Executive Learning Sessions

Description: With Australia's outbound travel surpassing 2019 levels, Japan more popular than ever, and China travelers steadily returning to the market, understanding the latest trends in Asia Pacific leisure travel is critical. Join a panel of experts from top luxury travel organizations in Singapore, China, Japan, and Australia as they provide insight into current market dynamics, key travel motivators, and the projected outlook for the region. Learn how these trends can inform your sales strategies and positioning to maximize business opportunities in this high-growth segment.

Description: American Express Travel and Lifestyle Services (TLS) remains a top-producing program for many members of Preferred Hotels. In this session, Rick Stiffler is joined by Nathalie Giske from American Express to discuss their recent Global Trend Report, emerging luxury travel destinations, and the forecast for 2025 and 2026. Gain key insights into evolving traveler preferences, how American Express is shaping the future of luxury travel, and the opportunities available for properties looking to grow within this critical network.

Description: The global MICE industry is evolving rapidly, with shifting regional trends and increasing influence from AI on event planners’ decision-making. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of the latest global group segment trends, including regional booking patterns, rate dynamics, and key factors driving event decisions. Additionally, learn how AI is transforming the event planning process and how hoteliers can leverage it for a competitive advantage. Attendees will receive region-specific strategies and actionable recommendations to help them exceed their 2025 MICE budget expectations. Real-life case studies will illustrate best practices, and all strategies will be shared post-session via email.

Description: This session provides an in-depth analysis of 2025 corporate sales trends across Corporate, Consortia, and Entertainment markets. The session will explore emerging sales initiatives designed to create more strategic growth opportunities, including insights into corporate travel industry forecasts (TMC and GBTA projections), Preferred Hotel & Resort’s Global Corporate Account Outlook, and key partnerships with BCD Travel, CWT, Flight Centre, and NAVAN. Additionally, the session will unveil new initiatives such as the Account Management Plan, C-Level VIP Program, and Travel Buyer Council.

Description: Maximizing partnerships with TMCs is key to increasing market share and visibility. This session will provide insights on how to optimize your hotel’s positioning within GDS and self-booking tools to improve conversions. The group will discuss best practices for leveraging TMC relationships, positioning hotels within competitive sets, and increasing booking capabilities in emerging markets such as Small to Medium Enterprises. Lenore Macnamara will share insights on best practices for achieving higher visibility and better results through booking platforms.