11-13 May 2025
Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh
Event Themes
Sunday 11 May
Welcome Remarks
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
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
UN Tourism Presents:
Tourism Education Guidelines
Luis Nicolas Barrios
Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment
UN Tourism
Rethinking Hospitality Schools:
Education, Experience & Environment
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
Glenn Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Muin Serhan
Chief Executive Officer
Amsa Hospitality
How Can We Rebrand Hospitality Careers to Attract Saudi Youth?
Moderator
Lameese Damiri
Senior Education Specialist
UNTourism
In conversation with
Dr. Abeer Alamri
Skills Development and Talent Optimization Expert
Layla Alamri
Education Senior Manager
Red Sea Global
Ibrahim Osta
Global Tourism Lead and Senior Economic Growth Advisor
Chemonics International
Masterclass:
How engagement, culture and leadership make or break brand & property value in the region (and beyond)?
Moderator
Andre Wiringa
Founder & CEO
Start Reverse
In conversation with
Paul Bridger
Chief Operating Officer
Rove Hotels
Olivier Harnisch
Founder & CEO
Lunasole Hospitality
Jan-Patrick Krüger
Managing Director
Pandox AB
Local Member Showcase:
Net Positive Pathway in Action
The Guest Experience Reimagined:
A Saudi Hospitality Design Challenge
Moderator
Ebrahim Al Qassab
Projects Director
Baraka Real Estate
In conversation with
Dr. Ahmed Abdulwahab Khan Alhashimi
Chief Business Development Officer (CBDO)
Sumou Investment Global
Dr. Fahad Al Otaibi
Senior Advisor at the Architecture & Design Commission
Ministry of Culture
Marloes Knippenberg
Chief Executive Officer
Kerten Hospitality
Joe Tabet
CEO & Managing Director
JT+Partners
What Are the Best Models for Ongoing Professional Development in Hospitality in Saudi Arabia?
Moderator
Adrian Artimov
Chief Commercial Officer
Sommet Education
In conversation with
Yasser Faisal Al-Sharif
Founder
Al Sadu Advisory
Imran Changezi
Executive Director Hospitality Development & Dean of Centre Expertise, CoE
Diriyah Company
Speed Networking
FHS Welcome Reception at Yauatcha | Hosted by Al Khozama
Monday 12 May
Welcome to FHS Saudi Arabia 2025
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
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
Where Vision Shapes Opportunity
The Future of Global Tourism:
A Conversation with Shaikha Al Nowais, Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Former News-Anchor
Bloomberg
In conversation with
Shaikha Al Nowais
Corporate Vice President, Owner Relationship Management, Rotana
Candidate for UN Tourism Secretary-General
From Vision to Value:
Investing in Tomorrow’s Hospitality Today
Empowering Connections:
Networking Session
Muna Bu Khamseen
Executive Assistant Manager
Grand Hyatt Al Khobar Hotel & Residences
Safeguarding Hospitality Investments Amid Market Shifts:
Is Saudi Arabia Still the Land of Opportunity?
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Former News-Anchor
Bloomberg
In conversation with
Khalid Saud Abu Haimed
Chief Executive Officer
Al Khozama Investment Company
Cyril Piaia
Chief Executive Officer
How the Private Sector is driving Growth Through Strategic Synergy
Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi
Chief Executive Officer
Taiba Investments
Inside the Mind of the Global Investor:
What Draws Capital to Saudi Arabia
Amin Ismail
Managing Director
Certares
Christophe Beauvilain
Managing Partner
Pygmalion Capital
Navigating the Hospitality Investment Industry in Saudi Arabia:
A Beginner's Guide
Moderator
Dunia Joulani
Partner | Head of Travel, Hospitality and Leisure
Deloitte Middle East
In conversation with
James Edmondson
Director Infrastructure & Real Estate
Deloitte Middle East
Announcements & Signings
Beyond the Whistle:
The FIFA World Cup 2034’s Ripple Effect on the Saudi Hospitality Sector
Dr. Sarah Gasim
Senior Vice President, Head of Hotels KSA
JLL
Senses of Place:
Crafting Worlds Where Luxury Comes Alive
The Changing Face of Saudi Arabia:
The Role of Mega Events in Driving Modernization, Infrastructure Growth, and Tourism Excellence
Moderator: Ahmad Arab, Founding Partner, Horwath HTL Saudi
Abdullah Azhari
CEO & Managing Director
Saudi Icon Company
Gavin Weaver
Regional Director
AtkinsRéalis
Maher Abou Nasr
Vice President Operations Saudi Arabia
IHG Hotels & Resorts
Ahmad Arab
Founding Partner
Horwath HTL Saudi
More Than a Stay:
Creating Experiential Cities Through Hospitality
How Is Saudi Arabia Preparing for a Tourism Transformation to Connect Travelers Locally and Globally?
