2024 Portland Conference
Our 2024 Portland event was a tremendous success! we brought hostel Industry Professionals from all over North America in one place. We Had Speakers, Workshops, and no shortage of fun together during our time at this event. Most of us stayed at the NW Portland Hostel, allowing us to see and learn how one of the best hostels on on the West Coast Operates.
What Was Included!
Some Highlights
Portland was a great up and coming destination with plenty to entertain us before and after the conference! Thanks you Northwest Hostels and all the sponsors for the amazing hospitatility.
What was on the Agenda
TUESDAY, APRIL 23
Location: NW Portland Hostel (479 NW 18th Ave)
3:00 PM
Registration Open
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6:30 PM
Evening Social sponsored by Cloudbeds​
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WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24
Location: EcoTrust Building (721 NW 9th Ave) [Note: breakfast will be at NW Portland Hostel]
7:00 AM
Breakfast/Networking @ NW Portland Hostel sponsored by HI USA
8:30 AM
Registration Open @ EcoTrust Building
9:00 AM
Welcome to Portland
Presentation: Working with Destination Marketing Organizations
Heather Anderson, Director of International Tourism, Travel Portland
10:00 AM
Host Hostel Spotlights & FAM Tour
NW Portland Hostel, Portland, OR - Jim Kennett, Owner
Bunk+Brew, Bend, OR - Frankie Maduzia & J. Charles Griggs, Co-Founder, Co-Owners
10:30 AM
Coffee Break sponsored by Travel Portland
11:00 AM
Presentation: NAHA - Why We Are Here
J. Charles Griggs, President, North American Hostel Association
11:15 AM
Presentation: Youth Travel in North America
Alannah De Faoite, Commercial Manager, Hostelworld and
Erica McMahon, Regional Manager, EMEA & Americas, Hostelworld
12:00 PM
Lunch sponsored by HI USA
1:00 PM
Presentation: Trends Shaping the Travel Landscape
Stephan Leuenberger, Head of Market Development, Hostels, Cloudbeds
2:00 PM
Educational Session: AI-Powered Revenue Management
Mateusz Sznir, CEO, PricePoint
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2:30 PM
Educational Session: Traveler Chats, LinkUps and Sustainability
Rocio Fuente, Associate Market Manager North America, Hostelworld
3:00 PM
Coffee Break sponsored by Travel Portland
3:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Hostel Spotlights
Bon Paul & Sharkey’s Hostel - Joe Gill, Owner/Operator
Monterey Hostel - Ryan Oetting, Executive Director & Operator
Safestay - Peter Zielke, Chief Operating Officer
Che Hostels – Matias Frank, Founder
4:45 PM
Feedback Session: Shaping NAHA - Your Expectations and Needs
J. Charles Griggs, President, North American Hostel Association ("NAHA")
5:15 PM
Adjourn
6:30 PM
Dinner and Party @ The Mission Theater (1624 NW Glisan St) sponsored by Hostelworld
10:30 PM
After-Party @ NW Portland Hostel
THURSDAY, APRIL 25
Location: EcoTrust Building (721 NW 9th Ave) [Note: breakfast will be at NW Portland Hostel]
7:00 AM
Breakfast/Networking @ NW Portland Hostel sponsored by Goki
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9:00 AM
Presentation: The Hostel Collective
Syndey Ilg Malone & Thea Delamater, Co-Founders
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9:20 AM
Presentation: HI USA Referral Program for Independent Hostels
Angela Morris, Director of Hostel Services, HI USA
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9:40 AM
Presentation: Diversity in Hostels
Joe Hindman, Owner and General Manager, Modal Hostel
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10:30 AM
Coffee Break sponsored by Safestay
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11:00 AM
Presentation: Insurance Needs for Hostels
Brian Shahum, Senior Broker - Property & Casualty, USI Insurance Services
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11:30 AM
Lunch with Affinity Tables sponsored by Goki
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1:30 PM
Panel Discussion: Starting Business Associations
Cathrin Essbach, Backpacker Network Germany
Stephen Green, Business for a Better Portland
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2:45 PM
Feedback Session: What Should NAHA Focus On?
J. Charles Griggs, President, North American Hostel Association
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3:30 PM
Coffee Break sponsored by Mews
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4:00 PM
Action: Join a Working Group/Committee and Next Steps
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5:15 PM
Adjourn
6:30 PM
Evening Out in Small Groups at Local Restaurants
What Topics Were Covered
during this Event?
Optimizing Google Business
Presented by the CEO of Locl, a trusted marking firm specializing in Google Business profiles.
Revenue Management
Learn about the importance of revenue management and pricing your beds/rooms. Presented by Pricepoint.
Human intervention training
In this session, you will learn specific techniques to help with troublesome guests or outsiders at your hostel.
6 trends shaping the travel landscape
Strategies for adapting to the six trends shaping the travel landscape and ensure long-term growth. Presented by Cloudbeds.
Working with local tourism boards
Travel Portland's VP of International Affairs will discuss how hostels can work with their locaion travel and tourism organizations.
Diversity in hostels
Joe Hindman of Modal Hostel discusses diversity in hostels with an emphasis on the LGBTQ+ community.
Using Hostelworld's LinkUps
Use Hostelworld's LinkUps to your advantage! Learn all about the ins and outs to posting your activities.
The state of youth travel
Hostelworld will talk to us about the current state of youth travel-- particularly in North America.
Insurance needs for hostels
Learn about insurance needs and get your questions answered by an expert in the insurance field.
How NAHA can help hostels
We want to hear from you! How can NAHA best help hostels in North America? What would you like to see us do together?