2025 Program Overview
Co-Host
FUTURE LEADERS FORUM
The Future Leaders Forum is for AHICE attendees who are under 35.
Tuesday 6 May 2025 | Hilton Adelaide
| 2.30pm – 5.15pm | AHICE FUTURE LEADERS FORUM Presented by  |
| 2.30pm – 3.00pm |
NETWORKING: REGISTRATION and AFTERNOON TEA
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| 3:00pm-3:05pm | WELCOME TO THE 2025 AHICE FUTURE LEADERS FORUM by emcee HOWARD KEMBALL, Director – KCom, AHICE Group President JAMES WILKINSON and Professor SIMON PAWSON, Associate Dean – Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School. |
| 3:05pm-3:25pm | INTERACTIVE SESSION: THE KEYS TO SUCCESS: Accor Director of Feasibility and Retention – Pacific, NICK LOCKYER and a speaker to be announced, in an open session with the room. |
| 3:25pm-3:55pm | PANEL: OPPORTUNITIES IN PROPERTY & DEVELOPMENT. Rising stars talk about their careers and where the opportunities for growth are in property and development. Hosted by: • TAYLOR O’BRIEN, Development Manager, Accor Panelists: • CHRIS BOYD, Associate – Investment Sales, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL • HANNAH ROSE, Associate Director, Knight Frank Valuation • JOSIE HUNGERFORD, Director of Growth and Corporate Affairs, Trilogy Hotels • SAM ABEL, Executive – Hotels, Colliers • ANNA CHURCH, Senior Development Manager, IHG Hotels & Resorts |
| 3:55pm-4:00pm | PRESENTATION: THE GROWTH OF YHL. Introducing the Canberra and Melbourne Chapters, by HANNAH ROSE, NICK LOCKYER and NICOLE BURG. |
| 4:00pm-4:30pm |
INTERACTIVE ACTIVITY: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES FACED BY FUTURE INDUSTRY LEADERS. With table captains, young executives will look at the opportunities and challenges faced by Future Industry Leaders. It will be a dynamic trivia challenge through Kahoot and participation will be by table rather than individual, to encourage discussion. Hosted by: |
| 4:30pm-4:45pm | LEADERSHIP Q&A: La Vie Hotels Development Manager, NICOLE BURG, in conversation with Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Chief Executive Officer, MATTHEW CAMERON-SMITH. |
| 4:45pm-5:15pm | PANEL: THE HOTELIERS’ OUTLOOK. Several of Australasia’s leading owners, investors and operators look at the industry outlook for 2025. Hosted by: • NICK HILL, Senior Negotiator – Capital Markets, Hotels, CBRE Asia Pacific Panelists: • LUCIA GRAMBALOVA, Chief Investment Officer & Head of Asset Management, Hotel Capital Partners • NATASHA LARKIN, Head of Talent and Culture – Pacific, Accor • PATRICK LONERGAN, Head of Hotel, Hospitality and Leisure, Mulpha Australia Limited • SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels • STEVEN SKAROTT, Director ‑ Hotels, Salter Brothers |
| 5:15pm-7:15pm | GALA NETWORKING EVENT AT HILTON ADELAIDE (available for AHICE Speakers, Future Leaders Forum and Design Inn delegates only) Presented by     |
| 7:30pm-onwards |
NETWORKING: THE AHICE ASIA-PACIFIC ‘AFTER DARK’ NETWORKING LOUNGE
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Note: Program is subject to change
Wednesday 7 May 2025 | Adelaide Oval
| 8:00am | NETWORKING: REGISTRATION, COFFEE, TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE, WEST AND EAST REFRESHMENT AREA |
| 8:10am – 8:50am |
BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS: Owner-Friendly Hotel Management Terms in Australia – Baker McKenzie and JLL deliver the results of their Asia Pacific Survey
Hosted by: |
| 8:50am-9:00am | WELCOME to AHICE 2025 by emcee JESS ADAMSON and AHICE Group President JAMES WILKINSON, including a welcome to country. |
| 9:00am-9:20am | PANEL SESSION: AUSTRALASIA BY THE NUMBERS: ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY OUTLOOKS. We kick off AHICE 2025 with a ‘by the numbers’ market outlook for Australasia and the greater Asia-Pacific region. Hosted by: • RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine Panelists: • BOUSSERIND COMSON, Director of Hotel Intelligence – APAC, Hotstats • MATTHEW BURKE, Regional Director, Asia Pacific ex China, STR |
