Maximum Occupancy New Zealand 2026 is set to return to Auckland with a packed agenda and over 30 speakers confirmed to take the stage.
Bringing together the country's leading hoteliers, tourism executives, technology innovators and industry bodies, the conference will deliver a full day of commercially focused insights designed to help accommodation operators grow revenue, strengthen direct bookings and drive long-term profitability.
Delegates will hear proven strategies and real-world case studies on how to increase revenue in a shifting demand landscape, strengthen direct booking performance and reduce OTA dependency, leverage technology and AI to improve marketing and operations, and capitalise on major events, business travel and international recovery
Who’s coming to Auckland?
This year's speaker line-up represents every corner of the accommodation and tourism ecosystem, including:
- Hon. Louise Upston – Minister for Tourism and Hospitality
- Craig Bonner – Managing Director, Cordis Auckland
- Lisa Hopkins – Chief Executive, BEIA
- Prue Daly – General Manager, NZICC
- Kirsty Phillips – Chief Executive, HNZ
- Karl Luxon – CEO, Scenic Hotel Group
- Rod Munro – Managing Director Australasia, BWH Hotels
- Tim Alpe – Managing Director, Lylo
- David Ovendale – CEO, TOP10 Holiday Parks
- James Doolan – Hotel Council Aotearoa
- Paul Wilson – Vice President Hospitality APAC, Amadeus (flying in from Bangkok)
- Michael Stamboulidis – General Manager, QT Auckland
- Raymond Faulkner – Vice President Operations, Swiss-Belhotel International
With representation from global hotel brands, independent operators, event leaders, tourism bodies and international technology providers, the 2026 conference promises one of the strongest line-ups in the event's history.
