STELLAR SPEAKER LINE-UP AND ACTION-PACKED AGENDA UNVEILED FOR FUTURE HOSPITALITY SUMMIT SAUDI ARABIA (United Arab Emirates)
Under this year’s theme ‘Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,’ 150+ speakers will take to the stage at FHS in Riyadh, 29 April – 1 May. |
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STELLAR SPEAKER LINE-UP AND ACTION-PACKED AGENDA UNVEILED FOR FUTURE HOSPITALITY SUMMIT SAUDI ARABIA (United Arab Emirates)
Under this year’s theme ‘Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,’ 150+ speakers will take to the stage at FHS in Riyadh, 29 April – 1 May. |
Category: Middle East - United Arab Emirates - Events -
Calendar
This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2024-04-04
 Photo credit © Future Hospitality Summit
unveiled a stellar line up of speakers and an action-packed agenda with over 1,200 hotel
investment decision makers expected to attend at the Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
from 29 April to 1 May 2024.
Under the theme ‘Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,’ FHS Saudi Arabia will bring
together the hospitality investment community’s industry leaders and decision-makers to
discuss sustainable development, investment opportunities, industry entrepreneurship, and
human capital, with insights on the continued growth of Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and
tourism sectors.
Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench, organiser of FHS, said: “Following the industry's
enthusiastic feedback from last year’s FHS Saudi Arabia, we have dedicated even more
effort to thoughtfully assemble the agenda this year. We are offering delegates opportunities
to immerse themselves in the dynamic essence of Saudi Arabia's market. Our enriched
program encompasses an array of engaging presentations, short-but-powerful '10X Talks',
multifaceted panel discussions, fireside chats, case studies, and captivating site tours.
Furthermore, the event is peppered with ample networking opportunities over the span of
three days, all carefully curated to foster an environment of learning, dialogue, exploration,
and meaningful connections.”
The first morning (29 April) is dedicated the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF).
GRIF will tap into Riyadh’s growing dining out scene with main stage presentations, case
studies and panel discussions as well as F&B workshops, culinary & concept tours, and a
dedicated networking dinner. Latest confirmed speakers include Martin Raymond, Co-
founder The Future Laboratory and editor-in-chief of LS:N Global; Christopher Sanderson,
Co-founder, The Future Laboratory; Mohammed Jawa, Founder and Chairman, MJS
Holding; Faisal Shaker, Co-founder & CEO, Modern Food Company (MFC); Nawal
AlKhalawi, Founder & CEO, Asfar Experience; Marcello Distefano, Managing Director,
San Carlo Group, and Sinan Al Saady, Founder & CEO of Cool Inc.
The FHS programme kicks off in the afternoon on 29 April with the FHS Intelligence Talks,
moderated by Fritz Dickamp, Managing Director, Studio 49. Topics include ‘The Future of
Wellness – New Data on Wellness Travel,’ moderated by Aradhana Khowala, CEO &
Founder, Aptamind Partners, in conversation with Susie Ellis, Chair & CEO, Global
Wellness Institute and Global Wellness Summit, and ‘The Hotel of the Future’ by Turab
Saleem, Partner – Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory – MENA, Knight Frank.
Presented by Host Sponsor Al Khozama and taking place at the luxurious Mandarin Oriental
Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, the ‘FHS Opening Reception on the Green with Maiz’ offers an
unparalleled evening of elegance, sophistication, and opportunities to network with industry
peers and partners.
Day Two of FHS Saudi Arabia 2024, Tuesday 30 April, kicks off with welcome remarks
by His Royal Highness Prince Bandar Bin Saud Bin Khalid Al Saud, Secretary General,
King Faisal Foundation (KFF), Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama.
Plenary sessions on 30 April will cover a wide range of topics including ‘Hospitality
Investment Opportunities in Saudi Arabia in Alignment with Vision 2030’ presented by
Mahmoud Abdulhadi, Deputy Minister, Destination Enablement, Ministry of Tourism Saudi
Arabia; a panel discussion on ‘A Blueprint for Successful Market Entry and Investment,’
moderated by Edie Rodriquez, Member of the Board of Directors, Saudi Tourism Authority
with panelists Qusai Al-Fakhri, Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Development Fund (TDF);
Dr. Fahad Bin Mushayt, Chief Executive Officer, ASFAR; Guy Hutchinson, President
Middle East & Africa, Hilton, and Haitham Mattar, Special Advisor, UN Tourism and
Managing Director MEA & South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts. In addition, there will be
a case study on ‘Public and Private Sector Collaboration to Accelerate Lifestyle
Developments and Promote New Destinations,’ moderated by Mohammed Islam, Host &
Founder, The Mo Show Podcast Saudi Arabia, as well as a panel on ‘Maximising Financial
Resilience Through Multi-asset Allocation’ moderated by Matthew Martin, Saudi Arabia
Bureau Chief, Bloomberg.
Sustainable hospitality investment and development will once again be at the forefront of the
FHS programme. Richard Williamson, Chief Operating Officer, Considerate Group, will
lead a panel titled ‘Sustainable Horizons: Catalysing Change Through Green Investments’ in
conversation with Glenn Mandziuk Chief Executive Officer Sustainable Hospitality Alliance,
and Fahad Abdulrahim Kazim, Chief Executive Officer, Millennium Hotels & Resorts &
Lakhraim Group, while Ali Manzoor, Head of Hotels & Tourism, CBRE MENA, will discuss
the topic of ‘Revolutionising Luxury Through Regenerative Tourism’ with Rosanna Chopra, Executive Director, Red Sea Global, and Sebastian Carre, Group Head of Hospitality, Red
Sea Global.
