During the event, HOT management unveiled advancements in robotics and AI alongside significant investment in data and insights to enhance the customer journey.
Hosted at The Outpost Hotel on Sentosa Island, the three-day event included an afternoon exploring Singapore and a rooftop cocktail reception at 1-Altitude Coast.
HoT Holdings board member Therese Arseneau gave a keynote titled ‘An Unexpected Journey’, in theme with the conference’s focus on stepping up to new challenges. She shared how a small-town girl from Sydney, Nova Scotia, ended up in leadership roles shaping the future of Christchurch.
CEO David Coombes reflected on another year of consistent growth. He acknowledged the role of everyone in the room in achieving this success, particularly during a cost-of-living crisis, and reinforced the company’s focus on delivering a market-leading customer experience.
A highlight of day two was the presentation from Dennis Payne and Jason Kroupa, owners of the two pilot stores for HoT’s new AI-powered booking platform. The platform features natural language search and intelligent itinerary generation with live pricing and availability.
On the social front, the conference split into four groups for curated experiences across Singapore. One group cycled through historic neighbourhoods and riverside landmarks, including a stretch of the Formula 1 route. Food lovers walked the city tasting along the way from handpicked stalls. Sentosa Spectacular delivered thrills by cable car, Skyline Luge, and SkyHelix, plus a hosted lunch and a visit to Harry Potter: Visions of Magic. Others rode vintage Vespa sidecars through Joo Chiat’s colourful shophouses, ending with a local lunch at Lau Pa Sat.
Thursday’s dinner at Mimi in Clarke Quay, hosted with the support of Singapore Tourism Board, took place on the upper floor of The Riverhouse in Clarke Quay. The conference wrapped with a river cruise on chartered bumboats, then farewell drinks at Rico Rico in Clarke Quay.
On a sidecar famil... Nicky de Clifford, HOT Merivale & Prestons
Kylie Rutland, HoT; Jo Inglis, Air New Zealand; on a cycling city tour
Paula Watson and Jenna Servantie, both HOT HQ outside Mimi restaurant Clarke Quay
Carla McKinnon, HOT Wanganui; Therese Arseneau, keynote speaker and HOT Holdings board member; Kelly Ann Patterson, HOT Lower Hutt
Duanne Perrot, Air New Zealand, HOT’s Sarah Crowe and Tania Matselskaya; Stu Jones, Air New Zealand.
