29 April - 01 May 2024
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
2024 Agenda
Programme is subject to change.
Monday 29 April
Global Restaurant Investment Forum - Welcome
Jennifer Pettinger-Haines
Co-Founder, Global Restaurant Investment Forum
Partner, THINK Hospitality
GRIF Intelligence – Understanding the Saudi Consumer - The New Codes of Luxury
Harnessing the hospitality opportunities in Saudi Arabia
Martin Raymond
Co-Founder, The Future Laboratory
Editor-in-Chief, LS:N Global
Christopher Sanderson
Co-Founder
The Future Laboratory
New Horizons in Food & Beverage:
Unlocking the Potential in a Transformational Marketplace
Chris Sanderson is joined by Together Group Middle East CEO Ada Renedo and an esteemed panel to consider how KSA’s F&B sector continues to develop and address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
Christopher Sanderson
Co-Founder
The Future Laboratory
Ada Renedo
Regional CEO, Middle East
Together Group
The Changing F&B Landscape and What it means for the Future of Dining in KSA
Simon Wright
Founder & Chairman
TGP International
Are Saudi Born Concepts are the Future of the F&B market. What does it take to get it right and who is Excelling?
Hashim Al-Attas
Chief Executive Officer
Leylaty Group
Simon Wright
Founder & Chairman
TGP International
GRIF data report - Using Data to Competition Proof your Business
Where you need to invest / getting understanding the crucial elements and costs to get right to ensure success.
Gustavo de Hostos
Founder & Managing Partner
Foresite Creative
Coffee Break
GRIF Performance Report - How is F&B Performing within Hotels in Saudi?
Kathrin Cockhill
Commercial Director
HotStats
GRIF Case studies:
Utilising Independent F&B Operators to Revitalise an Asset
Where are the opportunities to leverage F&B brands to enhance the footfall, ADR, revenue and the value of your property?
Rizwan Kassim
Founder & CEO
RIKAS Hospitality Group
Leveraging Technology to Maximise your Bottom Line
Ashish Tulsian
Co-founder & CEO
Restroworks
Lunch
Welcome to the Intelligence Talks
Fritz Dickamp
Managing Director
Studio 49
USALI 11th Edition – Tips and Tricks
Giuliano Gasparini
Head of Hospitality Asset Management
WASL / Dubai Real Estate Corporation
GRIF Culinary Tours
DataTalks:
Global Challenges and Market Resilience - KSA Vision & Government Initiatives
Data Talks:
Setting the Scene for Hotel Performance in Saudi Arabia
Thomas Emanuel
Senior Director
STR
Your Path to Red Sea Global:
Exploring Projects and Partnership Opportunities
On Invitation Only
Ben Edwards
Group Head of Cost, Commercial, and Procurement
Red Sea Global
Mohammed Al Fardan
Head of Procurement
Red Sea Global
Data Talks:
The Future of Wellness
Moderator: Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners
Susie Ellis
Chair & CEO
Global Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit
Aradhana Khowala
CEO & Founder
Aptamind Partners
Data Talks:
An Overview of Factors Impacting Hospitality Construction Costs in KSA
Waleed M. Abualnadi
Commercial Director
Saudi Icon Company
Digital Talks:
Leveraging Digital Trends to Enhance Hospitality Operations
Sarah Gasim
Senior Vice President, Head of Hotels KSA
JLL
Digital Talks:
Strategic Potential - Mastering Digital Platforms
Oli Thomas
Founder
Hatchin
Digital Talks:
How AI and Digital can optimise end-to-end procurement
Intelligence Talks:
The Hotel of the Future
Turab Saleem
Partner ‑ Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory ‑ MENA
Knight Frank
Speed Networking
Welcome Reception - Hosted by Al Khozama
Join us at the opening reception of FHS Saudi Arabia, kindly hosted by our host sponsor Al Khozama, at the luxurious Al Faisaliah Hotel on the evening of April 29th.
Experience a night of elegance and sophistication as you take in the stunning views and opulent ambiance of the hotel, all while indulging in a delectable spread of cuisine and enjoying live music.
