2025 Program Overview

More details about the 2025 event will be available soon.

Co-Host

CONFERENCE

Day 1 – Wednesday 7 May 2025

8:00am Registration
8:20am – 9:00 am BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS
(additional registration required)
9:00am – 10:30am  AHICE part one
10:30am – 11:00am MORNING TEA
11:00am – 12:50pm AHICE part two
12:50pm – 1:45pm LUNCH
1:45pm – 3:50pm AHICE part three
3:50pm – 4:20pm AFTERNOON TEA
4:20pm – 5:50pm AHICE part four
5:50pm – 6:15pm Drinks with Future Leaders’ session
6:15pm – 8:30pm AHICE 2024 GALA REECEPTION, including local food, wine and spectacular entertainment.
(additional registration required)
Presented by SATC / SA GOV.

Note: Program is subject to change

Day 2 – Thursday 8 May 2025

8:00am Registration
8:20am – 9:00 am BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS
(additional registration required)
9:00am – 10:30am AHICE part five
10:30am – 10:50am MORNING TEA
10:50am – 12:35pm AHICE part six
12:35pm – 1:30pm LUNCH
1:30pm – 2:40pm AHICE part seven
2:40pm – 3:10pm AFTERNOON TEA
3:10pm – 5:00pm AHICE part eight

Note: Program is subject to change

View the 2024 Program Below.

FUTURE LEADERS FORUM

The Future Leaders Forum is for AHICE attendee’s who are under 35. 

Tuesday 30 April 2024

3:00pm-3:30pm NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA.
Presented by BMIHMS / Torrens University Australia.
3:30pm-3:35pm WELCOME TO THE 2024 AHICE FUTURE LEADERS FORUM by emcee JESS ADAMSON, AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief JAMES WILKINSON and Associate Professor SIMON PAWSON, Associate Dean – Torrens University Australia.
3:35pm-3:50pm LEADERSHIP Q&A: Hotel Capital Partners Chief Investment Officer & Head of Asset Management, LUCIA GRAMBALOVA, in conversation with AMELIA PEREZ, Manager – Development, Australasia, Hilton.
3:50pm-4:15pm

PANEL SESSION: THE OWNERS & INVESTORS. Several of Australasia’s leading owners and investors look at the industry outlook for 2024.
Moderated by: QCC Collection Founder & Chief Executive Officer, CASPAR SCHMIDT

Panelists:
JURE DOMAZET, Managing Director, DOMA Group
MARCUS REINDERS, Chief Executive Officer, NZ Hotel Holdings
MARIANNE OSSOVANI, Head of Hotels, Tourism and Leisure, Elanor Investors Group
MARK BULLOCK, Managing Director – Acquisitions & Asset Management, Ark Capital Partners
STEVEN SKAROTT​​​, Director ‑ Hotels, Salter Brothers

4:15pm-4:35pm LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE: Enzyme Consulting Founder and CEO, ANDREW CAMERON.
4:35pm-5:00pm

PANEL SESSION: THE OPERATORS. Several of Australasia’s leading executives look at the industry outlook for 2024.
Moderated by: SIMON PAWSON, Associate Professor and Associate Dean – Torrens University Australia

Panelists:
-ADRIAN WILLIAMS, Chief Operating Officer – Pacific, Accor
-EMMA HYNES, Director of Operations, Premium and Essentials – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts
JAN SMITS, Deputy Chair & CEO APAC, Pro-invest Group
NICOLE DOWNS, Group Director of People and Performance, Ovolo Group
SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels

5:00pm-5:30pm

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.

Moderated by IAN WILSON, Managing Director, Too Build

5:30pm-7:30pm

NETWORKING EVENT FOR DESIGN INN & FUTURE LEADERS ATTENDEES & AHICE SPEAKERS.
(Additional registration required)
Presented by Dandelion Vineyards and Radisson Hotel Group.

