City of Auckland

STR — Business Development Manager, Pacific

Paul Hammond is the Business Development Manager, Pacific at STR, a global company who collects performance data from accommodation properties all over the world and provides aggregated reports and insights on market performance for accommodation providers and custom groups, which enables them to make better business decisions.

Paul has over 30 years of experience in tourism & hospitality in a variety of management and sales & marketing roles with numerous Hotels and Hotel Chains nationally and internationally with independent hotels such as Palazzo Versace and global chains including Hyatt and Intercontinental Hotel Group (IHG). Paul has also had extensive experience in the Online Travel (OTA) industry with global companies Orbitz, part of the Expedia Group, and Booking.com, as well as major sports projects including the Nagano Winter Olympics in Japan and the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation (GOLDOC) organising committee.

Horwath HTL — Managing Director

Terry Ngan & Associates Ltd — Director

Brook Serene — Managing Director

Bruce caught the hotel bug while washing dishes at a local hotel as a part-time job while still at school. The other side of the pot-wash bench seemed so much more glamorous!
After studying hotel management he took on a trainee manager position with Hyatt, focussing on Food and Beverage services. Following this, a brief stint with IHG before embarking on his OE. Bruce travelled extensively through the USA before basing himself in England for seven years, working for Forte, Marriot, and Thistle hotels, ranging in size from 50 to 800 rooms. An opportunity to work at the world-renowned Huka Lodge brought him back to New Zealand. This was followed up with his first general manager stint at Wharekauhau Country Estate, another luxury lodge. An opening at The George took him back to city life, and nearly 20 years later he has steered the company to considerable success along with adding other hotels to the management company. In addition to his role with Brook Serene, Bruce was also regional chair of the Christchurch hotel sector from 2010 – 2015, President of Skål Christchurch from 2016 – 2019, and is currently on the Skål International Board, representing Oceania.

Cordis Auckland — Managing Director

With over 30 year of experience in hotels, Craig has managed properties across Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, and Australia & New Zealand. , in the Upper upscale and Luxury categories. With a background in both Operations and Business Development, customers experience, leadership and business development are his passions. Returning to New Zealand in December 2023 after a 17-year absence, he is Managing Director of Cordis, Auckland, part of the Langham Hospitality Group.

Sarin Hotels — Commercial Director

Rajeev Sharma is a hospitality leader with over 28 years of experience in hotel pre-openings, revenue management, market expansion, and destination promotion. As the Commercial Director at Sarin Hotels, he drives business growth, brand positioning, and operational efficiency across multiple properties.

Rajeev has successfully led hotel launches, revenue optimization strategies, and international tourism collaborations, working with global travel agencies, ITO’s, Tourism New Zealand and regional tourism boards. His expertise includes dynamic pricing, digital transformation, and AI-driven guest experiences, helping hotels adapt to evolving industry challenges.

A recognized industry innovator and mentor, Rajeev is passionate about developing future leaders, implementing data-driven strategies, and transforming hospitality operations. His insights into market trends, corporate partnerships, and technology adoption make him a leading voice on the current challenges and opportunities in the hospitality industry.

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality (New Zealand) — Minister for Tourism and Hospitality (New Zealand)

Myma — Co-Founder & CEO

David Thompson is the Co-Founder and CEO of Myma.ai, a leading global AI platform purpose-built for hospitality, tourism, and guest-centric businesses. With deep roots in hotel operations and distribution, David brings a rare blend of industry pragmatism and AI innovation. Under his leadership, Myma.ai has grown rapidly across APAC, the Americas, EMEA, and Africa—helping hotels drive direct bookings, reduce operational pressure, and deliver smarter guest experiences across chat, voice, email, and in-stay channels. A regular speaker at major hospitality events, David is known for cutting through AI hype and focusing on real-world ROI for hoteliers.

