This year’s main focus is ‘Unlocking Investment Opportunities in the Middle East and North Africa’. Debates will be led by a selection of industry leaders, including:
• Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al Mubarak Al Sabah, chairman of Action Hotels.
• Saif Mohammed Al Hajeri, chairman of Abu Dhabi National Hotels.
• Peter Baumgartner, chief commercial officer of Etihad Airways.
• Gerald Lawless, executive chairman of Jumeirah Group.
• Kurt Ritter, president and CEO of The Rezidor Hotel Group.
• Mark Wynne-Smith, CEO EMEA of Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
• Sarmad Zok, CEO of Kingdom Hotel Investments.
Selected Programme Highlights:
DAY 1
AHIC Opening Reception
Jumeirah Group is hosting the opening cocktail reception for all AHIC delegates on the opening night of the conference, with an Arabian heritage-themed experience taking place in the Majilis Al Mina and Majilis Al Salam ballrooms.
DAY 2
Leaders’ Panel – Global and Mena Hotel Investment
How are industry CEOs protecting and growing their businesses? Where and how are they unlocking investment opportunities?
Moderator:
Mark Wynne-Smith, CEO EMEA, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
Panellists:
Eric Danziger, president and CEO,
Wyndham Hotel Group, Kurt Ritter, president and CEO, The Rezidor Hotel Group.
Gerald Lawless, executive chairman, Jumeirah Group.
Pierre Frédéric Roulot, president, Golden Tulip Hospitality & Louvre Hotels.
Sarmad Zok, CEO, Kingdom Hotel Investments.
Successfully Tapping into the Regional Arab Travel Market
Where are the gaps in the market for new supply? Who has been successful? How large is the potential market?
Moderator:
Alex Kyriakidis, global managing partner – tourism hospitality and leisure, Deloitte.
Panellists:
Sheikh Mubarak Abdulla Al Mubarak Al Sabah.
Saif Mohamed Al Hajeri.
Mansour Amer, chairman, AMER Group.
Selim El Zyr, president and CEO, Rotana.
Attracting the Attention of Today’s Hotel Investor
Understanding the objectives of Mena’s investors.
Moderator:
Jalil Mekouar, executive vice president - head of Mena, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.
Panellists:
Souad Benbachir, CEO, T-Capital and executive director, CFG Group.
Mohamed Al Sari, managing director, GGICO.
Roger Blackall, director of hotels and hospitality division, Premier Group, Kingdom of Bahrain.
Joe Sita, president, IFA Hotel Investments.
How to Finance Your Project?
What and where are the ‘new’ sources of debt and equity finance? Understanding the funding criteria and aligning expectations.
Moderator:
Gaurav Shivpuri, director - capital markets, Jones Lang LaSalle Mena.
Panellists:
Fouad Chraibi, chairman, H Partners Investment Fund.
Tim Luckhurst, director, real estate advisory Middle East, RBS global banking and markets.
Fergal G Harris, head of commercial real estate Middle East, Standard Chartered Bank.
Networking Reception - Armani Hotel, Burj Khalifa
AHIC delegates are invited by Emaar Hotels & Resorts to an exclusive evening at the world’s first Armani Hotel, designed by Giorgio Armani and located in the distinctive Burj Khalifa.
DAY 3
The Country Forum
What you need to know to invest intelligently in Oman, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Morocco. Listen to those shaping the direction of tourism and hotel investment.
Moderator:
John Defterios, host, CNN Marketplace Middle East.
Panellists:
Mohamed Zoheir Garana, Tourism Minister, Egypt.
Yassir Zenagui, Minister of Tourism and Handicraft Kingdom of Morocco.
Dr Rajiha Abdul Ameer Ali, Minister of Tourism Sultanate of Oman.
Dr Salah K AlBukkayet, vice president – investment, Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities.