9 min reading time
Published on 20/08/25, Updated on 19 hours ago
At the first edition of Topliner, industry leaders explored how the concept of top line has become a defining challenge for the hotel sector. Beyond revenue management, discussions highlighted the need to rethink strategies around people, tools, methods, and culture, with a strong focus on collaboration across the entire hospitality ecosystem.
The event was introduced by Leslie Vial, Head of Data Intelligence at MKG Consulting, and Christophe Bataillard, Founder and CEO of Optimiser Consulting. The expert panel brought together Anita Girardeau, Director of Distribution and Revenue at Oetker Collection; Leslie Brunet, Director of Performance at Louvre Hotels; Laurence Barreau, now in charge of the Les Bordes estate in the Loire Valley; and Bertrand Dugast, Co-Founder of Alfred Hotels.
Leslie Vial: Good morning, everyone. Christophe Bataillard and I are delighted to welcome you today for the launch of this very first edition of Topliner.
So, what is Topliner? And why launch it now?
We are convinced that the subject of the top line represents a major turning point. As we saw this morning through the various contributions, it is a central issue. We are talking about revenue management, human aspects, technical aspects. On the ground, with our clients and throughout the sector, we observe a rapid, profound, sometimes slightly disordered transformation.
It is no longer just a matter of good prices and the right channels. It is a global reinvention that touches people, tools, methods, and core objectives. At MKG, together with Christophe, we are convinced that these issues cannot be addressed in isolation. They require collective work, with genuine collaboration at stake. This calls for a systemic vision and reinforced cooperation between functions, professions, partners, and more broadly the entire hospitality ecosystem.
This is exactly what we want to address today: fostering open, rich, and action-oriented exchanges.
Christophe Bataillard: To add to what Leslie just said, Topliner is not just an annual event to talk about top line and our technology or commercialization issues. The ambition is much broader: to federate and animate a community around the top line.
We want, in particular, to energize the French-speaking community. Not to exclude English speakers, but because we believe there is a real need for engagement in this space. And you will hear more in the months to come, as we will have many announcements to share.
This afternoon’s program will be divided into two sequences:
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a first one with a panel of four guests;
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a second one focused on artificial intelligence. The word “AI” was mentioned in every intervention…
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