The second edition of Hotel News ME’s GM Leaders’ Conference will take place on 16 May 2016 at St. Regis Dubai and will be supported once again by Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) with Marc Bennett, senior vice president, international operations, confirmed as the keynote speaker.
Hotel News ME is gearing up to host its GM Leaders Conference for the second year running with a day of lively panel discussions, expert sessions, key-note presentations and workshops. The event will be moderated by broadcaster, presenter and journalist Stephen Marney and will involve prime networking opportunities and open Q&A sessions for delegates in attendance.
The one-day conference will touch upon key issues that are currently being faced in the hospitality industry, including declining occupancy rates and the current rate-war that hoteliers are engaged in as they try to maintain strong room rates in an ever competitive market.
Guest satisfaction and its impact on the bottom line will also be explored in a panel session with Colliers International who recently partnered with Dutch startup Olery to develop a software that combines data sets to create the ultimate performance rating tool, the Guest Experience Index. This panel will explore its use for the industry and what it could mean for the future of hotel performance ratings.
Additionally, following on from the highly popular cover story “Under Attack”, an expert session has been designed to cover why hotels are a cybercrime target, highlighting the dangers and vulnerabilities of hotel systems and advising on how to handle a cybercrime emergency.
Female leaders in hospitality will also take the stage with a panel discussion debating how the industry can increase the number of women in senior management roles.
Supporting the event, Rikan General Trading, has confirmed its participation as Presenting Sponsor for the second year.
Commenting on the second edition of the GM Leaders Conference, Diarmuid O’Malley, group publishing director for BNC Publishing said: “Following on from the huge success of last year’s conference, I am confident that the second edition will bring even more value to the industry, with great partners and speakers we aim to bring valuable information to the hoteliers. It is vital as an industry we work together and collaborate on new ideas and ways to overcome existing challenges. I have no doubt that we will exceed last year’s delegate number of 150.”
For all sponsorship enquiries, please contact: dom@bncpublishing.net
For all speaking opportunities, please contact: sophia@bncpublishing.net
The conference is free to attend for hotel general managers, hotel managers, directors of operation, executive assistant managers, vps and ceos. To register your attendance, please contact: mark@bncpublishing.net
Agenda
8.00am Registration and networking
8.30am Welcome Address from Hotel News ME + Hotel Industry Insights Survey results
8.40am Address from presenting sponsor, Rikan General Trading
8.45am KEYNOTE: Marc Bennet, SVP International Operations, DTCM
9.15am EXPERT SESSION Introducing the Guest Experience Index
Colliers International delivers the need to know information on the latest guest satisfaction rating tool, which combines satisfaction with performance
9.35am PANEL The Guest Experience Index
Description: This year Colliers International in association with Dutch startup Olery, developed a software that combines data sets to create the ultimate hotel rating tool. This panel will explore its use for the industry and what it could mean for the future of hotel performance ratings.
10.15 EXPERT SESSION: Driving Direct Business
Saahil Mehta, managing director of ResNet World delivers a guide on how to engage potential guests and boost direct bookings.
10.35 BREAK
10.55am EXPERT SESSION Retain Your A-Team, Mike Hoff Founder and CEO of Mike Hoff Consulting (MHC)
Description: Learn how to quantify your leadership ability in 80+ business related areas, and gain management tips for teams in high performance environments
11.25am PANEL The Rate War
Description: With numerous micro-markets emerging across the individual emirates, this panel session will debate the impact on rates in prime and secondary locations and also asses how and when hoteliers should revise their set rates.
12.10 BREAK
12.30pm EXPERT SESSION Cyber Crime
Description: Following on from the highly popular cover story “Under Attack: Why hotels are a cybercrime target”, this session will highlight the dangers and vulnerabilities of hotel systems and advise on how to handle a cybercrime emergency.
12.50pm PANEL Female Leaders
Description: There are plenty of women going through hospitality school, yet far fewer women than men in the upper echelons of hospitality management. This session explores the potential reasons and debates what else the industry can do to support its workforce.
1.30pm WORKSHOP Leadership via Education
Conducted by Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management Associate Dean, Michael Newnham
2pm Lunch and close of conference