Tuesday 30 April
Welcome Remarks
Moderator
Layan Abo Shkier
Women Editor & Research
Forbes Middle East
In conversation with
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman
The Bench
Desdemona (Desi)
Humanoid Robot
Lead Vocalist of the Desdemona Dream Band
Official Welcome
HRH Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud
Secretary General, King Faisal Foundation (KFF)
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama Investment
Unveiling the Future:
Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia's Hospitality Sector in Alignment with Vision 2030
Mahmoud Abdulhadi
Deputy Minister, Destination Enablement
Ministry Tourism of Saudi Arabia
Setting the Scene for New Destination Development in Saudi Arabia
Thomas Emanuel
Senior Director
STR
Investing in Saudi Arabia:
A Blueprint for Successful Market Entry and Investment
Moderator
Edie Rodriguez
Member of the Board of Directors
Saudi Tourism Authority
In conversation with
Dr. Fahad Bin Mushayt
Chief Executive Officer
ASFAR
Haitham Mattar
Special Advisor, UN Tourism
Managing Director MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Guy Hutchinson
President, Middle East & Africa (MEA)
Hilton
Qusai Al-Fakhri
Chief Executive Officer
Tourism Development Fund
Case Study - Private and Public Sector Collaborate to Accelerate Lifestyle Developments and Promote New Destinations #Vision2030
Moderator
Mohammed Islam
Host & Founder
The Mo Show Podcast Saudi Arabia
In conversation with
Marloes Knippenberg
Chief Executive Officer
Kerten Hospitality
Osama AlOthman
Chief Executive Officer
Aseer Investment Company
Khalid Al Gahtani
Chairman
Rikaz Properties
10x Leadership Talks:
How the Private Sector is Driving Growth Through Strategic Synergy
Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi
Chief Executive Officer
Taiba Investments
Diversifying the Economy:
Strategies for Attracting Foreign Direct Investment and Achieving Vision 2030 Objectives through Innovative Funding Mechanisms
Moderator
Amr El Nady
Head of Hotels & Hospitality MEA and Managing Director, Global Hotel Desk
JLL
In conversation with
Hossam Al-Basrawi
General Manager Corporate Banking Group
Alrajhi Bank
Coley Brenan
Partner, Head of Europe
KSL Capital Partners
Crafting a Diverse Portfolio:
Maximizing Financial Resilience Through Multi-Asset Allocation
Moderator
Matthew Martin
Saudi Arabia Bureau Chief
Bloomberg LP
In conversation with
Siew Kim Beh
Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, Lodging
CapitaLand Investment Limited / The Ascott Limited
Khalid Saud Abu Haimed
Chief Executive Officer
Al Khozama Investment
Ahmed Bin Madhi
Chief Investment Officer
Rua Al Madinah Holding Company
10x Leadership Talks:
Leveraging the Momentum of Developments in the Kingdom towards Vision 2030 Success
Sustainable Horizons:
Catalyzing Change Through Green Investments
Moderator
Richard Williamson
Chief Operating Officer
Considerate Group
In conversation with
Glenn Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim
Chief Executive Officer
Millennium Hotels & Resorts & Lakhraim Group
10x Leadership Talks:
An All-Inclusive Transformation of an Iconic Brand while Staying True to its Roots
Moderator
Rana Tabbara
Reporter
CNN Business Arabic
In conversation with
Henri Giscard D’Estaing
President
ClubMed - All-Inclusive beach and mountain Resorts
Lunch
Start-Up Den
Investing in Saudi Arabia:
Round Table Discussions
Abdulrahman AlMalik
Investment Development Executive Director
ASFAR
10x Leadership Talks:
The Longevity Revolution and what the 100-year Life means for You and the Future of Hospitality
Aradhana Khowala
CEO & Founder
Aptamind Partners
10x Leadership Talks:
The Future Normal - A People-First AI Strategy
Henry Coutinho-Mason
Author & Speaker, The Future Normal
Co-founder, 3Space
Wellness:
On the Edge of Structural Transformation? Will it be led by the Kingdom?