| 9:20am-9:30am | HOTELIER Q&A: Marriott International APEC President, RAJEEV MENON, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 9:30am-9:55am | PANEL SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN OPERATIONS OUTLOOK. From growth to trends and challenges – leading operators look what to expect in 2025 for the hotel sector. Hosted by: • HOWARD KEMBALL, Director, KCom Panelists: • JASON NUELL, Regional Vice President – Australia, New Zealand, and Pacific, Marriott International • MATTHEW TRIPOLONE, Managing Director – Australasia and Pacific, IHG Hotels and Resorts • MICHELLE BRADSHAW, Vice President – Operations, Accor • ROD MUNRO, Managing Director, BWH Hotels Australasia • TRENT FRASER, Chief Executive Officer, Choice Hotels APAC |
| 9:55am-10:15am | KEYNOTE Q&A: South Australian Premier, THE HON. PETER MALINAUSKAS MP, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 10:15am-10:35am | POWER SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN ASSOCIATION OUTLOOKS. The association leaders give us their expectations for the year ahead. Hosted by: • HOWARD KEMBALL, Director, KCom Panelists: • JAMES DOOLAN, Strategic Advisor, Hotel Council Aotearoa • JAMES GOODWIN, Chief Executive Officer, Accommodation Australia • Speaker to be announced |
| 10:35am-10:55am | POWER SESSION: THE MICRO MAGIC COMETH. From Moxy to Drifter, MMNT and more, uncover the brands that are taking minimalist rooms and vibrant social spaces to the forefront. Hosted by: • SONIA LeFEVRE, Director, Hotellerie Panelists: • CASPAR SCHMIDT, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, QCC Collection • JOHN SUTCLIFFE, Director of Development, TFE Hotels • LUKE MORAN, CEO, Leisure Accommodation Collective • TIM ALPE, Managing Director, LyLo • TRISTAN COOPER, Director, Hotel Development – Australia, NZ & The Pacific, Marriott International |
| 10:55am-11:25am | MORNING TEA presented by |
| 11:25am-11:35am | HOTELIER Q&A: Senior Director, Human Resources, Australasia, MARY HOGG, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN, to talk about Hilton ‘s 50 years in Australia. |
| 11:35am-11:45am | HOTELIER Q&A: Crown Resorts Chief Executive Officer, DAVID TSAI, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 11:45am-12:10pm |
PANEL SESSION: ASIA-PACIFIC INVESTMENT OUTLOOK (part 1). Leading investors take to the stage to look at the segments, destinations, and brands that are fuelling growth.
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| 12:10pm-12:35pm | PANEL SESSION: ASIA-PACIFIC FRANCHISING OUTLOOK. Franchising continues to grow at a rapid rate and this panel will look at expectations for the segment. Hosted by: • RUWAN PEIRIS, Chief Executive Officer, THSA – Hotel Advisors Panelists: • DANESH BAMJI, Vice President Franchise, Pacific, Accor • DAVID SILCOCK, Senior Manager – Development, Australia & New Zealand, Choice Hotels Asia-PAC • JENNIFER WARN, General Manager of Sales and Distribution, The Ascott Limited • MATT HOLMES, Vice President of Development – South East Asia & Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts • SAM DAVIES, Director of Operations – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts |
| 12:35pm-1:00pm | PANEL SESSION: AUSTRALIAN REGIONAL TOURISM OUTLOOK. From hotel performance to growth areas and solid demand, what to expect in the regions this year. Hosted by: • JOOST HEYMEIJER, Inn-keeper, Toast Hospitality Advisory Panelists: • DAMIEN LITTLE, Director, Hotel Planning & Development, Horwath HTL Australia • GARETH CLOSTER, Senior Vice President – Investment Sales, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL • GRANT WILCKENS, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, G’day Group • JOHN ZECKENDORF, Principal, Mandala Management • NICK LOWER, National Director – Hotels, Savills |
| 1:00pm-2:00pm |
NETWORKING LUNCH presented by
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| 2:00pm-2:25pm | PANEL SESSION: ASIA-PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK. The Asia Pacific region continues to have major demand from a growth standpoint and this session will look at hot destinations, brands and market segments. Hosted by: • JESPER PALMQVIST, Senior Director Asia Pacific, STR Panelists: • ALISON HULM, Director of Development, Australasia, Langham Hospitality Group • DAMIAN CLOWES, Regional Managing Director – Asia Pacific, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group • OMAR ROMERO, Global Chief Development and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels • RAMZY FENIANOS, Chief Development Officer – APAC, Radisson Hotel Group • ZACHARY BROWN, Vice President – Design and Technical Services ASPAC, Ennismore |
