2025 Program Overview
The Asian Hotel Industry Conference & Exhibition (AHICE) returned to South East Asia 24-26 February, 2025 at Pan Pacific Singapore.
Monday 24 February 2025
| 7:30pm-late |
AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’ networking bar at PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE. Drink on arrival and pay as you go. |
Note: Program is subject to change
Tuesday 25 February 2025
| 9:30am-10:30am |
NETWORKING: REGISTRATION, COFFEE, TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE at Pan Pacific Singapore. |
| 10:30am-10:40am |
WELCOME: Opening remarks for AHICE South-East Asia by emcee ANITA KAPOOR and AHICE Group President, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 10:40am-11:20am | PANEL SESSION: BY THE NUMBERS: ESSENTIAL INDUSTRY OUTLOOKS. Moderated by: RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine Panelists: • JESPER PALMQVIST, Senior Director Asia Pacific, STR • MARINA BRACCIANI, Head of Hotels Research – Asia Pacific, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group • STELLA BLYTHE, Director, Hotels & Hospitality Asia, CBRE |
| 11:20am-11:35am |
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 |
| 11:35am-12:00pm |
PANEL SESSION: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA HOTEL OPERATIONS OUTLOOK. |
| 12:00pm-12:25pm |
PANEL SESSION: WHAT ASSET MANAGERS WANT: EXPECTATIONS FOR 2025 AND BEYOND. |
| 12:25pm-12:50pm |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: WELLNESS TAKING CENTRE STAGE IN HOTELS GLOBALLY, by Pillar Wellbeing CEO and Co-Founder, HARRY JAMESON, in conversation with RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine. Harry Jameson is an award-winning expert with over 15 years’ experience in the fitness and hospitality industries with an extensive network of experts spanning every stage of development, implementation and promotion. Harry’s learnings over the last 15 years have seen him create wellness retreat programmes across top brands in luxury hospitality including Four Seasons, Rosewood Hotels and One and Only. As wellness business consultant his clients include Twitter, Apple, and Nike. As a performance coach, his entire career has been dedicated to improving the lives and performance of the world’s highest achieving individuals. Harry still counts world leaders, leading industry CEOs and some of the most influential people on the planet as his clients. |
| 12:50pm-1:40pm |
NETWORKING LUNCH and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE.
|
| 1:40pm-1:55pm |
HOTELIER Q&A: Outrigger Hospitality Group President & CEO, JEFF WAGONER, in conversation with AHICE Convenor and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 1:55pm-2:20pm |
PANEL SESSION: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA HOTEL DEVELOPMENT OUTLOOK |
| 2:20pm-2:35pm |
HOTELIER Q&A: Pan Pacific Hotels Group Chief Executive Officer, CHOE PENG SUM, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN. |
| 2:35pm-3:00pm |
PANEL SESSION: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA INVESTMENT OUTLOOK (part 1). |
| 3:00pm-3:20pm |
PANEL SESSION: SINGAPORE HOTEL MARKET OUTLOOK |
| 3:20pm-3:45pm |
PANEL SESSION: DEVELOPMENT – BRANDED RESIDENTIAL & MIXED-USE OUTLOOK. |
| 3:45pm-4:15pm |
NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE.
|
| 4:15pm-4:40pm |
PANEL SESSION: REGIONAL OUTLOOK – ARE ASIA EXECUTIVES EXPECTING A GOLDEN YEAR AHEAD? |
| 4:40pm-4:55pm |
HOTELIER Q&A: EVT Director of Hotels and Resorts, NORMAN ARUNDEL, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 4:55pm-5:20pm |
PANEL SESSION: 2025 ASIA PACIFIC TOURISM OUTLOOK. |
| 5:20pm-5:35pm |
HOTELIER Q&A: Accor Chief Development Officer Asia, ANDREW LANGDON, in conversation with HM Editor, RUTH HOGAN. |
| 5:35pm-5:40pm |
DAY ONE WRAP-UP by emcee ANITA KAPOOR. |
| 6:00pm-8:00pm |
GALA NETWORKING EVENT at JW MARRIOTT SINGAPORE SOUTH BEACH.
