A powerful program packed with industry leaders anchors the second No Vacancy conference in Sydney on April 15, which will attempt to answer the question: What’s Next?
But there’ll be no flowery vision statements, said Conference Director Martin Kelly. “The aim of No Vacancy is to tackle issues and give delegates real time information they can use in their business.â€
The program features a mix of presentations, panels, case studies, and debate. Topics include online distribution, consumer trends, channel management, star ratings, marketing strategies, social media and carbon offset business strategies.
Speakers are a diverse and influential bunch (see list below) from many of Australia’s leading accommodation and distribution companies, briefed to deliver relevant up-to-the-minute content.
In addition, there will also be a special consumer insights video session: ordinary people offering their views how they book rooms, where they are booking them, what they want from a website or reservations centre and how the industry can do it better.
Delegates will have exclusive access to this video, and also receive the latest Hitwise online industry report (value more than $700) plus drinks after the Allotz Great Debate at the end of the day. Confirmed speakers include:
Rachel Argaman, CEO Toga Hospitality
David Bayes, Managing Director, Choice Hotels Australasia
Darrin Bird, CEO, Carbonza.com
Bob East, CEO, Stella Hospitality Group
Russell Farr, Managing Director, Australian Online Travel
Paul Fisher, Marketing Director, TotalTravel.com
Jeff Floyd, CEO, AAA Tourism
Mike Ford, Managing Director, SiteMinder
Martin Kelly, Director, TravelTrends.biz
Gary Knowles, Global CEO, Roamfree Group
Shannon Knapp, Revenue and Distribution Mgr, Mirvac Hotels & Resorts
Chloe Lim, Managing Director, HotelClub
Andrew Maurer, Manager Forecasting and Analysis, TRA
Nick McCaw CEO Hotel SO
Martin McConnachie, Founder and President, Allotz.com
Michael Meade, Senior VP, Sales and Marketing, Rendezvous Hotels
Terry Schwamberg-Kaljo, Owner, Contemporary Hotels
Grahame Tate, Managing Director Asia Pacific, Ideas
Michael Walmsley, General Manager, Hitwise Asia Pacific
Others will be announced over the next few weeks.
The first No Vacancy in 2007 attracted more than 150 delegates and bookings are tracking well above that for this year’s event.
Tickets cost $499 + gst – details through www.traveltrends.biz.
A Report by The Mole
