THIS year’s programme at the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) will include appearances from well-respected industry experts ‘hard talk’ sessions and trends forecasting.
Highlights include:
The Middle East in the Coming Decade – Looking at the geopolitical landscape with Richard Thompson, editor, MEED
Shifting Gear, But Where Are We Going? – Looking behind the trends to find out what the hotel statistics actually mean with Elizabeth Randall, managing director, STR Global
Investor Hard Talk – Taking a look both regionally and globally to understand the performance of hotels for investors, to find out what they are seeing on their balance sheets and where they are looking to put their money
Moderator: Mark Wynne Smith, CEO Europe, Middle East & Africa, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels
Panellists:
• Anass Alami, director general, Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion, Morocco (CDG)
• Stephen G Haggerty, global head of real estate and development, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
• Joe Sita, president, IFA Hotel Investments
Global Brands-Regional Perspectives – An insight into the Mena opportunity from the perspective of five global brands. A mirage or an oasis?
Moderator: Frank Croston, founding partner, Hamilton Hotel Partners.
Panellists:
• Edwin Fuller, president and managing director, international lodging, Marriott International
• Rudi Jagersbacher, area president, Middle East and Africa, Hilton Worldwide
• Kirk Kinsell, president, EMEA, IHG
• Kurt Ritter, president and CEO, Rezidor
• Roeland Vos, president – Europe, Africa & Middle East, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Trend Forecasting – What Will Consumers Want from Their Hotel Next Year, in Two Years and in Five Years Time?