February 12
-
9:00 AM
–
9:30 AMWelcoming Remarks
-
9:30 AM
–
10:15 AMPanel Discussion: Digital Disruption in Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Landscape
Over the last few years there have been unbelievable advances in how younger companies are growing and attracting capital in the online travel space. The travel tech industry has become increasingly geared towards convenience and accessibility which has created unique opportunities for new emerging technologies. How has the speed of business in the travel, tourism and hospitality sector evolved over the last few years? How it is adapting to the continuous technological advancements & digital disruption? What are today’s investors excited about and where do they see the future of travel heading?
-
Matt Zito, Managing Partner, Travel Startups Incubator, LLC
-
Raj Singh, Managing Director, JetBlue Technology Ventures
-
Kurien Jacob, Principal, Highgate Ventures
-
Sara Jones, Principle Strategist , Boeing HorizonX Ventures
Matt ZitoManaging Partner
Travel Startups Incubator, LLCMatt Zito is a managing partner for Travel Startups Incubator (TSI) a global travel technology investment and advisory firm. TSI’s investment portfolio includes 11 active operating companies and 3 advisory clients. FlitWays a private executive black-car ground transportation company is TSI’s first exit, now trading publicly, stock symbol FTWS. Investing in private and public companies since the late 90’s, Matt is the published author of “Trade IPOs Online,” by John Wiley Sons, NY, NY, featuring Matt’s 715% IRR (Internal Rate of Return) on investments and trades.Kurien JacobPrincipal
Highgate VenturesKurien spearheads Highgate’s technology investments and incubation projects. Kurien transitioned into his current role from Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) at Highgate. During his tenure as CRO, he built Highgate’s revenue management team and technologies. It is now a universally recognized industry leader. He has over 18 years of experience in Revenue Management & Distribution, and is regularly called upon as a featured speaker at top industry events. In addition to his CRO duties he created RevUP, Highgate’s, proprietary revenue optimization platform (now commercialized as LodgIQ), and Travel Tripper, an innovator in CRS Distribution and website technology . KJ is actively involved in the ongoing research, development and the full scale commercialization of HG Portfolio companies.Sara JonesPrinciple Strategist
Boeing HorizonX VenturesSara Jones is a principal strategist in HorizonX focused on digital infrastructure for a future that brings flight closer to home, when and where we want it. Previously, Sara was a principal strategy consultant in Boeing Commercial Airplanes, leading key initiatives including BCA’s 2050 Vision. Prior to Boeing, she worked in corporate strategy and management consulting, developing digitally-driven business and customer strategies for Fortune 100 companies, including Microsoft, T-Mobile and Nordstrom. Sara also has extensive experience in the start-up sector as a founder and start-up advisor. She received her BA from NYU and an MBA from University of Michigan. -
-
10:15 AM
–
11:00 AMStartup Pitch Competition Session 1
Pitch Sessions with established tech-travel startups will be judged by:
-
Andrew Sturner, Founder, Tech, Media & Real Estate Ventures
-
Seth Cassel, President, EveryMundo
-
Noam Beno, Manager, Corporate Strategy, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
-
Parker Stanberry, Founder, Oasis
-
Kerri Zeil, Director, Amadeus For Startups
Noam BenoManager, Corporate Strategy
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.Noam is currently a Manager in the Corporate Development and Corporate Strategy teams at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., where he focuses on M&A, JVs, and other investments, in addition to working on the Miami-based cruise operator’s long-term strategic planning process.Kerri ZeilDirector
Amadeus For StartupsKerri brings to Amadeus years of executive-level experience in ecommerce, travel distribution, strategic planning and global operations. Her experience with both traditional and startup organizations gives her unique insight into how to best deliver technology solutions and services targeted to established online travel brands and industry startups. As director Amadeus for Startups, Kerri is responsible for the growth of online business by identifying unique opportunities, and supporting travel startups throughout their lifecycle. Prior to joining Amadeus North America, Kerri held various roles, most recently at Orbitz Worldwide, and eBookers, now part of the Expedia Inc. She was responsible for the execution of several global initiatives, including industry-changing technologies and new commercial business models. Kerri expertise in travel technology and global travel distribution managing cross-cultural and cross-functional teams, provides a unique perspective in support of the travel startup ecosys -
-
11:00 AM
–
11:15 AMCoffee Break
-
11:15 AM
–
12:00 PMStartup Pitch Competition Session 2
Pitch Sessions with established tech-travel startups will be judged by:
-
Andrew Sturner, Founder, Tech, Media & Real Estate Ventures
-
Seth Cassel, President, EveryMundo
-
Noam Beno, Manager, Corporate Strategy, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
-
Parker Stanberry, Founder, Oasis
-
Kerri Zeil, Director, Amadeus For Startups
Noam BenoManager, Corporate Strategy
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.Noam is currently a Manager in the Corporate Development and Corporate Strategy teams at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., where he focuses on M&A, JVs, and other investments, in addition to working on the Miami-based cruise operator’s long-term strategic planning process.Kerri ZeilDirector
Amadeus For StartupsKerri brings to Amadeus years of executive-level experience in ecommerce, travel distribution, strategic planning and global operations. Her experience with both traditional and startup organizations gives her unique insight into how to best deliver technology solutions and services targeted to established online travel brands and industry startups. As director Amadeus for Startups, Kerri is responsible for the growth of online business by identifying unique opportunities, and supporting travel startups throughout their lifecycle. Prior to joining Amadeus North America, Kerri held various roles, most recently at Orbitz Worldwide, and eBookers, now part of the Expedia Inc. She was responsible for the execution of several global initiatives, including industry-changing technologies and new commercial business models. Kerri expertise in travel technology and global travel distribution managing cross-cultural and cross-functional teams, provides a unique perspective in support of the travel startup ecosys -
-
12:00 PM
–
1:30 PMLunch
-
1:30 PM
–
2:15 PMPanel Discussion: The Digital Connected Experience
Technology is increasingly consuming travelers’ lives. Now more than ever, users expect personal, seamless, connected experiences both online and offline. With consumers continuously using different ways to make reservations, expecting immediate results and unique experiences, the challenge as well as opportunities to engage with them is endless. How has connecting with guests in a mobile and social world changed? What tools are being used to enhance the end to end customer experience and reduce friction points? How can personalization across touch points throughout the customer journey be achieved to meet the real-time, always-on demands of today’s digital world traveler and maximize the guest experience?
