Schedule and timing may change slightly as we confirm final details.​

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Host Hostel — Opening Reception:
M Montreal Hostel

1245 Rue Saint-André, Montréal, QC H2L 3T1

📍 Google Maps

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Conference Venue:
UQAM Pavillon Sherbrooke

Multipurpose Room (SH-4800)

200 Sherbrooke St W, Montreal, Quebec H2X 1X5

📍 Google Maps

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Wednesday Awards Banquet & Party:

L'Ambroisie et L'Espace Canal

4020 Rue Saint-Ambroise porte #140, Montréal, QC H4C 3J9 

📍 Google Maps​

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April 28 Tuesday​

 

4:00 PM

Registration Opens @ M Café 

 

6:30 PM

Opening Night Reception @ M Bar​​​

Sponsored by FreeGuides​

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> Bienvenue à Montréal! Kick things off with complimentary drinks, bites, and good vibes. Mingle, play games, and meet your fellow hosteliers in this casual opening reception. 
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April 29 Wednesday​

 

7:00 - 9:00 AM     

Breakfast @ M Café@ M or Samesun Hostels

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> Breakfast is available at your hostel. Attendees may pick up optional breakfast vouchers at registration for use at M Café.

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8:30 AM          

Registration & Sponsor Lounge Open

@ UQAM Pavillon Sherbrooke (200 Sherbrooke St W)

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9:00 AM

Welcome To Montreal!

🎤 J. Charles Griggs, President (NAHA) & Co-Owner (Bunk & Brew Hostel)​

 

9:15 AM

Hostel Spotlight: Canada - M Montreal Hostel

🎤 Maria Zacharakis, Head of Operations & Communications (M Montreal Hostel)

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9:30 AM

Travel Trends in North America

🎤 TBD (Hostelworld)

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10:00 AM

What Booking Data Reveals About Hospitality

In this session, we explore booking and pricing patterns drawn from a directional sample of more than 1,000 properties across markets, formats, and currencies. From macro shifts and major events to OTA dependency, cancellation risk, last-minute pricing myths, and the differences between hotels and hostels, this presentation shows what reservation data can actually reveal about how the industry behaves.

🎤 Hovig Khatcherian, Hospitality Solutions Consultant (Pricepoint) 

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10:30 AM

Coffee Break @ Sponsor Lounge

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10:45 AM

Bed Bugs 101

Don’t let bed bugs ruin the vibe. Learn how to spot them early, stop them from spreading, and respond with confidence. We’ll cover detection, prevention, treatment basics, and guest communication so you can protect your space and stay ahead of the problem.

🎤 Ole Carrillo, Owner (Base Camp Anchorage Hostel)

 

11:05 AM

Panel Discussion: Adapting to Changing Traveler Demographics

Hostel have evolved since COVID and continue to shift. Who are today’s guests, and how are operators adapting? This panel explores strategies to reach emerging markets—from groups and families to boutique-style offerings.

🎤 Dave Cook, Owner (Barn Door Hostel & Campground)

🎤 Jim Kennett, Owner (Northwest Portland Hostel)

🎤 Ryan Oetting, Operator (Monterey Hostel)
 

12:00 PM

Lunch @ Sponsor Lounge

Sponsored by HI Canada & HI USA

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12:45 PM

Group Discussions: Strategy & Idea Exchange

Break out into small groups. Participants can choose and rotate between the following informal discussion tables:

• Building Direct Bookings

• Financing & Budgeting (Leases, Loans, & Capital Planning)

• Getting Guest Reviews

• Paid Advertising

• Scheduling: What’s Working for You?

• Staff Recognition Programs

• Storytelling & Branding

• Tips for Managing Volunteers

• Website Ideas & Technology

• Working with Influencers

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1:35 PM

Gameshow: Hostel Family Feud!

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2:05 PM

Hostel Spotlight: Mexico - Hostal El Cielo Oaxaca

🎤 Noe Diaz, Operator​

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2:20 PM

CyberSecurity 101 for Hostels

🎤 Stephan Leuenberger, Head of Market Development (Cloudbeds)

An overview to cybersecurity and digital risk management tailored for hostel operations. Learn how to identify common threats, protect guest data, and implement practical safeguards across your operation. 

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2:40 PM

Coffee Break @ Sponsor Lounge

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3:00 PM

Favorite Things: Hostel Hacks That Work

Oprah had her favorite things, and so do we! NAHA has gathered top picks from hostel owners and operators, from products and tools to cost-saving ideas and techniques. Hear quick highlights, and come prepared to share your own favorites.

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3:50 PM

Using Virtual Assistants

How can virtual assistants support hostel operations? Learn where to find them, how to communicate effectively, and how to implement best practices.

🎤 Bobby Dyer, Co-Owner (ITH & HostelManagement.com)

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4:05 PM

NAHA Benefits & Partnerships

How can virtual assistants support hostel operations? Learn where to find them, how to communicate effectively, and how to implement best practices.

🎤 Frankie Maduzia, Co-Owner (Bunk & Brew Hostel)

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4:20 PM

Final Thoughts of the Day

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4:30 PM

Adjourn

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6:00 PM

Cocktail Hour @ L'Ambroisie et L'Espace Canal​​

Sponsored by Hostelworld​

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>  Enjoy a complimentary welcome cocktail and canapés, courtesy of Hostelworld, along with scenic views of the Lachine Canal and the gardens of Château St-Ambroise. Mingle with fellow attendees before the dinner banquet.

