11-13 May 2025
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Event Themes
Sunday 11 May
15:00 - 15:10 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome Remarks
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
15:10 - 15:30 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Vision for Global Tourism:
A Conversation with Harry Theoharis, Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General
Moderator
Aradhana Khowala
CEO & Founder
Aptamind Partners
In conversation with
Harry Theoharis
Member of Parliament, Hellenic Parliament
Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General
15:30 - 15:40 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Hospitality Talent in Saudi Arabia:
A Data-Driven Overview
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
Lameese Damiri
Senior Education Specialist
UNTourism
15:40 - 16:20 40 minutes
Summit Stage
Rethinking Hospitality Schools:
Education, Experience & Environment
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
Moderator
Arjun Singh
Founding Director
Hospitality and Tourism Management Robert C. Vackar College of Business & Entrepreneurship
In conversation with
Dr․Fabien Fresnel
Chief Executive Officer
The Riyadh School of Tourism and Hospitality
Paul Griep
Director Industry Relation
Hotelschool The Hague
Glen Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Joe Tabet
CEO & Managing Director
JT+Partners
16:25 - 17:05 40 minutes
Summit Stage
How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth?
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
Dr. Abeer Alamri
Strategic Planning & Monitoring Deputyship
Tourism Ministry
Louis Nicolas Barrios
Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment
UN Tourism
16:30 - 17:00 30 minutes
Yanbu Breakout Room
Masterclass:
Engagement, Culture and Leadership make or break brand and property value
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
17:00 - 17:30 30 minutes
Yanbu Breakout Room
How Can Student Housing Be Designed to Meet the Needs of Future Hospitality Professionals?
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
17:05 - 17:30 25 minutes
Summit Stage
What Are the Best Models for Ongoing Professional Development in Hospitality?
NextGen Talent & Hospitality Education
Adrian Artimov
Chief Commercial Office
Sommet Education
17:30 - 18:30 1 hour
Future Stage
Speed Networking
18:30 - 21:00 2 hours 30 minutes
FHS Welcome Reception, hosted by Al Khozama
Monday 12 May
10:00 - 10:10 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome to FHS Saudi Arabia 2025
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
10:10 - 10:20 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Opening Remarks
HH Prince Bandar bin Saud bin Khalid Al Saud
Secretary General, King Faisal Foundation (KFF)
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Al Khozama Investment Company
10:20 - 10:35 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Where Vision Shapes Opportunity
Focus on Saudi Arabia
10:30 - 11:00 30 minutes
Future Stage
Empowering Connections:
Networking Session
10:35 - 10:55 20 minutes
Summit Stage
From London to Riyadh - Perspectives from a Pioneering Developer on the Future of Branded Living
Branded Residences
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Anchor and Entrepreneur
Stagespring
In conversation with
Nick Candy
Chief Executive Officer
Candy Capital
Jerry Inzerillo
Group Chief Executive Officer, Diriyah Company
Vice Chairman, Forbes Travel Guide
10:55 - 11:30 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Safeguarding Hospitality Investments Amid Market Shifts:
Is Saudi Arabia Still the Land of Opportunity?
Focus on Saudi ArabiaInvestment, Finance & Real Estate
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Anchor and Entrepreneur
Stagespring
In conversation with
Waleed AlRashed AlHumaid
Chief Executive Officer
Alrajhi Capital
Khalid Saud Abu Haimed
Chief Executive Officer
Al Khozama Investment Company
Cyril Piaia
Chief Executive Officer
11:00 - 12:00 1 hour
Future Stage
Navigating the Hospitality Investment Industry in Saudi Arabia:
A Beginner's Guide
Investment & DevelopmentFocus on Saudi Arabia
11:30 - 11:45 15 minutes
Summit Stage
How the Private Sector is driving Growth Through Strategic Synergy
Investment, Finance & Real Estate
Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi
Chief Executive Officer
Taiba Investments
11:45 - 12:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
TenX Leadership Talk:
Insights on the Economic Impact of Travel & Tourism and Global Trends
Investment & Development
Nikolina Angelkova
Former Minister Tourism
Bulgaria
Julia Simpson
President & CEO
World Travel & Tourism Council
11:45 - 13:00 1 hour 15 minutes
Centre Stage
Announcements & Signings
12:00 - 12:15 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Beyond the Whistle:
The FIFA World Cup 2034’s Ripple Effect on the Saudi Hospitality Sector
Focus on Saudi Arabia
Dr. Sarah Gasim
Senior Vice President, Head of Hotels KSA
JLL
12:15 - 12:45 30 minutes
Summit Stage
The Changing Face of Saudi Arabia:
The Role of Mega Events in Driving Modernization, Infrastructure Growth, and Tourism Excellence
Focus on Saudi Arabia
Moderator: Ahmad Arab, Founding Partner, Horwath HTL Saudi
Ahmad Arab
Founding Partner
Horwath HTL Saudi
Maher Abou Nasr
Vice President Operations Saudi Arabia
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Abdullah Azhari
CEO & Managing Director
Saudi Icon Company
Gavin Weaver
Regional Director
AtkinsRéalis
12:45 - 13:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
How Is Saudi Arabia Preparing for a Tourism Transformation to Connect Travelers Locally and Globally?
