We invite you to join us for our exclusive networking event to celebrate the remarkable strength, talent, and resilience of women in hotels and accommodation. In 2023, the industry continues to face a gender imbalance, where women remain underrepresented in leadership positions.
The Women in Accommodation networking breakfast offers the opportunity to connect with like-minded professionals and explore the unique challenges women face within the industry.
Join our distinguished panel of experts as they share invaluable insights gained from their own remarkable careers. Discover the lessons they’ve learned along the way, the advice they would give to their younger selves, and the strategies they employed to overcome challenges and seize opportunities for success in their careers. So, mark your calendar and get ready to rise and shine!
First release tickets are only $45 if you sign up during your registration process today!
Renae Trimble, CEO, Accor Plus
Deanna Varga, CEO & Founder, Mayvin Global
Melissa Gruse, Group Director, Crystalbrook Collection
Victoria Peterson, Director of Marketing Communications, Langham Hospitality Group
Nicole Downs, Group Director, People and Performance, Ovolo
Kim Mahaffy, General Manager, Pier One Sydney Harbour
Felicity Arthur, General Manager, SKYE Suites & Hotels
| START TIME | FINISH TIME | AGENDA |
| 07:45 | 08:25 | Registration, light standing breakfast, coffee, networking |
| 08:25 | 08:30 | Welcome by Host |
| 08:30 | 09:10 | On reflection: Lessons Learned and Advice to my Younger Self. Leaders from Accor, IHG Hotels & Resorts and Crystalbrook will share insights gained from their own remarkable careers. Discover the lessons they’ve learned, the advice they would give to their younger selves, and the strategies they employed to overcome challenges along the way. |
| 09:10 | 09:45 | On Breaking Barriers: Career Journeys Shared. Our panel of inspiring female accommodation professionals will share their unique lessons about courage and resilience, reimagining what’s possible, challenging the status quo, overcoming diversity, and paving the path forward for others. |
| 09:45 | 10:00 | Refreshments and networking |
| 10:00 | NoVacancy Expo opens |
Dazzle Your Guests
From personalisation through the entire booking and stay process to in-room experience and your dining offering, guests are demanding perfect touch points end-to-end and are hungry for opportunities to amplify their experiences. Meet the suppliers who can help.
Evaluate Technology Solutions
We’ve got it all. From robots & AI to the hottest AV streaming services, from guest communication platforms to back office revenue and marketing software, mobile entry and everything in between. See what’s possible.
Sustainability & Energy Efficiency
Owners are demanding optimal performance from their assets. Energy costs are on the rise and sustainability has become an operational mandate. Uncover new strategies and meet the minds behind the hottest fixes.
The Direct Booking Battle
The dependency on OTAs remains one of the most talked-to issues today. Sharpen your toolkit and expand your arsenal with sessions and vendors dedicated to helping you take back more control of your distribution mix. Improve your digital competency!
Time to Refresh & Refurb
New hotels coming to market and the surge of Airbnb is forcing operators of all sizes to deliver a modern and relevant experience to guests which is seeing a surge in refurb projects. Meet the suppliers who can assist.
Record Development Pipeline
With a projected 45,000 new rooms in the development pipeline, inbound tourism numbers on the increase and ADR strong in most markets, it’s a good time to be in the accommodation sector. Watch them grow!
Hotel Leaders Summit
This is where the leaders of today come to share insight, talk disruption, inspire and challenge you. They’ll delve into the issues facing our industry today, discuss what can we expect to see on the horizon and how they’re strategising accordingly.
Revenue + Distribution Summit
Come with challenges, leave with solutions. A curated program specifically for revenue and distribution professionals juggling channel costs, revenue leakage, shifting customer journeys, and a changing distribution landscape that includes voice, AI, VR and AR!
Small Hotelier Summit
A one-day, learning event dedicated to owner operators responsible for ‘doing it all’. Get blueprint tactics to drive more direct bookings, navigate the OTAs, drive higher occupancy, manage guest expectations and ultimately boost your bottom line.
Hotel Technology Summit
Technology is more than a buzz word. How do you embrace the right solutions for your property while avoiding fads and hype? Hear from industry experts to help you navigate voice, AI, VR, robots, 5G, the connected room, IoT and much more.
Sustainable Hotel Summit
Owners, guests and the environment are demanding more from us! This summit uncovers how to implement sustainability initiatives that reduce costs, improve operating efficiency and deliver better corporate social responsibility for your property.
Hotel Marketing Summit
Customer expectations are on the rise, and reaching and capturing the attention of prospective guests getting harder. Learn from marketing gurus who’ll share expertise, hot tips and big ideas to drive your marketing strategy from mediocre to mastermind.
Design Talks
Created for those who lead or contribute to the style and design of their properties, the program brings together the most influential and innovative voices in the industry ready to share their vision, thought process, case studies and approaches to astounding hospitality design.
Schedule meetings with our easy-to-use matchmaking software that helps you identify exhibitors and other attendees you’d like to meet. This platform will help you plan your day, discover recommended companies and peers you should meet with or simply enhance your networking at NoVacancy. Here’s how it works:
1. REGISTER FOR THE EVENT
• Use your own email address
• Make sure you select YES when asked if you want access to the meetings platform
• Look out for your exclusive email invite a few weeks before the event
2. TELL US WHO’D YOU LIKE TO MEET
• View your recommended matches
• Use filters to find the attendees and exhibitors most interested in connecting with
• To send a meeting request, simply click ‘MEET’ – don’t forget to add a friendly message
3. MEET THEM AT NOVACANCY
• You will be sent reminders ahead of your scheduled meetings
• Meeting times are scheduled in 20-minute time blocks
• Meetings will take place at the exhibitors’ stands or at designated meeting areas.
