The second round of speaker announcements for Skift Global Forum 2026 confirms the participation of top leaders from the travel industry’s most influential companies, each ready to discuss the pivotal trends and challenges ahead.
Set for September, the conference will gather C-suite executives from diverse arenas—ranging from online travel to cruise lines, ride-hailing, artificial intelligence, hospitality, and venture capital. The central topic, “Travel’s Great Recalibration,” will set the stage for exclusive discussions on industry pain points like disruptive forces, capital management, and dynamic pricing systems—insights aimed at surfacing ahead of traditional market analyses.
Critical Conversations Among Industry Leaders
The speaker lineup features Ariane Gorin, CEO of Expedia, who will examine the future of traveler ownership with the rise of AI-powered bookings, as well as Expedia’s positioning in this digital shift. Bret Taylor, founder of Sierra and chairman of OpenAI, will address the transformation of the traveler journey, highlighting artificial intelligence’s influence on processes from discovery to lodging.
Brian Chesky, CEO of Airbnb, will discuss changes in how travelers find and reserve accommodations, outlining Airbnb’s plans for international expansion. Meanwhile, Christopher Nassetta, CEO of Hilton, plans to present strategies anchored in data, focusing on how hospitality brands can ride the next wave of industry expansion. As president of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy will explore approaches to pricing and demand while facing geopolitical uncertainty.
Mobility’s ongoing evolution will be tackled by Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, who intends to share insights into the company’s growth and international strategy. Wyndham Hotels CEO Geoff Ballotti will address how hotel chains could recalibrate properties and scale in response to emerging traveler lifestyles.
The agenda also includes Glenn Fogel, CEO of Booking Holdings, who will elaborate on artificial intelligence’s sweeping effects on customer engagement and booking practices. Hamad Al-Khater, group CEO of Qatar Airways, is slated to offer his views on the airline sector’s navigation through rising fuel expenses, new geopolitical realities, and changes in global travel routes.
Other notable leaders will add their perspectives: Kenneth Chenault, chairman of General Catalyst and former American Express CEO, will share strategies on brand relevance in the current landscape; Sébastien Bazin, CEO of Accor, will address long-term resilience and preparing for unforeseen disruptions; and Steve Case, chairman of Revolution and AOL founder, will focus on the human and capital factors driving AI-powered travel innovation. The roster also includes Vikas Khanna, acclaimed chef and filmmaker, who will explore how shifting expectations are reshaping the travel culinary experience.
An updated and complete list of speakers is available at the event’s official lineup page.
Uniting Sectors for Forward-Looking Insight
The Skift Global Forum has earned a reputation as the yearly venue where leaders from every corner of travel meet to shape the industry’s future together. Centered on sector-wide concerns—including oversight of next-generation travel technology, adapting to growth pressures, customer journeys shaped by artificial intelligence, and strategies to sustain travel’s inclusiveness as digital participation rises—the forum’s program is curated for relevance and urgency.
The strong lineup of top executives underscores the gravity of decisions being made, which could significantly impact industry profitability for years ahead. The conference will offer a first look into these high-level debates, revealing their substance even before they are reflected in public earnings or reported market movements.
The roster of presenters will expand as September approaches, heightening the anticipation for an event focused on the strategic crossroads of travel’s future. To discover additional details or register, visit the forum’s event page.