Skift Global Forum

September 26-28, 2023

North Javits – New York City

Watch Sessions From the 2023 Skift Global Forum

Click on the top right-hand menu bar for a full listing of videos. You can also read coverage of the event here.

Register for SGF 2024

Defining the Future of Travel Yet Again

Skift Global Forum 2023 — the flagship global conference on the business of travel — is returning to New York City this September. It remains the ‘can’t miss’ event of the year for travel leaders, who come to discover what’s next for the world’s most impactful industry. 

As we have said throughout the past 10 years of Skift, “this is not a freakin’ trade show.”

2023 THEME: Connection in the Age of AI

Skift is leading the way in reporting the unfolding relationship between generative AI and the travel industry, and it is clear this is only the beginning.

Through this theme, we will explore how the original promise of travel, human-to-human connection, will be enhanced & tested in an age of AI. We will also look at the impact of human-to-machine, and machine-to-machine connections as these areas evolve at an accelerated pace not seen before in history. 

As always, our sessions throughout Global Forum will decipher the big trends facing the travel industry, and we will hear from leaders across all sectors, including tourism, hospitality, aviation, experiences, and more. 

Join us as we discuss these themes and more:

• Consumer Trends: How are travel’s most creative leaders staying ahead of consumers?

• Online Travel Evolution: Who will win in an increasingly competitive booking ecosystem?

• Destinations Reimagined: How is tourism evolving to balance growth and sustainable practices?

• Rethinking Experiences: Can tech finally streamline a multifaceted experiences ecosystem? 

• Implementing Impact: What are brands doing to operationalize sustainable travel and make it enticing?

• Macro Forces: What are the macroeconomic trends and signals that will impact travel’s future? 

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.

Need help convincing your boss to let you attend? We have put together some helpful resources to assist in getting approval. View here.

Who should join?

Each year Skift Global Forum attendees are a mix of both experienced veterans and forward-thinking newcomers that seek greater insight into the business of travel. Since 2014, we’ve welcomed over 21,000 attendees from all over the world. Read more about attendees here:

See Who is Attending This Year

Our Venue:

North Javits – 445 11th Ave, New York City

This September, we are excited to bring our Global Forum to the new North Javits complex in New York City, welcoming an audience of 1000+ travel leaders and many viewing live globally via video. It’s a stunning new glass-walled venue overlooking the Hudson River and also features a sustainability and tech-driven focus. 

Register for SGF 2024


2023 Agenda

Day 1
Day 2

Wednesday, September 27th

8:50 AM
9:30 AM

Fighting for Every Customer

Glenn Fogel

Booking Holdings
CEO & President

Moderator

Dennis Schaal – Founding Editor / Executive Editor
10:00 AM

Looking Ahead to Long-Term Trends

Mark Hoplamazian

Hyatt Hotels Corporation
President and CEO

Moderator

Sean O’Neill – Senior Hospitality Editor
10:30 AM
10:45 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Enhancing the Travel Experience

Peter Kern

Expedia Group
Vice Chairman and CEO

Moderator

Dennis Schaal – Founding Editor / Executive Editor
11:40 AM

Travel Loyalty’s Next Evolution

Rob McDonald

IAG Loyalty
Chief Commercial Officer

Moderator

Carolyn Kremins – President
12:00 PM

Turbo-Charging Human Connection in Travel

12:10 PM

Enabling the Connected Trip of the Future

Edward Chandler

Visa
Global Head of B2B Travel

Moderator

Darren Frei – Branded Content Editor, SkiftX
12:20 PM

Driving Rapid Change: Is The Industry Ready?

Ariel Cohen

Navan
CEO & Co-Founder

Moderator

Seth Borko – Director, Skift Research
12:45 PM

Lunch

1:45 PM

How Airlines Need To Evolve

2:10 PM

Innovating for the New Power Traveler

Audrey Hendley

American Express Travel
President

Moderator

Carolyn Kremins – President
2:20 PM

Enabling Purpose and an Antidote to Loneliness

2:30 PM

A New Era of Tourism

Patricia Yates

VisitBritain
CEO

James Thornton

Intrepid Travel
CEO

Moderator

Dawit Habtemariam – Global Tourism Reporter
3:00 PM

Using Data to Deepen Customer Relationships

3:10 PM

How Digital is Reshaping Borders Globally

3:30 PM

Break

4:00 PM

Skift Research: The State of Travel

4:10 PM

What Travel Can Learn From Tech Disrupters

Spencer Rascoff

75 & Sunny Ventures
Co-Founder and CEO

Moderator

Sarah Kopit – Editor-in-Chief, Skift
4:40 PM

The Power of Local on the Path to Sustainability

4:55 PM

Turning AI Ideas Into Actions

Nelson Boyce

Google
Managing Director, Travel

Moderator

Jeremy Kressmann – Head of Studio, SkiftX
5:10 PM

An Inflection Point for Unlocking the Experience Market

5:30 PM

Travel’s Future as AI Reshapes The World

6:00 PM

Reception

Thursday, September 28th

9:00 AM
Hybrid Session

What’s Next for Airbnb

Brian Chesky

Airbnb
Co-Founder & CEO

Moderator

Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
9:30 AM

A Big Picture View on Travel’s Growth

10:00 AM

Disrupting the Industry

Frederic Lalonde

Hopper
CEO & Co-Founder

Moderator

Dennis Schaal – Founding Editor / Executive Editor
10:20 AM

The Power of Dedication and Growing a Brand

Sheila Johnson

Salamander Collection
Founder & CEO

Moderator

Sean O’Neill – Senior Hospitality Editor
10:45 AM

Break

11:15 AM

Investing in Travel’s Future

11:45 AM

Thinking Big and Bold About Marketing to Today’s Travelers

12:00 PM

Redefining Luxury in a Modern World

Omer Acar

Accor
CEO, Raffles & Orient Express

Moderator

Peden Bhutia – Asia Editor, Skift
12:30 PM

Closing Discussion: A Fireside Chat with Uber’s CEO

Dara Khosrowshahi

Uber
CEO

Moderator

Rafat Ali – Founder & CEO
1:00 PM

Event Ends


Looking for ways to convince your boss?

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Travel Industry Sponsors

Insights Partner

Official Translation Sponsor

Event Tech Partner

Learn more about sponsorship opportunities at Skift Global Forum.


News & Updates

Thank You for an Incredible 10th Annual Skift Global Forum

That’s a wrap on our Skift Global Forum 2023! The energy was palpable throughout the event, as the conversations on stage gave us a window into the future and new connections were made throughout the 3-days. Thank you to all the attendees, speakers, sponsors and of course, the entire team Skift for knocking this one…

Are You Ready for SGF This Week?

The tenth edition of Skift Global Forum commences on Tuesday September 26, 2023, in New York City. We plan to welcome approximately 1,000 attendees and speakers into the newly completed North Javits located at the center of Manhattan’s West Side. Check out our founder and CEO Rafat Ali’s latest article on the big themes that we will discuss this…

Watch Skift Global Forum 2022 on Demand

Use link in top right to view full playlist