Focus on Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Steven Greenway
Chief Executive Officer
flyadeal
13:00 - 14:00 1 hour
Lunch
14:00 - 14:20 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Setting the Scene for Hotel Performance and Development in Saudi Arabia
Investment, Finance & Real Estate
Philip Wooller
Senior Director
STR
14:00 - 14:30 30 minutes
Centre Stage
Announcements & Signings
14:15 - 15:00 45 minutes
Future Stage
From White Label Operators, Franchising to Traditional Management Agreements - What is the Future?
Investment & Development
Scott Antel
Founder Owner
Scott's FZ Hospitality Legal Services
Victor Abou Ghanem
Chief Executive Officer
Story Hospitality
Tariq Dowidar
Vice President, KSA
Aleph Hospitality
David Thomson
Senior Vice President
The First Group Hospitality
14:20 - 14:30 10 minutes
Summit Stage
Risk or Rhetoric:
Navigating Climate Risk, Regulation, and Reality in 2025
Sustainability & InnovationSustainability & ESG
Professor Marc Lepere
Lead in ESG & Sustainability, Executive Education, Department of Banking & Finance
King’s Business School
14:30 - 15:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Financing Hospitality Ventures:
Maximizing Capital for Growth and Success
Investment & DevelopmentInvestment, Finance & Real Estate
Sean Hehir
President & CEO
Trinity Investments
Rami Bissat
Vice President Investment
Taiba Investment
Hossam Al-Basrawi
General Manager Corporate Banking Group
Alrajhi Bank
14:30 - 16:00 1 hour 30 minutes
Centre Stage
Start-Up Den
Judges:
- Fahad Mohammed Alobailan, Chief Executive Officer, Baan Holding
- Khalid Alsatti, Senior Specialist, UN Tourism
- Ahmad Arab, Founding Partner, Horwath HTL Saudi
- Sundip Patel, Chief Executive Officer, Ezdaher Financing Company
Sundip Patel
Chief Executive Officer
Ezdaher Financing Company
Ahmad Arab
Founding Partner
Horwath HTL Saudi
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
Khalid Alsatti
Senior Specialist
UN Tourism
Fahad Mohammed Alobailan
Chief Executive Officer
BAAN Holding
15:00 - 15:20 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Revitalizing Aging Assets:
Maximizing Performance & Energy Efficiency in Hospitality Investments
Sustainability & InnovationInvestment, Finance & Real Estate
Moderator
Amr Fakiha
Strategy & Growth Director, Project & Development Services, KSA
JLL
In conversation with
Glen Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
15:00 - 16:00 1 hour
Future Stage
Your Path to Red Sea Global:
Exploring Projects and Partnership Opportunities
Gregory Djerejian
Group Chief Legal Officer
Red Sea Global
15:20 - 15:40 20 minutes
Summit Stage
The Invisible Hand:
The Past and Future of Hospitality
Branding & Culture
Johannes Torpe
Designer & Musician
Johannes Torpe Studios
15:40 - 16:15 35 minutes
Summit Stage
Is the Pursuit of Luxury Compatible with Sustainability in Saudi Arabian Hospitality?