Hotel Council Aotearoa

Swiss-Belhotel International — Vice President - Operations & Development, Australia, New Zealand, Pacific

Degree qualified international hotelier with over 38 years experience in hotel management, including 27 years as General Manager. Experience across 5 hotel management companies, Sheraton 8 years, Millennium and Copthorne 5 years, Accor 9 years, IHG 14 Years and Swiss-BelHotel International, across 3 regional roles, 18 hotel locations, in 5 countries.

NZ Accommodation Group — General Manager

Sarah Croskery is the General Manager of New Zealand Accommodation Group (NZAG), overseeing the ASURE and HOST Accommodation brands, representing an expanding range of properties across New Zealand. NZAG plays a pivotal role in supporting small accommodation operators, providing practical business support, marketing opportunities and implementing systems that drive sustainable revenue growth. Sarah brings a wealth of hospitality experience, with a career spanning HR, operations, finance, and more recently sales and marketing within the hotel sector. Her broad, hands on background gives her a strong understanding of the challenges facing accommodation operators and the strategies required to help them thrive.

Haka House Hostels — CEO

Studio Moda — Founder & Director

Danelle Ayers is the Founder & Director of Moda, a specialist hotel and hospitality brand and marketing studio. Moda partners with hoteliers, management companies, owners, and developers to deliver strategic, creative, and practical solutions across branding, marketing, and project management.With two decades of operational and strategic hotel and hospitality experience, Danelle has led the execution of award-winning campaigns, shaped distinctive brand narratives, successfully launched numerous new hotels and restaurants, and inspired creative teams at the highest level. Driven by curiosity and a commitment to helping brands unlock their potential, she has built a strong track record of delivering results that marry creativity with commercial impact. Moda was born from Danelle’s vision to create a trusted strategic and creative partner for hotels and hospitality businesses – built on a simple ethos: to do exceptional work with exceptional people and products.

Fastrack Digital — Digital Marketing Specialist

GP Communications — Founder

Ginni Post is a senior communications professional with over 20 years’ experience across agency and in-house public relations in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific. She is the founder of GP Communications, a specialist consultancy delivering strategic public relations, brand communications and issues management for the hotel, tourism and commercial property sectors. A three-time HM Awards winner, Ginni has worked with leading global and regional brands including Accor, EVT, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, Pro-invest Group and Whakapapa and Tūroa Ski Areas, and is widely recognised for her strong media and hospitality industry relationships.

WorkTheory & Co. — Owner

Phillipa Gimmillaro brings over two decades of hospitality industry expertise with most recently as Chief People Officer at Hind Management Group. Since 2017, she has led initiatives in people, culture, health, and safety for over 700 employees across nine locations. In addition to championing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, Phillipa developed the group’s Code of Conduct, including a Modern Slavery Statement, to align with ethical and sustainable practices. She also established scholarship and internship programs for minority groups and people with disabilities to gain practical work experience in hospitality, with the most recent Māori and Pacific youth scholarship launching in February 2025. In 2024, Hind Management achieved a 93% retention rate for permanent employees under her leadership, far exceeding the hospitality industry’s average retention rate of 23%. Her leadership through the pandemic, including pivoting from hotel operations to managed quarantine facilities, earned her New Zealand HR Director of the Year (2023) and recognition on HRD Magazine’s 2024 HR Hot List.

Phillipa is a Chartered Member of HRNZ, holds Professional Accreditation in Workplace Inclusion (2024), and has an Advanced Diploma in Travel, Tourism, and Business. She also serves on an Industry Advisory Board and is pursuing an MBA through the Australian Institute of Business.

Phillipa’s vision is to build a sustainable, thriving workforce, reflected in her leadership of Hind Management’s celebrated mentoring and development programs.

Fastrack Digital — Group Managing Director

Adrian is the founder and Group Managing Director of Australasia's leading travel, tourism and lifestyle full-service digital marketing and media agency, Fastrack Digital in APAC. Adrian is considered a leader in direct booking strategy and digital growth. He has worked with some of Australia, New Zealand and Asia's leading hotel and travel brands on improving their direct bookings. He has been responsible in some cases of doubling their direct bookings and revenue.

