Phocuswright Conference Returns with “Game On”: A Theme Marking the Start of a New Era of Travel Innovation

Industry leaders, technologists, and investors to convene in San Diego for Phocuswright’s boldest program yet – featuring high-stakes strategy, breakthrough insights, and a fully carbon-neutral commitment

 

SAN DIEGO, CA, August 12 –  One of the travel industry’s most highly-regarded events, The Phocuswright Conference, returns this November to the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego, unveiling a fresh and ambitious theme: “Game On.”  This marks a bold new direction for the event, inviting C-suite leaders, innovators, and investors to tackle the most pressing challenges transforming global travel.

 

The “Game On” theme signals a defining moment; a fast-moving, competitive landscape fueled by breakthrough technologies, seismic shifts in consumer behavior, and a renewed demand for strategic clarity.  The 2025 event – taking place from November 18-20 – confronts these forces head-on, offering curated insights, unscripted exchanges, and data-backed perspectives to propel the industry forward.

 

“This is not business as usual,” said Eugene Ko, Marketing and Communications Director at Phocuswright. “‘Game On’ is a defining statement; it’s an invitation to push limits and boundaries, rethink strategies, and challenge every assumption.  We’re gathering the minds who won’t settle for predictable – they’re the ones with the power to transform travel.  This is where the next era of travel gets written.”

 

This year’s agenda features a dynamic mix of research-driven strategic sessions, startup and investor networking, and off-the-record discussions designed to provoke fresh thinking and build actionable strategies.  Phocuswright has already secured some of the leading names in travel as speakers, with many more to be confirmed:

• Geoff Freeman, President & CEO, US Travel Association
• Omri Morgenshtern, CEO, Agoda
• Fred Lalonde, CEO & Co-Founder, Hopper
• Jean-Jacques Morin, Group Deputy CEO, Accor
• Jason Wynn, CEO, Chase Travel
• Richard Barton, Co-Founder & Co-Executive Chair, Zillow
• Travis Katz, GM & VP, Shopping, YouTube
• Erik Blachford, Founder, Pine5 Partners
• Clara Liang, Head of Global Strategic Operations, Stripe
• Rob Ransom, Chief Strategy Officer, Booking Holdings

 

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, including top-tier executives and senior leadership from the industry’s most influential travel, tech, hospitality, and investment firms.

 

A sustainable event

Phocuswright will also offset the entire carbon footprint of the event, covering all attendee travel, accommodations, dining, and energy use.

 

Ticket prices increase on September 2.  The current rate is $500 off the final ticket price.