Moderator: Susie Ellis, Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Institute
Dr. Hamad Abuhaimed
Chief Executive Officer
Shatha Company
HE Eng. Abdulaziz bin Hamad Al-Rumaih
Deputy Minister for Planning and Development
Ministry of Health Saudi Arabia
Susie Ellis
Chair & CEO
Global Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit
Ingo Schweder
Founder & CEO
GOCO Hospitality
Navigating Tomorrow's Hospitality:
The Evolutionary Intersection of AI, IT, and Human Touch for Unparalleled Guest Experiences
Moderator
Nicolas Nasra
Head of Hotel Advisory, Hospitality & Tourism | MENA Region
Colliers
In conversation with
Henry Coutinho-Mason
Author & Speaker, The Future Normal
Co-founder, 3Space
Janet Adams
Chief Operating Officer
SingularityNET
Tatiana Labaki
Head of Hotels and Tourism Advisory - PSU
Tonomus
Travelling for Good:
Revolutionizing Luxury through Regenerative Tourism
Moderator
Ali Manzoor
Head of Hotels & Tourism
CBRE MENA
In conversation with
Sebastien Carre
Group Head of Hospitality
Red Sea Global
Rosanna Chopra
Executive Director – Destination Development
Red Sea Global
The Power of AI in Hospitality:
Practical Solutions for Investors
Ahmed Zeeshan
Technical Consultant
HPE Aruba Consulting Systems Engineer
10x Leadership Talks:
To the Metaverse with Hospitality
Joe Tabet
Managing Director
JT+Partners
10x Leadership Talks:
Global Ambitions - Bridging Cultures and Markets
Oliver Bonke
Chief Executive Officer, H World International
Managing Director, Steigenberger Hotels GmbH
Announcements & Signings
HAMA WORKSHOP
Amit Nayak, CHA
Vice President
HAMA MEA
The Future of Hospitality Investments in Branded Residences, Co-Living, and Serviced Apartments in the Kingdom
Moderator
Scott Antel
Founder & Owner
Scotts FZ LLE
In conversation with
Serena Lim
Chief Growth Officer
The Ascott Limited
Julien Laloye
Director, Mixed-Use Development (EMEA)
Marriott International
Paul Bridger
Chief Operating Officer
Rove Hotels
Transforming Palaces:
Embracing Heritage and Showcasing New Luxury
Moderator
Rana Tabbara
Reporter
CNN Business Arabic
In conversation with
Mark De Cocinis
Chief Executive Officer
Boutique Group
Suma Venkatesh
Executive Vice President – Real Estate & Development
The Indian Hotels Company Limited
Fireside Chat with Desdemona The Robot
Desdemona (Desi)
Humanoid Robot
Lead Vocalist of the Desdemona Dream Band
Janet Adams
Chief Operating Officer
SingularityNET
10x Leadership Talks:
Evaluating the Shift to Mid-Market Hotel Development in Saudi Arabia
Falih Motasim Hajaj
Chief Executive Officer
Tashyid Urban Development
Brand Dilemma:
Navigating the Pros and Cons of Launching New Brands – An unbiased Perspective
Moderator
David Keen
Founder & CEO
QUO
In conversation with
Hala Matar Choufany
President, Middle East, Africa & South Asia
HVS
Brand Dilemma:
Navigating the Pros and Cons of Launching New Brands – A Strategic Exploration for Hospitality Decision-Makers
Moderator
David Keen
Founder & CEO
QUO
In conversation with
Hassan Ahdab
Chief Hospitality Operations Officer
Taiba Investments
Makram El Zyr
Corporate Vice President – Development
Rotana
Marco Franck
Chief Hospitality Officer
Boutique Group
Charbel Boutros
VP Development, Middle East & Africa
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Economic Resurgence:
The rise of Mid-Scale Hotels in Cities across the Kingdom
JS Anand
Founder & CEO
Leva Hotels
Panos Loupasis
Market Managing Director Türkiye, Middle East & Africa
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Adil Jabrayilov
Development Director MENA
Louvre Hotels Group
Amir Lababedi
Managing Director, Development, Middle East & North Africa
Hilton
Speaker’s Corner:
From Setbacks to Triumphs
10x Leadership Talks:
How Lifestyle Brands are disrupting the Future of Hospitality in the Kingdom
Moderator
Louis Abboud
CDO & Deputy Head of Middle East, Africa & Turkey
Ennismore
In conversation with
Christoph Hoffmann
CEO and Partner
25hours Hotels
10x Leadership Talks:
Elevating Hospitality Education in the Kingdom
Fadi Alaseri
Senior Director - Education
Red Sea Global (RSG)
Splashes of Success:
Saudi Arabia's Thriving Leisure Landscape for the Changing Demographics
Moderator
Mike Rigby
General Manager & Regional Vice President – Middle East
WhiteWater
In conversation with
Gregory Lanter
Chief Development Officer & CEO Mountain Strategy
ClubMed - All-Inclusive beach and mountain Resorts
Olly Wood
Senior Director – Adventure & Sport
Red Sea Global
Bader Alherbish
Chief Strategy Officer
Tourism Development Fund
10x Leadership Talks:
Redefining Priorities - Why are our People often an Afterthought when it comes to Accommodation?
Patrick Smith
Chief Operating Officer
Strive Services Group
Shaping the Kingdom's Destiny:
Cultivating Excellence in Hospitality to Shaping Policies and Initiatives that Contribute to Making Hospitality a Great Industry to Work in
Moderator
Markus Schreyer
Chairman
META Foundation
In conversation with
Luis Nicolás Barrios
Regional Manager - Innovation, Education and Investments
UNWTO
Fawaz Moumina
Country Manager & Senior Director of Operations – Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Hilton
Lars Eltvik
Senior Advisor – Education
Red Sea Global
Aseel Hussain Bondagjy
Hotel Talent Development Lead
NEOM
Exploring New Frontiers:
Pioneering the Future of Entertainment and Beach Clubs in the Kingdom
Stefan Breg
Managing Partner-Consulting
KEANE: Consult & Create
Networking Reception at Mansard Riyadh, a Radisson Collection Hotel hosted by Radisson Hotel Group
At Mansard Riyadh, the delegates will experience the exceptional journey of the hotel and grandeur of French-inspired architecture combined with Arabian hospitality as they walk through the hotel's beautiful plaza, lined with Parisian-named buildings.
