Agenda

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HNZ26 AGENDA

Two days. Dozens of conversations worth having. HNZ26 brings together the people, ideas, and energy driving Aotearoa's hospitality and accommodation sector forward.

Below is your guide to everything happening across 23 and 24 June 2026 in Rotorua - from keynote sessions and expert panels to networking, the trade exhibition, and our two awards evenings.

We encourage you to bring along your own drink bottle and reusable cup. Water and hot beverages will be available, and our wonderful coffee supplier, ACR Coffee Roasters, will provide your caffeine fix.

Tuesday 23 June 2026

Time	Session	Synopsis	Speaker	Location	Why it matters for you
8:00 AM – 8:50 AM	Coffee & Networking			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Conference Opening Address	Hospitality NZ Chief Executive, Kristy Phillips will officially open the conference. This address will reflect on the current state of the hospitality industry, acknowledge the challenges and opportunities in front of us, and outline the role we can all play in shaping a resilient, innovative, and connected future.	Kristy Phillips, Hospitality New Zealand	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Hear directly from HNZ leadership on the issues and opportunities most affecting your sector right now. 🍽️ Get the big picture context that will frame everything you hear and take away over the next two days.
	Mayoral Opening	Mayor Tania Tapsell will officially welcome delegates to Rotorua, offering a local perspective on the region’s identity, its vibrant hospitality sector, and the role it plays in creating connection, experience, and economic growth. This opening address will reflect the importance of place, people, and manaakitanga in shaping the conference ahead.	Tania Tapsell, Mayor of Rotorua	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Hear from Rotorua's Mayor on what's driving visitation and what's coming next for one of NZ's most visited tourism destinations. 🍽️ Understanding the local visitor economy gives you valuable context on customer flow, seasonal trends and regional opportunity.
	State of the Nation	Westpac Senior Economist Darren Gibbs will speak about the current economic landscape and what lies ahead for New Zealand’s hospitality sector. Daniel’s presentation will give hospitality operators insight into how best to plan pricing, staffing and investment decisions. Westpac Senior Economist Darren Gibbs will speak about the current economic landscape and what lies ahead for New Zealand’s hospitality sector. Daniel’s presentation will give hospitality operators insight into how best to plan pricing, staffing and investment decisions.	Darren Gibbs, Westpac	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Plan pricing, staffing levels and investment decisions with confidence. 🍽️ Knowing where consumer spending is heading gives you a critical edge when planning menus, margins and staffing costs.
	Keynote: Why Guest Retention Drives Profit	Preston Lee is an entrepreneur and hospitality expert who founded The 30% Rule in 2023 to help independent restaurants scale by focusing on culture, systems, training and leadership development. Preston will share his insights on how hospitality can thrive in a world of constant disruption, inspiring operators to elevate both hospitality standards and operational efficiency.	Preston Lee, The 30% Rule	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Repeat bookings and loyalty all start with the experience you deliver, this session shows you how to build both. 🍽️ If you're spending more on marketing than on keeping the guests you already have, this session will change how you think about profitability.
	Customer Experience	Doug Grant is a senior leader for Air New Zealand's Cabin Crew division. Doug supports the performance, capability and engagement of nearly 3,000 frontline employees, helping shape the experience delivered to millions of customers each year. Doug will share insights on delivering customer experience in a premium legacy organisation, and how Air New Zealand balances operational excellence, cultural authenticity and human connection to create memorable customer experiences.	Doug Grant, Air New Zealand	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Every touchpoint from check-in to check-out is a customer experience moment, learn how to turn ordinary interactions into memorable ones. 🍽️ In a crowded market, experience is your biggest differentiator. Unpack what guests actually remember and why it matters for your bottom line.
11:15 AM – 11:30 AM	Morning Tea			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Leadership & Workforce: Attracting & Retaining Talent	Kristen Enright from KE Consulting has spent 20 years in the business of people, including her formative years at One Wall Street, collaborating with elite government agencies. Her session on why people are leaving the industry and practical solutions to reverse the trend, asks the question every operator tired of the revolving door needs to hear: what if the talent shortage isn't about the industry, it's about the culture you've built? No blame, no shame; just the honest conversation and a clear pathway forward that you can act on immediately.	Kristen Enright, KE Consulting	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Staff turnover in accommodation is costly and disruptive, get a clear framework for building a team that actually stays. 🍽️ Walk away with practical tools you can use on Monday morning to find and keep good people.
	From Zero to Global: Building a Brand That Travels	Lisa King, an entrepreneur and founder of AF Drinks and Eat My Lunch, will speak about her journey in the food and beverage sector and how to think bigger than your own brand. You’ll hear how the AF Drinks brand stemmed from one small idea and has grown into a globally recognised brand in just five years.	Lisa King, AF Drinks	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Whether you're a single motel or a small group, the principles of building a standout brand are the same. 🍽️ If you've ever wondered how some venues become destination experiences while others stay local, this session has the answers.
	Leveraging Tech in 2026 to Control Your Key Costs & Boost Profitability	Rich McLeod is a hospitality veteran turned tech CEO on a mission. He and his business partner developed Loaded as the operating platform for their own network of hospitality venues across New Zealand, but has since scaled to power more than 10,000 business operators around the world. Rich will speak about how operators can use modern technology to actively manage labour, COGS and cashflow in a tougher trading environment.	Rich McLeod, Loaded	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 From dynamic pricing to housekeeping efficiency, find out what technology is actually worth investing in. 🍽️ Labour and food costs are your two biggest expenses. See exactly how modern tech tools can help you get control of both.
12:45 PM – 1:45 PM	Lunch & Trade Exhibition			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Leadership & Workforce: Hospitality as a Career of Choice	Louise Saviker leads the Student Job Search charity's efforts to connect tertiary students with job opportunities. In her session, Louise will speak about workforce data, early-career trends, and practical insights to help operators position hospitality as a compelling, long-term career pathway.	Louise Saviker, Student Job Search	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Having a reliable pipeline of motivated staff has never been more important, this session can show you how. 🍽️ The student workforce is one of your biggest untapped resources. Learn how to attract, engage and retain early-career talent.
	From Local to Global Ways to Attract International Visitors	Join Bjoern Spreitzer, General Manager at Tourism New Zealand, as he shares how to turn local experiences into internationally sought-after destinations. International visitors are actively seeking authentic local experiences, hear how to position your venue to capture this high-value market.	Bjoern Spreitzer, Tourism NZ	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 International visitors stay longer and spend more, hear Tourism New Zealand's strategy and what it means for your bookings pipeline. 🍽️ International visitors are actively seeking authentic local dining experiences, hear how to position your venue to capture this high-value market.
3:00 PM – 3:15 PM	Afternoon Tea			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Wellbeing Hacks for Operators	Nutritionist, award-winning author, and wellbeing advocate Claire Turnbull shares simple, actionable tools to boost your energy and business. Claire has three best-selling books on wellbeing and is the owner and director of two wellbeing businesses. Claire is a passionate advocate for making wellbeing practical and accessible in the busy modern world we live in.	Claire Turnbull, Nutritionist	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Running a motel or accommodation property is a 24/7 operation, these practical tools are designed for operators who can't afford to burn out. 🍽️ Hospitality is one of the highest-burnout industries in the world. Simple, actionable tools to protect yourself and your team.
	Designing for Tomorrow	Craggy Range is an award-winning luxury vineyard retreat, complete with a winery, accommodation, and fine dining. So, what does it take to elevate a guest experience beyond the expected? In this session, the Craggy Range team - Executive Chef Casey McDonald and Head of People and Hospitality, Kristine Kilpatrick - share practical insights from their advancement of their accommodation and food and beverage offering.	Kristine Kilpatrick & Casey McDonald, Craggy Range	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 A masterclass in what intentional investment in guest experience looks like and what it delivers. 🍽️ Hear first-hand how one of NZ's most celebrated F&B operations evolved its offering and what lessons translate to your venue.
	Meet the Candidates (AGM Voting)	Ahead of tomorrow’s AGM voting, we’re pleased to introduce the candidates standing for election. This is your opportunity to get to know the individuals who are putting themselves forward to help lead and shape the future of the organisation.		Bay Trust Forum
	Flavour is the Spirit	Atilla Bús works at the intersection of contemporary mixology, sensory design, and storytelling. With more than a decade of international experience, Atilla’s focus is not on alcohol content, but on flavour as an emotional and cultural medium. Atilla will speak about emerging trends in flavour-driven no- and low alcohol by volume (ABV) beverages, sustainability-led design, and shifting consumer expectations.	Atilla Bús, Internationally Renowned Bartender and Author	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Guests increasingly expect a considered beverage offering, elevate your bar programme without major investment. 🍽️ The no and low category is the fastest growing segment in beverages globally. Get ahead of your customers' expectations now.
6:30 PM – 9:30 PM	People's Awards for Excellence, proudly sponsored by DB Breweries			Black Label Barbecue

