AGENDA: GM Leaders Conference 2018

7 May, The St. Regis Dubai

8.15am – Registration and networking

9am – Welcome address: Hotel News Middle East

9.05am – Opening address: Title sponsor Du: Hany Aly, executive vice president – Enterprise Business

9.15am – Welcome Address: Platinum sponsor Boecker: AbdulHadi Chalak, country manager UAE

9.20am – Panel One: Winning the online battle

Over the last number of years the amount of time hoteliers spend dealing with online issues has grown exponentially. This panel will take a look at how hoteliers can get to grips with the challenges faced on the digital frontier from negative online reviews to the new marketing parameters that put influencers on a pedestal.

Discussion Points:

How have hoteliers had to adapt to the challenges caused by websites like TripAdvisor or Booking.com?
How have the changes in the way bookings are made affected the industry?
How do you prepare for damage caused by negative reviews?
Can hotels work together to counter the OTAs and AirBNBs of the world?

Confirmed panel members:

David Allan, general manager Radisson Blu Hotels, Dubai Waterfront & Canal View

Glenn Nobbs, general manager Copthorne Hotel Dubai

Mark Kirby, general manager, Armani Hotel

Amro Khoudeir, director of digital & distribution and Excom-Y member, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

10am – Address from platinum sponsor Greenhouse: Daniel Chidiac, general manager, Greenhouse Foodstuff Trading

10.05am – Expert session: Tim Cordon, Radisson Hotel Group – area senior VP Middle East, Turkey & Africa

10.25am – Panel Two: Why aren’t there more female general managers?

Five per cent of general managers across the world are female. Why is there such a discrepancy between women and men in leadership positions? Has the new generation of millennials moved the playing field though? With the #MeToo movement gathering pace, there has never been a better time to take a look at the challenges and opportunities facing females in leadership roles.

Discussion points:

Is enough being done to support women to take leadership roles across the industry?
What are the barriers in place to prevent a proportionate amount of females taking leadership roles?
Can you give us an example of how the industry here in the Middle East is making a tangible difference in getting more female leaders on board?
How do you see the long term future of the industry here in terms of female leadership?

Confirmed panel members:

Darren Darwin, general manager Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort

Maria Tullberg, general manager Radisson Blu Dubai Deira Creek

Patria Puyet, pre-opening hotel manager Holiday Inn Dubai Festival City

Nayla Chowdhury, general manager Hampton by Hilton Dubai Airport

Nila Pendarovski, hotel manager Rove Dubai Marina

Assia Riccio, founder of “Evolvin Women”

11am – Coffee break

11.15am – Expert Session: Paula De Keijzer, Expedia senior director market management Middle East, Africa, Greece & Turkey

11.35am – Panel Three: Attracting the right kind of talent

It is a well-known fact that life in the Middle East for expats, particularly in Dubai, is transitory. With that in mind, our final panel of the day will look at how to not only attract the right talent but to keep them challenged enough to, not only stay within the company, but to make their way to the top of the career ladder.

Discussion points:

What is the main challenge when it comes to attracting the right talent in the region?
What are hotels doing here to keep that talent happy?
Given how transitory the region can be for expats, do you think it’s realistic to expect talent to stay in the long-term?
Are the opportunities different for talent than they might have been in the past?

Confirmed panel members:

Ammar Hilal, general manager Fairmont Dubai

Remco Werkhoven, general manager DoubleTree by Hilton Dubai – Business Bay

Shaun Parsons, complex general manager at Le Meridien Dubai Hotel & Conference Centre/Le Meridien Fairway

Dino Van Eeckhaut, cluster general manager Wyndham Hotel Group

Emiel Van Dijk, general manager Swissôtel Al Ghurair and Swissôtel Living Al Ghurair

12.15pm – Lunch

2pm – Close of conference