Clermont Hotel Group (CHG) has officially relaunched the Tower Suite at The Tower Hotel by Thistle, reintroducing a fully refreshed, design-led event space back into London’s competitive MICE landscape.

Positioned beside Tower Bridge, the Tower Suite benefits from one of the capital’s most recognisable backdrops, offering uninterrupted views across the city skyline. The refurbishment brings a contemporary, highly flexible environment designed to respond to a wide spectrum of events, from conferences and corporate meetings to large-scale celebrations and social gatherings.

With its own private entrance, the space operates as a self-contained venue in the heart of London, with capacity for up to 500 guests for gala dinners, conferences, product launches and bespoke events. As CHG’s largest dedicated event space in the capital, the redevelopment places strong emphasis on experience-led design, combining refreshed interiors with upgraded technical capability.

The venue now features advanced AV infrastructure including integrated digital signage, HD projection, flexible connectivity and music systems, alongside retractable ceiling rigging systems that allow for full production customisation, enabling organisers to create fully immersive and branded environments.

Further investment is also planned across the wider 801-room The Tower Hotel by Thistle, with upgrades to the guest journey including a redesigned reception area, a new lobby bar, an external terrace, as well as modernisation of the bedroom product and the introduction of a new F&B concept.

The refurbishment forms part of CHG’s wider multi-million-pound portfolio strategy focused on delivering what it defines as ‘Spaces for All’, spanning accommodation, dining and event environments tailored to evolving market expectations.

Danielle Ravenscroft, M&E Director of Clermont Hotel Group said: “The return of the Tower Suite represents a significant moment for our meetings and events portfolio. We’ve created a space that not only responds to the practical needs of today’s planners (flexibility, technology and flow) but one that also delivers a memorable setting that enhances the overall delegate experience. It’s a venue designed to inspire creativity and elevate every stage of an event.“

Richard O’Riordan, General Manager of The Tower Hotel by Thistle added: “It’s fantastic to see The Tower Suite open its doors after its transformation. It’s been a privilege to have been a part of this journey and congratulations to the teams involved in making this a reality. The Tower Suite has always been a significant part of our hotel’s identity and I look forward to seeing this landmark venue become a sought-after London event space once again.”

The Tower Hotel by Thistle continues to position itself as a key residential meetings hub in London, offering 801 bedrooms alongside 16 flexible meeting spaces and panoramic views from its 12th floor event levels.
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

HQ visited Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid and Only YOU Hotel Atocha as part of a new editorial collaboration with the brand, examining the properties through a MICE lens to see how their spaces operate for meetings and corporate events. The two properties sit less than twenty minutes apart yet operate in noticeably different ways for meeting planners. Boutique occupies a restored 19th-century mansion in the design-focused Salesas district, while Atocha faces Spain’s main rail hub with larger meeting infrastructure and a distinctly urban rhythm. Experiencing both properties back-to-back reveals how the brand adapts its concept for different types of business events while remaining embedded in Madrid’s daily life.

Only YOU Hotels is the urban lifestyle brand of Spain-based Palladium Hotel Group, developed to bring a more design-led, city-integrated approach to business travel. The concept first appeared in Madrid in September 2013 with the opening of Only YOU Boutique, followed three years later by Only YOU Atocha in November 2016. The brand positions its properties as social hubs where visitors and local residents are welcome to share the same spaces.

 

Design plays a central role in that philosophy. The interiors of the Madrid properties were developed by Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa-Violán, whose work combines historical architecture with layered contemporary interiors. The approach is intentionally eclectic, pairing restored heritage buildings with residential-scale rooms and public spaces that feel more like city social clubs than hotel lobbies. Restaurants, cocktail bars and cultural programming remain open to local audiences, reinforcing the idea that business travellers should experience the rhythm of the city rather than remain separate from it. Madrid became the test bed for implementing this model, with the two properties showcasing adaptability to different types of association and corporate gatherings.

Only YOU Boutique Hotel Madrid

Only YOU Boutique sits on Calle Barquillo in Salesas, a neighbourhood that has become one of Madrid’s most design-conscious quarters over the past decade, located between Gran Vía, Recoletos and the lively district of Chueca. The surrounding streets are home to independent galleries, boutiques and restaurants, creating a setting in which business visitors can step outside during breaks and find themselves in the heart of a compact cultural district.

 

The property operates as a four-star hotel and was the first Only YOU property to open, later expanding in 2014 to meet demand while preserving the intimate scale of the original palacete.

The building itself is a restored 19th-century palacete, whose architecture lends itself to layered interiors rather than large halls. Meetings therefore unfold across a series of smaller spaces spread over several floors. The Azul Room, the Arts Club and several terrace-connected salons can host board meetings, product presentations or private dining.

 

The Arts Club offers a glimpse into how the hotel blends corporate and local cultural life. With capacity for around 60 guests and its own street entrance, the venue hosts exhibitions, public events and business gatherings. When a corporate group uses the space, they enter a venue already embedded in the neighbourhood rather than an isolated conference room.

 

Other areas of the hotel also accommodate meetings. Occasionally, suites and the penthouse are converted into private boardrooms, enabling organisers to distribute sessions throughout the building and avoid concentrating activity in one space.

 

This spatial layout shapes the kinds of events the hotel attracts. Fashion brands, cosmetics companies, tech firms and financial institutions frequently use the property for product launches, media briefings and senior leadership meetings. Groups tend to remain intimate with an emphasis on atmosphere and privacy.

