Maximum Occupancy
Returning to Auckland in March 2026, Maximum Occupancy New Zealand will once again be the preeminent hotel and accommodation industry conference for New Zealand and the Pacific Islands.
Super Early Bird tickets are now available! Register today to secure your spot.
Register today03:00pm — 05:00pm
Exclusive look inside the brand-new New Zealand International Conference Centre (NZICC). A big thank you to the NZICC team for hosting us and giving delegates a chance to experience one of New Zealand’s most impressive new venues firsthand.
Limited numbers available.
07:30am — 09:00am
Welcome to Maximum Occupancy New Zealand 2026. Pick up your lanyard and name tag at the registration desk and enjoy a coffee while networking with other conference delegates.
07:45am — 08:30am
09:00am — 09:05am
A welcome introduction to Maximum Occupancy New Zealand 2025 by the conference MC and organiser, Adrian Caruso.
09:30 — 09:55
Listen to a panel of leading small to large sized hotel owners, operators, investors, white-label providers and hotel brands on the current state of the market and challenges facing them in 2026 and beyond.
Terry Ngan
Terry Ngan & Associates Ltd
—
Director
Bruce Garrett
Brook Serene
—
Managing Director
More speakers to be announced soon
Craig Bonnor
Cordis Auckland
—
Managing Director
Stephen Hamilton
Horwath HTL
—
Managing Director
09:05 — 09:30
Paul Hammond — STR
This presentation is a must-attend for it sets the basis for the entire day. Listen to two of New Zealand's best speakers on the New Zealand accommodation market, the past, present and future.
09:55am — 10:05am
Hon. Louise Upston — Minister for Tourism and Hospitality (New Zealand)
10:10am — 10:25pm
David Thompson — Myma
Presented by our Gold Sponsor Myma
10:25 — 10:30
Listen to short sharp presentations from the leading industry suppliers and how you can boost revenue and occupancy using their products.
10:30 — 11:00
Break time! Enjoy a delicious morning tea.
11:00 — 11:25
Listen to some of New Zealand's top hotel and accommodation managers and operators, and what keeps them up late at night.
Ronnie Ronalde
Hotel Council Aotearoa
James Billing
Grand Millennium Auckland
—
General Manager
Raymond Fauklner
Swiss-Belhotel International
—
Vice President - Operations & Development, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific
Sarah Croskery
NZ Accommodation Group
—
General Manager
Rachael Nicholson
Accor
—
Director, Commercial New Zealand & Fiji
11:25 — 11:50
This panel brings together experts across creative, PR, social, paid media, and AI-driven discoverability to discuss what’s changing, what still works, and how to turn brand investment into measurable demand and direct bookings.
Danelle Ayers
Studio Moda
—
Founder & Director
Sarah May
Fastrack Digital
—
Digital Marketing Specialist
Ginni Post
GP Communications
—
Founder
11:50 — 12:15
Staffing remains a major challenge across the industry. This panel explores practical solutions to attract, train, and retain skilled workers, from international recruitment to new employment models and tech-driven efficiencies.
12:15pm — 12:30pm
Adrian Caruso — Fastrack Digital
Learn how to prepare your hotel’s digital presence for the AI-powered future of travel search. This session explores practical steps to boost direct bookings through AI-readiness.
12:30 — 12:55
12:55pm — 01:00pm
Listen to short sharp presentations from the leading industry suppliers and how you can boost revenue and occupancy using their products
01:00pm — 02:00pm
Network with other attendees over a delicious buffet lunch.
2:00pm — 2:25pm
Demand now comes from many directions - cruise, events, sports, corporate travel and high-value leisure. This panel explores how these segments behave, how they impact occupancy and rates, and how hotels can better align pricing, inventory and marketing to capture the right mix of demand year-round.
Lisa Hopkins
Business Events Industry Aotearoa
—
Chief Executive
Prue Daly
NZICC
—
General Manager
Clinton Farley
The Hotel Britomart
—
General Manager
Debbie Summers
Deputy Chair NZ Cruise Association
—
Director TECNZ
Kristy Phillips
Hospitality New Zealand
—
Chief Executive
02:25pm — 02:50pm
Corporate travel is back - but not as we knew it. This expert panel of TMCs, corporate buyers, and hotel sales leaders will share what’s driving today’s business travel decisions and what hotels can do now to stay front of mind - and on every preferred supplier list
2:50pm — 3:15pm
Listen to some of New Zealand's leading food and beverage experts as we delve deep into the art of bringing F&B experiences to life, exploring the intersection of technology, hospitality, community, and CSR.
03:15pm — 03.45pm
03:45pm — 04:05pm
Industry CEOs and senior leaders share a candid outlook on what’s ahead for the accommodation sector and how they’re preparing for the year ahead.
Karl Luxon
Scenic Hotel Group
—
CEO
David Ovendale
TOP10 Holiday Parks
—
CEO
More speakers to be announced soon
Paul Wilson
Amadeus
—
Vice President Hospitality APAC
04:05pm — 04:20pm
Will Howes — Trust You
Drawing on millions of guest reviews, this session reveals key experience and sentiment trends across key cities in New Zealand benchmarked against leading Oceania destinations. Learn how hotels can turn guest insight into action using data and AI to improve reputation, drive direct bookings, and build long-term brand value.
04:25pm — 04:50pm
As demand patterns shift, revenue performance depends on more than pricing alone. This session explores how operators can combine data, technology, human judgment, and smarter distribution - including GDS - to optimise revenue, expand reach, and protect profitability in changing market conditions.
04:50pm — 05:15pm
AI is transforming hotel IT and operations. This panel cuts through the hype to explore where AI is delivering real results today from automation and forecasting to guest services, what’s not working, and what operators should prioritise over the next 12–24 months.
Jackie Leat
Fr@nk
—
Director of Information Technology
05:15pm — 7:00pm
Details to be advised shortly