| 2:25pm-2:35pm | HOTELIER Q&A: IHG Hotels and Resorts’ SVP & MD EAPAC, RAJIT SUKUMARAN, in conversation with HM Editor-In-Chief and AHICE Group President, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 2:35pm-3:00pm | PANEL SESSION: WHITE LABEL’S GROWTH CONTINUES ACROSS ASIA-PACIFIC. Third party management companies are all seeing increased demand as the platform continues to grow and this session will uncover how, why and where. Hosted by: • ROBERT WILLIAMS, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific, Watson Farley & Williams Panelists: • CLARE DAVIES, Managing Director, Capstone Hotel Management • MARCUS HANNA, Chief Operating Officer, La Vie Hotels • SCOTT ARMSTRONG, Director of Development, 1834 Hotels • SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels • THOMAS JOHN, Vice President Strategy and Development, Panache Hotel Group |
| 3:00pm-3:25pm | PANEL SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN CAPITAL MARKETS OUTLOOK. There’s been a flurry of deals in recent months and this session will look at the key destinations across the region where there’s demand for transactions ahead. Hosted by: • DUANE KEIGHRAN, Managing Director, Keighran Legal Panelists: • ANDREW JOLLIFFE, Managing Director & Board Chair, APAC, HTL Property • GUS MOORS, Managing Director, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL • KAREN WALES, Head of Hotels – Australia, Transaction Services, Colliers • MARK DURRAN, Managing Director – Hotel Capital Markets, Savills Australia and New Zealand • SAM McVAY, Managing Director, McVay Real Estate |
| 3:25pm-3:35pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Minor Hotels Chief Executive Officer, DILLIP RAJAKARIER, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 3:35pm-4:05pm |
NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA presented by
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| 4:05pm-4:25pm | POWER SESSION: NEW ZEALAND & PACIFIC MARKET OUTLOOK. A snapshot of what to expect in New Zealand and the South Pacific this year. Hosted by: • NICK THOMPSON, Hotels and Hospitality Director, JLL New Zealand Panelists: • BRENT HILL, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Fiji • JASON ZVATORA, Vice President, Commercial Strategy – APAC, OUTRIGGER Hospitality Group • GAVIN FAULL, Chairman and President, Swiss-Belhotel International • IFTI HUSSAIN, Country Manager, Sudima Hotels • NEERAV GORASIA, Head of Hospitality Performance, Pro-invest Hotels |
| 4:25pm-4:40pm |
KEYNOTE: THE LOCAL MUSICIANS RULE: ESSENTIAL PERFORMANCES IN HOTELS by musician TOBY RAND, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. Lead singer of Ashenmoon, RadioXX and Juke Kartel, Toby Rand, started his career in Melbourne and has gone on to be an acclaimed artist in the United States and Australia. He shot to fame on the TV show Rockstar: Supernova and now has residencies in Las Vegas and Los Angeles. Having regularly performed in hotels like Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills, he’s a strong advocate of the power of supporting local artists. In this enlightening discussion he will look at the opportunity hotels have to support local artists and in turn provide guests with fantastic entertainment, night-in, night-out. |
| 4:40pm-4:55pm | PRESENTATION: AUSTRALASIAN REAL ESTATE MARKET OUTLOOK BY ANDREW LANGSFORD, Senior Vice President, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL. |
| 4:55pm-6:00pm | AHICE ‘Apero’ hour with cocktails, keynotes and hot topics Presented by  |