-
Kerstin Sachl, Director of Public Relations and Social Media Caribbean and Latin America, Marriott International
-
Kaio Philipe, Commercial and Operations Director LATAM, KAYAK
-
Ricardo Tafur, Vice-president Consumer Products LAC, Visa
-
Rana Ghosh, Head of e-Commerce and Ancillary Revenue,, Spirit Airlines
Kerstin SachlDirector of Public Relations and Social Media Caribbean and Latin America
Marriott InternationalKerstin Sachl, Director of Public Relations and Social Media at Marriott International for Caribbean and Latin America (CALA), leads the PR organization for Marriott International in the region. Originally from Germany, Kerstin is an internationally-minded, Miami-based PR expert with more than a decade of experience managing public relations for global brands. In her current position, Kerstin sets the strategic direction for public relations in CALA, which includes 240 properties representing 19 unique brands across 33 countries and territories. Marriott’s highly-coordinated and extensive PR activities in the region support overall business objectives as well as brand, marketing and digital initiatives to maximize exposure for Marriott International, its destinations and properties. Shortly after joining Marriott International in 2016, she led the restructure and integration of the PR organization and now oversees the newly formed CALA PR Center of Excellence, supported by an Area PR team across key CALA -
-
2:15 PM
–
3:00 PMPanel Discussion: Understanding the Global Citizen and the Experience Economy
People are increasingly identifying themselves as global rather then national citizens. Working remotely or telecommuting is no longer just for the ‘freelance community’, organizations of all sizes are embracing this concept with the percentage of workers doing all or some of their work ‘at home’ increasing from 19% in 2003 to 24% in 2015 with 68% of U.S. workers saying that they expect to work remotely in the future (according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics). In addition to the work benefits when looking at the trends, the experience economy reflects a growing consumer desire for immersive consumption moments, i.e. experiencing what each destination has to offer. Learn from the companies that are making it possible to live, work and experience life as a global citizen.
-
Gillian Morris, Founder, Hitlist App
-
Nick Vivion, Editor-in-Chief, Tnooz
-
Michael Youngblood, Co-founder, Unsettled
-
Parker Stanberry, Founder, Oasis
Gillian MorrisFounder
Hitlist AppSpecialties: Recruitment, project management, research, political and economic analysis.Michael YoungbloodCo-founder
UnsettledMichael Youngblood is the co-founder of Unsettled, a travel company and coworking retreat that provides the ability to take your work beyond traditional borders. Unsettled provides everything someone needs to live and work remotely in new destinations around the world. We currently operate in Indonesia, Morocco, South Africa, Europe, and South and Central America. Michael and his work at Unsettled has been featured in many media outlets, including the New York Times, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, and many more and he is a regular speaker and writer on topics of innovation, adventure travel, and innovation in adventure travel. -
-
3:00 PM
–
3:15 PMCoffee Break
-
3:15 PM
–
4:00 PMPanel Discussion: The Bionic Traveler
Automation, Machine Learning and Artificial intelligence and how it will affect marketing to Travelers in 2018. Travel brands spent the past few years tackling changes in consumer habits from Mobile, Social, Online Travel Agents and disruptors like Airbnb, Uber and more. The rise in AI, Machine Learning and the fast-approaching new global data regulations tell us that they better hold on to their seats – as they ain’t seen nothing yet. Current and former senior marketing executives from Hertz, Amadeus and VISIT Florida share what’s up next for engaging travelers in 2018.
-
Charlie Coniglio, President, Green Torino
-
David Atkins, Principal, Digital DNA Infusion
-
Luis Segredo, Investor, Travel Initiatives
-
John Santiago, Moderator, CEO M8
-
-
4:00 PM
–
4:30 PMStartup Winners
-
4:30 PM
–
5:00 PMKeynote
-
Doug Prothero, Managing Director , The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
Doug ProtheroManaging Director
The Ritz-Carlton Yacht CollectionDoug serves as the Managing Director of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. In this role, Prothero oversees all operations and strategic growth of the company. As a Founding Partner of the venture, Prothero is also responsible for relations to and with Marriott International and The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Prothero was educated in Maritime Studies and has been a ship master since 1989. He has over 35 years of professional experience in the hospitality and maritime industry, including running all facets of maritime businesses involving both commercial vessels and private yachts. As a seasoned entrepreneur, Prothero has founded numerous enterprises with lead responsibility for product development, sales, ship design, ship construction and marine operations. While Partner of a boutique investment bank, Prothero established an extensive professional network through his work advising ship owners on finance sourcing. -
-
5:00 PM
–
6:30 PMNetworking + Closing Reception
Closing Remarks + Cocktail Hour