Luxury, F&B, and Experiential Hospitality
Elie Younes
Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer
Radisson Hotel Group
John O'Ceallaigh
Luxury-Travel Journalist
Former Telegraph Media Group's Luxury Travel Editor
Ana Lobo Martins
Director, Interior Design
ARC International Design Consultants
Omar Romero De Francisco
Chief Development and Luxury Officer
Minor Hotels
Hicham Hassouni
Chief Business Officer
Our Habitas, EVP KSA Ennismore
16:00 - 17:00 1 hour
Future Stage
The Future of Hotel Asset Management - HAMA Asset Management Workshop - Invitation Only
Amit Nayak
Vice President
HAMA MEA
16:00 - 17:00 1 hour
Centre Stage
Announcements & Signings
16:15 - 16:30 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Service Excellence in Vulnerable Times
Branding & Culture Luxury, F&B, and Experiential Hospitality
Carsten K. Rath
Entrepreneur
Passion for Excellence AG
16:30 - 16:45 15 minutes
Summit Stage
TenX Leadership Talk:
The Future of Mid-Scale & Upscale Hospitality in Saudi Arabia’s Transforming Tourism Sector
Focus on Saudi ArabiaInvestment, Finance & Real Estate
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Ron Pohl
President
BWH Hotels
16:45 - 17:25 40 minutes
Summit Stage
Balancing Growth:
Unlocking the Potential of Mid-Market Hospitality in Saudi Arabia's Luxury Landscape
Investment & DevelopmentFocus on Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Oussama El Kadiri
Partner - Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory MENA
Knight Frank
In conversation with
Mohammad Alathel
Vice Chairman
Amsa Hospitality
Ayman Ezzeddine
Director, Business Development, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan
Radisson Hotel Group
Hitesh Gandhi
Senior Director Saudi Arabia, Bahrain & Kuwait,
Marriott International
Adil Jabrayilov
Development Director MENA
Louvre Hotels Group
17:35 - 18:00 25 minutes
Summit Stage
Could Hotel F&B set a World first by dominating the Mid Sector Dining Market in the kingdom?
Luxury, F&B, and Experiential Hospitality
Moderator
Stefan Breg
Managing Partner-Consulting
KEANE: Consult & Create
In conversation with
Hassan Ahdab
Chief Hospitality Operations Officer
Taiba Investments
Ola Kayal
Founder & CEO
Nabati
Muin Serhan
Chief Executive Officer
Amsa Hospitality
18:30 - 21:00 2 hours 30 minutes
FHS Evening Reception
Tuesday 13 May
09:30 - 09:35 5 minutes
Summit Stage
Welcome Back
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
09:35 - 10:15 40 minutes
Summit Stage
Unveiling Market Trends:
Insights into Branded Residences in the Kingdom
Branded Residences
Moderator
Ali Manzoor
Senior Director Head of Hospitality, Hotels & Tourism
CBRE MENA
In conversation with
Daniel Von Barloewen
Regional Vice President, Accor One Living, Head of Mixed Use (EMEA)
AccorHotels Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC
Mounib Hammoud
Mega Project Consultant
AlNahla Group
Julien Laloye
Director, Mixed-Use Development
Marriott International
Jeff Tisdall
Chief Business Officer, Accor One Living
AccorHotels Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC
10:15 - 10:30 15 minutes
Summit Stage
The Transformation Economy is here, are you ready?