 

Because the restaurants and bars operate as neighbourhood venues, the building maintains a constant flow of local visitors. Celicioso, the hotel’s gluten-free restaurant, attracts a steady daytime crowd, while Padrino becomes an evening cocktail destination. Located opposite the Teatro Infanta Isabel, the bar often fills with theatre-goers before and after performances, giving it the feel of a small cultural salon within the neighbourhood. Over time it has attracted well-known figures from Spain’s theatre and film scene, reinforcing the hotel’s connection to the city’s creative life.

 

The YOUNIQUE Arts Club adds another layer to this ecosystem. Open to local diners, the space also functions as an event venue and hosts business lunches, cultural events and private gatherings. For corporate groups it easily adapts to different formats, serving either as a restaurant or presentation space.

 

Both Madrid properties also run public events, including literary brunches on Sundays and other cultural gatherings, reinforcing the idea that the hotels operate as neighbourhood meeting points as much as accommodation for different types of travellers.

 

    

Only YOU Hotel Atocha

While Boutique is located in the heart of Salesas, allowing guests to step directly into one of Madrid’s most design-focused districts, a different dynamic emerges at Only YOU Hotel Atocha. The four-star hotel celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2026, yet the building still feels contemporary thanks to its urban design language and constant flow of activity.

 

This hotel is located directly opposite Madrid Puerta de Atocha Almudena Grandes, Spain’s primary high-speed rail station. The station connects the capital with cities such as Barcelona, Zaragoza and Valencia, as well as many destinations. For corporate groups arriving from across the country, this proximity makes it easier to attend meetings or events on the same day, as delegates can step off a train and reach the hotel within minutes, eliminating the need for airport transfers. The property attracts a mix of national and international MICE business, with many association and corporate meetings coming from key European markets including the UK, Benelux, Germany or France.

 

Only YOU Atocha is bigger than Boutique, with 204 rooms and nine meeting spaces across several levels, allowing organisers to structure programmes that move naturally between breakout sessions and plenary sessions.

 

On the ground floor, directly off the lobby, the Think, Dream and Work rooms function as the hotel’s most flexible small meeting spaces. Together they form a combined room that can host up to 50 people, or they can be divided into three individual rooms suited to smaller meetings.

 

The main event spaces sit on the lower floor, where the Amazing and Ideas rooms can be used separately or joined to create a venue of more than 170 square metres. This area accommodates conferences, product launches or sizeable meetings. Nearby, the Concept room offers another adaptable venue for presentations or mid-size gatherings.

 

Suites are also incorporated into the meetings ecosystem. Suite 714, for example, functions as a private meeting lounge with its own terrace and is often used as an executive breakout space supporting larger events elsewhere in the building.

 

The central patio adds further flexibility. When all meeting rooms on that floor are booked together, the space can be privatised and configured for exhibitions or activations with small stands. The hotel has hosted events ranging from concerts to car presentations, made possible by a dedicated elevator connecting the parking area directly to the patio.

 

Above these event areas, the building’s public spaces encourage meetings to extend beyond formal meeting spaces. The Relaxarium indoor terrace offers a quieter space often used for coffee breaks during conferences, allowing delegates to step away briefly from meeting rooms without leaving the event floor. Each floor is designed around a different sport theme, reflected in artwork and decorative details throughout the corridors and rooms. The ground-floor lobby acts almost as an open working environment where informal conversations continue between sessions. Seating areas sit alongside Trotamundos restaurant, Breakery by Madreamiga, the cocktail bar and even a barbershop, allowing guests, locals and delegates to share the same space throughout the day.

 

This layout makes it easy for meetings to move between formal and informal settings. Delegates might begin the morning in a plenary session, continue discussions over coffee at the Breakery and finish with lunch or an evening reception at Sép7ima, the rooftop restaurant overlooking Madrid. The rooftop also hosts the Colmado by Sép7ima concept, offering charcuterie, cheeses and other Spanish products designed for sharing, a format that works naturally for networking receptions and informal gatherings.

 

The two properties show how Only YOU approaches meetings in Madrid through two complementary formats: one oriented toward smaller executive gatherings within a culturally dense district, the other designed to absorb larger corporate programmes while remaining firmly integrated into the city.

 

Only YOU also invites meeting planners to work from the hotel for a day before committing to an event, allowing organisers to explore the building and test meeting formats while developing their programme.

What comes next

Madrid remains the brand’s home base, but Only YOU now operates several properties across Spain, including hotels in Valencia, Sevilla and Malaga, with further expansion underway internationally. New openings announced by the group include Only YOU Hotel New York (expected 2026) and Only YOU Hotel Venice (planned for 2027), while an Ibiza property is also scheduled to join the portfolio soon.

 

HQ will continue visiting and reporting from these locations as part of an ongoing series exploring how the brand’s urban hospitality model adapts across destinations.

 

More information on: onlyyouhotels.com

 

All images provided by Only YOU Hotels

 

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, part of the world-leading hospitality group Accor, has announced the debut of Fairmont Golden Prague, bringing a new chapter to one of the city’s most iconic and historic buildings.

Located at the gate of prestigious Pařížská Boulevard on the banks of the Vltava River, the hotel unveils a multi-million euro renovation of the landmark building of brutalist architecture it occupies.

The hotel, which opened in April this year and is just 14 km from the airport, features a 600-square meter column-free ballroom, exemplary event spaces, and three exclusive C-Suite rooftop boardrooms, all offering private terraces, the latest audio-visual equipment, customised catering, and an experienced events team.

Celebrations and events: Reflecting the expectations of a world-class capital city, Fairmont Golden Prague offers four flexible meeting spaces, from the city’s most exclusive C-suite boardrooms that can welcome 8–12 guests each, to the iconic 600 sqm ballroom, fit to host up to 600 guests plus two private dining rooms at Greenhouse restaurant for parties of up to 10 guests each. Occasionally, the hotel will be able to offer private use of some of the restaurants or bars.