The reception will offer a variety of international and Arabic dishes, with food carts and beverage bars set up as street vendors. The live food stations will be styled as food carts or storefronts with a variety of offerings from the hotel's three international hotspots; Sadelle's, L'ami Dave and Carbone. Waiters will offer tray-passed welcome drinks, dates, and Saudi coffee upon arrival.
Wednesday 01 May
Creating and Reinventing Destinations:
From Conception to Cultivation
Moderator
Edie Rodriguez
Member of the Board of Directors
Saudi Tourism Authority
In conversation with
Ana Lobo Martins
Director, Interior Design
ARC International Design Consultants
Mario Ferraro
CEO
Smeralda Holding Group
Embracing Nature:
Gateway to Next-Gen Hospitality Investments
Yanbu Unveiled:
Turning Saudi Towns into Exciting Destinations
Moderator
Edie Rodriguez
Member of the Board of Directors
Saudi Tourism Authority
In conversation with
Abdulrahman Albassam
Board Member
Baheej Tourism Development Company
How the changing City Dynamic influences Hospitality Offerings and the Consumer
The Next Generation:
How do we get Education & Training right, right from the start?
Invitation Only
Lars Eltvik
Senior Advisor – Education
Red Sea Global
10x Leadership Talks:
Embracing Holistic Living
Domestic Tourism in Secondary Cities:
How Major Hotel Operators can Help to Unlock New Opportunities?
Tariq Yousef Dowidar
Vice President Saudi Arabia
Aleph Hospitality
Maher Abou Nasr
Vice President Operations Saudi Arabia
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Elie Milky
Vice President Development
Radisson Hotel Group
Destination Tomorrow
Navigating Regulatory Shifts:
Legal Dynamics Reshaping Hospitality Real Estate in the Region and their Impact on Tourism Offerings
Elie Milky
Vice President Development
Radisson Hotel Group
Beyond the Hype - A Practical Insight into AI and the Future of Business
Ali Shahid
Marketing Director
The Bench
Coffee Break
Emergence of Third-Party Operators in Saudi Arabia's Dynamic Market and The Prospects for Growth in Saudi Arabia?
Tapan Piplani
Chief Operating Officer
Valor Hospitality Partners- Middle East & CIS
The Key to Successful Hospitality Project Development in Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Turab Saleem
Partner ‑ Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory ‑ MENA
Knight Frank
In conversation with
Abdullah Azhari
Chief Executive Officer
Saudi Icon Company
Ramine Behnam
Vice President Development - EMEA
Minor Hotels
Hitesh Gandhi
Senior Director Development – KSA and Kuwait
Marriott International
Dr. Adel Ezzat
Chief Executive Officer
Elaf Group
Breaking Barriers, Shaping the Future:
Women in Tourism & Hospitality Leadership
Moderator
Layan Abo Shkier
Women Editor & Research
Forbes Middle East
In conversation with
Shaikha Al Nowais
Corporate Vice President - Owner Relationship Management
Rotana
Why Gen Z are turning to Sustainable Businesses as their Future Employer
FHS Announcements & Signings
FHS Awards - Winner Announcement
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman
The Bench
Building Tomorrow:
The Impact of Sustainable Construction on Evolving Demand Trends
Moderator
Hiba Araji
Regional Design & Project Development Manager - Middle East & CIS
Valor Hospitality Partners
In conversation with
Nicholas Clark
Program Director
Compass Project Consulting
Waleed M. Abualnadi
Commercial Director
Saudi Icon Company
Iyad Tammas
International Business Development Director
DAR Engineering
ENSURING THE LONG-TERM VIABILITY OF RELIGIOUS TOURISM
Moderator
Bilal Ambikapathy
Founding Partner
Wisefields
In conversation with
Shaji Abu Salih
Vice President - Business Development & Growth
Shaza Hotels
Khalid Al-Amoudi
Chief Executive Officer
Jabal Omar Development Company
Lunch
Site Tours
The conference may have ended but you can continue networking by choosing from the following tours:
1. Diriyah Visit: At Turaif District & Bujairi Terrace
2. The Saudi National Museum, Al Masmak Palace (outside visit only) & Souk Al-Zal
*Registrations for these tours will be live soon.