2024 Conference Speakers

Heather is a seasoned sales director with a track record of exceeding targets and building strong client relationships in international leisure markets. With a background in B2B and B2C sales, she has been known to build and grow Portland’s primary international markets across the globe. She has a natural ability to understand customer needs and consistently exceeds Travel Portland’s annual goals. She prides herself on her creative and strategic approaches, which have helped her thrive in a highly competitive market of fantastic U.S. destinations. Outside of work, she is sure to take advantage of all that Portland has to offer. From the incredible outdoor access to an exceptional culinary scene. Throw a little music and art on top and she is ready to enjoy an incredible city adventure. 

Alannah has been with Hostelworld for 16 years working with the EMEA and North American markets. A long-time advocate of the North American Hostel sector, she has hosted and presented at events across the US and Canada bringing hostels together to help grow the region and advocate for hostelling as an accommodation choice in the travel industry.  After a brief hiatus (and 3 children!) from looking after the North American market, she is delighted to be back working with the hostel community here and looking forward to sharing insights and all things new happening at Hostelworld to help grow the business into the region. 

One of the company’s earliest joiners, Erica has held multiple roles on the supply side of the business over the years. With over 20 years’ experience contracting new hostels as well as account management Erica manages the commercial team responsible for strengthening hostel partnerships and optimizing their business with Hostelworld. Erica has had significant experience with the North American hostel market throughout her time with Hostelworld and is committed to the growth of hostels in the market.

Rocio is passionate about sustainable travel and has been working closely with the North American hostels for the past year. A keen hosteller herself, she is excited to experience some of the great hostels the region has to offer in person and is looking forward to working together to grow the business within the US.

Frankie Maduzia is a Pacific Northwest native and active pursuer of global travel. Since living in Ecuador as an exchange student at age 17, he can’t finish one trip before planning the next. “I like to think I’m retracing the steps of early explorers and great thinkers” -- from Charles Darwin on the Galapagos Islands to Edmund Hillary at Mount Everest base camp. As a medical technician with long hours and extended time off, Frankie traveled the world networking with amazing people of all cultures and hopes Bunk+Brew will help fellow travelers do the same. Frankie is the Chair of the North America Hostel Association ("NAHA") Membership Committee and is currently residing in Portugal starting a co-living / co-working project for digital nomads in Tomar, Portugal.

J. is an adopted Oregon native and licensed Oregon attorney.  Prior to Bunk+Brew, J. spent four years consulting in-house for an IT company taking cloud-based analytics software to market and negotiating hundreds of deals totaling over $5 million in sales.  Taking a break in Fall 2015, he purchased a 4x4 in Los Angeles and drove from Mexico to Panama.  His experience staying in hostels along that journey led to the inspiration behind Bunk+Brew and his continued travel to other hostels in over 60 countries. J. is the current President of the North American Hostel Association ("NAHA").

Jim been developing and operating hostels for 45 years. He developed four hostels in Oregon and has consulted in the development of many across the US. Jim served for 15 years on the national board for HI-USA, representing the private hostels within the network.  He and his wife Britta currently own and operate the Northwest Portland Hostel, which has received a number of awards including the Hostelworld Hosca for the 3 best mid-size hostel in the world; HI national award for the highest standard ratings in the country three times, and was ranked #5 in the world by HI online users. He has received the organization’s highest award for hostel development, The Open Door Award, and the highest award for hostel programming, the Interpret America Award. Jim has a degree from The Evergreen State College and in his 20’s, received his Union Carpenters status. Jim also co-owns Zigzag Mountain Farm, a 50-acre property in the forests of Mt. Hood with yurts, cabin, tiny house and camping. Jim is the past President of the North American Hostel Association and current board member.

Brian Shahum is a seasoned insurance professional with over two decades of experience in the industry both domestically and abroad. As a dedicated commercial insurance broker at USI Insurance Services, Brian focuses on partnering with companies in the Hospitality and Lodging Practice arena. Brian is committed to providing his customers with the most comprehensive coverage options at the most competitive prices. With his expertise and extensive knowledge, Brian assists businesses in navigating the complexities of insurance, ensuring they are properly protected against risks. His passion for delivering tailored solutions has earned him a reputation for excellence in the field. Brian’s dedication to his customers and his commitment to excellence make him a trusted advisor in the insurance industry.

Born in Geneva, Switzerland, with roots reaching Brazil, I blend Swiss precision and Brazilian passion. Proud father of two wonderful girls who inspire me daily.

Soccer aficionado on and off the field, I find rhythm as a drummer and an average tennis player. My journey in the hostel industry began in 2006, with stints at Hostelworld and Hostelling International, solidifying my passion for hostels and their unique culture.

Cloudbeds OG, I've been an integral part of the team for a decade, spearheading innovations that drive worldwide growth in the hostel industry.

Mateusz (aka "Mat') Sznir is the CEO of Montreal-based Pricepoint, specializing in AI-powered pricing for hostels and hotels. With a background as a serial entrepreneur, Mateusz has co-founded successful ventures including FrontDesk Master, a web-based PMS. Notably, he also co-founded Good Bye Lenin Hostels in Poland in 2006, offering a unique perspective on the country's history and culture. Mateusz is driven by challenges and has a passion for innovation in the hospitality industry.

