Aven Hospitality may be a new name, but CEO Teresa Mackintosh is already deep into the company’s next chapter.

Following its 2025 acquisition by TPG and separation from former owner Sabre, Mackintosh has spent the past six months preparing Aven to stand on its own. In this episode, she shares how the company is shifting from long-term strategic planning to rapid, three- to six-month execution cycles to keep pace with technological change.

Drawing on her background in accounting, SaaS and private equity, Mackintosh explains her “three-legged stool” approach to leadership, balancing the needs of hoteliers, employees and investors. She discusses Aven’s immediate investment priorities, including modernizing its platform for AI, strengthening its booking engine, and expanding payments and retailing capabilities to become the commerce hub for hotel partners.

Mackintosh also addresses the fragmentation of the hospitality tech ecosystem, the risks and opportunities of agentic AI, the future of SaaS, and who stands to win or lose in the evolving battle between direct and intermediary distribution.

Tune in for a candid conversation with PhocusWire’s Linda Fox on strategy, AI and the future of hotel technology.

Aven Hospitality may be a new name, but CEO Teresa Mackintosh is already deep into the company&rsquo;s next chapter.
Following its 2025 acquisition by TPG and separation from former owner Sabre, Mackintosh has spent the past six months preparing Aven to stand on its own. In this episode, she shares how the company is shifting from long-term strategic planning to rapid, three- to six-month execution cycles to keep pace with technological change.
Drawing on her background in accounting, SaaS and private equity, Mackintosh explains her &ldquo;three-legged stool&rdquo; approach to leadership, balancing the needs of hoteliers, employees and investors. She discusses Aven&rsquo;s immediate investment priorities, including modernizing its platform for AI, strengthening its booking engine, and expanding payments and retailing capabilities to become the commerce hub for hotel partners.
Mackintosh also addresses the fragmentation of the hospitality tech ecosystem, the risks and opportunities of agentic AI, the future of SaaS, and who stands to win or lose in the evolving battle between direct and intermediary distribution.
Tune in for a candid conversation with PhocusWire&rsquo;s Linda Fox on strategy, AI and the future of hotel technology.

A regular dissection of the news, issues and trends in travel and technology, featuring interviews with industry executives and entrepreneurs and hosted by PhocusWire editors.

A regular dissection of the news, issues and trends in travel and technology, featuring interviews with industry executives and entrepreneurs and hosted by PhocusWire editors.

In Phocus is a regular dissection of the news, issues and trends in travel and technology, featuring interviews with industry executives and entrepreneurs and hosted by PhocusWire editors.

In Phocus

Aven Hospitality CEO Teresa Mackintosh discusses leading the company’s post-Sabre separation, investing in AI and commerce capabilities, and navigating fragmentation and distribution shifts in hospitality technology.