23rd Annual International Hotel Technology Forum 2026 (IHTF)

Where hotel leaders explore technology with real impact on guest experience, revenue growth and operational efficiency.

21 - 23

April

2026
  • Mövenpick Hotel, Amsterdam
  • Complimentary
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Why attend?

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR 2026?

 

 

400+

Attendees to meet each year

30+

Exhibitors to meet each year

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

400+

Attendees to meet each year

30+

Exhibitors to meet each year

80%

Attendees at Director+ level

IHTF Europe 2025

Agenda

  • 21 Apr 2026
  • 22 Apr 2026
  • 23 Apr 2026
Expand All

Streams

Stream one

Stream A - Technology & Operations

Stream two

Stream B - Distribution & Marketing

1:20 PM

Chair’s Opening remarks

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs

1:25 PM

CMO Keynote Address

Speaker TBC

1:45 PM

Panel Discussion: Unlocking the Hidden Wallet and Rethinking Ancillary Revenue in Hotels

  • Guest-led vs upsell-led ancillary models (F&B, wellness, experiences)
  • Unlocking ancillary revenue opportunities during the guest journey
  • Using data and AI to personalize offers
  • It’s not one size fits all – which technologies are appropriate for which venues?

Moderator: Ryan Haynes, Director, Haynes MarComs

 

Senior Representative, Thynk

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs
Neil MacCallum
Group Director of Revenue, Ensana Spa Health Hotels

2:15 PM

Partner Presentation

2:45 PM

Panel Discussion: Harnessing Tech Innovation to Meet Evolving Guest Expectations

  • The rise of the hyper-personalised guest experience is here
  • The connected guest: How tech is redefining experience & control
  • Beyond convenience: Personalisation, empowerment, and the future of hotel stays
  • Engineering engagement: Aligning tech strategy with the evolving guest journey
  • How is guest culture affecting digital transformation

Moderator: Renée Nicole Wagner, PhD, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, Orascom Hotels Management

Senior Representative, Avenue 9 Solutions

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Renée Nicole Wagner
PhD, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, Orascom Hotels Management
Ittai Savran
CEO, Olala

3:15 PM

Networking Break

3:30 PM

Business Meetings 1

4:05 PM

Business Meeting 2

4:40 PM

Business Meeting 3

5:15 PM

Measuring What Matters: Redefining Value Through Guest and Host E-ROI – The Cabins Sleeping Case Study

Speakers

Stamos Kalogrias
CEO, New Era Hotels

10 AM

Registration & Networking Breakfast

10:20 AM

Keynote Address: Investing, Innovating, and Scaling for the Next Era of Growth

Speaker TBC

10:50 AM

Chair’s Opening Remarks

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

Session 1) Key Trends

11 AM

Hospitality Tech Outlook: Investment, Innovation, and the Intelligence Era

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

11:40 AM

Defending Against Evolving Threats: 101 for Preventing a Breach

Speakers

Joe Buck
Senior Operations Engineer , Threatspike

12:10 PM

Dragon’s Den:

A panel of the industry’s most sought-after solution providers set the scene with 60 second introductions offering insights into their cutting-edge products and services. Visit the booths in the exhibition hall for more details and services.

12:20 PM

Networking Lunch

Session 2) Breakout Sessions

1:20 PM

Chair’s Opening remarks

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

1:25 PM

CIO Keynote Address

Speaker TBC

1:45 PM

CIO Panel Discussion: Beyond the Buzzwords: Which Tech are Redefining the European Hospitality Industry and How?

  • Industry leaders debate hype vs. long-term adoption
  • Barriers to implementation across diverse EU markets
  • Operator and investor perspectives on ROI and decision making on spend
  • Emerging trends in guest expectations across EU markets

Moderator: Nicholas Wyatt, Head of R&A – Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

Panelists TBC

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

2:15 PM

Transforming Hospitality: Elevating Guest Experiences with Seamless Digital Services

Senior Representative, Suitepad

2:45 PM

Panel Discussion: When Does Tech Pay Off? Balancing Cost-Cutting and Service in Hospitality

  • Are we at risk of de-humanizing hospitality in the name of margin protection?
  • Efficiency vs. experience: How far can we automate before the guest experience and loyalty suffers?
  • Robots & AI: Game changers or just shiny gimmicks?

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

Senior Representative, Canary Technologies

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Peter Habelitz
Chief Financial & Technology Officer, The Dean Hotel Group
Adam Burt
Franchise IT Director, Radisson

3:15 PM

Networking Break

3:30 PM

Business Meetings 1

4:05 PM

Business meeting 2

4:40 PM

Business meeting 3

5:15 PM

Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Choosing the Right Tech Solution Strategy for Your Hotel

Speaker TBC

5:35 PM

Revolutionizing guest communication: Agentic AI and beyond

Senior Representative, Apaleo

5:55 PM

Panel Discussion: Meeting Client Expectation for Eco by Design – How Smart Systems and Digital Innovation Are Powering Greener Hotels?

●       Embedding sustainability into hotel infrastructure while maintaining or enhancing the guest experience

●       Waste, water, and energy: What smart solutions are leading the way?

●       Using digital tools to monitor, manage, and communicate sustainability initiatives to guests

 

Moderator: Nicholas Wyatt, Head of R&A – Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData
Renée Nicole Wagner
PhD, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, Orascom Hotels Management

6:25 PM

Close of day one and networking drinks

Sponsored by M3Connect

7:30 PM

Networking Dinner

Streams

Stream one

Stream A - Technology & Operations

Stream two

Stream B - Distribution & Marketing

8:45 AM

Chairs opening remarks

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs

8:55 AM

Keynote Address – Beyond Check-In – Building a Mobile-First Guest Journey

Speakers

Richard Rosenberg
Director of Technology, Whitbread
Alex Dinsdale
Head of Digital Product, Whitbread

9:15 AM

Partner Presentation

9:35 AM

Panel Discussion: AI in hospitality —Turbocharger for Guest Interaction? Or Efficiency Finder for Back-Office Tasks?

  • Practical and concrete ideas of how to implement AI for efficiency
  • How to evaluate and prioritize investments
  • The payback period: what owners and operators want to see
  • Case studies: implementing AI into hotels today

Moderator: Ryan Haynes, Director, Haynes MarComs

Senior Representative, Gauvendi

More Panelists tbc

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs
Martijn van der Graaf
COO, Essendi
Daniele Davi
IT Senior Director, Aeroviaggi S.p.A.
Markus Mueller
Co-founder and Managing Director GauVendi

10:05 AM

Networking Break

10:20 AM

Business Meeting 4

10:55 AM

Business Meeting 5

11:30 AM

Business Meeting 6

12:05 PM

Panel Discussion: Who Pays, Who Gains? The Real Economics of Hotel Tech Innovation

  • Follow the money: Owners, operators, brands, and investors — who should pay for new tech?
  • Can solutions really plug into CRS/PMS ecosystems without disruption?
  • If a tool boosts guest experience but drains owner budgets, is it worth it?
  • Future Models: Co-investment, revenue-share, or brand-led mandates — what’s next?

Moderator: Ryan Haynes, Director, Haynes MarComs

 

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs
Tobias Reinecke
Head of Investments & Development EMEA, Choice Hotels International
Valentin Dumonnet
Director of Technology & Innovation, Hotel Okura
Nicola Rhone
VP Business Development EMEA, Access Group

12:35 PM

Networking Lunch

1:35 PM

Partner Presentation

1:55 PM

Case Study: One Guest, One Profile: PortoBay’s Loyalty Redesign for the Data Age

  • Merging profiles, building loyalty: PortoBay’s data-driven guest experience
  • Marrying business intelligence with guest facing applications
  • How early engagement increases loyalty and direct bookings
  • ROI of loyalty tech: improving retention and lifetime value

