2023 Program Overview
DAY 1 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2023
12:30pm-2:15pm |
SEE THE CITY: Hotel Site Tours across Wellington (additional registration required) Hotels include:
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2:15pm-3:00pm | REGISTRATION & NETWORKING, plus coffee and tea in the exhibition area. |
3:00pm-3:20pm | WELCOME. Welcome to AHICE Aotearoa 2023 with emcee NICKY STYRIS, Hotel Council Aotearoa (HCA) Chair LANI HAGAMAN and AHICE global Chair and Convenor, JAMES WILKINSON, including a Mihi Whakatau Māori Welcome. |
3:20pm-3:35pm | PRESENTATION. What to expect in 2023 and beyond by STR Regional Director, MATT BURKE. |
3:35pm-3:50pm | HOTELIER Q&A. EVT Director of Hotels and Resorts Operations, NORMAN ARUNDEL, in conversation with HM magazine Editor, RUTH HOGAN. |
3:50pm-4:15pm |
PANEL SESSION: TOURISM OUTLOOK. International tourism strategy and emerging markets. Moderated by Hotel Council Aotearoa Strategic Director, JAMES DOOLAN. Panellists: |
4:15pm-4:30pm |
HOTELIER Q&A. The Ascott Limited Managing Director, DAVID MANSFIELD, in conversation with HM magazine Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
4:30pm-4:55pm |
PANEL SESSION: RISING STARS. Several of the industry’s rising stars talk about their expectations in the industry. Moderated by JODI BROWN, General Manager, QT Wellington. Panellists: |
4:55pm-5:05pm |
GLOBAL HOTELIER Q&A. Swiss-Belhotel Hotels and Resorts International Chairman, GAVIN FAULL (from Hong Kong), on the global launch of Māua, in conversation with HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
5:05pm-5:30pm |
PANEL SESSION: THE INVESTORS OUTLOOK (part 1). An essential outlook for the coming years. Moderated by JLL Hotels and Hospitality Group Managing Director – Head of Investment Sales Australasia, PETER HARPER. Panellists: |
5:30pm-7:30pm |
NETWORKING. Gala Networking Event at Te Papa Tongarewa, presented by IHG Hotels and Resorts, including welcome address by MATTHEW TRIPOLONE, Managing Director – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, plus the presentation of the New Zealand Hotel Industry Awards. (additional registration required). |
7:30pm-onwards | NETWORKING. After Event networking bar at Hot Sauce, QT Wellington (pay as you go). |
Note: Program is subject to change
DAY 2 WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 11, 2023
8:00am | Registration & Networking, plus coffee and tea in the exhibition. |
8:15am-8:55am |
BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS: TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE. A showcase of some of the hottest hotel technology in New Zealand. Moderated by E Horner & Associates Managing Director, TED HORNER (additional registration required). Panellists: |
8:55am-9:00am | WELCOME to AHICE day 2 at Tākina Wellington with emcee NICKY STYRIS. |
9:00am-9:25am |
PANEL SESSION: THE OPERATORS’ OUTLOOK (part 1). An essential outlook for the year ahead. Moderated by HM magazine Editor, RUTH HOGAN. Panellists: |
9:25am-9:40am |
THE LEADERSHIP SESSIONS [part 1]. Accor Pacific CEO, SARAH DERRY, in conversation with Head of Services at FIFA, SALLY ATTFIELD. |
9:40am-10:05am |
PANEL SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY. The essential trends you need to know. Moderated by Third Era Sustainability Consulting’s Sustainability Consultant, ANNABEL BURGESS. Panellists: |
10:05am-10:20am |
GLOBAL HOTELIER Q&A. Marriott International, Inc Chair, DAVID S. MARRIOTT, and Marriott International, Inc President and Chief Executive Officer, ANTHONY CAPUANO, in conversation with HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON (exclusive video from the USA). |
10:20am-10:45am |
PANEL SESSION: DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK [part 1]. The essential development outlook for 2023, 2024 and beyond. Moderated by HM magazine Editor, RUTH HOGAN. Panellists: |
10:45am-11:15am | Networking Morning Tea Presented by EVT ![]() |
11:15am-11:25am |
HOTELIER Q&A. Minor Hotels Chief Operating Officer CRAIG HOOLEY, in conversation with HM magazine Editor, RUTH HOGAN (via video link). |
11:25am-11:40am | GLOBAL KEYNOTE: The Asia-Pacific real estate market outlook, presented by JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Chief Executive Officer Asia Pacific, NIHAT ERCAN (from Singapore). |