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Steven Greenway
Chief Executive Officer
flyadeal
Lunch
Setting the Scene for Hotel Performance and Development in Saudi Arabia
Philip Wooller
Senior Director - Middle East and Africa
STR
Announcements & Signings
Branding with Culture:
Forming a Dynamic Ecosystem that Resonates and Connects
Catherine Edwards
Chief Growth Officer
QUO
Risk or Rhetoric:
Navigating Climate Risk, Regulation, and Reality in 2025
Professor Marc Lepere
Lead in ESG & Sustainability, Executive Education, Department of Banking & Finance
King’s Business School
Financing Hospitality Ventures:
Maximizing Capital for Growth and Success
Moderator
Khaled Zowayed
Partner, Co-Head of Real Estate and Hospitality Middle East
Baker McKenzie
In conversation with
Hossam Al-Basrawi
Chief Executive Officer
Alrajhi Capital
Rami Bissat
Vice President Investment
Taiba Investment
Sean Hehir
President & CEO
Trinity Investments
The Future of Hotel Asset Management - HAMA Asset Management Workshop - Invitation Only
Amit Nayak
Vice President
HAMA MEA
Start-Up Den
Judges:
Participants:
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
Khalid Alsatti
Senior Specialist
UN Tourism
Fahad Mohammed Alobailan
Chief Executive Officer
BAAN Holding
Ahmad Arab
Founding Partner
Horwath HTL Saudi
Sundip Patel
Chief Executive Officer
Ezdaher Financing Company
George Bos
Founder
The Natural Bottle
Sarah Albaiz
Managing director
Qantara
Kristina Melsova
CEO & Founder
atlaseek
Lena AlAmeel
Founder & Creatrix
Barriya
Asif Alidina
Co-Founder & CEO
Inntelo AI
Israa Sammoura
Chief Executive Officer
Meyraki
Beyond the App:
Transforming Digital Ventures into Offline Hospitality
Moderator
Yousef Gamal El-Din
Former News-Anchor
Bloomberg
In conversation with
Michael Acton Smith
Co-founder
Calm
Your Path to Red Sea Global:
Exploring Projects and Partnership Opportunities
Gregory Djerejian
Group Chief Legal Officer
Red Sea Global
Is the Pursuit of Luxury Compatible with Sustainability in Saudi Arabian Hospitality?