Speakers

André Dória
Head of Digital Empowerment, PortoBay Hotels & Resorts
Rui Alves
Head of Digital Transformation and Technology, PortoBay Hotels & Resorts

2:15 PM

Panel Discussion: CDP, CRM & PMS: Cutting Through the Noise in Hotel Data Management

  • From siloed chaos to smart data: How hotels can unlock AI’s real value
  • CDP vs CRM: What’s essential for centralisation?
  • How to have an effective data strategy and drive value?
  • Breaking silos for smarter revenue & operations
  • Practical ROI: how clean, unified data improves RevPAR & efficiency

Moderator: Ryan Haynes, Director, Haynes MarComs

Senior Representative, ACT International

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs
Hugo Esteves
Head of Revenue, Savoy Signature
Angelo La Riccia
Chief Commercial Officer, VOI Hotels
Ryan Brough
SVP of Growth, Stayhapi
Frank Wagner
General Manager , ACT International

2:45 PM

Networking Break

3 PM

Business meeting 7

3:35 PM

Business meeting 8

4:10 PM

Business meeting 9

4:45 PM

Revenue Focused Packaging & Upselling Strategies

Speakers

Neil MacCallum
Group Director of Revenue, Ensana Spa Health Hotels

5:15 PM

Challenging the Giants: How a Smaller Hotel Chain Integrated CDP + CRM/CRS + PMS to Compete at Scale

  • Competing in hyper-saturated markets against global brands—and why we built a proprietary CRM/CRS and PMS to control our guest data and execution.
  • CDP as the “brain” of the stack: practical lessons from integrating the CDP with in-house systems to unify profiles, activate data across channels, and improve decisioning.
  • From collection to personalization: progressing from basic data gathering to advanced segmentation and scalable, targeted guest experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and what others can replicate

Speakers

Riccardo Galli
CMO, Evenia Hotels

8 AM

Registration

8:45 AM

Chairs opening remarks

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

8:55 AM

Keynote Address: Laying Out Your AI Strategy Roadmap – Trends, Hype and Truly Effecting Transformation

Speakers

Karsten Tremmel
CIO Central & Norther Europe, B&B Hotels

9:15 AM

Partner Presentation

9:35 AM

Panel Discussion: Beyond AI Hype: Unified BI, Data Governance & Decision Dashboards

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

Senior Representative, Inntelo

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates

10:05 AM

Networking Break

10:20 AM

Business meeting 4

10:55 AM

Business meeting 5

11:30 AM

Business meeting 6

12:05 PM

Panel Discussion: Labour Economics — Where Automation Helps Most

  • Can tech reduce staff shortages or does it just shift pressure?
  • How is automation freeing up time for high-value tasks and augmenting services?
  • Best practices from operators using staff tech
  • Robots – what can they do for you?

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Adam Burt
Franchise IT Director, Radisson

12:35 PM

Networking Lunch

1:35 PM

Advancing Hotel Technology in a Cost-Efficient Era

Senior representative, Canary Technologies

1:55 PM

Beyond Automation: Mapping the Employee’s Digital Care Journey

  • Start backstage: Redesign the employee digital care journey and internal processes first to enable consistently exceptional service
  • Don’t just add more tasks: Drive impact through smarter, digitized ways of working—simplifying, automating, and guiding work rather than increasing workload
  • Align the application landscape to real operational workflows, with a practical walkthrough of key screens and end-to-end flows

Speakers

Tomas Holan
Head of Digital, OREA HOTELS s.r.o.

2:15 PM

Panel Discussion: Automation in Hospitality: Frictionless Journeys or Digital Overload? And a Roadmap for Employee’s Digital Care Journey

  • When do guests want human vs. digital service?
  • Managing omni-channel engagement without fatigue
  • The future of the lobby

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

Senior Representative, ENG Infotech

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Tiago Alves
Director of IT Operations. Divisional Director of IT Europe, Asia and Africa, Belmond
Karsten Tremmel
CIO Central & Norther Europe, B&B Hotels

2:45 PM

Networking Break

3 PM

Business meeting 7

3:35 PM

Business meeting 8

4:10 PM

Business meeting 9

4:45 PM

Seamless System Integration: Building a Low Disruption, Cost Efficient IT Rollout Roadmap for Hotels

Speakers

Jean Bessard
Head of Hotel Technology & IT Operations, The Leading Hotels of the World

5:15 PM

Beyond the AI Hype: Driving Revenue Optimization through Unified BI, Strong Data Governance, and Decision Dashboards

  • Why most hotel AI and analytics initiatives fail: fragmented data, unclear ownership, and weak governance
  • How unified BI and disciplined data management enable better commercial and service decisions in practice
  • What it takes to move from “nice dashboards” to real, data-driven revenue steering in hotel operations

Speakers

Valentin Dumonnet
Director of Technology & Innovation, Hotel Okura

5:40 PM

Day Two Closing Remarks

5:45 PM

Drink Reception and Prize Draw

Sponsored by Threatspike

7 PM

Networking Dinner

8:30 AM

Registration

9 AM

Chair’s Opening Remarks – Welcome Back

Speakers

Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

Session 1) Navigating Tech Buying Decisions

9:10 AM

Keynote Address: From Legacy to Cloud – Redefining the Guest Experience

  • The shift from PMS and siloed platforms
  • Lessons learned from vendor selections
  • Change management and guest adoption

Speaker TBC

9:30 AM

Partner Presentation

Suggested Topic: Selecting Tech with Confidence: Apps, Unified Payments ChatBots: When Is Too Much Tech a Bad Thing? How To Make the Right Choices for your Hotel.

9:50 AM

Networking Break

10:10 AM

Business meeting 10

10:35 AM

Business meeting 11

11:10 AM

Business meeting 12

11:45 AM

Keynote Panel Discussion: From Tech Stack to Guest Delight: Tech Buying Decisions for Extraordinary Guest Experiences

Discuss real-world experiences in choosing technology solutions, cut through the complexity and share how hoteliers are finding the right tech for their guest’s needs. We’ll explore:

  • How different hotels balance their budgets against must-have features
  • What makes implementation successful (and what to avoid)
  • Ways to ensure staff can actually use the technology effectively
  • How to measure if you're getting value for money

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Tomas Holan
Head of Digital, OREA HOTELS s.r.o.
Daniele Davì
IT Senior Manager, Mangia’s Resorts and Clubs

12:15 PM

TBC

Senior representative, Like Magic

12:35 PM

Networking Lunch

Session 2) Future Trends: Preparing for 2027

1:40 PM

Panel Discussion: Is Technology Enhancing or Diluting the Luxury Guest Experience?

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

More panelists TBC

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Tiago Alves
Director of IT Operations. Divisional Director of IT Europe, Asia and Africa, Belmond
Jean Bessard
Head of Hotel Technology & IT Operations, The Leading Hotels of the World

2:10 PM

Partner Presentation

From POS to Profit Centre: How F&B Tech Is Becoming the Core of Hotel Revenue

2:30 PM

Fireside Chat: Beyond Email – Reimagining Guest Engagement Channels for a Mobile-First Generation

  • Move beyond email: Connecting with guests using social media
  • Hyper-targeted media for success: Leverage Meta's data to deliver personalized, high-intent ads

Moderator: Ryan Haynes, Director, Haynes MarComs

Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ryan Haynes
Director, Haynes MarComs

3 PM

Partner Presentation

3:20 PM

Closing Executive Panel Discussion: Hotel Tech 2026: Building a 3-year Roadmap for Profit, People and the Planet

  • The whole journey from transformation, what happened 5 years ago – an evolution of learnings
  • Roadmap to meeting ESG targets aligned with emerging regulations and guest preferences
  • Where we’re investing in 2027 — and why?