11:40am-12:05pm |
PANEL SESSION: HUMAN RESOURCES. The essential Human Resources outlook for 2023, 2024 and beyond. Moderated by FRANZ MASCARENHAS, Managing Director, Cordis Auckland. Panellists:
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12:05pm-12:20pm | THE CEO SESSIONS [part 2]. IHG Hotels and Resorts SVP – Managing Director JAPAC, LEANNE HARWOOD, in conversation with KiwiHarvest Founder, DEBORAH MANNING. |
12:20pm-12:30pm |
GLOBAL HOTELIER Q&A: Wyndham Hotel Group CEO, GEOFF BALLOTTI, in conversation with HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON (exclusive video California). |
12:30pm-1:10pm |
KEYNOTE SPEECH: Run Branding Agency. – Raymond Otene McKay, Ngaati Mahuta, Ngāti Rongomaiwahine, Ngāti Porou and Ngāti Pūkeko; Co-Founder & Creative Director, Run Presented by THSA |
1:10pm-2:10pm |
NETWORKING LUNCH, presented by The Ascott Limited |
2:10pm-2:35pm |
PANEL SESSION: DESIGN TRENDS. The essential design and architecture outlook for 2023, 2024 and beyond. Moderated by Space Studio Director, VEE KESSNER. Panellists: |
2:35pm-3:00pm |
PANEL SESSION: THE INVESTORS OUTLOOK [part 2]. An essential outlook for the coming years. Moderated by JLL New Zealand Hotels and Hospitality Director, NICK THOMPSON. Panelists: |
3:00pm-3:25pm |
PANEL SESSION: DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK [part 2]. The essential development outlook for 2023, 2024 and beyond. Moderated by HM magazine Editor, RUTH HOGAN. Panellists: |
3:25pm-3:30pm |
GLOBAL TOURISM Q&A. United Airlines’ Managing Director Global Sales, MARCEL FUCHS, in conversation with HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON (exclusive video from the USA). |
3:30pm-4:00pm |
Networking Afternoon Tea. Presented by Cordis |
4:00pm-4:20pm |
PRESENTATION: CULTURE. Te Reo and Māori culture with Sofitel Wellington General Manager, RAYMOND FAULKNER. |
4:20pm-4:45pm |
PANEL SESSION: TOURISM OPPORTUNITIES. Industry leaders look at opportunities for domestic and international tourism. Moderated by THSA Managing Director, RODGER POWELL. Presented by Minor Group. Panellists: – PAUL GORMAN, General Manager Business Development, Luxury Escapes |
4:45pm-5:05pm |
PANEL SESSION: MEET THE PRESS. How the hotel sector and investors can best work with the media. Moderated by Travmedia Founder and CEO, NICK WAYLAND (from New York). Panellists: – CHRIS WAITE, Head of Corporate Affairs, JAPAC – IHG Hotels & Resorts
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5:05pm-5:30pm |
PANEL SESSION: ‘DRINKS WITH THE BOSSES’, THE OPERATORS’ OUTLOOK [part 2]. An essential outlook for the year ahead. Moderated by HM magazine Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. Panellists: – EMMA HYNES, Director of Operations, Premium and Essentials – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts |
5:30pm-7:30pm |
NETWORKING. Gala Networking Event at Tākina Wellington, presented by Accor. (Additional registration required). |
7:30pm-onwards |
NETWORKING. After Event networking bar at Hot Sauce, QT Wellington (pay as you go). |
Note: Program is subject to change
IMPORTANT: THE AHICE HOUSE RULES
A note from the organisers: Due to a number of unofficial invite-only events taking place during conferences in recent years, we would ask that businesses and individuals please do not host any events during the above times as a courtesy to other sponsors of AHICE Aotearoa.
We all know that without sponsors, events like this cannot happen and we ask that our request is respected. If unapproved events do take place during the official times, the organisers and representatives of those companies will not be able to attend any AHICE sessions and are at the risk of passes being revoked.
We are also requesting that supplier and adviser attendees that aren’t sponsors of the event do not canvas for business with sales materials and documents at AHICE Aotearoa events. Those that do will be at the risk of passes being revoked.
To find out how you can be involved in the program, please contact:
HOTEL OWNERS & CHAINS
James Wilkinson, AHICE Chair & Convenor: jwilkinson@intermedia.com.au
SUPPLIERS & ADVISERS
Tara Ducrou, Group Commercial Manager: tducrou@intermedia.com.au
Get in touch
Want to get more information and discuss commercial opportunities?
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