AHIC confirmed the first 50 speakers for this year’s event, which is being held live and in-person from September 20-22, 2021, at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai.
Among the names representing the Middle East and Africa’s mega projects and funds are John Pagano, CEO, The Red Sea Development Company and Amaala; Samih Sawiris, chairman, Orascom Hotel and Development; Olivier Harnisch, head of hospitality, Public Investment Fund; Jerry Inzerillo, CEO, Diriyah Gate Development Authority; and Olivier Granet, managing partner and chief executive officer, Kasada Capital Management.
Leaders from some of the world’s largest and most dynamic hotel groups are also confirmed to speak: Sébastien Bazin, CEO and chairman, Accor; Federico J. González, Global CEO, Radisson Hotel Group; Puneet Chhatwal, CEO, Indian Hotels Company Limited; Simon Vincent, president EMEA & EVP, Hilton; Kenneth Macpherson, chief executive officer, Europe, Middle East, Asia and Africa, IHG; Guy Hutchinson, president and CEO, Rotana; Marloes Knippenberg, CEO, Kerten Hospitality; and Hamid Sidine, Chief Operating Officer, MEA, Milllenium & Copthorne.
Under the theme “Rise Together,” these hotel owners, developers, investors and operators will lead debate and discussion to navigate the “Great Reset” born out of the pandemic, with many more speakers set to join them over the coming months.
Jose Silva, chief executive officer, Jumeirah Hotels and Resorts, host sponsor of AHIC, will address the audience in a live interview, while the world of F&B will also be represented with big names: Jillian Maclean, founder and CEO, Drake & Morgan; Chris Miller, founder, White Rabbit Fund; Lynne Bellinger, director of food and beverage development, Marriott International; and Robin Rowland OBE, Operating Partner, TriSpan.
Jonathan Worsley, chairman of Bench and founder of AHIC, said: “We are thrilled to have already signed up such a stellar roster of global and regional hospitality leaders to speak at AHIC 2021, and are currently working with them and our Advisory Board to ensure our program will deliver content that will challenge and inspire, as well as provide a robust buyer and seller platform under one roof”.
Reimagined for 2021, the new-look Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) will bring together the four close-knit investment communities of the Arabian Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC), Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF).