|
| 8:00pm-late |
AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’ networking bar at PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE. Drink on arrival and pay as you go. |
Note: Program is subject to change
Wednesday 26 February 2025
| 8:00am-8:45am | NETWORKING: REGISTRATION, COFFEE, TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE at Pan Pacific Singapore. |
| 8:45am-10:50am | ALL-NEW EVENTS ACROSS TWO-TRACKS – the new INN Tech Hotel Technology Summit and first ever South East Asia Design Inn Symposium. |
| 8:45am-10:50am |
INN Tech Hotel Technology Summit sessions in Pacific Ballroom 3, Pan Pacific Singapore. |
| 8:45am-8:50am |
WELCOME to the all-new INN Tech Hotel Technology Summit by emcee ANITA KAPOOR, AHICE South-East Asia Chair and Group President, JAMES WILKINSON, and ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO, Enzyme Consulting. |
| [INN Tech] 8:50am-9:25am |
PANEL SESSION: THE INTELLIGENT GUEST JOURNEY: PERSONALISATION, CONNECTIVITY AND LOYALTY. In an increasingly AI-driven world, a balanced look at how advanced AI and data-driven insights can transform guest experiences—delivering seamless personalisation, connectivity, and loyalty—while acknowledging the potential pitfalls, ethical considerations, and importance of genuine human touch. |
| [INN Tech] 9:25am-9:35am | 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: • TONY MARSHALL, Vice President & Managing Director – APAC, Agilysys |
| [INN Tech] 9:35am-10:10am | PANEL SESSION: AGILE REVENUE & DISTRIBUTION: REAL-TIME STRATEGIES FOR INCREASINGLY DYNAMIC MARKETS. A focus on responsive revenue management, integrated distribution, and data-driven procurement to thrive in shifting demand landscapes. Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting Panellists: • ADAM SCHWAB, Chief Executive Officer, Luxury Escapes • BENJAMIN KRIEG, Senior Vice President, Operations & Global Strategic Accounts, FutureLog • JURGEN ORTELEE, Managing Director – APAC, IDeaS Revenue Solutions • TONY MARSHALL, Vice President & Managing Director, Agilysys |
| [INN Tech] 10:10am-10:45am | PANEL SESSION: SECURING LONG-TERM VALUE: WORKFORCE, COMPLIANCE, AND OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE. A focus on sustaining brand integrity through engaged teams, regulatory compliance, data security, and ongoing operational improvements. Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting Panellists: • HAYDEN AUST, Commercial Director – APAC, Mews • MUKUND MOHAN, VP, Business Development & Strategic Partnerships, Hotel Key App • OLESIA BESPALA, Head of Sales and Customer Success – Asia, Hub OS |
| [INN Tech] 10:45am-10:50am | WRAP-UP of the all-new InnTECH Hotel Technology Summit by AHICE South-East Asia Chair and Group President, JAMES WILKINSON and Enzyme Consulting Founder and CEO, ANDREW CAMERON. |
| 8:45am-10:50am | South East Asia Design INN Symposium sessions in Pacific Ballroom 1, Pan Pacific Singapore. |
| 8:45am-8:50am | WELCOME to the first-ever South East Asia Design INN Symposium by EDG Design Project Director KATHERINE CAMERON, Onyx ASW Chief Executive Officer IVAN SUNDE and HM Editor RUTH HOGAN. |
| [Design INN] 8:50am-9:20am | PANEL SESSION: DESIGNING FOR ADAPTING BRANDS: HOW TO STAY ON-BRAND WHILE EVOLVING OVER TIME. As the hospitality landscape evolves, even the most established hotel brands must adapt to remain relevant. This panel explores how iconic hotel brands are refreshing their design identities to meet changing guest expectations while preserving their core brand essence. Moderated by: PAUL WISTE, Industry Consultant Panellists: • CHRIS GODFREY, Chief Executive Officer, HBA • COLIN SEAH, Founder & Director of Design, Ministry of Design • KENGYANG TAN, Vice President Architecture, Design & Construction, Asia Pacific Ex. Greater China, Hilton • OLIVER CORRIN, Creative Director of Strategy & Branding, EDG |
| [Design INN] 9:20am-9:45am | KEYNOTE Q&A: RICHARD HASSELL, co-Founding Director, WOHA Design, in conversation with Onyx ASW Chief Executive Officer IVAN SUNDE. |
