Unlocking Opportunities: The Leading Hotels of the World’s 2024 Sales Marketing and Distribution Conference focused on offering hoteliers best-in-class tools and insightful trends for the future

NEW YORK, NY — (June 2024) -  The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW) held its 2024 Sales Marketing & Distribution Conference from 31 May – 2 June in Stockholm, Sweden. More than 175 delegates that included hotel sales, marketing, revenue and communications executives joined LHW’s global team for three days of thought leadership, insight and networking. LHW’s Grand Hotel Stockholm served as the host hotel with conference activities and sessions on site and additional cultural and social experiences taking place around the city of Stockholm.

LHW’s Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, Chris Walker, opened the conference by establishing its key themes: “The luxury travel market is changing, so adapting is required to stay competitive. Invest in the best: focus on quality over quantity and fully engage with LHW’s resources to help your hotel stand out.”

From pioneering thinking, curated panel discussions and expert fireside chats, to small-group workshops, one-to-one meetings and skill-building sessions, the conference was designed to give participants actionable insights to enable their success. A roster of influential speakers took to the mainstage including LHW’s executive leadership team: Chris Walker, Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer; Phil Koserowski, Senior Vice President, and Chief Marketing Officer; Lauren Alba, Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications; Michael Lederman, Vice President, Information Technology; and LHW Managing Directors from the Americas, EMEA and APAC.

Lauren Alba, Vice President, Global Marketing & Communications, revealed the launch of an exciting brand project, the company’s forthcoming luxury coffee table book, Design: The Leading Hotels of the World. Alba encouraged hoteliers to “Unleash the power of LHW by amplifying the collective brand together to reach affluent global travelers.”

Speakers included Kelly McGuire from ZS Associates, Jesse Ashlock from Condé Nast Traveler, Anthony Goldman from Goldman Travel Group / Virtuoso, Gilad Berenstein of Brook Bay Capital and Christophe Luard from LVMH. Strategic partners such as 80 Days, Curacity, Dailypoint, Duetto, Hotelbeds, Intelity, Mason Rose, Revinate, Ultimedia and WebBeds shared the latest industry-leading expertise via workshops and breakout sessions.

Closing the conference, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer Phil Koserowski shared key takeaways, highlighting a healthy 8% growth in travel bookings, the trend of shorter booking lead-times and recommended hoteliers consider how to capitalize in the growing interest in shoulder season travel. The role – and huge potential - of technology like digital marketing, social media, and AI was highlighted. “LHW’s Hotel Technology Assessment will help elevate your technology, streamline operations and drive business growth. Actively using tools like the LHW App to elevate the guest experience to new heights while boosting operational efficiency”.

Evenings offered immersive networking moments, celebrating the destination and culture of Stockholm. Highlights included a nostalgic visit to the ABBA Museum, and a lively Farewell Dinner at Nobel’s dynamite factory as LHW’s guests from Amsterdam to Africa cemented new connections with their industry colleagues and friends. On behalf of the delegates, LHW contributed to community project, Stockholms Stadsmission, which supports 13 social supermarkets to provide nutritious food at a third of the price while preventing food waste.

LHW proudly hosts an array of membership events year-round. The marquee Annual Convention is just around the corner in November 2024, set against the stunning backdrop of Marbella, Spain. This marquee event promises unparalleled opportunities for networking, innovation, and industry insights for LHW owners and general managers.

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About The Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd. (LHW)
Comprised of more than 400 hotels in over 80 countries, LHW is the largest collection of independent luxury hotels. In 1928, 38 independent hoteliers came together to create LHW. Since then, the Company has carefully curated distinctive hotels, resorts, inns, chalets, villas, and safari camps from the snow-capped Alps of Europe to the African veldt, to share them with adventurous souls who seek the remarkably uncommon. The LHW community is filled of exceptional individuals, united by a passion for the surprising discoveries and details that come with every experience. LHW hoteliers are artisans of hospitality whose expertise, commitment to excellence, and individual flair allows them to create story-worthy moments for their guests. And it is these authentic, individualized experiences combined with the warm hospitality and high-touch service they provide that keeps discerning travelers returning again and again. LHW’s collection covers the globe and promises a broad range of destinations and uncommon experiences, enhanced by LHW’s tiered guest loyalty program Leaders Club. From converted former palaces, and countryside retreats run by the same families for generations, to gleaming skyscrapers in dynamic urban centers, serene private island escapes, glamorous tented camps – and beyond –  explore, find inspiration, and experience unforgettable travel moments. For more information visit: www.lhw.com, Facebook at @LeadingHotels, Twitter at @LeadingHotels and Instagram @leadinghotelsoftheworld.
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