Skift Future of Lodging Forum

March 29, 2023

The Londoner Hotel, London

Chief Executive Officer of AccorHotels Sebastien Bazin speaking on stage with CEO of Skift Rafat Ali at SFE 2022

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The Great Guest Experience Upheaval

After a successful debut of our Future of Lodging Forum in New York last year – focused on what Skift has called The Great Merging – Skift is bringing this event to London on March 29, 2023 for an in-depth look at the hotel industry and its future.

In our nearly post-pandemic world, it’s clear that consumers have made a choice: They want to travel, and they also expect brands to adapt quickly to meet their new suite of demands.

Join us as Skift gathers leaders from across the hospitality industry for this single-day event at The Londoner to discuss the future of accommodations, how new consumer behaviors are dictating change across the industry, and the avenues for growth that “The Great Guest Experience Upheaval” may present for hotels across personalization, lifestyle and luxury, sustainability, and consolidation as the hospitality industry grows.

In this second edition, we will feature creative thinkers, industry leaders, and new research, as Skift editors and analysts uncover and explore these big ideas for the decade ahead.

Themes and topics:

  • A MACRO VIEW: We’ll present new research around sector health and a future view in the midst of economic uncertainty
  • THE AGE OF PERSONALIZATION: Why hotels need to adapt quickly to be more digital and how the brightest minds are delivering a individualized experience
  • LIFESTYLE and LUXURY: What the continued growth of lifestyle and resilience of luxury means for brands and experience expectations
  • GLOBAL DEMOGRAPHICS: What are the implications for travel as Asia rebounds and India grows in this decade ahead
  • EMERGING TECH: What Generative AI means for travel and how it might transform marketing and search 
  • CLIMATE IMPACT: What is essential for hotels as sustainability moves further into implementation 
  • WELLNESS: How well-being is once again a big focus for driving revenue and what hotels can do better
  • And many other discussions around online travel, consolidation, revenue management, and more.

Speakers

Listen Now

Skift leaders tell you what to expect from this year’s event.

Latest Event Updates

Attend Our Exclusive Opening Reception on March 28

On March 28, Skift Future of Lodging Forum attendees are invited to an opening reception packed full of excitement and networking. Our exclusive party is taking place from 6-8 p.m. at the modern and dynamic Google UK located in Central Saint Giles, and is the perfect way to kick-off your leading hospitality-focused conference experience. We’ll…

Why attend?

Connect with peers from across the travel industry during multiple networking opportunities.

Learn from top creatives and executives during exclusive interview sessions and talks.

Chart your path forward for 2023 and beyond based on your conversations and experiences at the Forum.

Who should join?

Skift Future of Lodging Forum is built for the executives, founders, and innovators focused on reshaping the hospitality industry. Join Skift editors, analysts, and a wide cross-section of leaders as we discuss the future of this sector.

Read more about attendees in the story Skift Forums: Behind the Numbers.

The Londoner Hotel Ballroom - venue for the Skift Future of Lodging Forum 2023 on March 29th.
The Londoner Hotel

Where is it?

We are returning to the site of our successful Skift Forum Europe for this year’s Skift Future of Lodging Forum. Join us at The Londoner Hotel on Leicester Square in central London for the March 29 event.


March 28: 6-8pm BST – Opening Night Reception at Google – Central Saint Giles.

Forum Agenda: March 29

Wednesday, March 29th

9:10 AM
9:25 AM

Building Scale and a Competitive Edge for Brands

9:55 AM

Driving Growth in Lifestyle and Luxury

Katerina Giannouka

Jumeirah Group
CEO

Moderator

Carolyn Kremins, President – Skift
10:20 AM

Tech’s Impact on an Evolving Booking Landscape

Rob Francis

Booking.com
SVP & Chief Technology Officer

Moderator

Dennis Schaal, Founding Editor and Executive Editor – Skift
10:45 AM

NETWORKING BREAK

11:15 AM

The Blending of Everything as Vacation Rentals Come of Age

Henrik Kjellberg

Awaze
Group CEO

Merilee Karr

UnderTheDoormat Group
Founder and CEO

Moderator

Pranavi Agarwal, Senior Research Analyst – Skift
11:40 AM
11:55 AM

Designing for Sustainability At Scale

12:20 PM

Staying Agile to the Dynamic Needs of Consumers

Chris Silcock

Hilton
Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer

Moderator

Sean O’Neill, Senior Hospitality Editor – Skift
12:45 PM

LUNCH

1:45 PM
2:00 PM

Getting Rewards Right in an Evolving Loyalty Landscape

Rob McDonald

IAG Loyalty
Chief Commercial Officer

Moderator

Carolyn Kremins, President, Skift
2:15 PM

Wellness Finds Renewed Importance to Hospitality

2:45 PM

Why Now Is The Time for Hotels To Push Boundaries

3:05 PM

New Opportunities for Leisure and Luxury Stays at Scale

3:30 PM

NETWORKING BREAK

4:00 PM

A Macro View on Global Demographics, Slowdowns, and Gains

4:45 PM

Why Tech Matters Now More Than Ever

Tyler Morse

MCR Hotels
Chairman & CEO

Moderator

Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO – Skift
5:10 PM

Redefining Stays Around Traveler’s Blended Needs

Catherine Powell

Airbnb
Global Head of Hosting

Moderator

Rafat Ali, Founder & CEO – Skift
5:45 PM

RECEPTION