For more than a decade, Skift Megatrends has been the moment when the industry collectively takes stock: what worked, what didn’t, and what actually matters going forward.
On January 22 in New York, that conversation returns for three focused hours of insight, debate, and perspective-setting.
The London edition has already sold out, which says a lot about how executives are thinking right now. Leaders want a shared baseline before budgets harden and strategies lock in.
That’s exactly what Megatrends is designed to deliver.
What to Expect
Skift Travel Megatrends is an afternoon built around what senior leaders need in January: a clear read on the year ahead, grounded in data and pressure-tested by people running real businesses.
Skift’s editorial team anchors the day, led by Editor-in-Chief Sarah Kopit, alongside Head of Research Seth Borko, whose annual outlook session cuts through hype and gets straight to what the numbers are actually telling us.
You’ll also hear from executives shaping key parts of the industry today:
Omri Morgenshtern, CEO of Agoda, in a candid CEO AMA on how travel companies should adapt in 2026.
Paul Caine, President of On Location, and Eileen Hanson, CMO of Los Angeles Tourism, on how cities are reinventing themselves as live tourism destinations.
Thomas Reiner of Altimeter Capital, offering a clear-eyed view of where capital is moving across travel and tech.
These are conversations — often blunt, sometimes surprising — about what leaders are prioritizing right now.
What makes Skift Travel Megatrends 2026 unique
One of the most compelling parts of the afternoon is something new: The Empty Chair.
One seat on stage stays open. At some point, Sarah Kopit will invite an audience member up for a five-minute, unscripted exchange — no preparation, no pre-brief, just a real conversation in front of the room.
Only registered attendees can be considered for the Empty Chair, another reason to…
The room you want to be in
Last year’s NYC event brought together:
215 attendees
60% director level or above
143 companies across 17 industries
Leaders from 9 countries
That’s the peer group you’ll be sitting alongside this January — people wrestling with the same questions you are.
Skift Travel Megatrends has become a kind of annual compass reset: a chance to test assumptions, refine priorities, and return to the office with sharper conviction about what comes next.
Why Attend
If you’re still debating whether to attend, here’s the simple reality: January is when decisions get made.
With London already sold out, New York is the last chance to join this conversation in real time.
Get Your Tickets
Reserve before seats run out – transfer tickets if plans change.
Discounts are available for teams of 2+.
🧾 Want to pay by invoice? Just write to events@skift.com.
January 22, 2026
Attend in NYC
Announcing Skift Megatrends 2026: Big Ideas Arrive in London and NYC
Skift Megatrends has a track record of calling the big shifts before they hit the mainstream. The 2026 events keep that momentum with a new lineup of ideas and industry voices.