HEDNA is a global community of hospitality professionals, technology providers, educators, and consultants passionate about elevating the role of distribution. Through influence, collaboration and networking, we elevate careers, harness new business opportunities, and drive the business of hospitality forward, together. Through our global conferences, local networking events and industry working groups, we help our stakeholders appreciate the nuances of today’s technologies, gauge the impact of today’s trends, and prepare for the challenges of tomorrow.
The agenda will bring a wide array of current topics in our industry to the main stage. You’ll hear from experts in Distribution, Fintech and Payments, Marketplaces, Leading Executives and of course our Hoteliers will be bringing their perspectives to these topics and so much more.
Join us for #HEDNABangkok
AGENDA
Schedule subject to change.
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 11
15:00 – 18:00
Check In and Registration
18:00 – 21:00
HEDNA Evening Event Cheeva Garden
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 12
08:30 – 12:00
Check In and Registration
09:00 – 9:15
HEDNA Welcome Grand Sindhorn
Join HEDNA’s leadership as they discuss their goals and priorities for the organization.
Join HEDNA’s leadership as they discuss their goals and priorities for the organization.
09:15 – 09:35
Flying heads into your beds: The state of air travel in South East Asia brought to you by OAG Grand Sindhorn
AirAsia has been credited with democratizing travel in the region, moving more than 35MM people last year yet that number is less than half of 2019 volume – what’s behind the regions’s slow recovery? Hear about trends in the market and what they mean for hoteliers.
AirAsia has been credited with democratizing travel in the region, moving more than 35MM people last year yet that number is less than half of 2019 volume – what’s behind the regions’s slow recovery? Hear about trends in the market and what they mean for hoteliers.
Mayur Patel, OAG Aviation
09:35 – 9:58
HEDNA Trends: The Region’s Performance and Outlook brought to you by STR Grand Sindhorn
APAC Hotel performance appears to be behind other regions in terms of recovery but is it about to take off? Will China’s outbound travel rev the engine for sustainable growth or remain relatively flat? We’ll hear from our data experts on these topics and much more.
APAC Hotel performance appears to be behind other regions in terms of recovery but is it about to take off? Will China’s outbound travel rev the engine for sustainable growth or remain relatively flat? We’ll hear from our data experts on these topics and much more.
Jesper Palmqvsit, STR
09:58 – 10:10
HEDNA Trends: What is the cost of Distribution? Brought to you by HotStats Grand Sindhorn
APAC Hotel performance appears to be behind other regions in terms of recovery but is it about to take off? Will China’s outbound travel rev the engine for sustainable growth or remain relatively flat? We’ll hear from our data experts on these topics and much more.
APAC Hotel performance appears to be behind other regions in terms of recovery but is it about to take off? Will China’s outbound travel rev the engine for sustainable growth or remain relatively flat? We’ll hear from our data experts on these topics and much more.
Bousserind Comson, HotStats
10:10 – 11:00
Networking & Refreshments Foyer
11:00 – 11:25
My Vision of the Future of Travel: A Conversation with Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda Grand Sindhorn
We sit down with Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda to talk about the state of travel in 2023. Where and how do AI, payments, B2B, and B2C fit into the landscape and how do they help engage the customer along their search and booking journey.
We sit down with Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda to talk about the state of travel in 2023. Where and how do AI, payments, B2B, and B2C fit into the landscape and how do they help engage the customer along their search and booking journey.
Omri Morgenshtern, Agoda; Richard Castle, Cloudbeds
11:25 – 12:15
HEDNA Distribution Masterclass: Is There a One Size Fits All? Grand Sindhorn
Channel Managers, Switches, CRS, PMS – A Practical conversation with leading service providers offering insights on how to best leverage technology solutions – can one company do it all?
Channel Managers, Switches, CRS, PMS – A Practical conversation with leading service providers offering insights on how to best leverage technology solutions – can one company do it all?
Edward Kennedy, The Percentage Company; Jun Lai, DerbySoft; James Bishop, SiteMinder; Dominic Winter, Amadeus; Fabricio Titiro, Oracle Hospitality; Patricia Brennan, Shiji
12:15 – 13:30
Lunch Flourish Restaurant
13:30 – 14:30
HEDNA Hotel Leadership Panel: Scaling Local Hotel Brands Grand Sindhorn
Regional hotel leaders discuss maintaining brand values and culture while growing their footprint. Inspiring teams and promoting innovation is key to success – what’s the formula?
Regional hotel leaders discuss maintaining brand values and culture while growing their footprint. Inspiring teams and promoting innovation is key to success – what’s the formula?
Chetan Patel, Dusit Hotels & Resorts; Jonathan Wigley, Absolute Hotel Services Group; Glen Grosic, HSMAI
14:30 – 14:50
HEDNA Payments Masterclass: Blurred Lines Grand Sindhorn
The role of payments within distribution has become increasingly critical. Costs and processes can often be overlooked. Take a look at how HEDNA has advanced industry standardization and what that means for guest experience, onsite teams and overall efficiencies.
The role of payments within distribution has become increasingly critical. Costs and processes can often be overlooked. Take a look at how HEDNA has advanced industry standardization and what that means for guest experience, onsite teams and overall efficiencies.
Mike Carlo, XanderPay; Ana Arjones, Mastercard
14:50 – 15:10
Regional Complexities of Payments in Asia Grand Sindhorn
With so many countries, currencies and payment types throughout Asia, the level of complexity and cost far exceeds the rest of the world. The session will touch on increasingly important B2B payments and what it means for the customer journey.
With so many countries, currencies and payment types throughout Asia, the level of complexity and cost far exceeds the rest of the world. The session will touch on increasingly important B2B payments and what it means for the customer journey.
Laurie Gablehouse, Worldline
15:10 – 15:40
Networking & Refreshments Foyer
15:40 – 16:00
The Shrinking Talent Pool: Exploring the Challenges of Filling Top Management Roles in the Hotel Industry Grand Sindhorn
Accelerated in part by the largest pandemic in recent history the hospitality industry has seen significant challenges in recruiting the next generation of leaders.
Accelerated in part by the largest pandemic in recent history the hospitality industry has seen significant challenges in recruiting the next generation of leaders.
Chris Meylan, Asian Institute of Hospitality Management; Craig Cochrane, Minor Hotels
16:00 – 16:45
HEDNA Talks: Distribution Onboarding, What Can We Do Better? Grand Sindhorn
Hoteliers narrate their experiences with bringing new supply on board and discuss what improvements would optimize their distribution efforts and what technology partners might want to be thinking about.
Hoteliers narrate their experiences with bringing new supply on board and discuss what improvements would optimize their distribution efforts and what technology partners might want to be thinking about.
Bryan Bailey, Minor Hotels; Bharath Satyavolu, Onyx Hospitality Group; Leanne Reddie, Azotels; Emilie Couton, D-Edge
16:45 – 17:00
Closing Remarks Grand Sindhorn
