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Schedule for Wednesday, 6/24

Welcome to Wednesday!

 

These tips will help you track your day — and a very packed agenda.

- All times are EDT (NYC time).

- No need to register for sessions: The webinars are open. Please attend as many as you like. 

 

- There are two conference rooms for panels and presentations, so you will need

to keep track of two URLs. (Happy hours have their own URL.)

As a handy guide:

  • Room 1:  Presentations that start at :00 and :30

  • Room 2:  Presentations that start at :15 and :45

  • Lounge:  Happy Hour!
    Tonight, an interactive virtual wine tasting presented by Kendall-Jackson featuring winemaker Randy Ullom.

 

- If you have a question during a session, enter it in the Q&A button at the bottom of

the Zoom screen. We will get to as many as we can. 

 

- We will email all attendees a wrap-up of the panels and presentations after the conference.

So don't worry if you miss something! You can catch up later.

- To share on social, we're @NewTravelConf on Twitter and @thenewtravelconference on Instagram.

Have a great conference!

Jack Ezon, Pavia Rosati, Shivani Vora

The New Travel Co-Founders

Wednesday, June 24

9:00 - 11:00 - Exhibitor Presentations

9:00 - 9:30

Presentation of the current situation in Greece, destination Santorini and Paros, as well as of Kanava Hotels & Resorts (Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel; Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort; Istoria, a Member of Design Hotels; Parīlio, a Member of Design Hotels; and Acron Villas, Paros).

 

Kalia Konstantinidou, Vice President

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9:15 - 9:45

SKIUSA - Global Ski Experts

What makes SKIUSA stand out among other ski tour operators?

 

Eduardo Gaz

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9:30 - 10:00

Belmond

Introducing the new Belmond Exclusive Places concept, which addresses the increased demand for private accommodations, bespoke services, and personalized experiences.

 

Andrea Filippi, VP Global Sales
Annette Kishon-Pines, Director of Global Sales: The Americas

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9:45 - 10:15

Gray & Co. Private Active Trips

Private active journeys: Crafting the ultimate experiences for the uber affluent. 

Julia Hayhurst, Director of Operations
Carolyn Werry, Director of Travel

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10:00 - 10:30

Espirit Saint Germain Paris

Esprit Saint Germain, reopening with new redesigned rooms.

 

François Souman, Manager

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10:15 - 10:45

Mandarin Oriental, Milan 
Mandarin Oriental, Lago di Como

One Trip, Two Destinations: The perfect combination for a glamorous and exclusive escape to Northern Italy.

•        Milano has become a true bleisure destination

•        Lake Como is ideal to disconnect, relax or celebrate

Luca Finardi, Mandarin Oriental Milan

Samuel Porreca, Mandarin Oriental Lago di Como

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10:30 - 11:00

Yonder

Taking Nature Travel Deeper — Why Yonder Stewards Are Much More Than Hosts

 

Freyr Thor, Co-Founder and CEO of Yonder Global, PBC

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10:45 - 11:05

Ultima Collection

Adapting COVID-19 measures to guests’ expectations in luxury hospitality.

 

Xavier Giammettei

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11:00 - 3:30 - Panels: Travel Trends at Risk

11:00 - 11:40 

Privately owned hotels have certain advantages over their corporate peers — a more local focus, nimbler operations. But will a global crisis make certain things harder for hotels that don't enjoy the corporate advantages that chains have? Or will being independent give them an edge in turbulent times?  What are independent hoteliers doing to adapt and thrive in the new normal?

Liz Biden · Owner & Founder, The Royal Portfolio

Anthony Champalimaud · General Partner, Troutbeck

Valentina De Santis · Owner & CEO, Grand Hotel Tremezzo
Shannon Knapp · President & CEO, Leading Hotels

Moderator: Jeffries Blackerby · Editor in Chief, Departures

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11:45 - 12:25

How Will Group, Business, and Event Travel Change?

How will group travel change in an era that requires social distancing? The implications are considerable for different kinds of travelers and needs. Will Zoom calls replace cross-country meetings for businesses? Will couples reconsider destination weddings? Will travelers feel comfortable signing up for group trips with strangers? Or will travel companies adapt with innovative new solutions for groups?

Guerdy Abraira · Destination Wedding Planner, Guerdy Design

Mike Garrow · Director of Sales, Meadowood

Anne Mansfield · Vice President, Sales - Americas, Four Seasons

Susie Piegza · Co-founder, Classic Journeys

Moderator: DeMarco Williams, Managing Editor, Forbes Travel Guide 

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12:30 - 1:10

What's the Future of Communal Spaces?

Just as hotel lobbies were becoming the new town hall, attracting guests and locals and encouraging their interaction, social distancing became the new norm. How will hotels have to adapt their public spaces — the lobby, the pool, the lounge, the co-working areas? How can hotels adapt their design and programming to meet immediate challenges and set the stage for future innovation? 

Ori Kafri · Owner, JK Place Hotels

Aliya Khan · VP of Design - Lifestyle Brands, Marriott International

Karin Salinas · Chief Marketing Officer, BahaMar

Moderator: Farhad Heydari · Founder and CEO, House of Heydari

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1:15 - 1:55 

What's the Future of Cruising?

The cruise industry was hit hard and early in the coronavirus crisis. But cruisers are an incredibly loyal constituency and have already booked their 2021 vacations. Could the cruise industry end up in a better position as travel resumes, given how controlled, checked, and vetted everything is on board? How will the industry change in response to the customers coming back— and how will it get new cruisers who aren’t already fans? 