Moderator: Ted Horner, Owner, E Horner & Associates

More Panelists TBC

Speakers

Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates
Francisco Santos
Head of Sustainability, Highgate
Olga Rishko
Chief Commercial Officer, 1926 COLLECTION

3:50 PM

Chair’s Closing Remarks – Thank you for joining IHTF Europe 2026

4 PM

Prize Draw

Speakers

Select a speaker to learn more

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Nicholas Wyatt
Head of R&A, Travel & Tourism, GlobalData

Nick has over 14 years of experience in the business intelligence industry with particular expertise in market sizing, competitive assessment, company strategy, and product management. He leads the development and content production of new and existing products within GlobalData’s Travel & Tourism business information division. He is responsible for ensuring the design, publication and delivery of market-leading content to a diverse client base in the travel & tourism sector including DMOs, airlines, hotels and consulting groups. He also supports sales and consulting teams by directly engaging with industry stakeholders to understand and fulfil their needs.

Session Details:

Chair’s Opening Remarks

2026-04-21, 10:50 AM

Session Details:

Hospitality Tech Outlook: Investment, Innovation, and the Intelligence Era

2026-04-21, 11:00 AM

Session Details:

Chair’s Opening remarks

2026-04-21, 1:20 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Meeting Client Expectation for Eco by Design – How Smart Systems and Digital Innovation Are Powering Greener Hotels?

2026-04-21, 5:55 PM

Session Details:

Chairs opening remarks

2026-04-22, 8:45 AM

Session Details:

Chair’s Opening Remarks – Welcome Back

2026-04-23, 9:00 AM

Session Details:

CIO Panel Discussion: Beyond the Buzzwords: Which Tech are Redefining the European Hospitality Industry and How?

2026-04-21, 1:45 PM

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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.

Session Details:

Chair’s Opening remarks

2026-04-21, 1:20 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: AI in hospitality —Turbocharger for Guest Interaction? Or Efficiency Finder for Back-Office Tasks?

2026-04-22, 9:35 AM

Session Details:

Fireside Chat: Beyond Email – Reimagining Guest Engagement Channels for a Mobile-First Generation

2026-04-23, 2:30 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Who Pays, Who Gains? The Real Economics of Hotel Tech Innovation

2026-04-22, 12:05 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Unlocking the Hidden Wallet and Rethinking Ancillary Revenue in Hotels

2026-04-21, 1:45 PM

Session Details:

Chairs opening remarks

2026-04-22, 8:45 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: CDP, CRM & PMS: Cutting Through the Noise in Hotel Data Management

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Neil MacCallum
Group Director of Revenue, Ensana Spa Health Hotels

Session Details:

Revenue Focused Packaging & Upselling Strategies

2026-04-22, 4:45 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Unlocking the Hidden Wallet and Rethinking Ancillary Revenue in Hotels

2026-04-21, 1:45 PM

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Ted Horner
Owner, E Horner & Associates

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: When Does Tech Pay Off? Balancing Cost-Cutting and Service in Hospitality

2026-04-21, 2:45 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Beyond AI Hype: Unified BI, Data Governance & Decision Dashboards

2026-04-22, 9:35 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Labour Economics — Where Automation Helps Most

2026-04-22, 12:05 PM

Session Details:

Keynote Panel Discussion: From Tech Stack to Guest Delight: Tech Buying Decisions for Extraordinary Guest Experiences

2026-04-23, 11:45 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Is Technology Enhancing or Diluting the Luxury Guest Experience?

2026-04-23, 1:40 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Automation in Hospitality: Frictionless Journeys or Digital Overload? And a Roadmap for Employee’s Digital Care Journey

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

Session Details:

Closing Executive Panel Discussion: Hotel Tech 2026: Building a 3-year Roadmap for Profit, People and the Planet

2026-04-23, 3:20 PM

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Peter Habelitz
Chief Financial & Technology Officer, The Dean Hotel Group

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: When Does Tech Pay Off? Balancing Cost-Cutting and Service in Hospitality

2026-04-21, 2:45 PM

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Renée Nicole Wagner
PhD, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, Orascom Hotels Management

Renée Nicole Wagner, PhD. completed her broad education at the MODUL hotel and tourism school in Vienna and her studies at the University of Vienna with a doctorate in political science. Various postgraduate studies on the topic of "Economics and sustainability in tourism" as well as specialized trainings around the topic of ESG have always accompanied her in here entire career.