Room Stay — Director of Sales

Revinate — Country Director - Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific

Business Events Industry Aotearoa — Chief Executive

NZICC — General Manager

With more than 20 years’ experience in the events and hotel industry, Prue began her career through a coveted training placement with Accor, progressing through several business development and sales leadership roles before expanding her expertise with organisations including the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC), where she earned multiple industry accolades, including Meetings & Events Australia’s National Business Development Person of the Year. Since moving to New Zealand in 2016 to join the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC) as Director of Sales & Marketing—and later stepping into the role of General Manager in 2023—Prue has played a key role in preparing for the NZICC’s opening on 11 February 2026, ensuring the venue delivers world class experiences, drives significant economic impact, and champions excellence in sustainability, community contribution, and authentic Aotearoa experiences. She is also honoured to support the wider sector through her position on the Business Events Industry Aotearoa board.

The Hotel Britomart — General Manager

ID Tours Ltd — Managing Director

Debbie has spent 30 years working across cruise destinations and the global cruise industry, with experience spanning port agency, shore excursions, itinerary planning, onboard lecturing, product and infrastructure development, and environmental observation. In recent years, her focus has shifted to high-level government advocacy, community engagement, and destination stewardship.

She moved to New Zealand in 2007 to join ID Tours NZ, the country’s largest cruise DMC, where she leads the Cruise Department and has expanded shore excursion programmes, cruise regions, and itineraries in partnership with key national stakeholders.

Debbie has served on the Board of the New Zealand Cruise Association for over 15 years (including seven as Chair, now Deputy Chair) and has held board and advisory roles with Tourism Industry Aotearoa, the Tourism Future Taskforce, Tourism Export Council NZ, and The World’s Leading Ground Operators (Vice-Chair for 10 years). She also represents the cruise sector on the Auckland Council City Advisory Panel, reporting directly to the Mayor of Auckland.

Hospitality New Zealand — Chief Executive

Kristy Phillips is Chief Executive of Hospitality New Zealand. Kristy has enjoyed a long career in hospitality, owning and operating her own venues in Timaru, and most recently leading the Barker’s of Geraldine hospitality division, with venues in Geraldine and Auckland. Kristy also has a long history of governance, as a member of the South Canterbury Chamber of Commerce Board, President of the Hospitality NZ South Canterbury Branch and a range of roles on the Hospitality NZ Board, including Vice President, head of the Finance Committee and most recently Chair.

Sudima Hotels — Group Director of Sales

Leigh joined Sudima Hotels in March 2011 as Corporate Sales Manager, leading corporate business development for Sudima Auckland Airport ahead of its opening. She now heads the National Sales Team as Group Director of Sales, with four direct reports and 15 years’ service with the organisation.

In 2018, Leigh was honoured as the national winner of the TIA Hospitality Sales, Marketing & Distribution Employee of the Year Award, recognising her contribution to sales leadership and industry engagement.
In her current role, Leigh drives the growth of the national Sudima brand, leading four active sales managers across Corporate, Business Events, International Leisure and Asian markets. She focuses on retaining and growing existing business, pursuing new opportunities, and developing national sales strategies aligned with the group’s commercial objectives.

Alongside her leadership responsibilities, Leigh remains actively involved in strategic market segments including Airline Crew partnerships, Disrupt Passenger Services, Sea Cruise and Antarctic business, along with Travel Industry partners and Professional Conference Organisers, supporting sustainable growth across the Sudima Hotels and Hind Management network.

