The Hotelier Express Middle East Summit 2017 will bring together more than 100 hoteliers from the mid-scale, budget and serviced apartment sector. Attendance is by invitation only and will represent key decision makers from operators across the sector.
As such, the Summit provides the ideal platform to position your brand, meet potential new customers in the growing Middle East mid-market hotel sector, as well as meet existing clients.
CONFIRMED LINE-UP OF SPEAKERS
Pawel Guminski, Premier Inn Dubai International Airport Hotel & Premier Inn Al Jaddaf dual site general manager
Michael Kasch, Centro Sharjah general manager
Guzman Muela, Time Oak Hotel & Suites Al Barsha general manager
Sanjay Murthy, Figjam managing director
Glenn Nobbs, Copthorne Hotel Dubai general manager
Andreas Plum, Aloft Al Ain general manager
Rupprecht Queitsch, INHOCO Group CEO & senior partner
Aditya Rajaram, Radar Holdings managing director
SUMMIT AGENDA
09.00: WELCOME ADDRESS: Hotelier Express Middle East
09.05: LOOKING AHEAD: Regional Market Insights & Forecast
Taking a look at the region’s hospitality figures. From the current occupancy numbers and rates, to the market forecasts for the immediate future and in years to come as the mid-market and budget sector continues to grow at a rapid pace across the region.
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09.30: PANEL DISCUSSION: Thinking Outside the Box - Customising Experiences
Today’s travellers are not just savvy, they are also keen to have memorable experiences and looking for something outside of the norm. Not only is the property itself along with its facilities and location important, the booking experience is also just as significant and can really make the difference when travellers are looking to select a hotel. Thinking ‘outside of the box’ is a necessity. Brands need to look at their digital strategy and ensure it is customisable. Content is now king, so it is crucial that hoteliers and their teams are capitalising on the global trend towards video and real time content to attract guests. Digital promotions, virtual reality, mobile-friendly sites and apps are the way forward and if not thinking outside of the box and customising experiences it could be very easy to get left behind. So what are today’s hoteliers doing to stay on top and on trend?
10.10: PRESENTATION: F&B
10.30: COFFEE BREAK
11.30: PANEL DISCUSSION: Blurred Lines – Mid-scale under Pressure
In the last year, the UAE has seen many new hotel openings and new brands entering the market, leading to existing properties dropping rates to capture guests over their shiny new neighbour next door. Declining rates from the luxury end of the market can really blur the lines when it comes to differentiating between the various market segments, putting a lot of pressure on the mid-scale market as the gap between mid-scale, upscale, upper upscale and even luxury continues to shrink. A brand’s identity and pricing strategy is now more important than ever, and as we move towards a mature market, the mid-scale segment needs to define its position and ensure that the lines are clearly defined. So how are hotels in the mid-scale sector ensuring they have well-defined brands that are positioned and priced in a way to ensure success in a crowded market?
12.10: QUICK FIRE PANEL: Expo 2020, the Good, the Bad and the Legacy
As Expo 2020 approaches, the UAE has offered a greater opportunity for new brands to enter the market, with the government supporting an accelerated effort to diversify the hospitality market. A greater effort has been made on the destination’s leisure, entertainment, retail, and cultural projects, adding to the UAE’s portfolio of attractions. However, as we have seen in recent years patterns of fluctuation can severely affect the industry in an adverse way; and it can take years to recover. As supply continues to increase and rates continue to decline, what can we expect when demand stabilises and the influx of guests for the Expo depart? In this session, our panel members have just five minutes each to speak about their expectations for the hospitality industry, what they foresee impacting the market in the lead up to Expo, its legacy and their long-term strategy to ensure that they are a part of that legacy.
12.30: PANEL DISCUSSION: Creating an Engaging Environment & Attracting Top Talent in the mid-scale segment
A hotel’s staff can really make or break a hotel experience for guests. Ensuring that your staff are happy, engaged and developed, can be the key to success. Creating a workplace that consciously champions talent as their number one asset can inspire success at every level. Educating talent on the various opportunities that the mid-scale and budget segment can offer is important when attracting talented and dedicated employees. So how are hoteliers working to attract the best employees and guarantee that their talent work within an engaging environment that promotes personal development and ensures success at every level?
13.10: LUNCH & CLOSE OF HOTELIER EXPRESS SUMMIT 2017
ESSENTIAL INFORMATION:
Hotelier Express Summit 2017
Date: November 22, 2017
Location: Grosvenor House, Dubai
For speaking opportunities and attendance, contact Louby Maktari.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Stephen Price.
For more information, visit our website: http://www.hoteliermiddleeast.com/conferences/express/
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