| 4:55pm-5:20pm | PANEL SESSION: MIDSCALE & UPSCALE DRIVING GROWTH ACROSS AUSTRALASIA. The phenomenal growth of midscale and upscale projects is firmly continuing and this session will uncover the destinations and brands attracting significant demand. Hosted by: • SEBASTIAN BUSA, Partner, Baker and McKenzie Panelists: • CAMERON BURKE, Director of Development – Australasia and Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts • CRAIG HOOLEY, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotels • LINDSAY LEESER, Chief Development Officer Pacific & Head of Apartments and Leases, Accor • PETER HILL, Director of Development – Hotels and Resorts, EVT • TRENT CONROY, Head of Investments and Portfolio Growth, Choice Hotels Asia PAC |
| 5:20pm-5:30pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Accor Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands Global Chief Development Officer, CAMIL YAZBECK, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 5:30pm-5:50pm | PANEL SESSION: WHAT RISING STARS WANT. Our most popular session is back as the next generation of leaders look at their expectations for success in the hotel industry. Hosted by: • EMMY KO, Senior Associate, Ashurst Panelists: • CHRIS BOYD, Associate – Investment Sales, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL • JOSIE HUNGERFORD, Director of Growth and Corporate Affairs, Trilogy Hotels • NICK LOCKYER, Director of Feasibility and Retention – Pacific, Accor • NICOLE BURG, Business Development Executive, La Vie Hotels • TESS GEGENHUBER, Development Executive, TFE Hotels |
| 5:50pm-6:00pm | INVESTOR Q&A: Salter Brothers Managing Director, PAUL SALTER, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 6:00pm-6:05pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Accommodation Australia Chair and The Ascott Limited Managing Director – Australasia, DAVID MANSFIELD, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine. |
| 6:05pm | WRAP-UP OF DAY ONE by emcee JESS ADAMSON. |
| 6:05pm-8:00pm | AHICE 2025 GALA RECEPTION, including local food, wine and spectacular entertainment. (additional registration required) Presented by  |
| 8:00pm-onwards | NETWORKING: THE AHICE ASIA-PACIFIC ‘AFTER DARK’ NETWORKING LOUNGE Venue details to be revealed via the AHICE Asia Pacific APP powered by Sudima (complimentary drink on arrival and then pay as you go). Presented by     |
Note: Program is subject to change
Thursday 8 May 2025 | Adelaide Oval
| 8:00am | NETWORKING: REGISTRATION, COFFEE, TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE, WEST AND EAST REFRESHMENT AREA |
| 8:20am-9:55am |
BREAKFAST MASTERCLASSES: THE ALL-NEW ‘INN TECH’ HOTEL TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT presented by
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| 8:20am-8:25am | WELCOME TO INN TECH by emcee JESS ADAMSON. INN Tech is our all-new, mini Hotel Technology Summit with power sessions and a keynote Q&A to give you a flavour of what’s hot in tech, from revenue management to on-property tech and more. |
| 8:25am-8:45am | INN Tech POWER SESSION 1: REVENUE MANAGEMENT. A snapshot of the top trends in Revenue Management for 2025 from key industry leaders. Hosted by: • MELISSA KALAN, Executive Chair, Australian Revenue Management Association (ARMA) Panelists: • CHRIS ORMISTON, Sales Engineer, Asia Pacific, Agilysys • JURGEN ORTELEE, Managing Director – APAC, IDeaS Revenue Solutions • MICHAEL HEYWARD, CEO and Founder, Emekeli Research • TASNEEM MUKADAM, Director of Customer Success – APAC, Duetto • TELENA FROST, Director – Revenue Management, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac |
| 8:45am-9:05am | INN Tech POWER SESSION 2: THE INTELLIGENT GUEST JOURNEY. Personalisation, connectivity and loyalty are firmly at the forefront. Hosted by: • ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting Panelists: • ANTHONY STEVENS, General Manager – Australia and New Zealand, Shiji • HAYDEN AUST, Commercial Director – APAC, Mews • ROBERT BELL, Director of Sales & Operations Australasia, HUB OS • VIJESH YOGANATHAN, Regional Director, APAC, Canary Technologies |
| 9:05am-9:25am | INN Tech POWER SESSION 3: ON-PROPERTY TECHNOLOGY. The hot products and platforms you need in your hotels in 2025 and beyond. Hosted by: • BENJAMIN KRIEG, Senior Vice President Operations & Global Strategic Accounts, FutureLog Panelists: • CLAY DURBRIDGE, Sales Director, Evolv Building Technologies • GIDON SATTINGER, Managing Director, Vintech • MICHAEL BENIKOS, Managing Director, ASSA ABLOY Global Solutions Australia • SCOTT WIEDEMANN, National Manager – Accommodation, Foxtel • RODGER L. POWELL,Managing Director, THSA – Hotel Advisors |