Technology will also be a key focus again this year, with industry leaders discussing the
future of AI and the Metaverse in hospitality, the intersection of AI, IT and the human touch
for guest experiences, as well as tech stack investment tips for owners and operators.
New at FHS Saudi Arabia this year is ‘Destination Tomorrow: Unveiling of Investment
opportunities,’ an exclusive platform to showcase innovative and emerging destinations in
Saudi Arabia’s hospitality and tourism sector, with the aim to connect project developers,
entrepreneurs, and visionaries with investors and other key stakeholders. Also taking place
for the first time is the Speakers Corner, a unique opportunity for attendees to share
personal narratives of overcoming challenges and achieving success in the industry.
The ever popular Startup Den is also back this year following its resounding success at FHS
Saudi Arabia 2023. This year’s expert panel of judges includes His Highness Prince Saud
Al Saud, Executive Director, TDF Grow; Salma Arafa, Innovation Expert, UN Tourism, and
Maya Ayoub, Founder & CEO, District Twelve and Country Director, Saudi Arabia Women
in Tech. Jonathan Worsley said: “The Bench is passionate about supporting start-ups and
providing an opportunity for entrepreneurs to pitch their business to an expert panel of
judges and investors. This year, 10 finalists will take to the stage to present their business
concept in what is set to be another thrilling competition.”
The three-day event will also see several ‘Leadership Spotlights,’ featuring distinguished
leaders from some of the industry’s most successful hospitality brands and companies
including Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments; Henri
Giscard D’Estaing, President, Club Med, and Christoph Hoffmann, CEO and Partner,
25hours Hotels.
FHS Saudi Arabia has a stronger female focus than ever before, as part of The Bench’s
commitment to supporting women in hospitality and recognising their importance to the
sector. The Bench is offering Saudi national women leaders working in hospitality
complimentary passes to this year’s event.
Tanja Millner, Production Director at The Bench, said: “We are delighted to introduce
#FHSWomenPower, an initiative focused on facilitating and empowering Saudi national
women working in the hospitality sector with complimentary tickets to FHS Saudi Arabia.
“Women’s contribution to the workforce has been at the helm of the historic growth and development we witness today in the region. Our unique campaign seeks to inspire Saudi
executive women, champion gender diversity in hospitality and highlight the pivotal role
females play in this ever-growing sector.”
To learn more about this transformative initiative and register, please visit:
www.futurehospitality.com/sa/saudi-women-in-hospitality
About The Bench
The Bench is a leading organiser behind some of the most influential investment event brands across
Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The company is renowned for guiding businesses
towards investments, connections and insights that shape the future of their industries. Known for
crafting events with significant economic impact since 1996, The Bench’s event participants include
government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel and tourism associations, leading hospitality
brands, hotel owners and investors, top restaurant groups, airlines and aviation authorities,
destination developers, asset managers, financial groups, and consultants. These stakeholders
participate to achieve their specific goals, leveraging platforms such as AHIC, now known as FHS
World, FHS Saudi Arabia, AHIF, IDEEA, and AviaDev. The Bench’s events serve as pivotal venues
for industry leaders to exhibit their brands, establish themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and
forge connections with valuable opportunities and insights.
Learn more on thebench.com
About FHS Saudi Arabia
Dates: 29 April – 1 May 2024
Location: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Sponsors: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Management
Holdings as Host Sponsors; Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia as Strategic
Partner; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Tourism Development Fund
as Enablement Partner; Baheej, Boutique Group, Hilton, Kerten Hospitality,
KAFD, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group, Red Sea Global, Rua Al Madinah
Holding and Saudi Icon Company as Platinum Sponsors; Saudi Tourism
Investment Company (ASFAR), Accor, Club Med, IHG Hotels & Resorts, Jabal Omar Development Company, Marriott International,
Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Rotana as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph
Hospitality; ARC, Al Futtaim Engineering ; Technologies, Bits Arabia, CBRE,
Colliers; Compass Project Consulting, Dan Company, DAR Engineering,
Daniel Ost, Domus Managed Housing, ELAF, IHCL, Insignia, JLL, JT &
Partners, Kohler, Knight Frank, LEVA, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels,
QUO, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Tashyid Urban Development, The Ascott
Limited, Valor Hospitality Partners, Whitewater and Wyndham Hotels &
Resorts as Gold Sponsors; Conran Design Group, H World International,
HVS, HMH Hospitality Management Holding, Keane, STR, TV5 Monde, Time
Hotels, Voltere by egis and Wisefields as Silver Sponsors; Restroworks and
TGP International as GRIF Platinum Sponsors; Soho Hospitality as GRIF
Gold Sponsor; Forsite Creative as GRIF Data Partner; Livit as GRIF Culinary
& Concept Tour Partner; Melitta Professional as GRIF Coffee Sponsor, and
HAMA, Sustainable Hospitality Alliance and UN Tourism as Supporters.
 Photo credit © Future Hospitality Summit
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