Renée is an ESG expert with passion, coming from the international hospitality field. Currently working for Orascom Hotels Management - one of the biggest hotel owners and operators in the MENA region, with more than 8,000 guestrooms dispersed across Egypt, Oman the UAE,  Montenegro and Switzerland.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing Tech Innovation to Meet Evolving Guest Expectations

2026-04-21, 2:45 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Meeting Client Expectation for Eco by Design – How Smart Systems and Digital Innovation Are Powering Greener Hotels?

2026-04-21, 5:55 PM

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Ittai Savran
CEO, Olala

With more than a decade of experience in hospitality real estate, Ittai Savran is a results-driven CEO leading growth, transformation, and value creation across hospitality portfolios. He is recognised for combining strategic foresight, entrepreneurial thinking, and innovation to scale platforms, optimise asset performance, and translate innovation into measurable and sustainable business impact.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Harnessing Tech Innovation to Meet Evolving Guest Expectations

2026-04-21, 2:45 PM

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Stamos Kalogrias
CEO, New Era Hotels

Stamatios (Stam) Kalogrias is a Mechanical Engineer with an MBA and years of experience managing an architectural firm. As co-founder of Cabins Sleeping, a design-forward micro-hotel concept in Athens, he explores how tech, automation, and emotion can reshape hospitality’s real return — E-ROI: Emotional Return on Investment.

Session Details:

Measuring What Matters: Redefining Value Through Guest and Host E-ROI – The Cabins Sleeping Case Study

2026-04-21, 5:15 PM

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Karsten Tremmel
CIO Central & Norther Europe, B&B Hotels

Session Details:

Keynote Address: Laying Out Your AI Strategy Roadmap – Trends, Hype and Truly Effecting Transformation

2026-04-22, 8:55 AM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Automation in Hospitality: Frictionless Journeys or Digital Overload? And a Roadmap for Employee’s Digital Care Journey

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Martijn van der Graaf
COO, Essendi

Martijn van der Graaf is Chief Operations Officer for Western Europe at Essendi, bringing over 25 years of experience in hospitality, operations, and real estate. Starting his career in hotel operations, Martijn spent 18 years managing multiple Accor hotels and brands, building deep expertise in operational excellence and leadership. As COO Western Europe, Martijn leads transformation and fosters innovation throughout the region.

His professional journey reflects a strong background in strategic asset and portfolio management, combined with a commitment to ESG principles that are embedded in Essendi’ s DNA and strategy. Martijn’s leadership focuses on delivering sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and value creation in an evolving hospitality and real estate landscape.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: AI in hospitality —Turbocharger for Guest Interaction? Or Efficiency Finder for Back-Office Tasks?

2026-04-22, 9:35 AM

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Daniele Davi
IT Senior Director, Aeroviaggi S.p.A.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: AI in hospitality —Turbocharger for Guest Interaction? Or Efficiency Finder for Back-Office Tasks?

2026-04-22, 9:35 AM

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Tobias Reinecke
Head of Investments & Development EMEA, Choice Hotels International

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Who Pays, Who Gains? The Real Economics of Hotel Tech Innovation

2026-04-22, 12:05 PM

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Valentin Dumonnet
Director of Technology & Innovation, Hotel Okura

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Who Pays, Who Gains? The Real Economics of Hotel Tech Innovation

2026-04-22, 12:05 PM

Session Details:

Beyond the AI Hype: Driving Revenue Optimization through Unified BI, Strong Data Governance, and Decision Dashboards

2026-04-22, 5:15 PM

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Tomas Holan
Head of Digital, OREA HOTELS s.r.o.