Moderator
Richard Williamson
Chief Operating Officer
Considerate Group
In conversation with
Hicham Hassouni
Chief Business Officer
Our Habitas, EVP KSA Ennismore
Ana Lobo Martins
Director, Interior Design
ARC International Design Consultants
Omar Romero
Chief Development and Luxury Officer
Minor Hotel
Elie Younes
Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer
Radisson Hotel Group
Service Excellence in Vulnerable Times
Carsten K. Rath
Entrepreneur
Passion for Excellence AG
Project Showcase
TenX Leadership Talk:
The Future of Mid-Scale & Upscale Hospitality in Saudi Arabia’s Transforming Tourism Sector
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Ron Pohl
President
BWH Hotels
From Foundations to Futures:
Where Opportunity Meets Innovation
From London to Riyadh - Perspectives from a Pioneering Developer on the Future of Branded Living
Nick Candy
Chief Executive Officer
Candy Capital
Mohammed Saad
President
Diriyah Development Company (DevCo)
Unveiling Market Trends:
Insights into Branded Residences in the Kingdom
Moderator
Ali Manzoor
Senior Director Head of Hospitality, Hotels & Tourism
CBRE MENA
In conversation with
Daniel von Barloewen
Senior Vice President, Global Mixed-Use Development
Accor One Living
Stephen Cheesebrough
Head of Development
Red Sea Global
Julien Laloye
Senior Director, Mixed-Use Development (EMEA)
Marriott International
The Invisible Hand:
The Past and Future of Hospitality
Johannes Torpe
Designer & Musician
Johannes Torpe Studios
FHS Evening Reception
Tuesday 13 May
Welcome Back
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
Saudi Arabia Tourism Outlook:
Shaping the Future from 2025 to 2040
Moderator
Dunia Joulani
Partner | Head of Travel, Hospitality and Leisure
Deloitte Middle East
In conversation with
Muhammad Bassrawi
President Domestic Tourism Business Unit
Saudi Tourism Authority
Planning with Purpose:
Integrating Tourism Strategy and Conservation in Destination Development
Moderator
Jules Ugo
Chief Executive Officer
LOTUS
In conversation with
Waleed Abualnadi
Commercial Director
Saudi Icon Company
Hussam Alhuzaimi
Co-Founder & CEO
Evolve Hospitality
Joe Tabet
CEO & Managing Director
JT+Partners
Keynote:
Industry Insights from a Saudi Perspective
Jeff Tisdall
Chief Business Officer, Accor One Living
Accor
Stakeholder perspectives – How do branded residences create value for investors, homeowners and brands
Moderator
Rico Picenoni
Head of Global Residential Development Consultancy
Savills
In conversation with
Daniel von Barloewen
Senior Vice President, Global Mixed-Use Development
Accor One Living
Imran Changezi
Executive Director Hospitality Development & Dean of Centre Expertise, CoE
Diriyah Company
Marloes Knippenberg
Chief Executive Officer
Kerten Hospitality
Rohan Ranade
Associate Vice President, Real Estate & Development
The Indian Hotels Company Limited
Keynote:
Insights on Trends, Data, and Market Dynamics
The Power of the Middle:
Scalable, Sustainable, Smart
Moderator
Nikolina Angelkova
Former Minister Tourism
Bulgaria
In conversation with
Duncan O’Rourke
Chief Executive Officer, Middle East, Africa & Asia Pacific - Premium, Midscale & Economy
Accor
Balancing Growth:
Unlocking the Potential of Mid-Market Hospitality in Saudi Arabia's Luxury Landscape
Moderator
Oussama el Kadiri
Partner - Head of Hospitality, Tourism & Leisure Advisory MENA
Knight Frank
In conversation with
Ayman Ezzeddine
Director, Business Development, Middle East, Egypt and Pakistan
Radisson Hotel Group
Hitesh Gandhi
Vice President, Development, KSA and Kuwait
Marriott International
Adil Jabrayilov
Development Director MENA
Louvre Hotels Group
Alexey Korobkin
Senior Director Development ME & Africa
IHG Hotels & Resorts
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
Keri Watkins
Partner
Baker & McKenzie LLP
Could Hotel F&B set a World first by dominating the Mid Sector Dining Market in the kingdom?
Moderator
Stefan Breg
Managing Partner-Consulting
KEANE: Consult & Create
In conversation with
Ibrahim Alsini
Executive Partner
Inaar
Ola Kayal
Founder & CEO
Nabati
Muin Serhan
Chief Executive Officer
Amsa Hospitality
Selling Luxury:
Marketing Branded Residences to Chinese Investors
Sally Maier-Yip
Founder and Managing Director
11K Consulting
Announcements & Signings
The Transformation Economy is here, are you ready?
Jake Haupert
Founder, Chair, and Chief of Innovation and Impact
Transformational Travel Council
From Ownership to Opportunity:
Rental Structures Behind Iconic Brands
Rico Picenoni
Head of Global Residential Development Consultancy
Savills
Branding Saudi:
Forming an Authentic Identity in a Global Market
Moderator
Catherine Edwards
Chief Growth Officer
QUO
In conversation with
Majed Kaki
Vice President Business Development
Elaf Group
Govind Mundra
Head of Development for the Middle East and Africa
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Saurabh Tiwari
Area Director - Operations, Middle East & CIS
THE INDIAN HOTELS COMPANY LIMITED
The Brand Advantage:
How Branding Enhances Sales & Marketing in Residential Real Estate
Lindsay McGinn
Global Vice President, Residential Marketing
Accor One Living
How to Make a Brand Last?
