Learn how AI is transforming the STR space at Host Planet Roadshow – London

The third leg of the Host Planet Roadshow will take place at the Royal Over-Seas League in London on Thursday, 23 April. A limited number of tickets for the event are available, priced just £40 each: click here to get yours.

Major industry brands and experts to be part of Host Planet Roadshow's London event

Regulation and lobbying will dominate the opening panel featuring Andy Fenner, Chief Executive of the Short Term Accommodation Association, and Carl Thomson, Public Policy Manager (UK) at Airbnb.

Punit Vadgama from PriceLabs will give an overview of the UK market before three enterprise-level property managers – James Cornwell from Curated Property, Jamie Miles from Anglesey Holiday Lettings, and Freddie Blunt from Red Kite – discuss the 2026 market, direct bookings, running a business from overseas, and the advantages of paying your cleaners handsomely.

Humphrey Bowles from Truvi will discuss OTA dependency in what promises to be a highlight of the morning, before James Varley and Zak Ali unveil a major new opportunity for revenue management professionals. Lisa Roads from the Women in Short Term Rentals Community will then lead an all-female panel featuring Daniela Derin, Johanne Hedges, and Rebecca Ward, before the first batch five-minute knowledge bursts featuring our partners and exhibitors, with each briefed to share something helpful and actionable with the audience.

Afternoon focus on AI will provide game-changing insights

After some post-lunch breath work led by Emma Cole, attendees will dive into AI and the dramatic impact it is having on the STR sector in 2026. We will hear from some of the earliest adopters of game-changing tech, starting with Siddhi Mittal from private chef booking platform yhangry, who will demonstrate how to build an AI upselling agent in just 30 minutes. Make sure you have your phone handy, so you can take part!

Graham Donoghue will discuss how AI is revolutionising day-to-day operations across Forge Holiday Group, before Richard Vaughton from Yes Consulting explains why direct booking websites could soon cost pennies to create. The next speaker, Mark Simpson, might have something to say about Richard's topic during his talk, titled: Do this ONE thing to level up your STR business in 2026.

The afternoon session will end with another burst of five-minute educational presentations from our sponsors and partners.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWa4LZoEPig

Major industry brands are supporting the Host Planet Roadshow

The seven-stop Host Planet Roadshow is being delivered in collaboration with the STAA, PriceLabs, and the Women in Short Term Rentals Community. Present for every step of the Roadshow will be Hostaway, Beyond, SuperControl, and Zeal Tax. In London, these brands will be joined by Guesty, Turno, SuiteOp, Hostfully, and Convert Your Stay.

Agenda for Host Planet Roadshow – London

Time	Title	Participants
9am	Registration and meet the exhibitors
9:30am	Statutory registration is coming (this is why it's good news)	James Varley, Host Planet Andy Fenner, STAA Carl Thomson, Airbnb
9:50am	The UK STR market in focus	Punit Vadgama, PriceLabs
10:10am	Direct bookings, remote hosting, and paying cleaners £25 per hour	James Varley, Host Planet James Cornwell, Curated Property Jamie Miles, Anglesey Holiday Lettings Freddie Blunt, Red Kite
10:30am	Platform pimp vs. platform partner: which one are you?	Humphrey Bowles, Truvi
11am	Networking break
11:40am	Your new hires don't understand short-term rentals...yet	James Varley & Zak Ali, Launchbase by Host Planet
12 noon	She built this stay – the women running the rentals	Lisa Roads, Women in Short Term Rentals Daniela Derin, Skol Marbella Apartments Johanne Hedges, LiBi Becky Ward, Simply Owners
12:20pm	TBC	TBC
12:40pm	Five-minute focus – essential property management tips from our partners	PriceLabs Zeal Hostaway SuiteOp Guesty
1:10pm	Networking lunch
2:10pm	Breath break – experience the wellness perk guests are asking for in 2026	Emma Cole, Daily Breath
2:20pm	Your AI upsell agent – build it in 30 minutes	Siddhi Mittal, yhangry
2:50pm	AI operating model – from test and learning to value creation	James Varley, Host Planet Graham Donoghue, Forge Holidays Group
3:10pm	AI Is about to flatten the direct booking website playing field	Richard Vaughton, Yes Consulting
3:30pm	Do this ONE thing in 2026 to level up your business	Mark Simpson, Boostly
3:50pm	Five-minute focus – essential property management tips from our partners	SuperControl Beyond Hostfully Turno Convert Your Stay
4:15pm	Event wrap-up and networking
5pm	Event ends