Orbit World Travel — Product Manager

Andrea is the National Product Manager for Orbit World Travel, responsible for the preferred hotel programme, Orbit Plus+. With over 20 years’ experience in senior travel and product leadership roles, she brings a strong commercial and strategic lens to corporate travel. Andrea leads end-to-end product development and nationwide programme implementation, partnering closely with account managers, hotel sales teams, and corporate buyers to ensure preferred programmes deliver measurable value, compliance alignment, and excellent traveller experiences. Skilled in supplier negotiations, stakeholder engagement, and business development, she provides practical insights into what drives business travel decisions and how hotels can remain competitive and front of mind.

QT Auckland — General Manager

Michael Stamboulidis is an accomplished hospitality leader with more than 20 years' experience across Australia, New Zealand, and Japan. Michael is currently General Manager of the award winning QT Auckland, following senior roles across the EVT portfolio, including General Manager of QT Newcastle, General Manager of QT Sydney, and Director of Food & Beverage at QT Melbourne.

Known for his passion for F&B and his ability to elevate guest experiences with creativity and precision, Michael continues to shape QT Auckland’s standout hospitality offering, including its celebrated hatted dining destination, Esther.

InterContinental Auckland — Executive chef

Hotel Indigo® Auckland — General Manager

JW Marriott Auckland — Director of Operations

Hotel Council Aotearoa — Strategic Director

Scenic Hotel Group — CEO

Amadeus — Vice President Hospitality APAC

Paul Wilson is an experienced professional with over 25 years in the hospitality and travel industry, specializing in project management, strategic planning, and customer success. Paul now led the APAC commercial team, driving sales growth and ensuring exceptional customer experiences across the Asia-Pacific region. His strategic vision and leadership have significantly enhanced customer satisfaction and achieved notable sales milestones. Previously, Paul served as the Executive Vice President of Cross Hotels and Resorts, overseeing operations and strategic initiatives. He also held roles as the Vice President of Commercial for Centara Hotels and Resorts and the Regional Director of Mantra Hotels, part of Accor’s largest acquisition, where he played a key role in integrating the brand into Accor’s portfolio and enhancing its market competitiveness.

BWH Hotels — Managing Director Australasia

Lylo — Managing Director

Holiday Accommodation Parks Association of New Zealand — CEO

Trust You — VP Sales APAC

SkyCity Entertainment Group — Director of Revenue - Hospitality

Hind Management — Director of Revenue

Jass Sidhu is the Director of Revenue at Sudima Hotels, bringing over 15 years of experience across revenue management, sales, marketing, and hotel operations. In his current role, Jass leads the portfolio-wide revenue and distribution strategy, overseeing pricing frameworks, channel performance, demand forecasting, and commercial analytics. He works closely with sales, marketing, finance, and operations teams to ensure alignment between market positioning, profitability targets, and guest experience. His focus is on driving sustainable RevPAR growth, optimizing channel mix, strengthening direct contribution, and implementing advanced tools and reporting frameworks to support data-driven decision making across the business. Jass is passionate about leveraging technology, market intelligence, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance commercial performance while supporting Sudima’s commitment to innovation, excellence, and long-term growth.

RoomPriceGenie — Senior Business Development Manager - APAC

Andy Collins is the Senior Business Development Manager for APAC at RoomPriceGenie, helping hotels boost revenue with smart, automated pricing tools. Based in Sydney, he brings years of hospitality experience, having worked in hotels as well as hotel technology and OTA's. Andy’s all about making pricing simple and effective for accommodation providers across the region.

Shiji — Regional Director Operations - APAC & General Manager

Kōwhai — Managing Director

Softsource vBridge — Principal Consultant

Barry White is a VCIO and Principal Consultant in the Business Transformation & Intelligence practice        at Softsource vBridge, based in Auckland (Albany). In this role, Barry works closely with customers and internal teams on technology strategy, modern workplace transformation, and the practical adoption of emerging technologies. With a strong consulting background and a VCIO lens, Barry brings a practical, outcome focused perspective on AI covering not just what the technology can do, but how organisations can realistically adopt it, govern it, and derive value from it.

Fr@nk — Director of Information Technology