| 9:25am-9:35am | INN Tech FOCUS SESSION: SERVING YOUR GUESTS MORE EFFECTIVELY AND BOOSTING PROFITABILITY. Explore strategic approaches to heightening both guest satisfaction and the bottom line. Gain insights into the tech investments and service enhancements that can directly influence profitability. Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting Panellist: • CHRIS ORMISTON, Sales Engineer, Asia Pacific, Agilysys |
| 9:35am-9:55am | INN Tech POWER SESSION 4: THE OTAs & DISTRIBUTION OUTLOOK. Where global and local travellers are targeting for their next trip in 2025 and some top trends you need to know. Hosted by: • CHRIS WAITE, Director, Chris Waite Corporate Affairs and Communications Panelists: • ADAM SCHWAB, Chief Executive Officer, Luxury Escapes • DARREN KARSHAGEN, Senior Director, Market Management, APAC, Expedia Group • ANDREW BOSHOFF, Chief Financial Officer, Global Hotel Alliance • TODD LACEY, Regional Manager Partner Services, Booking.com • SHAIZEEN CONTRACTOR, Chief Commercial Officer, Trilogy Hotels |
| AHICE DAY 2 RESUMES | |
| 9:55am-10:00am | HOTELIER Q&A: Accor Global Chief Operating Officer, Sofitel, Mgallery, Emblems, Maison, MARKUS KELLER, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine |
| 10:00am-10:10am | HOTELIER Q&A: TFE Hotels Chief Executive Officer, ANTONY RITCH, in conversation with JAMES WILKINSON, Group President, AHICE. |
| 10:10am-10:35am | PANEL SESSION: SUSTAINABILITY TO THE FOREFRONT. Expectations for 2025 with sustainability and examples of best practice in the industry. Hosted by: • ANDREW CAMERON Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting Panelists: • DIANA RICO-ROA, Director, ESG PLUS • KAMAL ATAL, Chief Finance and Commercial Officer, The Ascott Limited • MATTHEW CAMERON-SMITH, Chief Executive Officer, Voyages • LIONEL KAPETANAKOS, Asia Pacific Vice President – Institutional Division, Ecolab |
| 10:35am-11:00am | PANEL SESSION: AUSTRALASIAN LUXURY MARKET OUTLOOK. What to expect for 2025 and beyond for one of the world’s most resilient sectors, luxury. Hosted by: • DR ANITA MANFREDA, Senior Lecturer and Researcher, Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia Panelists: • CRAIG BOND, Senior Vice President – Head of Operations, Pan Pacific Hotels Group • DANIELLA TONETTO, Senior Director, Commercial, Australasia, Hilton • GARETH LONG, Director of Operations – Luxury and Lifestyle, IHG Hotels & Resorts • DAVID FRASER, Vice President Operations – Pacific, Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery and Emblems, Accor • RICHARD CRAWFORD, Vice President – Hotel Development, Australia, NZ, and Pacific, Marriott International |
| 11:00am-11:30am | NETWORKING MORNING TEA presented by |
| 11:30am-11:40am | HOTELIER Q&A: EVT Director of Hotels and Resorts, NORMAN ARUNDEL, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 11:40am-12:05pm | PANEL SESSION: AUSTRALASIA AVIATION & TOURISM OUTLOOK. More flights, cruise ships and private jets are on the way and what you can expect for the year ahead. Hosted by: • RODNEY HARREX, Chief Operating Officer, 1834 Hotels Panelists: • ADAM SCHWAB, Chief Executive Officer, Luxury Escapes • ANNE GILL, Senior Vice President Commercial, Pacific – Accor • DAVID TONKIN, Country General Manager – Australia, Pan Pacific Hotels Group • SAM WARREN-WHITE, Director, Destination Marketing, Australasia, Hilton • HON ZOE BETTISON MP, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, South Australia |
| 12:05pm-12:15pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Radisson Hotel Group Global Head of Development, ELIE YOUNES, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine. |
| 12:15pm-12:35pm |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SHAKING UP THE WORLD OF FASHION… IN HOTELS, by All Saints Founder, STUART TREVOR, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