Business services: A private office with Wi-Fi and a printer is on hand for the event organiser. Complimentary high speed internet access is available in all guest rooms and suites and in all meeting rooms, restaurants, bars and the public areas.

Off-site catering: From a formal gala evening to an incentive dinner, Fairmont Golden Prague knows how to transform a special event into an occasion to remember at a selection of historical and contemporary settings throughout the region, inclusive of the Martinic Palace to which Fairmont Golden Prague has been granted exclusive access.

Destination weddings: The timeless elegance of the hotel’s ballroom or the Renaissance Martinic Palace, make the most showstopping of wedding venues, leaving guests spellbound. The hotel can accommodate any party, from an intimate gathering to an extravagant celebration, whilst Prague offers a centralised location, perfect for unique destination weddings.
 

ABOUT THE HOTEL

Rooms: The hotel features 320 elegant rooms, suites, and serviced residences, blending modernist aesthetics with warm tones of rich dark wood contrasted against lighter elements. This harmonious design creates a calming sanctuary, where the beauty of the Czech capital takes center stage. Drawing inspiration from the building’s original architecture, the interiors seamlessly integrate traditional Czech glass artistry into structural elements, enhancing room partitions and spatial lighting that create a distinctive, refined touch. 

Food & beverage: Six diverse locations to drink and dine in style ensures guests have an array of choices. On the rooftop, Zlata Praha offers a seasonally driven, fine dining experience complemented by breathtaking panoramic views of Prague. For a taste of modern Asian cuisine, Golden Eye presents a sleek cosmopolitan ambiance inspired by the 1970s, featuring stunning skyline views. 

In the lobby, Coocoo’s Nest—named after the Academy Award-winning film from Czech-American Miloš Forman, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, serves as a stylish social hub. Connected to the ground-floor art gallery and adorned with a mix of 1970s and contemporary artwork, it provides the perfect setting for a morning coffee, light meal, or an evening cocktail. Those looking to experience the iconic Czech beer culture should not miss Greenhouse, the hotel’s all-day venue where guests can enjoy Czech pilsner, fine wines, and snacks prepared on the restaurant’s Josper grill while taking in views of the riverbank and the Prague Castle.

Wellness: Guests seeking a respite from exploring the city of Prague can relish in tailored wellness experiences at the property’s signature 1,400 sqm Fairmont Spa & Wellness center which combines luxury, nature, and state-of-the-art technology. Skilled therapists take a holistic approach to healing, blending traditional techniques with modern innovations to create truly personalized treatments. The spa features five serene treatment suites, a tranquil garden, three saunas, a steam bath, and a world-class fitness studio. A one of its kind in central Prague, their L-shaped pool fuses indoor and outdoor spaces for a truly immersive experience. 

Fairmont Gold: Fairmont Golden Prague also offers the exclusive Fairmont Gold experience, a ‘hotel within a hotel’ that provides guests with exceptional privacy, personalized service, and access to premium amenities. Benefits include a private check-in upon arrival and access to the elegant Fairmont Gold Lounge, featuring a complimentary healthy breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canapés, a late-night dessert buffet, and an honor bar. 
 

Powered by Meeting Media Company, publisher of Headquarters Magazine (HQ) – a leading international publication based in Brussels, serving the global MICE industry and association community.

Hilton Prague has been honored as the Czech Republic’s Leading MICE Hotel by World MICE Travel Awards further strengthening the hotel’s reputation for excellence in hospitality.

Organised by World Travel Awards (WTA), one of the travel industry’s most prestigious awards programmers, the 2024 Gala Ceremony took place in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, earlier this month, celebrating the best in MICE brands worldwide.

The award-winning Hilton Prague is a centrally-located business hotel just a few steps from the heart of the charming Czech capital with four floors of meeting spaces, a large capacity of guest rooms, Health Club & Spa and six restaurants including rooftop sky bar with panoramic views of the city.

Set in a bright and contemporary design space, our 791 guestrooms and 5,000 sqm of flexible convention and banquet space annually host over 500 events of all types and sizes, catering for more than 70,000 delegates. The passionately hospitable hotel team uses proven processes and a personalized approach.

At Hilton Prague, creativity meets limitless possibilities. The hotel's passionate team delivers unforgettable experiences, blending the charm of Prague with innovative services. From crafting Meet with Purpose events for gathering more sustainably to offering unparalleled catering, Hilton Prague consistently exceeds expectations, all under one roof. Clients and delegates enjoy exceptional service at a hotel committed to surprising, delighting, and lowering the environmental impact of their meeting or event. co.

Ryan Gauci, general manager, Hilton Prague said “It is with great pride that we celebrate this accomplishment. This award shows our team's unwavering dedication to excellence and our commitment to delivering exceptional service. At Hilton Prague, we are not just a hotel, we are a destination where imaginations come alive and expectations are exceeded. Huge thank you to our fantastic team and our guests and clients for making this possible!”

Four new hotels are coming to Ottawa over the coming three years. They are set to significantly enhance Ottawa’s status as a premier destination for corporate and association events, conferences and large-scale gatherings.

The introduction of AC Marriott, Moxy, Renaissance and Hard Rock Hotel will provide state-of-the-art facilities and accommodation, providing the city with additional capacity and alternatives to the city’s current hotel stock.

“Ottawa has, in recent years, solidified its position as a premier destination for conferences and events,” said Lesley Pincombe, Ottawa Tourism’s Vice President, Business and Major Events. “The addition of these four hotels will not only ramp up our city's accommodation offering but also provide state-of-the-art venues capable of hosting large numbers of delegates in style and comfort.”

