On November 8th 2018 international experts from the hotel and tourism industry will meet at the Hilton Vienna to discuss the latest trends and their impact on hotel investment. The INTERNATIONAL HOTEL INVESTMENT & DESIGN CLUB FORUM (IHIDCF) is the leading meeting place for decision-makers in the hospitality industry in CEE, SEE, CIS & Russia.
More than 40 experts from the fields of design and architecture, development, operation and consulting will explore new ways of hospitality in a fast changing industry. “We live in times of rapid change. With uncertainty and disruption also comes opportunity. Few of us take the time to think beyond our everyday business to anticipate, plan and engage with change. The IHIDCF provides us with the opportunity to learn, compare notes with market influencers and focus on the future,” says Ben Martin of HKS Consulting, who will chair this year’s Presidents Panel (see below).
This year’s keynote speech “Envisioning the future – The innovation challenge for hospitality leaders” will be held by Dr. Carlos Martin-Rios, Associate Professor of Innovation at École hôtelière de Lausanne.
The 11th IHIDCF will discuss innovation viewing the hospitality industry from different perspectives, keeping in mind the effects of digitalization, changing guest expectations as well as the profitability of hotels.
Designers, architects and hotel operators will take a look at success stories and concepts for sustainable investment in hotel assets.
The highlight of the conference day is a view from the top – The European Presidents’ Panel. With Ben Martin on the panel are: Simon Vincent, Executive Vice President & President EMEA, Hilton Hotels; Rupert Simoner, CEO, Vienna House and Michael Levie, Founder & CEO of Citizen M Hotels.
The hot topic of transactions, developments, investments will be covered by leading professionals from STR, Interstate Hotels & Resorts, Louvre Hotels, PwC, Christies and Hilton.
The Molcho family will speak about the success story of their gourmet brand NENI and the importance of branding, followed by a panel discussion with representatives of some of the most successful brands in the industry.
The final panel will focus on Leisure Hotels as the new drivers in the industry.
The evening program begins with the presentation of the 2018 Brand Award by Modul University “Leisure Hotels for Millennials”. This award has become a core element of the IHIDCF as the academic research behind the award meets the demands of the industry.
The conference day will end with a cocktail reception and networking opportunities “on the streets of Vienna”.
The IHIDCF is organized by the three distinguished consulting firms
Hotels Asset Management, Reburg & Partners and Michaeler & Partner and supported by an advisory board of top industry professionals:
Roger A. Allen, Group CEO, Resources for Leisure Assets
James Dilley, Head of Interior Design, Jestico + Whiles
Heribert Gangl, Director, Hamilton Hotel Partners
Martina Maly-Gaertner, COO, Arabella Hospitality SE
Otmar Michaeler, CEO, Falkensteiner Michaeler Tourism Group
Markus Kaplan, Owner, bwm Architekten
Markus Lehnert, Regional VP, International Hotel Development, Marriott
Frank Reeves, Co-founder and CEO, Avvio
Frank Reul, Head of Development, Orbis / Accor Hotels Eastern Europe
Igor V. Romanov, Member of the Board of Directors, Azimut Hotels
Rupert Simoner, CEO, Vienna House
Ulrich Widmer, Managing Director Development Central Europe, Hilton