Chris Austin · Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Seabourn Cruise Line

Ben Lyons · CEO, EYOS Expeditions

Mary Jean Tully · Founder & CEO, Tully Luxury Travel

Moderator: Paul Brady · Articles Editor, Travel + Leisure

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2:00 - 2:40

We Can’t Forget Sustainability 

As "responsible tourism" becomes shorthand simply for tourism, sustainability will be an even more critical part of the conversation. How can travel companies start making changes now to meet the needs of the future? How should travel leaders best use this time as an opportunity to reevaluate and approach systems in a way that can have long-term benefits on the environment and their bottom lines?

Mike Freed · CEO, Post Ranch Inn
Xenia zu Hohenlohe · Partner and Founder, Considerate Group

Gregory Miller · Executive Director, Center for Responsible Travel (CREST)

Nicole Robinson · Chief Marketing Officer, andBeyond

Moderator: Julia Cosgrove · VP, Editor in Chief, AFAR Media

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2:45 - 3:25

How Can We Keep Travel Accessible?

Before coronavirus froze everything, travel was the world's fastest growing industry. In 2019, it surpassed expectations set by the UNTWO, with 1.5 billion individuals traveling internationally, showing ten years of growth. This is in part due to the significant gains in the economic space in the past two decades: budget-friendly airlines and hotel brands launching spinoffs to appeal to younger, intrepid travelers. But with the noise circulating right now suggesting that private and exclusive will be the rising trend in travel in the near future, how can we ensure travel remains democratic and accessible?

Mitchell Hochberg · President, Lightstone Group and Developer, Moxy Hotels

Jane Mackie · SVP, Global Marketing - Luxury and Upscale Brands, IHG

Fern Ottavio · Sales and Marketing Manager, TAP Air Portugal

Cherae Robinson · Founder, Tastemakers Africa

Moderator: Erin Florio · Travel News Director, Conde Nast Traveler

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3:30 - 6:15 - Exhibitor Presentations

3:30 - 4:00

Medjet

WHAT IS MEDJET?

Insurance gets you to the “nearest acceptable” hospital.

Medjet can get you to a hospital at home.

 

Sheri Howell, Marketing and Communications, Medjet

Paul Goodall, Travel Agency Sales Advisor, Medjet

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3:45- 4:15

Triple Creek Ranch Relais & Chateaux, A Montana Hideaway

An exclusive destination in the Montana Rockies that offers an adult only (16+), all-inclusive luxury ranch experience at our secluded mountain retreat. Horseback riding, fly-fishing, guided trail activities and more are complemented by all private guest cabin accommodations, exquisite cuisine, and unparalleled personal service.

 

Jennifer O’Donohue, Brand and Communications Director

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4:00 - 4:30

Meadowood Napa Valley

- A 250-acre estate in the heart of the Napa Valley.
- Offers open-air recreational activities, such as golf, tennis, croquet, and miles of hiking trails, as well as private guest-room and lodging entrances and al fresco dining.
- Reopened June 11 with a safely modified experience, complete with new protocols and reconfigured spaces to allow for social distancing.

 

Jennifer Chiesa, Director of Public Relations
Danielle Lucas, Director of Strategic Partnerships

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4:15 - 4:45

The Colony, Palm Beach

An iconic boutique hotel in the heart of Palm Beach Florida, with one foot on Worth Avenue and one in the ocean.

 

Bruce Seigel, General Manager
Elisabeth Munder, President of Luxury Ink (PR firm)

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4:30 - 5:00

Acqualina Resort and Residences on the Beach

Hotel reopening and amenities offered and available; elevated health/safety measures; current promotions.

 

Mauro Pinho, Director of Sales and Marketing

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4:45 - 5:15

Silversands Grenada

Beach to Their Own

 

Narelle McDougall, General Manager 
Francine Stewart, Director of Sales and Marketing

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5:00 - 5:30

W South Beach

Hotel Update: Re-opening and the New and Improved

 

Rick Ueno – General Manager

Claudia Marulanda – Director of Transient Sales

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5:15- 5:45

Sofitel Legend Santa Clara

Learn about Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena.

 

Nicolas Pesty

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5:30 - 6:00

Scott Dunn

New US Travel Experiences from Scott Dunn.

 

John Spence

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5:45 - 6:15

Cuvée

Taking You Inside a Cuvée Stay
High-Touch, Low Contact: Ultra-Luxury + Highly Personalized Vacation Rental Villas + Homes

Christa Weaving, VP Marketing 
Kristin Westberg, VP of Global Client Experiences 
Crystal Cisco, Senior Destination Manager, Vail Valley

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6:00 - 7:00 Happy Hour! 

6:00 - 7:00

Hosted by Kendall-Jackson

One of America’s Most Beloved Wineries

Join Kendall-Jackson Winemaster Randy Ullom as he conducts an interactive virtual wine tasting with three of Kendall-Jackson’s premium, high-quality wines from California’s cool coastal climates. Caroline Schnapp, social media editor for Food & Wine, will be modertating the happy hour tasting.

Randy will also discuss Kendall-Jackson’s Wine Estate and Gardens, one of Sonoma’s most sought after wine and culinary experiences.

All registered attendees of The New Travel Conference will receive an email

with a special discount code for the wines.

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