The first, the AC Marriott Ottawa is scheduled to open its doors in autumn 2024. This sophisticated hotel will offer a blend of modern design and classic comfort, featuring bright and airy meeting rooms, cutting-edge conference facilities, and exceptional dining options. It will offer 159 guestrooms and five meeting rooms totalling 3,648 square feet with floor-to-ceiling windows as well as lounges and exterior space

Following closely in spring 2025, Moxy Ottawa, renowned for its contemporary design, will launch bringing 224 guestroom and a vibrant and playful atmosphere to the city's hospitality scene.

Both the AC Marriott and the Moxy Ottawa will be located in the Byward Market, within walking distance of the Rideau Centre, the University of Ottawa and the Shaw Centre.

Later in 2025, the iconic Hard Rock Hotel Ottawa is set to open. Bringing Hard Rock's legendary hospitality and rock 'n' roll spirit to Ottawa, it will feature stylish rooms, world-class entertainment, as well as meeting and events spaces to fit any bill. It promises 150 guestrooms and 22 suites as well as a 1,800-seat theatre with standing room for 2,200 guests. In addition it will boast a casino, restaurants, bars and lounges.

Finally, in 2027, Renaissance Ottawa will make its debut in downtown Ottawa, offering a luxurious distinctive style and personalised service. Renaissance Ottawa will feature 230 guest rooms and 6,000 square feet of meeting space. 

“Each of these hotels will support the city’s growing conference and events business and their strategic locations mean easy access for both domestic and international gatherings,” concludes Pincombe.

After several hotel properties opening in Prague in previous years, 2024 is another banner year for hotel development in the City of Hundred Spires.

Artist impression of the expansion site showing the repositioned luxury hotel tower (left) and 15,000-seat entertainment arena.

Luxury hotel tower, state-of-the-art entertainment arena and additional premium MICE space to deliver new economic, employment and visitorship contributions to Singapore

Marina Bay Sands has disclosed some design and programme enhancements to its expansion project. Full-scale construction of the project is anticipated to begin by July 2025 with targeted completion by July 2029.

The expansion is designed by Safdie Architects, led by Moshe Safdie, who were the architects of the existing property. It will include a luxury hotel tower with a sky roof, a 15,000-seat entertainment arena and additional premium MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences & exhibitions) space, as well as new food and beverage and nightlife offerings.

The state-of-the-art arena is designed to be the leading live entertainment venue in Asia and is intended to deliver world class premium hospitality experiences.

Marina Bay Sands’ expansion will play an important role in driving additional inbound travel to Singapore. The arena will help attract top entertainers from Asia and around the world who previously may not have included Southeast Asia on their tours, while the additional MICE space will help attract more new-to-Singapore events.

“With the ongoing support of the Singapore Government, this development will further enhance the leisure and business tourism appeal of Singapore. It optimises the site’s programming elements and is designed to drive high-value tourism growth to Singapore,” said Patrick Dumont, President and Chief Operating Officer of Marina Bay Sands’ parent company, Las Vegas Sands.

Artist impression of the state-of-the-art arena, with more open frontage, that will attract top entertainers from Asia and around the world.

“The all-suite hotel tower will set new standards of hospitality, the state-of-the-art arena will help attract the highest-calibre global entertainment events and artists, and the additional convention and exhibition space will extend the success of Singapore as a leading MICE destination. This significant investment in Singapore will help ensure Marina Bay Sands is ideally positioned to grow its economic, employment and visitorship contributions in the years ahead.”

The expansion project is separate from a US$1.75 billion reinvestment in the existing property. The largest reinvestment since Marina Bay Sands’ opening in 2010, it has already seen the complete refurbishment of Hotel Towers 1 and 2, in addition to new dining offerings and luxury lifestyle amenities for high-value travellers. Refurbishment work is now focusing on Hotel Tower 3, in addition to the Hotel Lobby and Sands SkyPark. It will include a reimagined VIP arrival experience, new premium dining and retail offerings, lobby transformation and renewed focus on wellness experiences for guests.

Since opening in 2010 at a development cost of US$5.6 billion, Marina Bay Sands has provided significant benefits to Singapore’s tourism sector, with over 470 million people having visited the resort since its opening. The resort has also meaningfully contributed to the business tourism appeal of Singapore, having hosted more than 1,750 new-to-Singapore MICE events since the opening of Marina Bay Sands.

Marina Bay Sands has also benefited the economy of Singapore through the creation of new jobs and support for local businesses including small- and medium-sized enterprises. The integrated resort directly employs more than 11,500 Team Members, with the figure expected to rise progressively in the years ahead to support the expansion of the resort.

An innovative business plan to offer complimentary experiences as part of relaxation escape packages has earned The Reef House Boutique Hotel and Spa the title of the best Five Star Luxury Accommodation in Australia.

The adults-only wellness resort overlooking the beach at Palm Cove in Tropical North Queensland won Gold at the Australian Tourism Awards in Darwin last night (March 15).

The Reef House Directors Malcolm Bean and David Horbelt said it was a great honour for the boutique hotel to win a national award as it reflected the strong customer service focus of General Manager Wayne Harris and his hand-picked team of 75 staff.

“The Reef House vision to provide the best luxury tropical escape based on exclusiveness, experiences, service and memories is resounding with guests who flood TripAdvisor with positive reviews praising the way The Reef House staff make them feel,” Mr Bean said.

“Our repeat visitation has soared to 25 per cent with guests who want to be pampered while they take time out for rest, relaxation and rejuvenation in a place where they know the staff by name.

“The secret to our success is a new model for hotel business with a high staff to guest ratio that allows our absolute obsession with customer service to make every guest feel like a VIP while they are on holiday.”

