After selling out for two of the past three years, this year’s New Zealand Hotel Industry Conference is again shaping up to be the hottest show in town.

On in Auckland 4-5 July 2018, this is the premier annual event for a hotel sector that is enjoying record results. It will inform, inspire and entertain, as delegates and speakers discuss and debate the big market forces that can stimulate or hinder hotel sector growth.

It’s also a valuable networking opportunity, as it attracts more than 300 senior executives, hotel managers, owner-operators, developers, investors, regulators and advisors.

“The programme is focusing strongly on how we can encourage more growth in the regions. It’s about attracting high value visitors to spend more time and money off the beaten track, which in turn makes regional hotel developments more attractive to investors,” TIA Hotel Sector Manager Sally Attfield says.

Confirmed speakers include Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis, Air New Zealand Chief Executive Officer Christopher Luxon and Tourism Holdings Ltd Chief Executive Grant Webster.

High calibre speakers will be looking at how convention centres fit into regional tourism strategies, the challenges of finding good staff in less populated areas, and barriers to new hotel developments.

The regional focus continues into the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards 2018 with a new award this year – Regional Employee of the Year, which will be awarded to the best operational employee working in a hotel not located in Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington or Queenstown. Entries for the Awards are open until 17 May. www.nzhotelconference.com

Regional tourism is the main focus for the conference, but speakers will also tackle the rise of technological ‘disruptors’ in the industry. This aspect of the programme is still under development, but one of the sessions will be Blockchain 101 for hoteliers, hosted by an expert from the blockchain industry.

Now in its 12th year, the New Zealand Hotel Industry conference is co-hosted by Horwath HTL and Tourism Industry Aotearoa with Platinum Sponsor Scenic Hotel Group. On 4 July delegates are invited to attend the Hotel, Technology and Property Forums.

The 4-5 July conference will end with a gala dinner and the presentation of the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards.

More information and registration, visit the website: www.nzhotelconference.com

To discuss sponsorship and trade exhibitor opportunities, please contact Conference Organiser Paul Walker, email paul@cmnzl.co.nz, phone +64 9 835 1532.