Arabian Hospitality
Investment Conference

Part of FHS

25-27 September | Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Programme

Day 1 Day 2 Day 3

Day Three - Wednesday 22 September 2021

EVENT NETWORKING - GOLF

07:30 – 11:00

LOCATION - JA THE RESORT GOLF COURSE

Compete like a champion! JA The Resort Golf Course, designed by the famous Peter Harradine, is a champion-standard 9-hole PAR 35 golf course spread over 50 acres and set within the grounds of JA The Resort. Each hole is uniquely landscaped with exotic trees, shrubs and original desert flora. The course has established itself as one of the most prestigious spots for golf in Dubai playing host to legends including Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Greg Norman.

The winner will be allocated a Vertuo Deluxe machine courtesy of Nespresso live on stage at AHIC on the 22nd of September.

09:00 – 09:25

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Global and Regional Outlook In the Era of Digital Transformation

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Henry Azzam, Ph.D
Senior Lecturer of Finance & Director of the Masters in Finance Program, Olayan School of Business (OSB), American University of Beirut

09:40 – 09:50

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Changing Landscape - Saudi Tourism

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Anita Mendiratta
Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO

In conversation with:

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Haitham Mattar 
Managing Director, India, Middle East & Africa, IHG

09:50 – 10:00

ROOM: Main Stage

Changing Landscape - Saudi Tourism

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Anita Mendiratta
Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO

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Jerry Inzerillo
Chief Executive Officer, Diriyah Gate Development Authority

09:25 – 09:40

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Addressing Saudi’s Investment Potential across the Tourism Sector

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Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO, Bench

In conversation with:

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Mahmoud Abdulhadi
Deputy Minister, Investment Attraction, Ministry of Tourism of Saudi Arabia

AHIF Interactive

09:30 – 10:15

ROOM: AHIC Studio

What are hospitality products in Africa that will attract new customers?

Will health and leisure hotels be more in focus for future investments? How about apart hotels as longer stay seems to be new corporate culture. (And what about luxury products – what are guests expecting from luxury hotels in different markets?)

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James Wrenn
Associate Director | Hotels | MENA Region, Colliers

In conversation with:

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Mossadeck Bally
Founder, Azalaï Hotels Group

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Reda Faceh
VP Development Northern & Western Africa, Accor

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Amit Pravin Patel
Director, Coral Beach Club Limited

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Alain Sebah
President, Golden Tulip Africa

10:00 – 10:30

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Maximizing revenue streams

More important than ever is the ability to tap into the local market through Wellness, F&B and Beach Clubs. When does it work to do it yourself and when does it make sense to bring in an outside party?

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Christopher Lund
Director, Head of Hotels, MENA Region, Colliers

In conversation with:

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Anil Bhardwaj
Director, A.A. Al Moosa Enterprises LLC

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Marloes Knippenberg
Chief Executive Officer, Kerten Hospitality

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Naim Maadad
Board Member, Dubai Restaurant Group, Chief Executive & Founder, Gates Hospitality

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Kathryn Moore
Founder & Managing Director, Spa Connectors & Hall of Wellness Awards

AHIC INTERACTIVE

10:00 – 10:30

ROOM: AHIC Chat

Human capital management and training in Africa

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Damien Rizzi
Head of Hospitality & Asset Management, Voltere by Egis

In conversation with:

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Anne-Marie Hannan
Vice President of Human Resources Middle East and Africa, Marriott International

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Joseph Abou Yaghi
Corporate Vice President Human Resources, Rotana

AHIC INTERACTIVE

10:15 – 11:00

ROOM: AHIC Studio

What are the most significant technologies in hotel development today

Digitalization, mobile technologies and touchless app’s, how are they changing the way hotels operate? How does new hotel tech improve service delivery and customer satisfaction? What are the 10 most signification technologies in hotel development today? Local tech vs chain approved technology what are the pro’s and con’s?

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Olivier Hennion
Managing Director, IT Hospitality

In conversation with:

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Arild Aastad
Strategic Partnerships, Virdee

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Farhan Charaniya
Director, CHIC SARL

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Roger Tabbal
Executive Director IT Middle East, Africa, India & Turkey - Customer Technology Services, Accor

10:30 – 11:00

Networking Coffee break

AHIC INTERACTIVE

10:45 – 11:30

ROOM: AHIC Chat

An open conversation on methodology and solutions to catalyse the movement for change within global hospitality

The session will discuss start-ups and how to make them omnipresent and drive change within the industry. We share and discuss how larger organisations can also benefit from this movement to recalibrate the industry and finally how to imbue values and a conscience at a granular level into every decision that is made.

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David Keen
Co-Founder, KUBE Ventures

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Paul Keen
Brand Architect, KUBE Ventures

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Michael Levie
Co-Founder, KUBE Ventures & CitizenM

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Simon Levie
Brand Architect, KUBE Ventures

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Henri Roelings
Founder & CEO, Hospitality Net

11:00 – 11:30

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Experiential Luxury – The Future of Tourism?

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Anita Mendiratta
Special Advisor to the Secretary General, UNWTO

In conversation with:

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Amr AlMadani
Chief Executive Officer, Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU)

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Oliver Ripley
Chief Executive Officer & Co-Founder, Habitas

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Mark Willis
Chief Executive Officer, India, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Accor

AHIC INTERACTIVE

11:15 – 11:45

ROOM: AHIC Studio

Re-positioning, re-branding and Conversion

When does it make sense? How do you mitigate the costs to maximise ROI?

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Scott Antel
Partner/Owner, Scotts FZ LLE

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Youssef Chraibi
Managing Director, MAGESPRO Africa

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Alban Mabille
Director, Development, North Africa, Radisson Hotel Group

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Trevor Ward
Managing Director, W Hospitality Group

Workshop

11:30 – 12:30

Future of Resorts Dialogue: Innovations in Design

An open conversation with designers and stakeholders to shape the next generation of resorts while exploring the progress of new models.

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Tim Peck
Chairman, OBMI

11:30 – 11:50

ROOM: AHIC Stage

The Foundations of Developing a Future Destination with Sustainability at the Core of Investment

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Nicolas Mayer
Industry Leader Hospitality and Tourism EMEA; Managing Partner Global Center of Excellence Tourism & Hospitality, PwC

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Andrew McEvoy
Head of the Tourism Sector, NEOM

11:50 – 12:00

ROOM: AHIC Stage

Heroes and “She”roes – work in progress or work not yet begun?

How the travel, tourism and hospitality sector can adopt gender diversity as part of their development agenda and demonstrate the politics of the possible.

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Aradhana Khowala
Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Aptamind Partners

12:00 – 12:20

ROOM: AHIC Stage

The importance of culture and purpose to delivering great hospitality

One of the key issues the industry is facing globally is staffing. How can owners, operators and the broader industry work to create a culture that attracts a vibrant and diverse workforce?

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Aradhana Khowala
Chief Executive Officer & Founder, Aptamind Partners

In conversation with:

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Simon Vincent
President EMEA & Executive Vice President, Hilton

12:30

NETWORKING LUNCH AT Madinat Jumeirah