| [Design INN] 9:45am-10:15am | PANEL SESSION: OPERATIONS IN DESIGN: HOW FUNCTIONALITY MEETS CREATIVITY. This panel explores the intersection of design and hotel operations, emphasizing how interior design directly impacts the guest experience. Industry leaders will discuss how thoughtful design choices shape key operational aspects such as guest flow, service efficiency, and back-of-house logistics. Moderated by: IVAN SUNDE, Chief Executive Officer, Onyx ASW Panellists: • CAMILLE CORLETTE, Principal & Global Creative Director, Corlette Design • MAX MA, Director of Design & Technical Services, Accor • PHIL SMITH, General Manager, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, Singapore • WOOKIE PARK, Studio Director, Hachem |
| [Design INN] 10:15am-10:45am |
PANEL SESSION: FOSTERING CONNECTION: BUILDING RESORTS THAT INSPIRE COMMUNITY AND WELLBEING. This panel examines how resort design can foster a sense of connection—between guests, nature, and local communities. Experts will discuss creating communal spaces that encourage interaction, incorporating cultural elements to connect guests with the destination, and designing outdoor areas that blend seamlessly with the natural environment. The goal is to inspire a sense of belonging and holistic wellbeing through thoughtful design. |
| [Design INN] 10:45am-10:50am | WRAP-UP of the inaugural South East Asia Design INN Symposium by EDG Design Project Director KATHERINE CAMERON, Onyx ASW Chief Executive Officer IVAN SUNDE and HM Editor RUTH HOGAN. |
| 10:50am-11:30am | NETWORKING: MORNING TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE. Presented by Agilysys.  |
| 11:30am-11:55am |
KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SHAKING UP THE WORLD OF FASHION… IN HOTELS, by All Saints Founder, STUART TREVOR, in conversation with AHICE South-East Asia Chair and Group President, 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 in to the hospitality sector with ranges like never before. |
| 11:55am-12:20pm | PANEL SESSION. THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA RESORTS OUTLOOK Moderated by: CASPAR SCHMIDT, Founder & Chief Executive Officer, QCC Collection Panelists: • ALEX MURRAY, Vice President and Regional Head South East Asia, Hilton • CHRIS HARTLEY, Chief Executive Officer, Global Hotel Alliance • MARCUS HANNA, Chief Operating Officer, La Vie Hotels • OLIVIER BERRIVIN, Vice President – APAC, BWH Hotels • PIMPANGA ORN YOMCHINDA, Senior Vice President – head of Thailand Investment Sales, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group |
| 12:20pm-12:30pm | HOTELIER Q&A: Pro-invest Group Deputy Chair & CEO APAC, JAN SMITS, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 12:30pm-12:55pm | PANEL SESSION: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA INVESTMENT OUTLOOK (part 2). Moderated by: XANDER NIJNENS, Senior Managing Director – Head of Advisory & Asset Management, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group Panelists: • ANDREW BRANDON, Fund Manager, Serene Capital • CHANAVUDH VANACHAIVONG, Head of Strategic Growth & Acquisition, Asset World Corporation • DARRELL TAN, Head of Investment Management & Hotels, GuocoLand Group • JONATHAN LAW, Vice President – Mainland China and Overseas Projects, Liu Chong Hing Investment Limited • KIM KYU BAEK, Vice President, TriO Capital |
| 12:55pm-1:20pm | PANEL SESSION: THE WHITE LABEL OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA. Moderated by: ANANTH RAMCHANDRAN, Head of Advisory & Strategic Transactions, Hotels & Hospitality Asia, CBRE Panelists: • DAVID WRAY, Senior Director, Growth and Development Asia, La Vie Hotels • ROBERT WILLIAMS, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific, Watson Farley & Williams • SCOTT ARMSTRONG, Director of Development, 1834 Hotels • SCOTT BOYES, Chief Executive Officer, Trilogy Hotels |
| 1:20pm-2:10pm |
NETWORKING LUNCH and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE.
|
| 2:10pm-2:20pm | INDUSTRY LEADER Q&A: TALKING TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS with Luxury Escapes Chief Executive Officer, ADAM SCHWAB, in conversation with AHICE Group President and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON. |
| 2:20pm-2:45pm | PANEL SESSION: ESSENTIAL SUSTAINABILITY: THE KEYS TO SUCCESS IN 2025 AND BEYOND. Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO, Enzyme Consulting Panelists: • BJÖRN ANTONSSON, Regional CEO – Asia-Pacific, Candela • JAEL FISCHER, Head of Development Asia Pacific, Six Senses • KANIKA JHUNJHNUWALA, Chief Sustainability Officer, Hind Management • BEH SIEW KIM, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer and Managing Director – Japan & Korea, The Ascott Limited • YOUREE PARK, Vice President Advisory, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group |
| 2:45pm-3:10pm | PANEL SESSION: DEVELOPMENT – FRANCHISING OPPORTUNITIES Moderated by: RUTH HOGAN, Editor, HM magazine Panelists: • CHRISTINE SEVILLA, Director, Development, Philippines, Radisson Hotel Group • CYRILL CZERWONKA, Managing Director Development – APAC, BWH Hotels • MATT HOLMES, Vice President of Development – South East Asia & Pacific Rim, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts • STEVEN CHAN, Vice President, Global Franchise Services and Regional General Manager, The Ascott Limited • TUSHAR RANIGA, Regional Director – Development, Australasia, Hilton |
| 3:10pm-3:35pm | PANEL SESSION: FOOD & BEVERAGE TRENDS. Moderated by: BENJAMIN KRIEG, Senior Vice President, Operations & Global Strategic Accounts, FutureLog Panelists: • DORON WHAITE, General Manager, QT Singapore • JUSTIN PALLACK, Director of Food and Beverage, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok • KATHERINE CAMERON, Project Director, EDG Design • TONY CHISHOLM, Vice President Food & Beverage – MEAT & Asia, Premium, Midscale, & Economy Hotels, Accor |
| 3:35pm-4:05pm |
NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA and EXHIBITION SHOWCASE.
|
| 4:05pm-4:25pm | PANEL SESSION: MEET THE PRESS. Moderated by: GAYNOR REID, CEO, Catalyst Communications Panelists: • ALEXANDRA KARPLUS, Culture and Lifestyle Editor, Business Insider • FLOYD COWAN, Publisher and Editor, Asian Journeys • TIMOTHY TAY, Associate Editor, Edgeprop |
| 4:25pm-4:45pm |
KEYNOTE: THE NEW F&B RULES, by WILL GOLDFARB. Will Goldfarb is a Bali, Indonesia-based American pastry chef who was named The World’s Best Pastry Chef in Cacao Barry’s The World’s Best 50 Restaurants 2021 and considered one of the pioneers of the dessert-only tasting menu. |
| 4:45pm-5:10pm | PANEL SESSION: DEALS, DEALS, DEALS: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA PROPERTY OUTLOOK. Moderated by: TONY RYAN, Executive Chairman, Trilogy Hotels Panelists: • ANDREW BULLOCK, Chief Executive Officer, 1834 Hotels • CLEAVON TAN, Senior Vice President Advisory, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group • DAVID BARK, Hotels Asset Manager, Mulpha • GADI HASSIN, CEO & Co-founder, Helios Hospitality • PENNY TRINH, Vice President – Residential Development, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International |
| 5:10pm-5:35pm |
PANEL SESSION: PEOPLE & CULTURE. |
| 5:35pm-6:00pm | PANEL SESSION: ‘THE CLOSING BELL’: THE ESSENTIAL LUXURY & LIFESTYLE OUTLOOK, with a glass of wine Moderated by: JAMES WILKINSON, AHICE Group President & HM magazine Editor-In-Chief Panelists: • DANIEL ALDRED, Vice President Development Asia Pacific, Ennismore • FRANK SORGIOVANNI, Vice President, Development (Asia Pacific), SH Hotels and Resorts • LEE LIN, Regional Director – Asia Pacific, NOBU Hospitality • MARKUS AKLIN, Vice President – Development, Asia Pacific and Middle East, Langham Hospitality Group • REGINA DIBENEDETTO, Director, Aareal Bank |
| 6:00pm-8:00pm |
GALA NETWORKING EVENT at PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE.
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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 South East Asia.
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 South East Asia 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:
James Wilkinson, AHICE Group President: jwilkinson@intermedia.com.au
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