         File:Radisson Hotels logo.svg - Wikipedia

7:30pm-onwards NETWORKING: THE AHICE ASIA-PACIFIC ‘AFTER HOURS’ COCKTAIL LOUNGE at The Playford Adelaide – MGallery, presented by Outrigger Resorts & Hotels, Wayfarer; Westward Whiskey and De Beaurepaire Wines (glass of wine on arrival and pay as you go).

                   

Note: Program is subject to change

CONFERENCE

Day 1 – Wednesday 1 May 2024

8:15am-8:55am

BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS: Mini Debate “Branded Operators are better at running hotels than White Label Operators.”
(Additional registration required)
Moderated by GUS MOORS, Managing Director, Hotels & Hospitality Group.
Presented by JLL.

PARTICIPANTS:
• For the Affirmative (the Brands), 1st Speaker is TISH NYAR (TFE Hotels), 2nd Speaker is CRAIG HOOLEY (Minor Hotels) and 3rd speaker is RICHARD CRAWFORD (Marriott International).
• For the Negative (White Label), 1st Speaker is CHRIS BATTERHAM (La Vie Hotels & Resorts), 2nd Speaker is ANDREW BULLOCK (1834) and 3rd Speaker is TONY RYAN (Trilogy).

8:55am-9:10am WELCOME to AHICE 2024 by emcee JESS ADAMSON and AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief JAMES WILKINSON, including a welcome to country.
9:10am-9:25am OUTLOOK: Performance expectations for 2024 by STR Regional Director – Pacific, Japan & Central South Asia, MATTHEW BURKE.
9:25am-9:35am HOTELIER Q&A: Accor’s global Group Chief Finance Officer, MARTINE GEROW, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
9:35am-9:45am HOTELIER Q&A: Hilton Area Vice President – APAC & Head of Australasia/South Pacific, PAUL HUTTON and Hilton Regional Human Resources Director, MARY (BASSON) HOGG, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
9:45am-10:10am

PANEL SESSION: ESSENTIAL SUSTAINABILITY – THE KEYS TO SUCCESS IN 2024 AND BEYOND.
Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO, Enzyme Consulting

Panelists:
ANTHEA DIMITRAKOPOULOS, General Manager, Brand and Environmental, Social and Governance, The Ascott Limited
-ANTHONY D. URSINO, General Counsel, Pro-invest Group
BEN SCHUMACHER, Vice President Operations – South East Asia Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
CASPAR SCHMIDT, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, QCC Collection
KYLIE ROBERTS-FROST, Chief Executive Officer, Australian Bedding Stewardship Council

10:10am-10:35am

PANEL SESSION: THE ASSET MANAGERS’ OUTLOOK.
Moderated by: RICHARD MUNRO, Director, IP Protect

Panelists:
DAVID BARK, Hotels Asset Manager, Mulpha Australia Limited
HOWARD KEMBALL, Director, KCom
LUCIA GRAMBALOVA, Chief Investment Officer & Head of Asset Management, Hotel Capital Partners
-RODGER L. POWELL, Managing Director, THSA
ROHAN GOPALDAS, Partner & Asset Manager, Prospect Hotel Advisors

10:35am-11:05am NETWORKING: MORNING TEA.
Presented by AGILYSIS.
11:05am-11:15am PRESENTATION: THE 2024 ASIA PACIFIC REAL ESTATE OUTLOOK by NIHAT ERCAN, Chief Executive Officer – Asia-Pacific, Hotels, JLL
11:15am-11:35am KEYNOTE Q&A: South Australian Premier, THE HON. PETER MALINAUSKAS MP, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
11:35am-11:55am

PANEL SESSION: FOOD AND BEVERAGE: HOT TRENDS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND
Presented by EVT.

Moderated by MICHAEL RODRIGUES, 24-Hour Economy Commissioner, NSW

Panelists:
ADAM PETTA, Group Director of Culinary, EVT
-ALISON HULM, Director ‑ Development, Australasia, Langham Hospitality Group
BENJAMIN KRIEG, Global Vice President Strategic Accounts, FutureLog
JOOST HEYMEIJER, Inn-keeper, Toast Hospitality Advisory
WILLIAM DE BEAUREPAIRE, Director, De Beaurepaire Wines

11:55am-12:05pm HOTELIER Q&A: IHG Hotels & Resorts Chief Executive Officer – Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, KENNETH MACPHERSON, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
12:05pm-12:30pm

PANEL SESSION: LONG STAYS – APARTMENT HOTELS, BRANDED RESIDENTIAL AND CO-LIVING SPACES
Moderated by EMMA FRASER, Founder, Fraser Marketing International

Panelists:
ALEX THORPE, Director, Veriu Group
JAMES SHIELDS, General Manager of Growth & Capital Strategy, The Ascott Limited
JOHN SUTCLIFFE, Director of Development, TFE Hotels
LINDSAY LEESER, Chief Development Officer Pacific & Head of Apartments and Leases, Accor
MARK RONFELDT​, Chief Executive Officer, Nesuto

12:30pm-12:40pm HOTELIERS Q&A: Marriott International APEC President, RAJEEV MENON in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
12:40pm-1:30pm NETWORKING: LUNCH.
Presented by Austrade.
1:30pm-1:55pm

PANEL SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN INVESTMENT OUTLOOK
Moderated by: PETER HARPER, Managing Director – Head of Investment Sales Australasia,
JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group

Panelists:
DR JERRY SCHWARTZ, Director, Schwartz Family Co
MARCUS REINDERS, Chief Executive Officer, NZ Hotel Holdings
MARIANNE OSSOVANI, Head of Hotels, Tourism and Leisure, Elanor Investors Group
BRIAN O’DRISCOLL, Director of Portfolio Management and Transactions, Pro-invest Group

1:55pm-2:05pm HOTELIER Q&A: The Ascott Limited Managing Director – Australasia, DAVID MANSFIELD, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
2:05pm-2:30pm

PANEL SESSION: WHAT RISING STARS WANT
Moderator: SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels

Panelists:
AMELIA PEREZ, Manager – Development, Australasia, Hilton
NICK HILL, Negotiator – Capital Markets, Hotels, CBRE
MALAKAI YEOMANS, Room Division Manager, Doma Hotels
NICOLE BURG, Business Development Executive, La Vie Hotels
-SCOTT BEAR, General Manager, Mercure Sydney Manly Warringah

2:30pm-2:40pm 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.
2:40pm-3:00pm

PANEL SESSION: THE MEDIA – MAXIMISING EARNED COVERAGE AND WORKING WITH THE PRESS.
Moderated by: NICK WAYLAND, Chief Executive Officer, Travmedia

Panelists:
-GAVIN DENNETT, Editor – Spice, SpiceNews & A-List Guide
-JAMES WILKINSON, Editor-In-Chief – Wayfarer & HM / Travel Expert – 7 Network
KARENA NOBLE, Director, Karena Noble Communications
MONICA SALTER, Outrigger, VP Global Communications & Social Responsibility, Outrigger Hospitality Group

3:00pm-3:30pm NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA.
Presented by Signature Floors.
 
3:30pm-3:40pm HOTELIER Q&A: Outrigger Hospitality Group President & CEO, JEFF WAGONER, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
3:40pm-4:05pm

PANEL SESSION: THE ASIA-PACIFIC DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK
Moderated by: MARK BULLOCK, Managing Director – Acquisitions & Asset Management, Ark Capital Partners

Panelists:
CLARENCE TAN, Senior Vice President, Development – Asia Pacific, Hilton
KEVIN CROLEY, Senior Vice President, Development, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
PETER HILL, Director – Development, Hotels & Resorts, EVT
RICHARD CRAWFORD, Vice President – Hotel Development, Australia, NZ, and Pacific, Marriott International
XAVIER GRANGE, Chief Development Officer – Luxury, Europe and Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems, Accor

4:05pm-4:30pm

PANEL SESSION: THE MONEY
Moderated by: ANDREW LANGSFORD, Senior Vice President, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group

Panelists:
ADIL MOOSA, Senior Manager Corporate Development, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac
ADRIAN ARCHER, Head of Hotels Advisory/Valuations, Savills
MINA LI, Director, THSA
RAHUL PARRAB, Chief Executive Officer, Ark Capital Partners

4:30pm-4:55pm

PANEL SESSION: POWER OF THE PEOPLE – THE AUSTRALASIAN HUMAN RESOURCES OUTLOOK.
Moderated by: SIMON PAWSON, Associate Professor and Associate Dean – Torrens University Australia

Panelists:
ANGELA HOWARD, Senior Vice President Talent & Culture – Premium, Midscale & Economy, Accor Pacific
-LUKE BUTLER, Managing Director, Hastings People
JOAN BLINDHEIM, Director of Talent – Japan, Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts
MARK HODGE, Principal Advisor, Hodge & Co
-SILVIA COHEN, People & Culture Director, EVT
-TIM MYATT, Manager – Visitor Economy Workforce Capability, Visitor Economy and Client Programs Division, Austrade

4:55pm-5:05pm HOTELIER Q&A: Minor Hotels Chief Executive Officer, DILLIP RAJAKARIER, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
5:05pm-5:15pm 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.
5:15pm-5:40pm

PANEL SESSION: THE OPERATORS’ OUTLOOK FOR 2024 AND BEYOND.
Moderated by: ROY MELICK, Of CounselBaker & McKenzie

Panelists:
-ADRIAN WILLIAMS, Chief Operating Officer – Pacific, Accor
-GEOFF YORK, Chief Executive Officer & Group Director, Hotels, Crystalbrook Collection
JAN SMITS, Deputy Chair & CEO APAC, Pro-invest Group
MATTHEW TRIPOLONE, Managing Director – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts
-SEAN HUNT, Area Vice President – Australia, New Zealand & Pacific, Marriott International

5:40pm-6:15pm

NETWORKING: DRINKS WITH THE BOSSES: Join us for a glass of South Australian wine in our two exhibition areas and meet some of the leading executives in the hotel industry.
Presented by Dandelion Vineyards and IHG Hotels & Resorts.

       

6:15pm-8:15pm

NETWORKING: THE AHICE 2024 GALA WELCOME RECEPTION, presented by SATC / SA GOV
(additional registration required)

8:15pm-onwards

NETWORKING: THE AHICE ASIA-PACIFIC ‘AFTER HOURS’ COCKTAIL LOUNGE at The Playford Adelaide – MGallery, presented by Outrigger Resorts & Hotels, Wayfarer; Westward Whiskey and De Beaurepaire Wines (cocktail on arrival and pay as you go).

                   

Note: Program is subject to change

Day 2 – Thursday 2 May 2024

8:10am-8:55am

BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS: Hotels, build-to-rent (BTR) and Co-living – crossovers and opportunities.
(additional registration required)
Moderated by SEBASTIAN BUSA, Partner, Baker & McKenzie
Presented by Baker Mckenzie. 

Panelists:
ALEX THORPE, Director, Veriu
LUCIA GRAMBALOVA, Chief Investment Officer & Head of Asset Management, Hotel Capital Partners
RORY HUNTER, Founder and CEO, Model

8:55am-9:00am WELCOME BACK TO AHICE 2024 by emcee JESS ADAMSON.
9:00am-9:25am

PANEL SESSION: THE BOUTIQUE & LIFESTYLE BOOM.
Moderated by: ARNAUD MILLÉCAMPS, Managing Director, Minett Prime Square 

Panelists:
-DAVID SUDE, Area GM, QT Hotels and Resorts
DAVE BASWAL, Chief Executive Officer, Ovolo Group
GADI HASSIN, Global COO, Selina
JURE DOMAZET, Managing Director, DOMA Group
MATT HOLMES, Vice President of Development – South East Asia & Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts

9:25am-9:35am HOTELIER Q&A: EVT Director of Hotels and Resorts, NORMAN ARUNDEL, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
9:35am-10:00am

PANEL SESSION: ASIA-PACIFIC INVESTMENT OUTLOOK
Moderated by: ADAM BURY, Executive Vice President, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group 

Panelists:
-CHRIS BATTERHAM, Chief Development Officer, La Vie Hotels
GREG SHAW, CEO, Mulpha
-NIGEL GREENAWAY, Chief Financial Officer, Crystalbrook Collection
PAUL SALTER, Managing Director, Salter Brothers
SANJOG MODGIL, Head of Overseas Hotels, TCC Land International (Thailand)

10:00am-10:10am HOTELIER Q&A: Marriott International Executive Vice President and Global Chief Customer Officer, PEGGY ROE, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
10:10am-10:35am

PANEL SESSION: DEALS, DEALS, DEALS – THE AUSTRALASIA PROPERTY OUTLOOK.
Moderated by: TONY RYAN, Executive Chairman, Trilogy Hotels  

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
MICHAEL SIMPSON, Managing Director – Hotels, Pacific, CBRE Hotels

10:35am-11:05am

NETWORKING: MORNING TEA
Presented by Moreton Bay. 

11:05am-11:30am

PANEL SESSION: GROWING REGIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Moderated by DORA STILIANOS, Partner, Baker McKenzie 

Panelists:
MAYOR PETER FLANNERY, Mayor, City of Moreton Bay
-JENNIFER WARN, General Manager, Sales and Distribution, The Ascott Limited
-JOHN ZECKENDORF, Director, Mandala Hotels and Resorts
-CRAIG HOOLEY, Chief Operating Officer, Minor Hotels
-TRACY MACARTHUR, Marketing Manager & Digital Projects Lead – Asia Pacific, Travel + Leisure Co

11:30am-11:40am OUTLOOK: What to expect in 2024 by Accommodation Australia Chief Executive Officer, MICHAEL JOHNSON and Accommodation Australia Chair, DAVID MANSFIELD.
11:40am-12:05pm

PANEL SESSION: THE ASIA-PACIFIC TRAVEL OUTLOOK
Moderated by RUWAN PEIRIS, Director, THSA. 

Panelists:
ADAM SCHWAB, Chief Executive Officer, Luxury Escapes
BRENT HILL, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Fiji
KARI​​​​ HUNTER, Senior Director Commercial and Revenue Management, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac
KATE ATKINSON, Vice President – Global Sales, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
ZOE BETTISON MP, Minister for Tourism and Multicultural Affairs, South Australia

12:05pm-12:10pm HOTELIER Q&A: Accor Global Chief Operating Officer, Sofitel Mgallery Emblems Maison, MARKUS KELLER, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
12:10pm-12:20pm HOTELIER Q&A: Pan Pacific Hotels Group Chief Executive Officer, CHOE PENG SUM, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
12:20pm-12:45pm

KEYNOTE: THE WORLD OF AI BY STEPHEN BORG, CEO & Co-founder at meldCX. More details to come.
Presented by THSA. 

12:45pm-1:30pm

NETWORKING: LUNCH.
Presented by The Ascott Limited. 

1:30pm-1:40pm HOTELIER Q&A: ANTONY RITCH, Chief Executive Officer, TFE Hotels, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
1:40pm-2:05pm

PANEL SESSION: WHAT GLOBAL CUSTOMERS WANT. A deep dive into what the customers want now and into the next decade.
Moderated by ROHAN GOPALDAS, Partner & Asset Manager, Prospect Hotel Advisors 

Panelists:
-ANNE GILL, Senior Vice President Commercial, Pacific, Accor
-CANDICE D’CRUZ, Vice President, Luxury Brands – Asia Pacific, Hilton
CRAIG BOND, Senior Vice President – Head of Operations, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
-JEFFREY VAN VORSSELEN, Regional Vice President – Operations, Langham Hospitality Group
-LISA RANGITUTIA, Director of Commercial, Luxury and Lifestyle, Australasia, IHG Hotels and Resorts

2:05pm-2:30pm

PANEL SESSION: THE AUSTRALASIAN DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK
Moderated by: ROSS BEARDSELL, Executive Vice President, Asset Management, JLL’s Hotels & Hospitality Group 

Panelists:
BRETT FORER, Vice President Development – Pacific, Accor
CAMERON BURKE, Director of Development – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts
-LACHLAN HOSWELL, Managing Director, Business Unit Australasia, Radisson Hotel Group
-MONIKA DUBAJ, Vice President – Development & Owner Relations, Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, Hyatt
TUSHAR RANIGA, Regional Director – Development, Australasia, Hilton

2:30pm-2:40pm HOTELIER Q&A: 1834 HOTELS Chief Executive Officer, ANDREW BULLOCK, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN.
2:40pm-2:50pm HOTELIER Q&A: Radisson Hotel Group Global Head of Development, ELIE YOUNES, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine.
2:50pm-3:15pm

PANEL SESSION: THE RISE OF WHITE LABEL.
Moderated by ROBERT WILLIAMS, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific, Watson Farley & Williams 

Panelists:
ANDREW BULLOCK, Chief Executive Officer, 1834 Hotels
BRETT BARLOW, Senior Vice President – Development, EVT
GLEN BOULTWOOD, CEO and Co-Founder, Serene Capital
JERRY XU, Chief Executive Officer, La Vie Hotels
TONY RYAN, Executive Chairman, Trilogy Hotels

3:15pm MAIN STAGE SESSIONS END and delegates head to THE PLAYFORD ADELAIDE.
3:25pm-3:50pm

NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA.
Presented by ACCOR and De Beaurepaire Wines at The Playford Adelaide – MGallery.(additional registration required) 

         

3:50pm-5:20pm AHICE POWER SESSIONS: An all-new afternoon of quick-fire sessions held over drinks following afternoon tea at The Playford Adelaide, MGallery.
3:50pm-4:00pm OUTLOOK: New Zealand industry expectations by Hotel Council Aotearoa Strategic Advisor, JAMES DOOLAN.
4:00pm-4:23pm

POWER SESSION 1: ELEVATING THE GUEST JOURNEY
Moderated by: IVAN SUNDE, Industry Consultant 

Panelists:
-ANDREW TURNER, Group General Manager, Technology & Digital, EVT
-DR CARMEL HARRINGTON, Sleep Expert, AH Beard & Sleep for Health
-DAVID TONKIN, Country General Manager – Oceania, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
-SCOTT WIEDEMANN, National Manager – Accommodation, Foxtel
STEVEN HIGGINS, Leader, Key Account Management – Australia & New Zealand LWT APAC, LIXIL Water Technology

4:23pm-4:46pm

POWER SESSION 2: MARKET SNAPSHOT – NEW ZEALAND AND THE SOUTH PACIFIC – opportunities and more.
Moderated by: NICK THOMPSON, Hotels and Hospitality Director, JLL New Zealand 

Panelists:
DUNCAN MARS, Vice President Resort Operations South Pacific, Travel + Leisure Co
-EMMA HYNES, Director of Operations, Premium and Essentials – Australasia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts
-JEAN HANEKOM, Director of Operations – Australia & New Zealand, Naumi Hotels
-LES MORGAN, Chief Operating Officer, Sudima Hotels New Zealand
-PATRICK LAYBUTT, Vice President Operations & Development – Australia & New Zealand, Swiss-Belhotel International

4:46pm-4:56pm HOTELIER Q&A: BWH Hotels Australasia Managing Director, ROD MUNRO, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine.
4:56pm-5:20pm

POWER SESSION 3: FRANCHISING – EXPECTATIONS FOR 2024 AND BEYOND 
Moderated by ALAN CHRISTIE, Senior Director, Growth & Development – SEA, La Vie Hotels 

Panelists:
DANESH BAMJI, Vice President Franchise, Pacific, Accor 
-DAVID SILCOCK, Senior Manager – Development, Australia & New Zealand, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac
RAMZY FENIANOS, Chief Development Officer – APAC, Radisson Hotel Group 
RODNEY SIMPSON, Managing Director, Operations – APAC, BWH Hotels
-SCOTT ARMSTRONG, Director of Development, 1834 Hotels

5:20pm WRAP-UP by AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.

Note: Program is subject to change

Tuesday 30 April 2024

8:30am-9:00am

BREAKFAST MASTERCLASS presented by Shape.


Inside the transformation of Salter Brothers’ Accor portfolio: thinking outside the box to maximise return on refurbishments during tough economic times.

  • ANDREW PICKERING, Commercial Manager, Shape
  • GRACE LEI GUO, Director, Stack Studio
  • GUY BLUNDEN, Director – Client Services, WMK Architecture
  • MIKE WATSON, Head of Design, Dezign

Moderator: MARIE COLANGELO, Project Director (Strategic Projects) Salter Brothers

9:00am-9:05am WELCOME TO DESIGN INN by emcee JESS ADAMSON, AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON and DESIGN INN Content Committee Chair, RUTH HOGAN.
9:05am-9:30am

PANEL: Realising the commercial benefit to ESG
Sustainable design comes at a cost – what can owners expect in return?

  • BRENDON PITT, Senior Sustainability Engineer, NDY
  • CATHERINE HART, Senior Design Manager, Toga
  • CRAIG BOND, Senior Vice President Head of Operations, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
  • KRISTI WAYMAN, Director of Design & Technical Services, Pro-invest Group
  • SARAH HULL, Director of Sustainability and Brand, Cooper and Company

Moderator: ANGELA BIDDLE, Principal, Fender Katsalidis

9:30am-9:45am

PROJECT SHOWCASE: Moxy Sydney Airport
The journey to bring Marriott International’s playful lifestyle brand Moxy to the Australian market. 

MARIA VERNER, Transactions Manager (Hotels), RF CorVal

9:45am-10:10am: 

MASTERCLASS: Advancing accessible design
Catering to a multitude of guest needs through elevated accessible design.

  • JULIE OCKERBY, Principal Creative Director, Meli Studio
  • KERRY WILLIAMS, Founder, Accessible Accommodation (The Accessible Group)
  • RYAN SMITH, Founder & Chief Access Officer, The Access Agency

Moderator: PHILLIPA LE ROUX, Design & Project Director, Australasia, Hilton

10:10am-10:25am DESIGN Q&A: DAMIEN PERROT, Global Chief Design, Technical Services & Innovation for PME, Accor, in conversation with Ruth Hogan, Editor, HM Magazine.
10:30am-11:00am NETWORKING: MORNING TEA. Presented by GROHE.
11:00am-11:25am

PANEL: Sensory design: a feast for the senses
Tuning in to sensory design to enhance various touchpoints of the guest experience.

  • FAY GREENHALGH, Executive Design Director, Studio All
  • JODI GRZYB, Art Consultant, Art Corporation
  • RACHEL LUCHETTI, Principal, Luchetti Krelle

Moderator: IVAN SUNDE, Industry Consultant

11:25am-11.45am

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION: ENVIROHACKING
CALLIE VAN DER MERWE, Founder & Principal Architect, Design Partnership; Co-Founder, COOOP Pty Ltd

Callie van der Merwe is a registered Australian Architect who has completed multiple award-winning commercial interior spaces all over the world with a signature philosophical approach of design for predictive behaviour.

As Co-Founder of COOOP Pty Ltd, operating from offices in Sydney and Dubai, he adopts an evidence-based design approach informed by empirical data to tailor-build environments that elicit positive human responses. COOOP terms this process “EnviroHacking”: identifying and framing the appropriate environmental architectural models, patterns or typologies for application towards increased joy, efficiency and wellbeing.

In this talk, Callie will share some architectural examples that best illustrate these universal biases influenced in part by our childhood memories, but to a much bigger extent, our evolutionary memories.

11:45am-12:10pm

PANEL:  Power in F&B partnerships
Partner with a hospitality expert or go it alone? Finding the winning formula for a must-visit F&B venue.

  • ALISON HULM, Director, Development Australasia, Langham Hospitality Group
  • JOHN GOUNIOS, National Design Director, Greaton Pty Ltd
  • JOHN C W THOMAS, Owner & Director, Sangster Design Group
  • MARY MACKILLOP, Director Design – Interiors, WMK Architecture
  • STEVE FINLAYSON, General Manager, The Playford Adelaide – MGallery

Moderator: MICHAEL HYDE, Head of Hospitality & Hotels, Comcater

12:10pm-12:25pm

DESIGN SHOWCASE: 25hours Sydney
Behind the curtain of the highly anticipated Australian brand debut of 25hours

  • ELLEN STENHOLM, Director of Lifestyle Design, Pacific, Ennismore
  • SHELLEY INDYK, Design Director, Indyk Architects
12:30pm-1:15pm NETWORKING: LUNCH. Presented by Comcater.
1:15pm-1:35pm

PANEL: Bathrooms beyond expectation
What’s new and innovative in the world of bathrooms.

  • DEE PASSENGER​​​​, Principal | Manager Interiors, Cottee Parker
  • LACHLAN MACFARLANE, Chairman, Argent Australia
  • STEVEN HIGGINS, GROHE ANZ, part of Lixil

Moderator: SAMANTHA EADES, Director, Mitchell Eades

1:35pm-1:50pm

DESIGN SHOWCASE: The Interlude
Behind the historic walls of HM Prison Pentridge, a boutique hotel is born.

JULIET ASHWORTH, Partner & Creative Director, CHADA

1:50pm-2:05pm DESIGN Q&A: Osborn House x QCC & Wild Modular
Revitalising regional accommodation for greater returns.
MAX MASON, General Manager, Osborn House and CASPAR SCHMIDT, Founder & Managing Director, QCC Collection Group, in conversation with Ruth Hogan, Editor, HM Magazine.
2:05pm-2:15pm

PROJECT SHOWCASE: Adelaide Marriott
The transformation of the historic Adelaide GPO building into a landmark luxury hotel.

JOHN GOUNIOS, National Design Director, Greaton Pty Ltd

2:15pm – 2:45pm

PANEL: Eye of the operator
Hotel operators share their views on important issues impacting hotel design.

  • ELLEN STENHOLM, Director of Lifestyle Design, Pacific, Ennismore
  • JONATHAN CONROY, Senior Director, Design & Engineering – Australasia & South Pacific, IHG
  • PHILLIPA LE ROUX, Design and Project Director – Australasia, Hilton
  • SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels

Moderator: ANGELA BIDDLE, Principal, Fender Katsalidis

2:45pm-3:00pm

THE 2024 AUSTRALASIA-PACIFIC HOTEL DESIGN AWARDS, presented by HM.

3:00pm-3:30pm NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA. Presented by BMIHMS / Torrens University Australia.
3:30pm-5:30pm

DESIGN INN PART 4 – HOTEL SITE TOURS (Additional registration required).

Crowne Plaza Mawson Lakes
Due to open in H2 24, this is your chance to gain an exclusive first look of this new-build property.

Mantra Tonsley Adelaide 
Opened in 2023, this new-build hotel presents a contemporary four-star offering.

Hotel Alba, Independent Collection by EVT 
Described as a ‘stylish urban retreat’, this South Terrace hotel launched in September 2023 following a transformative refurbishment.

Peppers Waymouth Adelaide
Fresh from a multi-million-dollar renovation, unveiled last year, this new-look hotel features a new ground-floor restaurant.  

Hilton Garden Inn (prototype), Adelaide Oval
Want to first-hand experience the market’s most efficient kit-of-parts prototype, a suite of tailored offerings, greater flexibility with franchised and managed hotel agreement options and Hilton’s powerful commercial engine? Join a tour of the Hilton Garden Inn regional room prototype.

5:30pm-7:30pm

NETWORKING EVENT FOR DESIGN INN & FUTURE LEADERS ATTENDEES & AHICE SPEAKERS. (Additional registration required). Presented by Dandelion Vineyards and Radisson Hotel Group.

         File:Radisson Hotels logo.svg - Wikipedia

7:30pm-onwards

NETWORKING: THE AHICE ASIA-PACIFIC ‘AFTER HOURS’ COCKTAIL LOUNGE at The Playford Adelaide – MGallery, presented by Outrigger Resorts & Hotels, Wayfarer; Westward Whiskey and De Beaurepaire Wines (glass of wine on arrival and pay as you go).

                   

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?