucial role in the process of boosting direct sales. With a degree in Economics, a Master in Big Data, and an MBA, he is also one of the most quoted professors in LUISS Business School for over than ten years

    Session Details:

    Google travel & revenue maximization: Getting the most out of direct bookings

    2023-03-29, 11:10 AM

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    Gladys Garcia Schulze
    Senior Business Development Manager EMEA, RUCKUS Networks

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Navigating the industry’s in-room entertainment innovation

    2023-03-28, 5:25 PM

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    Matt Arnull
    Head of Architecture and Strategy Whitbread

    Matt is head of architecture and strategy, developing the future Technology strategy for Whitbread, covering a major period of investment in our core technology to help prepare the business for the accelerating demand for digital services and further growth, both in the UK and beyond. 

    Session Details:

    Implementing sustainability strategies into the IT infrastructure

    2023-03-29, 2:35 PM

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    Tasha Morrison
    Innovation Manager Whitbread

    Focusing on finding new opportunities to collaborate and utilise existing technologies across Premier Inn and restaurants.

    Session Details:

    Implementing sustainability strategies into the IT infrastructure

    2023-03-29, 2:35 PM

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    João Pronto
    Professor, ESHTE

    Joao Pronto is IT Professor at ESHTE - Estoril Higher Institute for Tourism and Hotel Studies, the main Hospitality University in Portugal, since 1996. He teaches and research mainly the workflows of Hyper-personalization processes, Unified Communications, and tech innovations in the Hospitality Field, as In-Room entertainment innovation. His research in master’s degree, (2002) was about an Expert System (an Artificial Intelligence System) that provides to the Tourists a dashboard where they can choose thematic pics and videos, and the System reply to the Tourist, personalized tourist services based in the Tourist aims and behaviors. Now a days, we call to this approach hyper-personalization in tourism and hospitality. In the past 17 years, in the PhD studies, João Pronto his collaborating with some of the main Hotel Chains in Portugal. His main publications, and speech are: IGI Global Publication Book: Optimizing Digital Solutions for Hyper-Personalization in Tourism and Hospitality, 2022. Algarve Summit – Disrupt’22 – Hyper- Personalization in Hospitality, 2022. 7th Circle Conference – eServices and strategy in the Hospitality Industry: The Altis Hotels Business Case, 2010. Eyefortravel, The Empowerment of Internet 2.0 in Hospitality and Tourism, 2007. In www.turisver.pt writes opinion articles, in a monthly base, about tech applied to the Hospitality field.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Navigating the industry’s in-room entertainment innovation

    2023-03-28, 5:25 PM

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    Daniele Davì
    IT Senior Manager, Mangia’s Resorts and Clubs

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Moving away from manual: Aligning hotel processes

    2023-03-29, 10:30 AM

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    Yessica Gonzalez
    Revenue Manageress, Club La Santa

    Sales&Marketing Hotel tech specialist. I love challenges and new technologies📳. Passionate about travel and the world of tourism. Nothing is born or arises by itself, but everything is a consequence of our actions and projects.

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    Helmut Sommer
    Hospitality Business Development Officer, Gitone

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion How to identify the perfect match when selecting for a solution provider?

    2023-03-30, 9:00 AM

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    Andrew Evers
    Group Director of IT, Rocco Forte Hotels

    Having started my IT career in 1997, I have worked in most sectors of the industry at some point and have always put the focus on technical excellence and best practice. Whilst I am now in a technology managerial position, I still consider myself a technician at heart and I have a true hands on involvement in every technical deployment I oversee.
    I have learned to blur the boundaries between the technical, the executive and the financial aspects of long-term enterprise international IT strategies; that every project, every change and every IT strategic decision is in line with the business at the highest levels and still technically excellent at the nuts-and-bolts end, as well as being aligned with overall business financial strategy.

    Anything to do with business IT strategy, service delivery and project execution are all my interest areas with technical focus on Microsoft products, Citrix, VMware, Cisco/HP switching, IP security and firewalling or pretty much anything else with an IP address!

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion How to identify the perfect match when selecting for a solution provider?

    2023-03-30, 9:00 AM

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    Patrick van der Wardt
    VP - Mid Market, Mews

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    2023-03-29, 9:30 AM

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    Christian Müller
    Group Manager Systems & Integrations, Schani Hotels

    Session Details:

    Digital@Scale for guests, employees & operator: The Schani story

    2023-03-29, 10:00 AM

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    David Durko
    CEO, Security Validation | SecValMSP

    David Durko, CEO of Security Validation | SecValMSP , was an instrumental leader of the Security and Compliance team for Wyndham Hotels focused on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards. Following Wyndham’s third publicized breach he was tasked and successful in driving Wyndham to their first successful Attestation of Compliance as a Service Provider. Following his tenure at Wyndham David became the Senior Vice President of Incident and Crisis Management for MasterCard Worldwide. In his role, David leveraged his knowledge of the hospitality industry and data security to help mitigate financial damage for payment acquirers and the Mastercard brand. David is the QSA and Chief Compliance Officer of record for Security Validation | SecValMSP.