In 1983, Stuart Trevor was a finalist in the Paul Smith/Mont Blanc competition and in 1985 he won designer of the year at The Smirnoff Fashion awards ‘Menswear Day’. Aged 19 he became the first designer and main buyer for REISS. At 28 he founded All Saints and many of the clothes that continue to feature every week in the top 10 bestseller list of the high-street brand today, were designed by Trevor himself over 20 years ago. Whenever Stuart was asked to start a new fashion brand he replied, “the world doesn’t need a new clothing company”. Then he thought to himself… hold it… what about a clothing company that doesn’t produce any clothes? This fell in line with his two main passions: having fun and protecting the planet. It was consistent with his belief that scarcity is the mother of creativity. Now, he’s launching into the world of hotels and watch out, because he’s launching into the hospitality sector with ranges like never before. |
| 12:35pm-12:45pm | HOTELIER Q&A: 1834 HOTELS Chief Executive Officer, ANDREW BULLOCK, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN. |
| 12:45pm-12:55pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Travel + Leisure Co President and Managing Director International Operations, BARRY ROBINSON, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 12:55pm-1:50pm |
NETWORKING LUNCH presented by
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| 1:50pm-2:15pm | POWER SESSION: FOOD & BEVERAGE TO THE FOREFRONT. The food and beverage offerings at hotels continue to evolve and this session is a snapshot of the hottest trends right now. Hosted by: • EMMA FRASER, Founder, Fraser Marketing International Panelists: • NATHAN ‘CHEF’ BROADHEAD, Head of Strategic Accounts, Purchase Plus • DAVID SUDE, Group General Manager, QT Hotels and Resorts • STEVE FINLAYSON, General Manager, Playford Adelaide, MGallery • WILLIAM DE BEAUREPAIRE, Director, De Beaurepaire Wines • JONATHAN BOWMAKER, Senior Manager, Food & Beverage Operations, Australasia, Hilton |
| 2:15pm-2:40pm | PANEL SESSION: INVESTMENT: ‘THE MONEY’. Expectations of capital flow, debt and hot segments in demand for 2025 and beyond. Hosted by: • TOM GIBSON, Senior Director, CBRE Hotels Panelists: • ADAM BURY, Executive Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Group, JLL • ANDREW BRANDON, Fund Manager, Serene Capital • ED FARAGUNA, Chief Financial Officer, Ark Capital Partners • IVY CHENG, Director, Investment & Business Development, CapitaLand Australia • ADRIAN ARCHER, Head of Hotels Advisory and Valuations, Savills |
| 2:40pm-3:05pm | PANEL SESSION: WHAT ASSET MANAGERS WANT. One of our favourite sessions where the asset managers give their honest opinions on how they see the hotel industry. Hosted by: • RODGER L. POWELL, Managing Director, THSA – Hotel Advisors Panelists: • DAVID BARK, Hotels Asset Manager, Mulpha Australia Limited • HOWARD KEMBALL, Director, KCom • NEIL SCANLAN, National Director of Hotel Asset Management, Colliers • ROHAN GOPALDAS, Partner & Asset Manager, Prospect Hotel Advisors • SONIA VICKERS, Executive Director – Strategic Advisory, Gatehouse Hospitality |
| 3:05pm-3:30pm | PANEL SESSION: PEOPLE & CULTURE. From staffing challenges to operational excellence benchmarks, this session will look at the top issues and trends in human resources. Hosted by: • Professor SIMON PAWSON, Associate Dean – Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School Panelists: • EMMA HYNES, Director of Operations, Premium and Essentials – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts • KELLY DODD, Director, Hotels-Resorts-Accommodation, Tourism Talent • MARDI SPARROW, Chief People Officer, Trilogy Hotels • SILVIA COHEN, People and Culture Director, EVT Hotels and Resorts • TOM FITZGERALD, Regional Director of Human Resources, Pacific, Langham Hospitality Group |
| 3:30pm-4:00pm |
NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA presented by
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| 4:00pm-4:25pm | PANEL SESSION: LIFESTYLE & COLLECTION BRANDS. Global growth has been exceptional for lifestyle and collection brands and there’s a lot more on the way. Hosted by: • MARK PALERMO, Partner, Squire Patton Boggs Panelists: • CALLUM KENNEDY, EVT Group General Manager for Hotels & Resorts • BRETT FORER, Vice President Development – Pacific, Accor • RAPHAEL ANTONINI, Chief Development Officer, Salter Brothers Hospitality • WAYNE TARANTO, Chief Operating Officer, Ovolo Hotels • DUNCAN MARS, Vice President of Resort Operations, Travel + Leisure Co. |