Mr Horbelt said The Reef House also provided great value with more than 21 Signature Inclusions available to guests including cocktail making classes, beachfront yoga, a Pool Butler serving sorbet by the pool, a Master Reef Guide talk, and evening canapés and punch with the General Manager.

“Last year we launched the Sleep Easy program to give every guest the opportunity to improve the quality of their sleep and we will be expanding further into the wellness space this year,” he said.

“Malcolm and I are very proud of The Reef House’s success after a 13-year journey together redeveloping an historic Australian hospitality gem into a luxury tropical beach getaway that retains its proud history as Palm Cove’s first hotel.”

Visit Reef House for more information

Hilton Prague has been honoured as the Czech Republic’s Leading Hotel by World Travel Awards Europe for the third consecutive year, marking the hotel’s continued excellence in hospitality. Organised by World Travel Awards (WTA), one of the travel’s industry most prestigious awards programmes, the 2024 Europe Gala Ceremony took place in Berlin on March 6th.

The award-winning Hilton Prague is a centrally-located business hotel just a few steps from the heart of the charming Czech capital with four floors of meeting spaces, a large capacity of guest rooms, Health Club & Spa and six restaurants including rooftop sky bar with panoramic views of the city. Set in a bright and contemporary design space, our 791 guestrooms and 5,000 sqm of flexible convention and banquet space annually host over 500 events of all types and sizes, catering for more than 70,000 delegates. The passionately hospitable hotel team uses proven processes and a personalized approach to deliver extraordinary experiences for groups ranging in size from 10 to 2,000 participants.

Ryan Gauci, general manager, Hilton Prague said: “It's such a privilege to receive repeated recognition from the World Travel Awards this year. This award really shows our hotel's dedication to exceeding guest expectations and going the extra mile. I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to every member of our Hilton Prague team. Without them, this achievement wouldn't be possible. We're incredibly proud of what we've achieved together, and we're committed to keeping up the great work and giving our guests the best experiences possible.”

Graham Cooke, Founder, WTA, said: “It has been a privilege to host the opening ceremony of our 2024 Grand Tour in Berlin for an incredible evening acknowledging the pinnacle of Europe’s travel and tourism economy. I congratulate each and every one of our winners for helping to raise the collective benchmark to even greater heights.”

HSMAI Europe, the European arm of the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI), the industry’s leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth globally, has appointed experienced hospitality professional, Kostas Ioannidis, as its Sales Advisory Board Chair for 2024.

Kostas, who currently serves as Sales Director, Global Sales Europe, at IHG Hotels & Resorts, brings a wealth of hospitality sector experience and expertise to the advisory board. With a distinguished career spanning 25 years, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership, strategic vision and a deep understanding of sales and marketing dynamics within the industry.

In his new capacity, Kostas will play a crucial role in guiding the HSMAI Sales Advisory Board initiatives, contributing to the development and implementation of strategies that promote excellence in sales within the hospitality sector. His proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering innovative sales practices positions him as an invaluable asset to the advisory board.

“I am truly honoured and excited to take on the role of Chair for the HSMAI Europe Sales Advisory Board in 2024,” said Kostas Ioannidis. “The hospitality industry is undergoing dynamic changes and I look forward to collaborating with other industry leaders to address emerging challenges and capitalise on new opportunities. Together, we will strive to elevate sales practices, foster collaboration, and drive success for our member organisations.”

As Chair, Kostas is supported by a stellar line-up of HSMAI Sales Advisory Board members, including:

• Evert Schuele, Vice President Sales & Marketing at Hurtigruten
• Anant Vithlani, Vice President Sales at Strawberry (formerly Nordic Choice Hotels)
• Kerstin Gibert, Regional Director of Sales Germany at Premier Inn
• Jostein Brustad, Vice President Sales at Thon Hotels
• Jane Griffiths, Global Sales Director at Clermont Hotel Group
• Annie Kristi Korsmo, Director of Sales at Nordic Hotels & Resorts

Kostas’ appointment not only reflects his individual accomplishments, but HSMAI’s commitment to leadership development within the organisation.

Congratulating him on this notable appointment, Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO, HSMAI Region Europe, said: “It is a privilege to have someone of Kostas’ calibre join the HSMAI Europe Sales Advisory Board as its new Chair, imparting his expertise for the benefit of the industry and its people. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact he will undoubtedly have on HSMAI initiatives throughout the year as he leverages the collective expertise of the advisory board’s exceptional hospitality sales talent.”

She added: “Evert Schuele is stepping down from his role as Chair but will continue as a valued member of the advisory board. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Evert for his valuable contribution over the past years and for his ongoing support.

HSMAI Europe provides practical tools, insights, and cutting-edge expertise to enable knowledge sharing and enhance professional development as well as fuel sales, inspire marketing, transform businesses digitally and optimise revenue. HSMAI’s advisory boards help facilitate this mission, providing the organisation’s members with insights in their areas of expertise.

The first Sales Advisory Board meeting of 2024 will take place in person in Stockholm on February 28.

Hilton Prague has announced the appointment of Ryan Gauci (cover photo) as its new General Manager.

Originally hailing from Malta, Ryan has rejoined the team at Hilton Prague, moving from his previous role as the opening General Manager of Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa in Croatia, a position he has held since June 2021.

Gauci is well-acquainted with the Prague hospitality scene, having formerly served as Hotel Manager at Hilton Prague for nearly three years. During this tenure, he oversaw the significant refurbishment and strategic realignment of the hotel.

