Executive Learning Sessions

2024 Brand Public Relations and Social Media Strategy and Activities

Learn about the 2024 Public Relations and Social Media activities planned for the Preferred Hotels & Resorts brand and how you can participate in key activations to elevate your hotel. Review the strategies and activities available and how to work with Preferred's team, provide information key to storytelling, and leverage your properties for maximum exposure and reach.

Led by: Stephanie Dowling, Senior Vice President, Public Relations & Corporate Communications
Stacy Mackler, Vice President, Global Brand PR
Antonia Robinson, Director, Public Relations - EMEA

Available Sessions: 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.

From First Click to Conversion: Navigating the Winding Digital Booking Journey

Today's leisure travelers view 140+ pages of online travel content prior to booking a trip . . . moving from inspiration, to research, back to inspiration, to more research - and on and on - until making a choice. How can travel companies keep up - and avoid the pitfalls along the way? During this session we'll discuss today's booking journey, how travelers "shop," and the benefits of both breadth of options and depth of content - to capture at inspiration and move through to conversion.

Led by: Amanda Moore, Vice President Performance Marketing

Available Sessions: 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Global Leisure Update: Market Updates & Booking Trends From Latin America and Asia Pacific

Please join members of the leisure team as they provide you with Global Travel Agency and Market Updates from around the Latin America and Asia Pacific, including leisure program overviews, booking trends, and a deeper dive into branded programs such as Preferred Platinum and Twenty.

Led by: Carolyn Holmes, Vice President, Global Sales - Asia Pacific
Simone Mariote, Executive Vice President, South America

Available Sessions: 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Global Leisure Update: Market Updates & Booking Trends, North America, Europe, and SAMEA

Please join Rick Stiffler, SVP Global Leisure Sales and members of the leisure team as they provide you with Global Travel Agency and Market Updates from around the world including leisure program overviews, booking trends, and a deeper dive into branded programs such as Preferred Platinum and Twenty.

Led by: Rick Stiffler, Senior Vice President, Global Sales - Leisure
Kathleen Robb, Vice President, Global Sales - North America
Isabella Moroni, Vice President, Leisure Sales - Europe

Available Sessions: 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Pride + Preferred Platinum = $$$

Join Rick Stiffler, SVP of Global Sales and Boyana Simeonova, VP Customer Relations as they take a deeper dive into Preferred's branded programs such as Preferred Pride. (Are you getting your fair share of the 218 billion LGBTQ+ Travel Market?) and Preferred Platinum (Did you know the program produces more than Signature and Travel Leaders Select?) We will also give you a sneak peek of our new upcoming Travel Agency Advisor Portal, which will grow these programs even more.

Led by: Rick Stiffler, Sr. Vice President - Global Sales, Leisure
Boyana Simeonova, Vice President, Customer Relations

Available Sessions: 1:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.

The Changing Commercial Landscape

The hotel commercial landscape is evolving rapidly, shaped by the interplay of digitalization, shifting consumer behaviors, and the ongoing impact of global events. Successful hotels are those that adapt to these changes, embracing technology, personalization, and a customer-centric approach to thrive in the competitive hospitality industry. Join us in this dynamic session to learn more about how to adapt and get ahead of your competition.

Led by: Kathleen Cullen, Executive Vice President, PTG Consulting - Hospitality
Rhett Hirko, Senior Vice President, Revenue Optimization & Distribution

Available Sessions: 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Understand Today's Group Customer and Elevate Your Hotel's Success in This Segment

Delve into the latest trends shaping the group customer. Discover five actionable strategies designed to enhance your hotel's engagement and alignment, ensuring you exceed the expectations of the group segment at your hotel.

Led by: Amy Butterfield, Senior Vice President, Global Sales - Group
Christie Pienaar, Vice President, Group Sales
Katy Gettinger, Vice President, Group Sales - Insurance & Financial
Mark Beverlo, Director, Group Sales - Europe

Available Sessions: 1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m.

AI Will Change Every Aspect of Our Lives and Why Hoteliers Should Care

This seminar will briefly explain why AI is not another overhyped technology (like 3D TVs, blockchain room bookings, or segways), is already in use, and will change every aspect of our lives the same way the internet did, and why hotels should not ignore AI. It will cover what hotels can do immediately with AI, what they should look for in the next 12 months, and what AI has in the next coming years. There will also be a question-and-answer session at the end.

Panel: Ben Heller, AI/GenAI Transformation Manager, Google
Charles Zieres, Senior Vice President, Information Technology & Security, PTG
Marco Rosso, Strategic Advisor GTM & Sales SAMEA, Canary Technologies
Anil Aggarwal, CEO, Milestone, Inc.
Ryan Rothschild, President, Xquic

Moderated by: Jonathan Newbury, Executive Vice President, Asia Pacific, PTG

Available Sessions: 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

The Journey to Culinary Excellence

The journey to culinary excellence involves continuous learning, creativity, a genuine passion for the art of cooking. As hoteliers, we need to consider the culinary experience as it relates to hotel operations, marketing, and topline revenues.
Learn from food & beverage experts and discover how to elevate your culinary offerings using modern technology and traditional methods.

Led by: Chefs Table Panel Discussion

Moderated by: Brenda Collin, Executive Vice President - Europe, PTG

Available Session: 2:00 p.m.

Empowering Mindsets

In this session, Stefan will show you how to work a little ‘magic’ in your hotel by adopting three empowering mindsets. These mindsets have been proven to create a culture that is immediately evident to guests, sought after by candidates, and cherished by employees. You will leave this session with a personalised workbook, enabling you to transfer your insights and learning into simple but meaningful actions when you return to your hotel.

Led by: Stefan Wissenbach, Founder & CEO, Empowered

Available Sessions: 2:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Story Selling Workshop

In today's marketplace, every organization is searching for innovative ways to achieve a competitive advantage. Cindy Novotny has developed custom training that will help senior executives increase sales, improve employee productivity, and instill confidence.She is a worldwide leader in helping companies improve in sales, management, and customer service.

Led by: Cindy Novotny, Managing Partner, Master Connection Associates

Available Sessions: 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m.

Your Hotel's Sustainability Journey: Unlocking Positive Impact and Business Success

Sustainability is more than doing good—it is also about creating value and ensuring long-term viability for both businesses and the planet.

This session will demonstrate how integrating sustainability enhances your operations, improves the guest experience, differentiates your brand, and uplifts your business from one that offers great hospitality to also generate positive impact across Nature, Culture, and Community.

Led by: Nina Boys, Vice President, Sustainability - PTG Consulting and Beyond Green Travel

Available Session: 4:00 p.m.

· EXECUTIVE LEARNING SESSIONS ·

Tuesday Sessions

Wednesday Sessions