| 4:25pm-4:35pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Accor Chief Operating Officer – Pacific, ADRIAN WILLIAMS, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine. |
| 4:35pm-4:50pm | KEYNOTE: GIVING BACK WITH ‘ReLOVE’. Founded by RENUKA FERNANDO and BEN STAMMER in 2019, ReLove has quickly grown to be one of Australia’s leading support services for people in crisis who need to create homes from scratch. They are a not-for-profit association who work with causes supporting families impacted by domestic violence, people experiencing homelessness and people seeking asylum. A number of hotels in Australia have been involved with ReLove by donating furniture when they are refurbishing and it’s having a major impact already. |
| 4:50pm-5:10pm | POWER SESSION: MEET THE PRESS. Meet the travel journalists shaking things up in the Australian media scene. Presented by  Hosted by: • GAYNOR REID, Communications Manager, Travmedia Panelists: • AMANDA BOLGER, General Manager – Global PR and Communications, Luxury Escapes • BRAD CROUCH, Reporter, The Advertiser and Sunday Mail • CAROLYN CUMMINS, Commercial Property Editor, The Sydney Morning Herald • CHRIS WAITE, Director, Chris Waite Corporate Affairs and Communications • LAYTON HOLLEY, Commercial Property Reporter, Green Street News Australia |
| 5:10pm-6:00pm |
AHICE ‘Apero’ hour with cocktails, keynotes and hot topics presented by Cin Cin
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| 5:10pm-5:35pm | PANEL SESSION: ASIA-PACIFIC INVESTMENT OUTLOOK (part 2). Leading investors take to the stage to look at the segments, destinations, and brands that are fuelling growth. Hosted by: • PETER HARPER, Managing Director – Head of Investment Sales Australasia, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Panelists: • GREG SHAW, CEO, Mulpha Australia • JURE DOMAZET, Managing Director, DOMA Group • JOHANN DE GOEDE, Director of Asset Management – APAC, Pro-invest Group • RAHUL PARRAB, Chief Executive Officer, Ark Capital Partners • STUART VERRIER, Head of Property Development and Asset Management, Australia Pacific Airports Melbourne (APAM) |
| 5.35pm – 6.00pm |
PANEL SESSION: ‘THE CLOSING BELL’ – INDUSTRY EXPECTATIONS FOR 2025. We’re finishing AHICE with an all new ‘closing bell’ session where global and local industry leaders offer their take on the year ahead. Hosted by: • ROBERT WILLIAMS, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific, Watson Farley & Williams Panelists: • ALEX THORPE, Director, Veriu Group • BEN SCHUMACHER, Regional Vice President Operations, Asia Pacific, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts • GADI HASSIN, CEO & Co-Founder, Helios Hospitality Management • HARVEY THOMPSON, Managing Director – The Langham, Sydney, Managing Director – Eaton Workshop and General Manager – Eaton Hong Kong • LACHLAN HOSWELL, Managing Director, Business Unit Australasia, Radisson Hotel Group |
| 6:00pm | WRAP-UP of AHICE 2025 by emcee JESS ADAMSON. |
Note: Program is subject to change
AHICE House Rules
A note from the organisers: Due to a number of unofficial invite-only events taking place during the official event times 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 and Design Inn.
We all know that without sponsors, events like this cannot happen and we ask that our request is respected.
If events do take place during the official times, without the written approval from the AHICE team, the organisers and representatives of those companies will not be able to attend any AHICE sessions at the Adelaide Oval or Design Inn and are at the risk of passes being revoked.
We will also be requesting that supplier attendees that aren’t sponsors of the event to not canvas for business with sales materials and documents at the events at the Adelaide Oval or SkyCity. Those that do it 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 Group President: 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?