Programme

Registration, Morning Coffee & Pastries in the Exhibition Area

Welcoming Remarks

• Jonathan Worsley Chairman - Bench Events - Board Member - STR Global

The Big Picture –The Global Perspective on the Region

Macro-Economic Overview

What are the key economic indicators telling us? Is Turkey a sustainable and stable market for investors?  Looking towards the future.  

• Osman Cevdet Akçay Chief Economist - Yapi Kredi Bank

Global Hotels Outlook

With a focus on Turkey and Central Asia

• Christoph Härle CEO Continental Europe - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

Followed by a conversation with CEOs on how Macro-Economics is impacting business. How important is the region in the global puzzle? How they are unlocking the regional potential, what are the keys?  

• Hamdi Akin Chairman - Akfen Holding Company
• Eric Danziger President & CEO - Wyndham Hotel Group
• Denis Hennequin Chairman & CEO - Accor
• Kurt Ritter President & CEO - The Rezidor Hotel Group

Coffee Break in the Sponsors’ Exhibition Area

Regional Update

Insider information and analysis on the existing hotel stock in the region, where are the gaps in the market? 

• Mehmet Önkal Managing Partner - Turkey - BDO Hospitality Consulting
• Jonathan Worsley Chairman - Bench Events - Board Member - STR Global

Securing Realistic Finance in Today’s Market

What are the keys to ensuring your hotel project is financeable? What are the various models and modes of financing available for hotels?  Exploring all the options including funds & REITS.   

• Elif Egeli Nisanci Senior Vice President - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels

In conversation with:

• Şenay Azak-Matt General Manager - Turkey - Aareal Bank AG
• Serdar Bilgili Bilgili Holding - Chairman
• Emre Narin Vice President & Board Member - Marti Hotels & Marinas

Regional Leaders Panel: Reflecting on the pipeline and key opportunities

How do they measure success in the region?  What models have proven most successful?   

• Ömer Isvan President - Servotel Corporation

In conversation with:

• Angela Brav Chief Executive Officer, Europe - IHG
• Jean-Paul Herzog Board Member - Dedeman Hotels and Resorts International
• Simon Vincent Area President, Europe - Hilton Worldwide
• Roeland Vos President, Europe, Africa & Middle East - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc.

Networking Lunch

Developing Successful Resorts in Turkey and CIS, Drawing On International Best Practice

What are the elements to creating a resort with longevity, strong ROI and potential for a profitable exit in the end. Does a brand add value for a resort owner?  

• Ashley Scott Senior Director of Resort Planning and Landscape Architecture - Aecom

In conversation with:

• Alaeddin Babaoglu President & CEO - Amplio Istanbul Hotel Yatirim A.S.
• Haluk Kaya Bekay Property Partners - Chairman
• Gokhan Sarper Development Director - Rixos Hotels
• Ece Tonbul Managing Director Member of Board - Paloma Hotels

How to Select The Right Brand and Operator For Your Hotel

International, regional or independent; evaluating the options and understanding the questions you need to ask and the questions operators are going to ask you. When is the right time to start the process? What do you gain by engaging the experts to advise? 

• Heinz Wehrle Managing Partner - Horwath HTL

In conversation with:

• Marybelle Arnett Vice President Development, Europe & Africa, Focused Service Brands - Hilton Worldwide
• Mehmet Even Deputy General Manager, Head of Development - Zorlu Property Development & Investment Inc
• Katerina Giannouka-Finn Senior Director, Acquisitions & Development EAME - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worlwide Inc.
• Theodor Kubak External Advisor Hotel Investment & Asset Management, UNION Investment Real Estate GmbH - Founder and Non-Executive Board Member, SERVUS International

Luxury Hotels That Stand Out From The Crowd

What does it take to create a truly unique luxury product attractive to the top operato ROI? Where are the key markets in the region for a luxury product? We take a look at ‘Cennet Koyu’; a luxury hotel in progress. 

• Mary Gostelow Editor - Gostelow Report

In conversation with:

• Alper Aksoy Corporate Team Leader - Aksoy Construction & Trade
• Robert Gaymer-Jones Chief Executive Officer - Soluxury HMC - Sofitel Worldwide
• John Goldwyn Vice President, Director of Planning + Landscape - WATG
• Atilla Ozturk CEO & Board Member - ASTAY

Central Asia Update

What activity is there in the region? How is existing stock performing and what is in the pipeline? We shine a spotlight on Baku. 

The Facts:

• Alex Slesar Executive Vice President, Head of Hotel Investment Russia & CIS - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Russia & CIS
• Marina Usenko Executive Vice President - Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels Russia & CIS

On The Ground Feedback:

A conversation on the opportunities and challenges presented by owning,  operating and developing hotels in the region with:

• Anatoly Kondratenko Director, Acquisitions & Development, Russia, CIS and Ukraine - Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
• Lado Sakvarelidze Chief Financial Officer - Redix
• Yulia Stepanova Senior Banker - European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)
• Murat Yilmaz Chief Business Development Officer - Dedeman Hotels & Resorts International

Coffee Break in the Sponsors’ Exhibition

Agreements Workshop

Agreements In Theory:  

Introduction on the different types of agreements from the Turkish legal perspective.

• Scott Antel Partner - DLA Piper Rus Ltd

Agreements In Practice:

Discussion on management agreements vs franchise agreements and introducing the "manchise".  What are the consequences for the owner or investor of each and under what circumstances does each flourish?  

In conversation with:

• Romain Avril Vice President Business Development - The Rezidor Hotel Group
• Christian Michel Vice President Development Central & Eastern Europe - Wyndham Hotel Group
• Paul Pisani Senior Vice President, Hotel Development - Corinthia Hotels
• Oliver Thiele  Chief Executive Officer - T&T Consulting
• Peter Vermeer Vice President Development Benelux & Eastern Europe - IHG

Followed by round table sessions lead by each of our panellists focussed on the different models.

Networking Reception hosted by the Marmara Hotels & Residences

The Marmara Hotels and Residences is hosting a networking reception in their newly renovated property The Marmara Taksim where delegates will have the opportunity to relax and network in sumptuous surroundings.