“It feels great to be back home at Hilton Prague, surrounded by familiar faces. It's a privilege to lead such a flagship property within the Hilton portfolio,” said Ryan Gauci, General Manager, Hilton Prague. “I am excited to renew past partnerships and forge new ones, enhancing our industry standing. My primary focus lies in creating memorable guest experiences, and I am confident that, with the support of our exceptional team, we will exceed expectations. I am thrilled about the exciting journey ahead.”

A graduate of the Institute of Tourism Studies in Malta, Ryan Gauci brings 23 years of hospitality experience, including 17 with Hilton. His career began as an apprentice in the UK, and since then, he has contributed significantly to the success of 12 Hilton hotels in 8 countries, including Malta, Poland, Italy, and France, in capacities ranging from Event Planning to Director of Operations.

In addition to his native languages of Maltese and English, Gauci is fluent in Italian, French, Spanish, and has a basic command of Czech. In his leisure time, Gauci enjoys outdoor activities, sports, and cooking.

Hotel Tower 3, Hotel Lobby, Sands SkyPark and more will be enhanced in next phase of reinvestment programme, which totals US$1.75 billion

As 2024 unfolds, Marina Bay Sands has launched the second phase of its significant reinvestment programme, committing to the iconic integrated resort’s (IR) development as a world-class tourism destination and ensuring that it remains a unique, exhilarating experience for local and international visitors and meaningfully enhances the tourism appeal of Singapore in the decades ahead.

Estimated at US$750 million, the second phase of transformation will focus on Tower 3, the Hotel Lobby and Sands SkyPark. It will include a reimagined VIP arrival experience, new premium dining and retail offerings, a lobby transformation as well as a renewed focus on wellness experiences for guests. More than 550 redesigned rooms, including approximately 380 suites, will be introduced in this phase. Works are expected to be completed in phases through 2025.

This transformation is part of a multi-year programme to strengthen the positioning of the IR as a leader in the luxury hospitality industry. The announcement comes as Marina Bay Sands enters the final stage of its US$1 billion first-phase reinvestment, announced in February 2022, and focused on the complete refurbishment of Hotel Towers 1 and 2, in addition to new dining offerings and luxury lifestyle amenities for high-value travellers.

The expanded reinvestment programme reaffirms parent company Las Vegas Sands’ commitment to contribute to Singapore’s hospitality industry, supporting its people and economy, with a total reinvestment of US$1.75 billion. With elevated product and service offerings, the IR is setting new benchmarks for luxury hospitality to cater to the region’s most valuable and discerning visitors seeking immersive travel experiences.

“We are excited about the next stage of Marina Bay Sands’ development, and how this will strengthen Singapore’s appeal as a leading tourism destination. Marina Bay Sands has made significant progress in delivering new world-leading luxury travel experiences over the past two years. This second phase of reinvestment will be critical as it propels the property to new heights and places us in a strong position to capture future growth opportunities. We look forward to having visitors enjoy these new and enhanced offerings,” said Paul Town, Marina Bay Sands’ Chief Operating Officer.

The first phase of transformation saw the extensive upgrading of a total of around 1,280 rooms across Towers 1 and 2, of which about 390 are new suites. These rooms are housed under two main categories – The Paiza Collection and The Sands Collection. Each has unique room types, such as the Horizon Suite, inspired by spa and wellness concepts, and the Family Suite, ideal for families with young children, featuring a kitchenette as well as a children’s room with bunk beds, a bookshelf of storybooks and exclusively curated Adventure Packs.

In February, the Paiza Sky Club will also open its doors on the 55th floor of Tower 2. The new multi-concept executive club lounge will feature a tea vault, bespoke whisky bar, private liquor locker, garden conservatory and buffet spreads served from open kitchens helmed by top chefs.

Once the transformation of all three hotel towers is completed, guests will be presented with a spread of 1,850 luxuriously refurbished rooms, including nearly 770 suites.

Elevation of service standards

Beyond the redevelopment of the three hotel towers, Marina Bay Sands is deepening investments in its people to elevate the property’s strong culture of service excellence.

The IR is training its staff to push the boundaries in creating exceptional guest experiences beyond what is expected. Butlers are trained in-house at Marina Bay Sands’ own Butler Academy while Team Members working at the hotel and restaurants have been enrolled in Forbes Travel Guide Five Star training since October 2023. The Premium Services Team has also expanded its deployment to the airport in addition to the hotel lobby to create a seamless customer journey from arrival to departure.

New uniforms for service staff are also being rolled out, to complement the luxury positioning of the property.

As a prelude to a new focus on wellness experiences, Marina Bay Sands will also launch several wellness activities at SkyPark Observation Deck and Infinity Pool next month, offering both hotel and non-hotel guests Muay Thai boxing, spin classes, sound bath meditation and more.

© Radisson Hotel Danang

Radisson Hotel Group is the first international hotel group to fully implement hivr.ai’s ground-breaking technology.

This joint venture has taken the Group’s meetings and group sales performance to new heights. From late 2022 to September 2023, Radisson Hotel Group increased its lead to quote conversion by a whopping 80%, doubled its customer response rate with a 125% increase, and reduced the time needed to send proposals by 59%.

In 2022, Radisson Hotel Group, EY, and hivr.ai embarked on an ambitious journey to transform the customer journey for meetings and group sales as part of the Group’s robust digital investment strategy. Radisson Hotel Group identified the power of connectivity to revolutionize its meetings and groups sales performance, and together started building the integration between three different platforms.

This trail-blazing technology for meetings and group sales allows Radisson Hotel Group to manage the request for proposal process in a more automated manner. It enables hotels to improve response rates, saves key time on manually processing requests, and allows a full demand capturing from different channels. Customers benefit from faster response times, instant responses on availability, and immediate rates for requests for all different sizes and configurations of hotel rooms, meeting spaces, food and beverage options, and A/V equipment on platforms that are compatible. Radisson Hotel Group’s own Brand Web booking engine, which launched in 2022, has already seen significant success in customers’ response to both instant RFP and booking options.