Moderator
Jessy El Murr
Former Journalist
BBC
In conversation with
Maud Bailly
Chief Executive Officer
Sofitel Legend, Sofitel, MGallery & Emblems
All-Inclusive Reimagined:
How Gen Z and Luxury are Redefining the Upscale Travel Experience
Moderator
Ben Baseley-Walker
Founder & Managing Partner
Andart Global
In conversation with
Gregory Lanter
Group Deputy CEO
Club Med
Pathways to Holistic Wellness:
Mapping Saudi Arabia’s Role in Global Wellness Tourism
Moderator
Nicolas Nasra
Head of Hotel Advisory Hospitality & Tourism
Colliers MENA
In conversation with
Heidi Grimwood
Senior Vice President
ELE|NA
Tommy Lai
Chief Executive Officer
Alyvate Hospitality
Lindsay Madden-Nadeu
Sr. Director Wellness Strategy
Red Sea Global
FHS Awards
Jury Members:
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
Luis Nicolas Barrios
Regional Manager Innovation Education and Investment
UN Tourism
Anouck Weiss
Chief Communication Officer, Sommet Education
Co-founder and Executive VP, Sommet Education Foundation
Carlos Díez de la Lastra
Chief Executive Officer
Les Roches
Lunch
Welcome Remarks - Net Positive Solution Labs powered by World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (On Invitation Only)
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench
Glenn Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Nurturing New Talent in Saudi Hospitality:
Leadership, Growth, and Vision 2030
The Business Case for Net Positive Hospitality
Caty Batten
Net Positive Innovation Lead
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Talent in the Digital Age:
Creating a Culture of Innovation in Hospitality
The Future Workforce:
Empowering Talent, Leadership, and Inclusion
Amir Ali Golbarg
Senior Vice President, Middle East & Africa
Minor Hotel
Muin Serhan
Chief Executive Officer
Amsa Hospitality
Benoît-Etienne Domenget
Chief Executive Officer
Sommet Education
A Net Positive vision for 2030
Caty Batten
Net Positive Innovation Lead
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Beyond Recruitment:
Creating Communities, Not Just Workforces
Moderator
Linh K. Vu
Owner & Managing Director
Key Hospitality Consulting
In conversation with
Patrick Smith
Chief Executive Officer
Strive Services Group
Revitalizing Aging Assets:
Maximizing Performance & Energy Efficiency in Hospitality Investments
Moderator
Amr Fakiha
Strategy & Growth Director, Project & Development Services, KSA
JLL
In conversation with
Glenn Mandziuk
Chief Executive Officer
World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance
Mark Sperring
Regional PMC Director
Compass Project Consulting
How to lead your destination to Net Positive:
essential ways of ‘thinking, being and doing’ for 2030 and beyond
Hospitality Asset Stability:
Balancing Financial Strength for Owners & Brands
Serena Lim
Chief Growth Officer
The Ascott Limited
Siegfried Nierhaus
Vice President/Head of Development Middle East, India, Africa
H World International
Klaus Assmann
Chief Operating Officer - Middle East, Southeast Asia & India
United Hospitality Management
Standard setting for Net Positive Hospitality – challenges and opportunities/the business case
From White Label Operators, Franchising to Traditional Management Agreements - What is the Future?
Moderator
Scott Antel
Founder Owner
Scott's FZ Hospitality Legal Services
In conversation with
Victor Abou Ghanem
Chief Executive Officer
Story Hospitality
Tariq Dowidar
Vice President, KSA
Aleph Hospitality
Eddy Tannous
Chief Operating Officer
Rotana
David Thomson
Senior Vice President Development
The First Group Hospitality
Closing Remarks
Closing Plenary:
The Road Ahead for Global Hospitality
Jonathan Worsley
Chairman & CEO
The Bench