Skift Take
Join us this January for Skift Megatrends events in New York City (January 7) and London (January 9) to explore the transformative ideas reshaping travel in 2025, featuring insights from industry leaders, engaging panel discussions, and networking opportunities with industry leaders.
— Becca Smith
Our annual Skift Megatrends events are back this January, exploring the big ideas and forces reshaping the travel industry for the year ahead. Join us in New York City on January 7 and London on January 9 as we kick off 2025 with in-depth interviews with industry leaders and innovators, led by Skift’s editorial and research teams. Here’s what’s in store for both events:
Megatrends New York City – January 7 Agenda:
- Megatrends Overview: Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit will kick off the event by outlining this year’s Megatrends and the transformative ideas reshaping the travel industry.
- A Big Picture View on Travel in 2025: Steve Hafner, CEO of KAYAK, will speak with Editor-in-Chief, Sarah Kopit, and Head of Research, Seth Borko, to discuss how AI, influencer marketing, and event-driven tourism are shaping the travel landscape for younger, premium, and pet-friendly travelers.
- How Technology Can Connect the Dots: Richard Valtr, Founder of Mews, will explore the impact of AI and data on enhancing the guest experience, maximizing service offerings for hotels, and reducing end-to-end friction in travel.
- The Rise of Premium for Airlines: Brett Catlin, Vice President of Loyalty and Marketing at Alaska Airlines, will share his views on increased competition in premium offerings for airlines, how loyalty programs need to adapt to stay ahead, and a view into Alaska plans for brand growth in 2025.
- Quiet Luxury and Adapting to the Post-Luxury Consumer: Shannon Knapp, CEO of Leading Hotels of the World, will share insights into how hotels are responding to the evolving needs of luxury travelers with sustainable, authentic experiences.
- Disruptions Ahead for AI and Travel Search: Thomas Reiner, Partner at Altimeter Capital, will speak with Skift CEO/Founder Rafat Ali, exploring how we might be under-estimating AI-driven changes to search and consumer behaviors this year, how this might disrupt Google’s dominance, and what the industry can do to adapt.
Megatrends London – January 9 Agenda:
- Megatrends Overview: Skift Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit will again kick off the event by outlining the transformative trends reshaping travel in 2025.
- Tourism Strategy in a Changing Climate: Susanne Andersson, CEO of VisitSweden, and Miguel Sanz, Director General at Turespaña, will discuss how cooler climates are reshaping tourism, the rise of live tourism (sports and entertainment events) for destinations, and how digitization will help promote more sustainable travel in the future.
- Riyadh Air’s Strategy: We’ll sit down with Riyadh Air CEO Tony Douglas to discuss the airline’s plans for 2025, how it will leverage Saudi Arabia’s youthful demographic, Tony’s views on hyperpersonalization, and the innovations he has planned for the airline.
- Reimagining the Post-Luxury Hotel Experience: Sarah Doyle, Deputy Managing Director and VP of Global Brand Leadership at Design Hotels, will explore the brand’s shift towards understated, sustainable, and personalized luxury experiences.
- Understanding the Impact of Influencers and Creators on Travel: Hannah Bennett, Head of Travel at TikTok, will discuss how influencers and social commerce are transforming travel marketing and bookings, and what brands can do about it.
Both events will end with networking receptions after the sessions have concluded.
Why Attend?
Skift Megatrends offers a unique opportunity to engage with 250+ industry leaders and decision makers, gain insights into emerging trends, and network with top innovators shaping the future of travel. If you haven’t been, you won’t want to miss out on these exciting and thought provoking events. Register today, as passes are limited.