Session Details:

Keynote Panel Discussion: From Tech Stack to Guest Delight: Tech Buying Decisions for Extraordinary Guest Experiences

2026-04-23, 11:45 AM

Session Details:

Beyond Automation: Mapping the Employee’s Digital Care Journey

2026-04-22, 1:55 PM

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André Dória
Head of Digital Empowerment, PortoBay Hotels & Resorts

André is passionate about using technology to enhance human experiences and improve business outcomes. He started his career in UX and service design, consulting for global companies and developing a strong understanding of user needs and digital interactions.

For the past 8 years, he's been applying this expertise at PortoBay Hotels & Resorts, where he's played an important role in streamlining processes, optimizing data collection, and enhancing business intelligence. This work has contributed to improved operations, data-driven decision-making, and better experiences for both guests and staff.

André's approach to technology is grounded in human-computer interaction principles, with a focus on using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection. His work at PortoBay aims to create a more human-centered and efficient workplace. From guessing a guest nationality, to pre-process rooming list emails, saving precious time to the reservation department. AI is already a reality in PortoBay.

Currently, André is focused on "Staff Digital Empowerment," an initiative exploring how AI, automation, and digital tools can empower employees to provide exceptional service and build stronger guest relationships. He believes technology can free staff from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences.

Session Details:

Case Study: One Guest, One Profile: PortoBay’s Loyalty Redesign for the Data Age

2026-04-22, 1:55 PM

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Rui Alves
Head of Digital Transformation and Technology, PortoBay Hotels & Resorts

Rui’s 25 years of experience span across multiples industries, from software development to education, retail, financial markets, aeronautics and hospitality. Rui was the the Head of IT of PortoBay for the past 10 years and is now deeply focused in the digital transformation process.

With a degree in Systems Engineering and a Master’s degree in Software Development, with a Thesis in Organisational Engineering, Rui is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance human’s activity, both from the guest, as well as from the staff perspective.

Rui is co-founder of the Digital Forum at PortoBay Hotels and Resorts, an internal initiative that envisions to empower people from across all the organisation to become part of the digital transformation process, a cross-pollination of knowledge and experiences from which all the organisation will benefit.

Rui is also passionate about aviation and photography.

Session Details:

Case Study: One Guest, One Profile: PortoBay’s Loyalty Redesign for the Data Age

2026-04-22, 1:55 PM

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Tiago Alves
Director of IT Operations. Divisional Director of IT Europe, Asia and Africa, Belmond

With 20 years of experience in Hospitality, Tiago has been working in different sectors of the business.

From PMS and POS to Network Systems Integrator and lately at Belmond, leading local IT Operations, supporting the local teams, managing the systems and infrastructures and acting as a facilitator on the different projects within the company.

With a passion for Technology and Hospitality, Tiago deals with the day to day challenges always with the goal to streamline and simplify the Hotel Operations Processes.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Is Technology Enhancing or Diluting the Luxury Guest Experience?

2026-04-23, 1:40 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Automation in Hospitality: Frictionless Journeys or Digital Overload? And a Roadmap for Employee’s Digital Care Journey

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Hugo Esteves
Head of Revenue, Savoy Signature

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Panel Discussion: CDP, CRM & PMS: Cutting Through the Noise in Hotel Data Management

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Angelo La Riccia
Chief Commercial Officer, VOI Hotels

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: CDP, CRM & PMS: Cutting Through the Noise in Hotel Data Management

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Ryan Brough
SVP of Growth, Stayhapi

Ryan Brough is the Senior Vice President of Revenue and Growth at Hapi, hospitality’s data connectivity partner, where he leads global sales, account management, marketing, and partnerships. Ryan has spent over a decade driving commercial performance for leading hospitality technology companies, including Shiji Group, OpenKey, Mews, Cendyn, and TravelClick, building high-performing teams and expanding into new markets worldwide. With a rare blend of hotel and diversified vendor experience, he’s passionate about improving how technology can be applied to optimize operations while preserving the heart of hospitality.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: CDP, CRM & PMS: Cutting Through the Noise in Hotel Data Management

2026-04-22, 2:15 PM

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Jean Bessard
Head of Hotel Technology & IT Operations, The Leading Hotels of the World

Session Details:

Seamless System Integration: Building a Low Disruption, Cost Efficient IT Rollout Roadmap for Hotels

2026-04-22, 4:45 PM

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Is Technology Enhancing or Diluting the Luxury Guest Experience?