    Session Details:

    Practical application of PCI 4.0 for hoteliers

    2023-03-30, 10:00 AM

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    Nicholas Wyatt
    Head of RA Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

    Session Details:

    Putting the spotlight on cyber security: How can we ensure that all hotels adhere to regulations and requirements?

    2023-03-30, 9:30 AM

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    Patricia Diana
    Area Manager, New Business EMEA, IDeaS Revenue Solutions

    Having graduated in Tourism law and Online Marketing, Patricia began her career over 20 years ago at the corporate department of revenue management at Marriott International in Frankfurt. Following her passion for revenue management, she later joined Optims, to consult hospitality organisations around implementation of automated revenue management solutions. In 2003, Patricia founded a successful consulting and training company helping hotels to implement processes, culture, and revenue management technology. She brings her vast hospitality experience to IDeaS where she heads up new business development function for Western, Southern and Eastern Europe.

     

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Combating staffing shortages with digital marketing and technology

    2023-03-28, 1:30 PM

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    Michele “Mik” Ruberl
    Director Blockchain & Web3 Solutions, Peakwork

    Michele “Mik” Ruberl is a veteran technologist with a 20+ year career delivering software solutions on four continents, both in the corporate world and as a (twice) startupper.

     

    He has been involved in blockchain for traveltech since 2017, as the CTO of Sandos Hotels & Resorts and as Head of Architecture & Integration at Alpitour. Under his leadership, various projects were implemented, such as a decentralized travel loyalty federation and several NFT applications for the tourism ecosystem including the first world-wide hotel booking sold as an NFT, in occasion of the opening of Ca’ di Dio in Venice, Italy.

     

    Now at Peakwork as Director Blockchain & Web3 Solutions, Mik leads the development of a platform to enrich traveler experience and eventually reimplement entire segments of the travel and hospitality supply chain.

     

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    2023-03-29, 9:30 AM

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    Jan Alfrink
    Regional Director of Sales-Europe, Sabre Hospitality

    Jan Alfrink is the Regional Director of Sales in Europe for Sabre Hospitality. With over 20+ years in hospitality distribution and eCommerce, Jan has helped numerous new hotel partners strengthen their online presence and results via a consultative approach. Prior to joining Sabre, Jan obtained a Master’s degree in Business and a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Management. He worked for various hotel chains on property in operations where the challenges of task fulfillment were paramount to the guest experience.

    Session Details:

    Connect Teams. Elevate Service. Tapping into the tools to provide operational efficiencies

    2023-03-29, 3:05 PM

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    Yan Zhang
    COO, PolyAI

    Yan Zhang is a tech leader bringing revolutionary AI to the hospitality sector. As COO of PolyAI, he brings together business and AI leaders to deploy virtual assistants in large-scale enterprise applications. Recent deployments include restaurants, hotels, and casinos in the UK and US. Previous to PolyAI, Yan was a Sloan Fellow at London Business School and ran a series of successful startups.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    2023-03-29, 9:30 AM

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    Emma Taylor
    Associate Analyst - Thematic Research, Global Data

    Emma Taylor is an Associate Analyst in GlobalData's Thematic Intelligence Team specialising in Machine Learning, AI regulation, and cybersecurity. Before joining GlobalData Emma completed a Master’s degree in ‘Big Data in Culture and Society’ conducting research on data law, algorithmic bias, surveillance and Facial Recognition Technology.

    Session Details:

    Interactive Audience Session Ethical dilemmas in technology: Factors we might overlook

    2023-03-30, 10:30 AM

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    Liliane Otsuka
    Head of Commerce, Value One Hospitality GmbH

    Session Details:

    Closing Panel Discussion Bringing it all together: Key trends, discussion points and takeaways

    2023-03-30, 12:55 PM

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    Franziska Schemmann
    Director of Sales, Duetto

    Session Details:

    Data by design; Analytics for the real world | Duetto

    2023-03-29, 3:05 PM

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    Patricia Plesner
    CEO, EcoHotels.com

    Patricia Plesner is the CEO of EcoHotels.com, a provider of eco-certified accommodations. She has previous experience in the hospitality industry having worked closely with Guldsmeden Hotels, a sustainable hotel chain primarily based in Denmark.

    Session Details:

    Panel Discussion Advancing guest communication strategies

    2023-03-29, 9:30 AM

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