Luxury, F&B, and Experiential Hospitality
Jake Haupert
Chief Executive Officer
Transformational Travel Council
10:30 - 11:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Saudi Arabia Tourism Outlook:
Shaping the Future from 2025 to 2040
Investment & DevelopmentReligious Tourism
Moderator
Ben Baseley-Walker
Founder & Managing Partner
Andart Global
In conversation with
Muhammad Bassrawi
President Domestic Tourism Business Unit
Saudi Tourism Authority
10:45 - 11:00 15 minutes
Future Stage
Keynote:
Industry Insights from a Saudi Perspective
Branded Residences
Jeff Tisdall
Chief Business Officer, Accor One Living
AccorHotels Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC
11:00 - 11:15 15 minutes
Summit Stage
All-Inclusive Reimagined:
How Gen Z and Luxury are Redefining the Upscale Travel Experience
Luxury, F&B, and Experiential Hospitality
Gregory Lanter
Group Deputy CEO
Club Med
11:00 - 11:45 45 minutes
Future Stage
Branded Residences:
Defining and Maximizing Their Value Proposition
Branded Residences
Daniel Von Barloewen
Regional Vice President, Accor One Living, Head of Mixed Use (EMEA)
AccorHotels Middle East and Africa FZ-LLC
11:15 - 11:30 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Saudi Arabia’s Medical Tourism Surge:
Uncovering Key Opportunities
Focus on Saudi ArabiaWellness & Medical Tourism
Michael Acton Smith
Co-founder
Calm
11:30 - 12:00 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Pathways to Holistic Wellness:
Mapping Saudi Arabia’s Role in Global Wellness Tourism
Wellness & Medical Tourism
Lindsay Madden-Nadeu
Sr. Director Wellness Strategy
Red Sea Global
Heidi Grimwood
Vice President
ELE|NA
Tommy Lai
Former Chief Executive Officer
GHM
11:30 - 13:00 1 hour 30 minutes
Centre Stage
Announcements & Signings
11:40 - 12:15 35 minutes
Future Stage
Navigating the Legal Framework of Branded Residences in Saudi Arabia
Moderator
Lara Barett
Senior Vice President Legal - Luxury & Lifestyle, Special Projects & Global Legal Lead for Accor One Living
Accor
In conversation with
Bilal Ambikapathy
Partner
Wisefields
12:00 - 12:30 30 minutes
Summit Stage
Hospitality Asset Stability:
Balancing Financial Strength for Owners & Brands
Hotelisation of Traditional Assets
Serena Lim
Chief Growth Officer
The Ascott Limited
Siegfried Nierhaus
Vice President/Head of Development Middle East, India, Africa
H World International
12:15 - 12:45 30 minutes
Future Stage
The Brand Advantage:
How Branding Enhances Sales & Marketing in Residential Real Estate
Branded Residences
Lindsay McGinn
Global Vice President Brand Advisory
Accor One Living
12:30 - 12:45 15 minutes
Summit Stage
How to Make a Brand Last?
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Anchor and Entrepreneur
Stagespring
In conversation with
Maud Bailly
Chief Executive Officer
Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems
12:45 - 13:00 15 minutes
Summit Stage
FHS Awards
Jury Members:
- Louis Nicolas Barrios, Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment, UN Tourism
- Carlos Díez de la Lastra, Chief Executive Officer, Les Roches
- Anouck Weiss, Chief Communication Officer, Sommet Education & Co-founder and Executive Vice President, Sommet Education Foundation
- Jonathan Worsley, Chairman & CEO, The Bench
Carlos Díez de la Lastra
Chief Executive Officer
Les Roches
Anouck Weiss
Chief Communication Officer, Sommet Education
Co-founder and Executive VP, Sommet Education Foundation
Louis Nicolas Barrios
Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment
UN Tourism
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
13:30 - 14:30 1 hour
Lunch
14:00 - 14:20 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Talent in the Digital Age:
Creating a Culture of Innovation in Hospitality
technology-and-innovation
14:00 - 18:00 4 hours
Future Stage
Net Positive Solution Labs powered by World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Sustainability & ESG
Glen Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
14:20 - 15:00 40 minutes
Summit Stage
The Future Workforce:
Empowering Talent, Leadership, and Inclusion
ESG & Human Capital
Amir Golbarg
Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa
Minor Hotel Group MEA DMCC
Benoît-Etienne Domenget
Chief Executive Officer
Sommet Education
Muin Serhan
Chief Executive Officer
Amsa Hospitality
15:00 - 15:20 20 minutes
Summit Stage
Beyond Recruitment:
Creating Communities, Not Just Workforces
Patrick Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Strive Services Group
15:20 - 15:45 25 minutes
Summit Stage
Branding with Culture:
Leveraging Local Identity for Global Impact
Focus on Saudi Arabia
15:45 - 16:30 45 minutes
Summit Stage
Planning with Purpose:
Integrating Tourism Strategy and Conservation in Destination Development
Branding & Culture
Joe Tabet
CEO & Managing Director
JT+Partners
16:30 - 16:45 15 minutes
Summit Stage
Closing Plenary:
The Road Ahead for Global Hospitality
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench