2025 Program Overview

Monday 24 February 2025

7:30pm-late

AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’ networking event at PLUME, PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE.
Presented by GHA Discovery, Outrigger, Pan Pacific and Vanity Group.
                 

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 and TEA 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.
Moderated by: RODGER L. POWELL, Managing Director, THSA
Panelists:
• CRAIG BOND, Senior Vice President – Head of Operations, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
• GAUTAM BHANDARI, Senior VP of Development & Operations, Marriott International
• MARK ROHNER, Chief Operating Officer, Far East Hospitality
• VIVEK BHALLA, Managing Director – South-East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Speakers to be announced

11:45am-12:00pm

HOTELIER Q&A: to be revealed

12:00pm-12:25pm PANEL SESSION: WHAT ASSET MANAGERS WANT: EXPECTATIONS FOR 2025 AND BEYOND.
Moderated by: ROBERT WILLIAMS, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific, Watson Farley & Williams
Panelists:
• CHRIS ELY, Head of hotel Asset Management, CBRE
• DAVID BARK, Hotels Asset Manager, Mulpha
 JEANETTE LIAM, Vice President Asset Management, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group
• RODGER L. POWELL, Managing Director, THSA
• ROHAN GOPALDAS, Partner & Asset Manager, Prospect Hotel Advisors
12:25pm-12:50pm

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: WELLNESS TAKING CENTRE STAGE IN HOTELS GLOBALLY, by Pillar Wellbeing CEO and Co-Founder, HARRY JAMESON.

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.
Presented by Hilton.

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
Moderated by: ANANTH RAMCHANDRAN, Head of Advisory & Strategic Transactions, Hotels & Hospitality Asia, CBRE
Panelists:
ANDREW LANGDON, Chief Development Officer Asia, Accor
CHRIS ANKLIN, Senior Director – SEAK, IHG Hotels and Resorts
CAROLINA FAGNANI, VP, Development, SEA and Pacific, Radisson Hotel Group
MARIA ARIIZUMI, Vice President – Development, SEA, Hilton
STEVEN LIM, Vice President – Development, Pan Pacific Hotels Group

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).
Moderated by: NIHAT ERCAN, Chief Executive Officer – Asia-Pacific, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group
Panelists:
• CHRIS HUR, CEO, Lodgis Hospitality
• RAKESH PATEL, CEO & Founder, ALTA Capital Real Estate
• SANJOG MODGIL, Head of Overseas Hotels, TCC Land International (Thailand)
• Speakers to be announced

3:00pm-3:20pm

PANEL SESSION: SINGAPORE HOTEL MARKET OUTLOOK
Moderated by: SASHI RAJAN, Executive Vice President, Advisory & Asset Management, Asia, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group
Panelists:
CHRIS CHO, Vice President Development, Singapore, Philippines, Japan, Korea and Maldives, Accor
DANIEL YIP, Partner, High Street Holdings
JEFF CROWE, General Manager, Artyzen Singapore
TEO JUNRONG, Vice President – Business Development (Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia), The Ascott Limited
Speaker to be announced

3:20pm-3:45pm

PANEL SESSION: DEVELOPMENT – BRANDED RESIDENTIAL & MIXED-USE OUTLOOK.
Moderated by: BILL BARNETT, Founder and Managing Director, C9 Hotelworks
Panelists:
ALEXANDRA YAO, Vice President, Branded Residential, EAPAC, IHG Hotels and Resorts
CHRIS SINGER, Managing Director, SCSY Studio
LEE LIN, Regional Director – Asia Pacific, NOBU Hospitality
SAOWARIN CHANPRAKAISI, Vice President, Business Development, The Ascott Limited
• Speakers to be announced

3:45pm-4:15pm

NETWORKING: AFTERNOON TEA.
Presented by IHG.

4:15pm-4:40pm

PANEL SESSION: REGIONAL OUTLOOK – ARE ASIA EXECUTIVES EXPECTING A GOLDEN YEAR AHEAD?
Moderated by: IAN WILSON, Director, Title Hospitality
Panelists:
ADELINE PHUA, Managing Lyf Partner, The Ascott Limited
ASAD ALI, Deputy Secretary General, Maldives Association of Tourism Industry (MATI)
IVAN CASADEVALL, CEO, Aryaduta Hotels (Indonesia)
KIT WHALLEY, Business Development Director, Interval International Asia Pacific
Speaker to be announced

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.
Moderated by: EMMA FRASER, Founder, Fraser Marketing International
Panelists:
• ANDREW BOSHOFF, Chief Financial Officer, Global Hotel Alliance
• ANDREW BULLOCK, Chief Executive Officer, 1834 Hotels
• LUCIA ZEEARD, Head of Destination Development, Tourism Fiji
• NICK THOMPSON, Hotels and Hospitality Director, JLL New Zealand
• PAUL GORMAN, General Manager – Business Development, Luxury Escapes

5:20pm-5:35pm

HOTELIER Q&A: Accor COO – Asia, Premium, Midscale & Economy Division, GARTH SIMMONS, 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.
Presented by APRDO and Marriott International.

     

8:00pm-late

AHICE ‘AFTER DARK’ networking event at PLUME, PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE.
Presented by GHA Discovery, Outrigger, Pan Pacific and Vanity Group.
                 

Drink on arrival and pay as you go.

Note: Program is subject to change

Wednesday 26 February 2025

8:00am-8:45am NETWORKING: Coffee and tea 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 Ballroom 1.

8:45am-8:50am

WELCOME to the all-new INN Tech Hotel Technology Summit by AHICE South-East Asia by Chair and Group President, JAMES WILKINSON, and ANDREW CAMERON, Founder and CEO, Enzyme Consulting.