Wednesday 24 June 2026

Time	Session	Synopsis	Speaker	Location	Why it matters for you
8:30 AM – 9:00 AM	Coffee & Networking			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Digital ID – How to Keep Up With and Get the Most From This Technology	Chris Goh has recently worked with New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs to facilitate the co-design of their Reference Architecture for their Digital Identity Services Trust Framework. Chris will give an insider look at how digital wallets and identity are reshaping loyalty, access and customer experience — and what hospitality and accommodation operators need to know to stay ahead.	Chris Goh, Valid8 Advisory	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Digital ID is set to transform how guests check in, verify age and access services, get ahead of the curve before it becomes an expectation. 🍽️ From age verification to loyalty programmes, digital identity is coming to your venue whether you're ready or not. This session makes sure you are.
	Accommodation in Action: Challenges, Change & Opportunity	A practical, no-fluff accommodation panel sharing insider OTA tips to boost visibility, protect margins, and turn third-party bookings into long-term direct revenue.	Amy Billaney, Rooms Online	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Built for you - practical tools to reduce OTA dependency, protect your margins and build a more sustainable bookings model.
10:15 AM – 10:40 AM	Morning Tea			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Cultural Authenticity in Digital Storytelling	Award-winning Social Media Creator Louis Davis will give a keynote presentation on building a brand through authenticity, grounded in culture and lived experience. No photos or videos are permitted.	Louis Davis, Social Media Creator	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Travellers increasingly choose experiences that feel real and connected to place. Learn how to tell your story in a way that converts browsers into bookers. 🍽️ Authentic storytelling is one of the most powerful and cost-effective marketing tools available to independent operators.
	Doing real work with AI: practical approaches to marketing, menus and hiring	JD brings a realistic view of what AI can do for industries like hospitality, where operational pressure is constant, and people are the product. He is focused on making AI work for hospitality teams to improve efficiency, reduce repetitive tasks, and free up staff to deliver better guest experiences, ensuring that advanced tools are both practical and accessible. In this session, JD will help you learn practical approaches to marketing, menus and hiring with AI digital tools.	John-Daniel (JD) Trask, Raygun	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 AI is already helping accommodation operators automate guest communications, optimise pricing and streamline hiring -find out what's practical and what's hype. 🍽️ From writing menu descriptions to screening job applicants, AI tools are saving operators hours every week.
	Annual General Meeting (Members only)			Bay Trust Forum
	Lunch			Trade Floor – Unison Arena
	Leadership Under Pressure: How You Show Up When It Matters Most	In hospitality, pressure is constant – but it’s in the toughest moment that leadership is exposed. When things go wrong, many operators default to control, stress and short-term thinking. The impact is immediate – on the team, the culture and how the business performs. Cameron Davies is the co-owner of The Fat Duck Gastropub in Te Anau and co-founder of Over The Pass. He brings over 20 years of experience across international kitchens and hospitality operations, and was recognised globally with an 8th place finish at the World Chefs Global Chef Challenge in 2024.	Cam Davies, The Fat Duck Gastropub	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 When disruption hits- and it will - how you lead determines whether your business survives or thrives. Hear from an operator who has done both. 🍽️ A practical leadership framework for navigating supply chain shocks, extreme weather and cost pressures - the new normal for hospo.
	Future of Hospitality Circular Hospitality: Waste-to-value case studies.	Waste isn’t just an operational issue — it’s one of the biggest hidden costs in hospitality. In this practical session, hear from operators who are not only reducing waste but actively turning it into value — improving margins, engaging staff, and strengthening their brand. You’ll gain real-world insights, honest lessons, and simple actions you can apply immediately — whether you run a hotel, café, bar or accommodation business.	Colin McLean, EVT & Megan Williams, Hospitality New Zealand	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Sustainability is increasingly a booking decision factor - see how leading operators are turning waste reduction into a genuine competitive advantage. 🍽️ Food waste is one of your biggest hidden costs. Learn how operators are converting waste into value and what that means for your margins and brand.
	The Four Non-Negotiables That Drive Performance, Growth & Loyalty	Preston Lee is an entrepreneur and hospitality expert who founded The 30% Rule in 2023 to help independent restaurants scale by focusing on culture, systems, training and leadership development. Preston returns today to focus on why certain brands break out when others stay stagnant, when they have similar resources. He will introduce a simple framework around the four core areas every successful restaurant must get right.	Preston Lee, The 30% Rule	Bay Trust Forum	🏨 Whether you run one motel or a portfolio of properties, these four fundamentals are the difference between a business that survives and one that scales. 🍽️ A clear, practical framework for building a venue that is profitable, consistent and built to last -this session ties everything together.
	CEO Remarks & Whakamutunga	A moment to pause and reflect. Hear from Hospitality New Zealand Chief Executive, Kristy Phillips, as she closes the conference acknowledging the conversations, celebrating our industry and setting our sights on what comes next.	Kristy Phillips, Hospitality New Zealand	Bay Trust Forum
6:30 PM – 11:00 PM	Business Awards for Excellence, proudly sponsored by LION			Bay Trust Forum

For exact session timings, check the official EventsAir app, but use this page to get the lay of the land, plan your time, connect with purpose, and make the most of every moment