HOST 2019 - Event Guide & Top Picks for new Short Stay conference
The global vacation rental market is booming. HOST is a new & unmissable event.
With the global vacation rental market projected to reach £167.9bn in 2019, this is a prime opportunity for growing your business, and increasing your profitability. We're we are looking forward to exhibiting at this exciting new Conference at the Business Design Centre on 31st Oct - 1st Nov 2019.
HOST 2019 is a dedicated launchpad for learning about this industry, through bootcamp workshops, keynote sessions and conference speakers. You will have the opportunity to meet partners and explore the latest technology to maximise your efficiency, and network with other stakeholders through one to one meetings and roundtable sessions.
To make the most of this two day conference, you will need to plan ahead!
Here is a handy guide to the event so that you don't miss any of the best bits:
HOST will be split over five conference theatres, each covering a specific business driver:
1. Business Strategy & Growth
This stage will cover all aspects of the vacation rental market dynamics & statistics and what this means for the whole business of hosting. It will showcase insights from Continental Europe and North America and look at the Entrepreneurial opportunities in Europe and the UK. It will also cover the fundamentals of buy-to-host investment and working with property consultants and include case studies across urban accommodation, ski-lodges, yacht charters
Here are some top picks we will be watching out for:
'The acquisition storm - what will the industry look like in 5 years?' - Simon Lehmann, Founder, AJL Consulting
Panel: 'Beaches, Biometrics & Bots: The future of travel' - lead by James Cassidy, Homeaway
'Urban vs rural market dynamics' - Pierre Becerill, Founder, Transparent Intelligence
Competing with the influx of properties on the market' - Will Ashworth, CEO, Watergate Bay Hotel
2. Technology & Innovation
This stage will look into all the latest advances in technology and how it can be harnessed to streamline your business. This will cover everything from your website, cloud-based management systems, revenue optimisation, to home automation for security & comfort and latest maintenance solutions. It will also cover customer verification systems, use of block chain and harnessing big data and analytics for decision making.
Key Speakers to look out for:
'From cleaning toilets to $60m' - Amiad Soto, Co-founder & CEO, Guesty
'The Human touch vs technology: finding the right balance' - Michael Hillier, General Manager, The Hilton
'How to automate your check-ins and manage your keys remotely' - Marc Figueras, Co-founder, Keynest
3. Marketing, Distribution & Sales
Come to this stage to look at your customer journey, branding and how to increase conversions and build lifetime customers. Learn how to make your property shine in a busy market using a great website, compelling content and clever digital remarking
Watch out for:
'Making your property sing in a noisy, noisy world' - Kent Lindvall, Founder, Treehotel
'Branding and a great customer proposition' - Andrew Fowler, Co-founder, Locke
'Making your website look and feel great' - Alan Egan, Founder, Vacation Soup
4. Regulation, Finance & Tax
This stage will show you how to get the hang of dynamic pricing, how to finance your buy-to-host and all the latest regulations affecting your business. It will also cover all the fundamentals of tax and insurance and some of the latest technology around payment processing and fraud prevention.
These are the key presentations which we will be watching:
'What regulation is doing to the future of your business and what you can do about it' - Kate Nicholls, CEO, UK Hospitality
'Dynamic pricing, and how to work it' - Ian Coles, Trading Director, easyHotel Plc
'Key health and safety laws that are often overlooked' - Kurt Janson, Director, Tourism Alliance
5. Business Partnerships
In an industry where quality partnerships are crucial, this stage will show you how to assess potential partners, how to maximise the value of your platform partner and how to assess and select technology partners. Also lots of tips on how to manage your manager.
Dont miss:
'Working with and selecting Technology partners' - Richard Vaughton, CEO, Rentivo
'Monetising on your guests' total travel budget' - Natalee Pfeifer, VP Growth, GuestForce
'Deciding which listing site is best for you' - Simon Bennet, Owner, Augill Castle
And while mentioning Partnerships, don't forget to look out for the interactive roundtable workshops, and peer to peer networking opportunities. With over 2000 attendees and 200 conference speakers you will come away with all the tools you need to grow your business in this exciting market.
Don't forget to drop by the Keyzapp stand 86 to learn all about how smart key management can streamline your business and save you money every day, we very much look forward to meeting you there!