The Direct Booking Treasure Map

For over 20 years, Michael has been developing and training leaders and entrepreneurs around the world. Having resided in the UK for 16 years and presented leadership training in over 25 countries, he brings a wealth of international experience and practical know-how — working with government departments, businesses, corporates, NPOs and sports teams to build leaders, strengthen companies and inspire. Michael is an adventurer at heart: alongside a small overland team, he has driven a 4x4 from London to Cape Town, climbed Kilimanjaro, and visited 66 countries.

With over 25 years in hospitality and tourism, Leigh is a recognised leader in building high-performing teams and driving business success across the African hospitality sector. Her passion for the industry, natural gift for storytelling, and deep understanding of the challenges hoteliers face make her the perfect fit to lead Profitroom's ambitious expansion across the continent. Leigh's ability to forge genuine, meaningful connections with her team, clients and partners lies at the heart of her leadership style. When she's not charting new territory for Profitroom, Leigh divides her time between Port Elizabeth and Cape Town — and is a proud mum to her Stellenbosch University student daughter.

Travellers today are looking for more than just a bed — they want experiences. Hotels that embrace technology to offer unique packages stand to grow both revenue and guest loyalty. Shane plays a pivotal role at Profitroom, helping drive the company's mission to empower hotels with direct booking technology and guest-experience tools. He works closely with clients to reduce their dependency on high-commission OTAs, enabling them to connect directly with guests and keep more revenue in-house. His background in digital marketing and hospitality distribution helps Profitroom clients craft strategies that stand out in a competitive market.

Amy Branford brings over a decade of expertise in sales, hospitality and online reputation management to her role as UK Regional Sales Manager at GuestRevu. With a proven track record of driving business growth and fostering strong client relationships, Amy is dedicated to helping hoteliers optimise their operations and enhance their online presence.