“We are proud to be the first international hotel group to implement 2-way connectivity for both Groups plus Meeting and Event Sales, with which we will allow for the company to re-shape and expand its distribution strategy in these segments. The technology and partnership with hivr.ai are an essential cornerstone in supporting Radisson Hotel Group’s overall ambition to “become the easiest to do business with” by leveraging technology to support the customer journey”, says Angela Graun, VP, Sales Operations & Global Meeting & Events at Radisson Hotel Group.

“We are thrilled that Radisson Hotel Group is the first global hotel group to fully implement a two-way integration with hivr.ai. Going forward, Radisson Hotel Group and hivr.ai will continue to integrate further RFP sources, including market players Cvent, hubli, MeetingSelect, VenueDirectory, Aloom, and others. With hivr.ai as its central channel manager and automation software, Radisson Hotel Group will eliminate manual data entry and significantly reduce response times needed for its meeting planners. We're excited to have embarked on this transformative journey that will redefine how the meetings and groups business is sourced in the future”, adds Felix Undeutsch, Co-Founder & Business Development hivr.ai.

Radisson Hotel Group continues to be a leading pioneer in digital innovation. The Group’s website offers the largest number of languages in use and personalized content to more than 60 markets. Personalized content has resulted in an impressive double-digit conversion increase and threefold increase in “click through rate” as compared to generic content. In 2022, the Group introduced another industry-first with the launch of its immersive experiences which are now available in 123+ hotels. Guests can enter hotels, meeting spaces, and hotel rooms virtually from their laptops, mobile devices, or VR headsets. The Group’s app continues to be a best-in-class industry sales leader in direct bookings share among other hotel companies.

Immersive content has also become a strong conversion booster for the Group’s meetings and events business. In 2022, the Group launched its first meetings and events booking engine, the Book It Easy tool, integrating immersive experiences. This interactive tool targets small and medium meetings and events so meeting planners can easily search for their perfect event venue, explore the various meeting rooms and different set-ups, book directly, or send a request for proposal for that specific space. Event organizers at the hotels can show the possible set-ups and room configuration for each meeting and event space using VR goggles or their smartphones. Immersive experiences have generated more qualified meeting and event inquiries (+35%) and more booking conversions (+12%). Radisson Hotel Group is steadily rolling-out this technology across its hotels worldwide. In 2024, the Group aims to accelerate this roll-out and incorporate new enhancements, including new booking management tools, rooming list options, advance payments, as well as group booking opportunities.

Hilton Prague has completed a renovation to its meeting floor located on Lobby level. This project includes updates to 12 convertible conference rooms.

Ranging from 33 to 240 square meters, the 12 convertible rooms offer a total meeting area exceeding 500 square meters. This renovation combines classic quality materials with smart touch technology, providing acoustic comfort through high-pile wool carpeting and textured wallpaper, while the entrance corridor being designed in the spirit of intimacy.

Equipped with 98“or 86“ LCD professional touch screens featuring CleverTouch technology and wireless presentation switches like ClickShare for seamless image sharing, these spaces show Hilton Prague’s commitment to innovative and productive gatherings.

Michael Specking, Hilton Prague General Manager, emphasized, “At Hilton Prague, we are dedicated to incorporating the most advanced technologies and staying at the forefront of emerging trends. These renovations exemplify our commitment to ensuring the meeting attendees experience the latest innovations, providing them with a seamless and technologically advanced environment for their gatherings.”

Hilton Prague is a centrally-located business hotel just a few steps from the heart of the charming Czech capital. Set in a bright and contemporary design space, the 791 guestrooms and 5,000 sqm of flexible convention and banquet space annually host over 500 events of all types and sizes, catering for more than 70,000 delegates. The passionately hospitable hotel team uses proven processes and a personalized approach to deliver extraordinary experiences for groups ranging in size from 10 to 2,000 participants. In 2023 Hilton Prague was named the fifth Top Meeting Hotel in Europe by Cvent and Czech Republic’s Leading Hotel by World Travel Awards.

Hilton Prague follows Hilton's Meet with Purpose programme, a tailored initiative focused on waste reduction and incorporating health and wellness into meetings and events. This includes sustainable choices for meeting planners to align with corporate responsibility goals as well as options of Carbon Neutral Meetings and team-building experiences that often support local charities, benefiting both attendees and the community.

Accor, one of the global hospitality leaders, has become an official global strategic Partner with UNICEO® making it the second hotel group to establish a strategic partnership with the leading association for corporate events excellence. 

The cooperation includes providing support for the activities of the non-profit association based in Geneva and collaboration with its global membership of senior corporate event and meeting planners worldwide. By Partnering with UNICEO®, Accor will benefit from closer access to senior decision-makers responsible for the corporate events of major international companies and associations, strengthening Accor’s position in the meetings and events segment.

Laurent Fuchs who leads UNICEO® globally believes that: "Accor is one of the leading hospitality companies in the world and owns the most prestigious brands. We are honoured to be selected as one of their global partners. This partnership will provide our association with valuable support, and our Members with a global expertise of hundreds of venues for their events therefore positively contributing to their events ‘excellence and to UNICEO development and leadership.”

Commenting on this Partnership, Accor SVP M&E, Airlines & Trade Marketing, Meenaz Diamond said: “We are delighted to announce our partnership with UNICEO, as we believe in the power of collaboration to create positive change. Working with UNICEO’s community of Event planners will provide important insights to help us design initiatives that improve the hotel experience of Corporate Event Planners.” 

