The accommodation and hospitality industries will come together again at NoVacancy 2025, taking place at ICC Sydney on the 17th and 18th of September.
NoVacancy is an industry-wide event, regardless of whether attendees operate hotels, serviced apartments, student accommodation, or casinos. Every year, leaders, operators, and innovators gather to connect, learn, and get inspired. It’s the one time they can experience the entire sector, technology, design, operations, F&B, sustainability, revenue, and more, brought together in one buzzing space.
Event Director Matt Gatfield said that practical solutions and the latest innovations will be on show, as well as creating the best opportunity to connect with people to help tackle the biggest industry challenges.
“Whether you want to get ahead on technology, refresh your approach to guest experience, or simply see what’s new, NoVacancy is where you’ll find your next idea or partnership. If you want to keep your business ahead of the curve, this is the place to be,” said Gatfield.
A key theme of this year’s expo is the spotlight on what really matters to those in the industry right now. Gatfield said attendees can expect to dive deep into digital transformation, AI and automation, staffing and leadership, guest experiences, new F&B trends, energy efficiency, sustainability and many other crucial industry priorities.
He said standouts of the expo will be the sessions on driving revenue in a tough market, adapting to changing guest expectations and leveraging tech, from PMS to guest apps to biometrics. Gatfield added that attendees will also have a front-row seat to discussions on sustainability (without sacrificing the bottom line), the rise of hybrid accommodation models, and new ways to attract and delight younger guests.
“I’m genuinely excited about the lineup for 2025. We have nine sector-specific summits running over two action-packed days, each designed so you can drill down into the topics that matter most to your business.”
The networking opportunities at NoVacancy are one of the main reasons people come back year after year. Gatfield said it's a chance to connect with operators, owners, suppliers and peers from every corner of the accommodation sector.
“Whether you’re a General Manager, investor, asset manager, F&B leader, or tech specialist, you’ll meet people who understand your challenges and ambitions.”
He added that whether it’s through casual meetups or structured networking, many attendees have found that the best ideas and deals have happened during a chat over coffee or at the networking drinks.
“If you want to expand your network and spark new collaborations, you’ll get a huge amount of value here.”
The spotlight will be directly placed on the big challenges facing the industry at NoVacancy 2025, most notably talent and workforce shortages, energy costs, digital disruption, the AI wave and new guest behaviours and demands. Gatfield said these aren’t just buzzwords, but conversations that need to be had.
Through live panels, audience Q&As, roundtable discussions, and hands-on workshops, attendees will be able to hear how others are navigating these headwinds and walk away with ideas to implement straight away. If there’s a challenge they are wrestling with, chances are they will find solutions and maybe even a partner or mentor to help, right at NoVacancy 2025.
Gatfield said his hope is that everyone leaves NoVacancy with real, practical value.
“For attendees, it’s about discovering new ideas, finding the right solutions, and building connections that last well beyond the show. For exhibitors, it’s a unique chance to showcase what you do to the right audience, real decision-makers from across the entire accommodation sector,” he said.
“I want you to go home with a notebook full of inspiration and strategies, new contacts in your phone, and maybe even the spark that leads to your next big win. Don’t just hear about it from others, make sure you’re part of it.”
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