[INN Tech] 8:50am-9:15am

PANEL SESSION: BUILDING FOR TOMORROW: DATA-DRIVEN DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTAINABLE ASSET EVOLUTION. A focus on future-ready hotel development, guided by data, sustainable practices and innovative construction methods.
Moderated by: ANDREW CAMERON Founder and CEO Enzyme Consulting
Panellists:
• KEVIN CROLEY, Senior Vice President, Development, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
• Speakers to be announced

[INN Tech] 9:15am-9:45am 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.
Moderated by: to be announced
Panellists:
• DANIEL MOURAD, General Manager, Canary Technologies
• DAVID THOMPSON
, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Myma.ai
• DAN HANG, President & COO, Revinate
• GREG BARWICK, VP Sales APAC, Cendyn
• Speaker to be announced
[INN Tech] 9:45am-9:55am 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, Agilysys
[INN Tech] 9:55am-10:25am 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] 10:25am-10:50am 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: to be revealed
Panellists:
• COOPER JITTS, Founder, Talk Agency
• HAYDEN AUST, Commercial Director – APAC, Mews
• OLESIA BESPALA, Head of Sales and Customer Success – Asia, Hub OS
• Speakers to be announced
8:45am-10:50am South East Asia Design INN Symposium sessions in Ballroom 2.
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 (Formerly Four Seasons & Jumeirah)
Panellists:
• 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
• TENG WEN WEE, Founder, The Lo & Behold Group
[Design INN] 9:20am-9:45am KEYNOTE Q&A: RICHARD HASSELL, co-Founding Director, WOHA Design
[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:
• ALDWIN ONG, SVP, CCD
• CAMILLE CORLETTE, Global Creative Director, Corlette
• WOOKIE PARK, Studio Director, Hachem
• Speaker to be announced
[Design INN] 10:15am-10:45am

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.
Moderated by: MONIQUE FRANKLIN, Studio Director, Interiors – Creative Lead, Architects AJC
Panellists:
• TULSI GROVER, Managing Principal, Hassell
• Speakers to be announced

[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-11:20am NETWORKING: MORNING TEA.
Presented by Agilysis.
11:20am-11:30am HOTELIER Q&A: Amara Hotels Chief Operating Officer, DAWN TEO, in conversation with AHICE Convenor and HM Editor-In-Chief, JAMES WILKINSON.
11:30am-11:55am

KEYNOTE ADDRESS: SHAKING UP THE WORLD OF FASHION… IN HOTELS, by All Saints Founder, STUART TREVOR.

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
• JERRY XU, Chief Executive 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:
• RAHUL PARRAB, Chief Executive Officer, Ark Capital Partners
• DARRELL TAN, Head of Investment Management & Hotels, GuocoLand Group
• Speakers to be announced
12:55pm-1:20pm PANEL SESSION: THE WHITE LABEL OUTLOOK FOR SOUTH-EAST ASIA.
Moderated by: CLAIRE LIM, Director – Hotels & Hospitality, 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
• Speaker to be announced
1:20pm-2:10pm

NETWORKING LUNCH.
Presented by Marriott International.

2:10pm-2:20pm INDUSTRY LEADER Q&A: TALKING TRAVEL EXPECTATIONS with Luxury Escapes Chief Executive Officer, ADAM SCHWAB, in conversation with AHICE Convenor 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, Candel
• JAEL FISCHER, Head of Development Asia Pacific, Six Senses
 KANIKA JHUNJHNUWALA, Chief Sustainability Officer, Hind Management
SIEW KIM BEH, Chief Financial & Sustainability Officer, 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, 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
• TONY CHISHOLM, Vice President Food & Beverage – MEAT & Asia, Premium, Midscale, & Economy Hotels, Accor
• JUSTIN PALLACK, Director of Food and Beverage, Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
• Speakers to be announced
3:35pm-4:05pm

NETWORKING AFTERNOON TEA.
Presented by Travel + Leisure.

4:05pm-4:30pm

PANEL SESSION: MEET THE PRESS.
Moderated by: GAYNOR REID, CEO, Catalyst Communications
Panelists:
• FLOYD COWAN, Publisher and Editor, Asian Journeys
• TIMOTHY TAY, Associate Editor, Edgeprop
• ZAT ASTHER, Editor in Chief, The Peak
• Speakers to be announced

4:30pm-4:50pm

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.

4:50pm-5:15pm

PANEL SESSION: DEALS, DEALS, DEALS: THE SOUTH-EAST ASIA PROPERTY OUTLOOK.
Moderated by: TONY RYAN, Executive Chairman, Trilogy Hotels
Panelists:
• CLEAVON TAN, Senior Vice President Advisory, JLL Hotels & Hospitality Group
• GADI HASSIN, Chief Executive Officer, Helios Hospitality
• MARK BULLOCK, Co-Founder & Head of Acquisitions & Asset Management, Ark Capital Partners
• PENNY TRINH, Vice President – Residential Development, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International
• Speakers to be announced

5:15pm-5:35pm PANEL SESSION: PEOPLE & CULTURE.
Moderated by: RICHARD MUNRO, Director, Bowerbird Technologies
Panelists:
• ANDREAS SUNGAIMIN, SVP People and Culture, Pan Pacific Hotels Group
• DAVID BARK, Hotels Asset Manager, Mulpha
• KAR LING WONG, Managing Director – SEA, Head of Strategy & Strategic Investments and Global Operations, The Ascott Limited
• KATE GERITS, Director of Operations, Thailand, IHG Hotels and Resorts
• NITESH PANDEY, Chief Operating Officer – APAC, The Lux Collective
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:
• 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
• Speaker to be announced

6:00pm-8:00pm

GALA NETWORKING EVENT at the remodelled PAN PACIFIC SINGAPORE.
Presented by Pan Pacific Hotels Group.

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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