Attendees at Virtuoso’s Travel Week this year will have access to a brand-new component: The luxury travel network’s first-ever Travel Tech Summit. Taking place August 14 at ARIA Resort & Casino from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., the summit will consist of three segment: A “Big Ideas Session” with speakers addressing tech strategies that are driving the industry forward; a “VC Panel” focused on the innovations and longer-term opportunities that investors are seeking and funding; and a “Startup Showcase” highlighting companies that are addressing obstacles the travel industry is currently facing.
Led by tech entrepreneur and investor, as well as Virtuoso board member, Gilad Berenstein, with Virtuoso Senior Vice President, Digital & Consumer Products Travis McElfresh among the “Big Ideas” speakers, Virtuoso says it is putting technology on center-stage to support its belief that its network is best served by having a choice when it comes to tech solutions.
According to Virtuoso Chairman and CEO Matthew D. Upchurch, the networks Incubator program has “helped launch some of the travel tech players that are core to our business today.” He adds: “This Travel Tech Summit is just our next step in furthering innovation and ensuring that travel technology benefits our agencies, advisors and the partners who work with us.”
The summit will begin with a “macro view” and go through phases that eventually narrow down to the grassroots level. Berenstein will kick off the sessions with an overview addressing five key themes: The optimization of everything; financialization of travel and how it leads to better consumer experiences; the role of creators and influencers; aggregation and super apps; and emerging technologies focused on the Metaverse and Web3. This opening presentation tees up the four “Big Ideas” speakers, who will dive deeper into each category. Next, the venture capitalist panel will weigh in with their perspective as investors. Finally, the Startup Showcase will spotlight five new companies that are developing solutions to ease travel industry pain-points and are demonstrating real-world application.
Speakers for each session follow.
"Big Ideas Session:"
- Khalid Meniri – CEO and Founder, Selfbook
- Ethan Hawkes – Head of Strategic Partnerships, Hopper
- Karen Bolda – Senior Vice President of Partner Products, Expedia Group
- Travis McElfresh – Senior Vice President of Product, Virtuoso
"VC Panel:"
- Gaurav Tuli – Managing Director, F-Prime Capital Partners
- Chris Hemmeter – Managing Director, Thayer Ventures
- Chantal Noble Haldorsen – Early Stage VC Lead, Certares
- Cara Whitehill - Founder and Managing Director, Unlock Advisors
"Startup Showcase:"
- Grace McBride – Founder and CEO, Lucia
- Gary Kohn – Co-Founder, Luxury Travel Hackers
- Alex Jara – CEO, Deal Engine
- West Askew – Founder and CEO, Thatch
- Irving Betesh – CEO and Co-Founder, Sion
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