AHIF's 2017 agenda to focus on 'fresh perspectives'

The Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) has unveiled the agenda for its 2017 conference, which is set to take place in Kigali from October 10-12, running alongside AviaDev like last year.

Bench Events (the conference organiser) chairman Jonathan Worsley said in a statement: "Our line-up this year is comprehensive and exciting - everything from sustainable development and hard economics, to first-hand practical advice from leaders in their field, plus unique networking opportunities."
 
He continued: "With AviaDev, an airline route development conference, taking place simultaneously in the same venue, it's a joint forum that provides a valuable opportunity to look at the expansion of travel across the continent from a strategic perspective."
 
This year, the theme for AHIF has been set as 'Inspiring Fresh Perspectives', and hopes to give attendees a fresh perspective on existing challenges and opportunities within the market.
 
AHIF gets underway the evening before the official opening, with roundtable discussions that address topical issues. That will be followed by speed networking where delegates can make 20 new contacts even before the conference begins.
 
The opening day sees the impact of global economic trends on Africa high on the agenda. How to meet the current challenges within the sector will be discussed by figures including Alex Kyriakidis,president and managing director, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International, as well as Daniel Silke, a futurist from the Political Futures Consultancy.
 
Investment, connectivity, and security will also be explored on the first day with Filippo Sona from Colliers International, Nizar Mawani from Rahmyn Developments and Real Estate, Adefunke Adeyemi from IATA and Ian Clarke from Control Risks.

 
Further highlights include detailed analyses of hotel revenue performance from STR's Thomas Emanuel and hotel development activity from Trevor Ward from W Hospitality Group.
 
In addition, there will be an African market focus – region by region, with senior executives who have deep local knowledge, alongside breakout sessions tackling development, operating models, costs, gaps in the market, new projects looking for finance and much more.
 
The last day kicks off with innovations and trends in hospitality – from international to local; mainstream to boutique. There will be a stakeholders’ roundtable – balancing the needs of owners and operators, plus a closing session on finance, covering major transactions of the last year and new sources of funding and how to obtain it.
 
With an anticipated speaker line-up of over 90 senior industry professionals from leading hotel chains, consultancies, designers, local owners, the seventh edition of AHIF is set to provide a focused forum to meet the right decision makers and secure deals for investment projects within the region.