→ Coat check & cash bar available

→ There is paid parking at the venue. We recommend using public transit or ride share with others. 

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6:45 PM

Dinner Banquet & Awards Ceremony

Sponsored by MEWS

 

>  Celebrate the best of our industry at NAHA’s inaugural Awards Banquet. The evening, sponsored by MEWS, features a seated prix-fixe dinner, presentation of the NAHA Awards, and a night of celebration. Dress for the occasion, then stay for a DJ and dancing to close out the night!

→ Please arrive and be seated by 6:45 PM for table service

→ Late arrivals will be assigned a pre-selected meal

→ Guests with dietary accommodations should inform their server when ordering

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9:00 PM

Epic Dance Party

Sponsored by Hostelworld

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April 30 Thursday​

 

7:00 AM - 9:00 AM

Breakfast @ M Café

sponsored by Pricepoint​

 

> Breakfast is available at your hostel. Attendees may pick up breakfast vouchers at registration for use at M Café, courtesy of Pricepoint. 

 

8:30 AM

Venue & Sponsor Lounge Open 

@ UQAM Pavillon Sherbrooke (200 Sherbrooke St W)

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9:00 AM

Day 2 Welcome & Sponsor Shoutouts

🎤 J. Charles Griggs, President (NAHA) & Co-Owner (Bunk & Brew Hostel)​

 

9:10 AM

Hostel Spotlight: USA - Barndoor Hostel & Campground

🎤 Dave Cook, Owner​

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9:30 AM

Panel Discussion: The Pros and Cons of Automated Processes

Many hostels are adopting self-check-in and other automated systems. In this panel, experienced operators share what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the real costs and savings behind automation.

🎤 Deirdre Felgar, Owner (Sin City Hostel)
🎤 Kevin Kent, General Manager (Green Tortoise, San Francisco)

🎤 Morrie Haslock, Reservations Manager (Park City Hostel)

🎤 Zach Fairchild, Co-Director (Detroit Hostel)
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10:15 AM

Deescalation Training​

DIscuss practical techniques to defuse tense guest situations, communicate clearly under pressure, and maintain a safe, welcoming environment. 

🎤 Angela Morris, Director of Hostel Services (HI USA)

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10:30 AM

Coffee Break @ Sponsor Lounge

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10:50 AM

Driving Revenue Through Tours & Experiences

🎤 Marco Fiallo, Founder/CEO (Community Hostel, Ecuador)

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11:10 AM

Panel Discussion: Advancing the Hostel Industry: Network Strategies in Action 
🎤 Safestay, HI USA, HI Canada, & Europe's Famous Hostels

 

12:00 PM

Lunch @ Sponsor Lounge

Sponsored by Sleeptite

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12:45 PM

Speed Dating with Industry Experts

Rotate through quick, small-group conversations with sponsors and partners to explore resources, ask questions, and discover solutions for your hostel in an interactive format.

 

1:35 PM

Breakout Tables: Strategy & Idea Exchange

Break out into small groups. Participants can choose and rotate between the following facilitator-led discussion tables:

• Alternative Revenue Streams

• Bed Bugs

• Building World-Class Guest Experiences

• Community Building & Events

• Emergency Planning

• Hostel Development: Accessibility & Inclusive Hostel Design

• Hostel Startup & Business Planning

• NAHA Member Listing

• Protecting Your Brand/Intellectual Property

• Virtual Assistants

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2:20 PM

Coffee Break @ Sponsor Lounge

Sponsored by Pricepoint

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2:35 PM

Traveler Survey

🎤 TBD (Hostelworld)

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3:00 PM

Gameshow: Top Bunk Trivia!

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3:15 PM

Practical Uses of AI in Hostels

How can AI improve your hostel? Join this interactive discussion to share ideas and explore ways to enhance operations and guest experience. Come prepared to contribute strategies.

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3:45 PM

"Stay" by BHostel

Episode 1: "A Story of Passion and Place"
In a city known for doing things differently, one couple turned a shared dream into a living room for the world. "A Story of Passion and Place" steps inside a Hostel, where backpackers, neighbors, and strangers become something closer to family. Through late-night conversations, quiet moments of vulnerability, and a deep love of hospitality, this episode captures what happens when the people who run a hostel care as much as the people who stay there.

🎤 Exclusively Produced by Cloudbeds

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4:05 PM

What's Next for NAHA? (and How You Can Help)

A conversation on NAHA’s priorities and direction, plus how you can get involved, contribute, and help shape what comes next.

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4:30 PM

Adjourn

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5:30 PM

Happy Hour @ M Bar

Sponsored by Cloudbeds

 

> The conference sessions may have ended, but when hostel folk get together, the party never stops! Gather at the M Bar for a complementary drink courtesy of Cloudbeds. Then, enjoy dinner out in small groups (M Montreal Hostel has curated an awesome list of local spots to try). ​

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6:30 PM

Dinner Out in Small Groups at Local Restaurants

Sponsored by Cloudbeds​

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A big thank you to ASSD, Cloudbeds, FreeGuides, HI Canada, HI USA, Hostelworld, MEWS, Pricepoint, Sleeptite, and our supporting sponsors for their support of NAHA's mission and for making this conference possible!