2026-04-23, 1:40 PM

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Riccardo Galli
CMO, Evenia Hotels

Session Details:

Challenging the Giants: How a Smaller Hotel Chain Integrated CDP + CRM/CRS + PMS to Compete at Scale

2026-04-22, 5:15 PM

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Francisco Santos
Head of Sustainability, Highgate

Francisco Santos is Head of Sustainability at Highgate Portugal, where he leads the definition and execution of the group’s sustainability strategy across 15 hotels and golf courses in Portugal, involving more than 1,300 employees.

He holds a degree and a Master’s in Environmental Engineering, specialising in Environmental Management and Assessment, and has over 20 years of experience in the tourism and hospitality sector.

His work centres on leveraging technology, data and operational efficiency to drive strategic decision-making and support resilient, profitable and future-ready hotel operations.

This includes the integration of sustainability regulation and reporting requirements, circular economy principles, and decarbonisation pathways into long-term investment planning, digital transformation and portfolio-wide performance.

Session Details:

Closing Executive Panel Discussion: Hotel Tech 2026: Building a 3-year Roadmap for Profit, People and the Planet

2026-04-23, 3:20 PM

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Olga Rishko
Chief Commercial Officer, 1926 COLLECTION

Session Details:

Closing Executive Panel Discussion: Hotel Tech 2026: Building a 3-year Roadmap for Profit, People and the Planet

2026-04-23, 3:20 PM

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Nicola Rhone
VP Business Development EMEA, Access Group

Nicola Rhone is VP Business Development EMEA at Access Hospitality, where she leads strategy and growth across the accommodation portfolio. With deep experience in hospitality technology, Nicola works closely with hoteliers to help them optimise performance, improve guest engagement, and navigate an increasingly digital and data-driven landscape. She is a trusted industry voice on innovation, revenue optimisation, and the future of hotel technology.

Session Details:

Panel Discussion: Who Pays, Who Gains? The Real Economics of Hotel Tech Innovation

2026-04-22, 12:05 PM

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Alex Dinsdale
Head of Digital Product, Whitbread

Session Details:

Keynote Address – Beyond Check-In – Building a Mobile-First Guest Journey

2026-04-22, 8:55 AM

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Richard Rosenberg
Director of Technology, Whitbread

Session Details:

Keynote Address – Beyond Check-In – Building a Mobile-First Guest Journey

2026-04-22, 8:55 AM

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Joe Buck
Senior Operations Engineer , Threatspike

Joe Buck is a Senior Operations Engineer at ThreatSpike, specialising in endpoint security deployment and client implementation. With five years of defensive cybersecurity experience, Joe works directly with clients to deploy monitoring solutions, implement security controls, and provide strategic guidance tailored to their operational needs. He has developed deep expertise in endpoint hardening, with a particular focus on balancing robust security with operational continuity, ensuring defences strengthen without disrupting business performance or usability.

email: Joe.Buck@ThreatSpike.com

Session Details:

Defending Against Evolving Threats: 101 for Preventing a Breach

2026-04-21, 11:40 AM

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Piet Heinkade 11, 1019 BR AMSTERDAM, Netherlands

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+44 207866 9436

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Golara Mousavian

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To enquire about sponsorship opportunities for the conference, please contact:

Herdip Kaur

Forum Director


+44 207866 9436

SPEAKING ENQUIRIES

To enquire about speaking opportunities for the conference, please contact:

Golara Mousavian

Conference Manager