And just like that: A truly resilient industry is back!
NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo '22: The event that connected people at the right time and in the right place
This week, AccomNews and hundreds of passionate industry colleagues descended on the International Convention Centre Sydney (ICC Sydney) to attend one of the accommodation industry’s most popular and beloved events, NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo ’22.
And there was so much goodness to experience on the NoVacancy expo floor.
This year CEO and Co-Founder, Brad Langton and the NoVacancy team brought together the best industry minds, the hottest case studies, a variety of jam-packed panel discussions, real people, real artists, real designers, really passionate exhibitors, and suppliers.
…And who could ever forget the stunning roaring 1920s cocktail lounge by StudioFab!
At the Expo, visitors found everything from the newest hospitality high-tech solutions, robots, apps, and booking platforms to beds, kettles, toasters, and water fountains with everything in between. There were thousands of solutions to help optimise hospitality operations and exceed guest expectations.
This year the NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo certainly felt worlds apart from the event last year!
At the NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo in 2021, Dave Baswal, Managing Director ANZ Ovolo Hotels described 2020 as a year of uncertainty. He described COVID as a humbling experience and spoke about his frustration at the sudden Melbourne shutdown, followed by hotel cancellations that occurred just days before the expo in 2021.
But this year was very different…
At this event, Mr Baswal put it beautifully when he said: “In just one year, we’ve seen our industry adapt under enormous pressure only to evolve into something greater.
“The excitement for a restored hospitality sector was palpable yesterday and it’s incredible just how different our discussions are.”
He said it was great to be on the panel with Gabby Daniels, Graham Perry, Jerry Schwartz, and Shaizeen Contractor, speaking about the emergence of lifestyle brands, people, and technology, and fantastic to catch up with many familiar faces.
Speaker, Sandra Swatton, Outsourced Services, Sales Trainer & Conference Founder, fully agreed with Mr Baswal and said: “it’s great to be a part of an industry that bounces back with true resilience!”
Moderator, Michael Johnson, CEO of TAA, described the event as a very enjoyable and productive two days that was well attended, he added that he had received lots of positive feedback from suppliers and exhibitors.
Mr Johnson was also impressed by how well attended all the panels had been and he put this down to the “compelling content” and positivity in the room.
He said: “The NoVacancy team should give themselves a pat on the back.”
He also pointed out that NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo ’22 was a historic moment for leading industry associations Tourism Accommodation Australia (TAA) and Accommodation Association of Australia (AAoA), with it being the first time they’ve ever shared a booth.
He said: “This occasion highlighted just how far the proposed amalgamation had come.”
At the event it was also announced that Richard Munro will depart from AAoA on September 30 with his contract as Interim CEO coming to an end, wrapping up his tenure that has seen him play a significant role in the proposed amalgamation, which is now due to be formalised by mid-2023.
Enthusiastic exhibitor, Leah Rankin, Siteminder said it had been “a great event for the hospitality industry”, and she thought it was very efficient to not only bring everyone together again but to also showcase products and services in such a dynamic environment.
The event was also described by an international visitor as the perfect place to fly in and attend such a varied marketplace and to be given the opportunity to meet so many Australian accommodation industry operators, providers, suppliers, and services in one place.
The variety of inquisitive visitors who stopped to chat with exhibitors was outstanding this year. Investors, providers, and purchasers were visibly excited to explore such a huge variety of products and services in such an informal and relaxed but buzzing marketplace with so many perfectly curated suppliers under one roof.
Until next time…
It has been a blast and AccomNews looks forward to seeing you at NoVacancy Hotel + Accommodation Industry Expo ’23.
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