Ryan is the operator of the newly opened Monterey Hostel and the executive director of HostelingOn, a nonprofit that was founded in response to seeing established hostels close during the pandemic. Before relocating to Central California, he managed the Nashville Downtown Hostel and Music City Hostel in Tennessee. Ryan has a BA in graphic design and is currently finishing his MBA in sustainable business. He is passionate about making travel more affordable and accessible while also reducing the adverse impacts tourism has on the environment and local communities. His hostel, Monterey Hostel, opened on March 1 of this year after a challenging 3.5-year development process. Come visit and see it! In his spare time, he enjoys kayaking, hiking, smoking BBQ, drinking cocktails, and hot tubs. 

Sydney and Thea are two people who never thought they would go into business together. They met in 2018 as competitors in Denver, CO when their hostels began operating just a few blocks from one another. They quickly founded The Hostel Collective just so they could spread more camaraderie and solidarity to other hostel owners and operators. They held the first Gathering in 2018, bringing 20 Colorado hostels together and it proved to be very successful. By 2022, they took the Gathering nation-wide. The Gathering is dedicated to offering an intimate, safe place to learn, free of OTAs and sales-pitches, that connects USA hostel teams. They quickly identified a need to market and promote USA hostels and educate USA travelers and launched Hosteling.US in April, 2023. Hosteling.US is a travel site dedicated exclusively to promoting the unique and awesome USA hostels and work to drive more direct bookings and take some power back from the OTAs.

After 3 years of working for an architect firm in Germanys beautiful north I

started travelling. I used my good profession more and more only to bring money and to finance the next big trip into the world. After a couple of years I settled in Osnabrueck – a small and cozy town that felt like home. Here came the idea to open a backpackers hostel. 2001 the Penthouse-Backpackers Osnabrueck opened its doors, beds and terrace for the weary traveler, until it closed its doors 23 years later in December 2023. I then opened a smaller hostel in the cute harbor town in Husum, the Sleeptide-Hostel with only 25 beds.

In 2000, with fewer hostels in Germany, it was clear that we all needed to work together. As we likeminded hostel operators met, we realized that this was exactly what we needed to gain more strength and to help each other. In 2002, the Backpacker Network Germany was founded.

I was elected as one of the leaders in 2009. Since then I saw my role more as getting the hostels together worldwide: hence my interest in meetings where hostel owners of all nationalities gather. We compiled a list of the hostel networks known to us on a world map at www.backpackers-united.eu. Over the years I have taken part in many conferences and I’m a strong believer in a growing power through networking – that’s why I am happy to meet you all this year in North America.

Angela is, based in San Francisco. She first started with HI USA at the San Francisco Downtown hostel where she was the General Manager for several years before taking on her current position supporting all 14 hostels. Prior to that, she has over 15 years of hotel experience working with properties of all sizes. Her career began in Housekeeping and Rooms Operations roles before progressing to General Manager of multiple properties. In her free time, she follows her sports teams and enjoys traveling to watch the games wherever they may be playing, across the US and abroad. 

With over a decade of experience in design, project management, marketing strategy and creative direction, Joe has combined his passions of travel, art, community and hospitality to launch the first hostel in his hometown of Greenville, SC called Modal Coffee & Hostel which received the 2021 HOSCAR for Extraordinary Inclusive Hostel by Hostelworld. He also freelances as creative services professional on projects such as branding, graphic design, website development, photo production, interior design and general creative consulting. Since 2022, Joe has been the acting Chair of the ATAX Advisory Committee for the City of Greenville. He also serves as the Co-Chair for the Queer Arts Initiative, a program he founded in partnership with the Upstate SC LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce to inform, support, and promote queer artistic professionals in South Carolina. 

Joe Gill is the owner and operator of three hostels in North Carolina. He started Bon Paul & Sharky's in Asheville at the age of 26 with $100 cash and a two credit cards. Thirteen years later, Joe has an MBA and a MS from Appalachian State University. In addition to being an entrepreneur, he works as an energy efficiency consultant for a utility company, assist new start ups as a small business coach, and serves as board member for a local children's theater. In his spare time he enjoys traveling, trail running, and thinking up new business ideas.

Peter Zielke joined Safestay in February 2023. His international hospitality career spans over 25 years with management and director positions held in Germany, the UK, Russia, New Zealand and other countries. Prior joining Safestay, he held the position of Director of Operations for the South-UK region and was in charge for a portfolio of Marriott International and IHG branded properties. Peters key focus is to optimise commercial returns for Safestay and its stakeholder, by targeted marketing activities and branded operational management. Peter was Chairman of the London Gatwick Hotels Association until March 2023 and a member of various business focus groups within the UK.

Mario joined Safestay hostels & hotels in 2019, initially to drive top line revenue generation across the existing portfolio and then to further develop commercial opportunities across the group, most recently with the implementation of our yield management platform. He has 20+ years’ experience in hospitality and started his career in 2000 with Best Western International in Milan. From there he went on covering various revenue management roles for branded, franchised and independent hotels within Ireland and the UK. Since 2023, he has been mentoring at the University of Greenwich in London.

Stephen Green is a strategy, operations, and financial leader with a passion for community impact and building trust. He has a track record of helping founders understand how to work "ON" the business, rather than just "IN" the business, in order to achieve results and manage growth effectively. Stephen has experience as a founder and investor. He is also a startup mentor, a founder of “PitchBlack” a pitch competition, and has served in leadership positions at several companies, including WeWork.