About UNICEO®
The United Networks of International Corporate Event Organizers is the only international non-profit association that brings together senior decision-makers for communication/marketing (responsible for planning and organising corporate events) in leading companies internationally. UNICEO® Members come together to share and reflect on the practices and changes in their roles as well as current and future challenges. Their objectives: to improve their events, broaden their networks and revitalize their careers by adapting to a constantly changing environment.  

About Accor
Accor is a world leading hospitality group offering experiences across more than 110 countries in 5 500 properties, 10 000 food & beverage venues, wellness facilities or flexible workspaces. The Group has one of the industry’s most diverse hospitality ecosystems, encompassing more than 40 hotel brands from luxury to economy, as well as Lifestyle with Ennismore. Accor is committed to taking positive action in terms of business ethics & integrity, responsible tourism, sustainable development, community outreach, and diversity & inclusion. Founded in 1967, Accor SA is headquartered in France and publicly listed on Euronext Paris and on the OTC Market in the United States.

Thanks to some of the best infrastructure in Europe, Cannes is France's second-largest city for business tourism, also known for hosting the world-famous Cannes Film Festival.

Hôtel Martinez has become a key player in Cannes' professional events scene, regularly welcoming MICE and film festival attendees to its 2,500m² of lounges - one of the largest hotel capacities on the French Riviera for meeting space.

Hôtel Martinez introduces an exclusive ‘360° MAPPING’ technology in its large event space, LE FESTIVAL, with a surface area of almost 900m², offering a spectacular immersion into different, customisable atmospheres. This permanent installation experience is unique in Europe, offering a poetic and visual landscape for the events taking place on-site.

‘360 MAPPING’ can be adapted to the three configurations of LE FESTIVAL, either as a complete room or as two separate spaces divided by a soundproof partition.

This cutting-edge technology pushes the limits of ultra-customization with the ability to create bespoke sceneries or choose from 20 pre-programmed, 6-minute animated digital sequences. The technical equipment consists of 30 4K video projectors and a server with 30 4K streams. The public can, for example, be transported to the roof of the hotel behind the 8 iconic letters of the Martinez sign and its breathtaking view over the bay of Cannes, or walk behind the walls of a classic Parisian Haussmann-style apartment, or find themselves teleported to a variety of other landscapes or different graphic and cosmic atmospheres. The range of possibilities is infinite, offering participants an immersive experience. 

About Hôtel Martinez

A gripping history since its opening during the Roaring Twenties, a breathtaking Art Deco architecture, an unparalleled location on the Croisette of Cannes...Welcome to Hôtel Martinez, the icon of luxury hotels on the French Riviera – 410 rooms and suites - part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt! Overlooking the deep blue Mediterranean Sea, you will wake up to a superb breakfast in one of our spacious suites or bedrooms renovated by interior architect Pierre-Yves Rochon. A luxuriant and tranquil garden, L'Oasis Spa du Martinez has opened last year on the city side of the hôtel : after a swim in the signature deep blue swimming-pool and a refreshing fruit juice, entrust yourself to the hands of Carita experts for one of their personalized treatments. Let’s now head to La Plage du Martinez to admire the view of the emblematic light-drenched pontoon from one of our mythical directors' chairs, a nod to the world of cinema recently imagined by designer Rémi Tessier. And now, rendez-vous at Le Sud to share delicious and friendly moments at the new Lobby Bar & Restaurant, a versatile and open place and Hôtel Martinez beating heart, day and night. Last but not least, La Palme d’Or restaurant is being renovated and will reopen in 2024 under Chef Jean Imbert aegis. As new Head Chef, he is bringing his imaginative and inimitable touch to the Hotel’s cuisines. The hotel also boasts 12 versatile meeting rooms- 2500sqm including the main ballroom ‘Le Festival’ equipped with ‘360 Mapping’ technology offering numerous possibilities for organizing conventions, seminars and events in any season. More than ever, Hôtel Martinez is reinventing itself as an unmissable landmark of the French Riviera.

The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas has announced the appointment of Joseph Amerio as Hotel Manager. Working with the operational team that supports General Manager Steve Molnar, Joseph will oversee day-to-day resort operations and uphold the Sheraton’s reputation as Port Douglas’ premium accommodation provider. 

A seasoned industry professional and longtime local to Tropical North Queensland, Joseph comes to the resort after spending three years as General Manager of Mantra Portsea in Port Douglas, where he led the team through a $1 million refurbishment project and oversaw the implementation of high-impact sustainability initiatives. Prior to this, Joseph held positions throughout Australia, including in Airlie Beach as Operations Manager and General Manager in Canberra.

“Here at Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas, we are dedicated to providing memorable guest experiences that are evocative of our unique destination. We could not do this without the passion of our team,” says General Manager Steve Molnar. "Joseph brings a wealth of knowledge of the location and industry to the resort. I am excited to work alongside him as we continue our commitment to outstanding service. We are delighted to welcome Joseph to the Marriott International family.”

The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas is a stunning beachfront resort located in Tropical North Queensland that offers world-class facilities for both business events and leisure guests. Enveloped within 147 hectares of lush tropical gardens and boasting two hectares of swimmable saltwater lagoon pools, the resort’s premium amenities and unique guest offerings reflect the essence of the region.

This June, the resort was recognised in three categories at the Travel + Leisure Luxury Awards Asia Pacific 2023: Steve Molnar as Best Hotel General Manager in Australia, second place in Best Australian Hotel Pool and third place in Best Beach/Island Hotel. An important recent accolade includes being named Finalist in the TNQ Tourism Industry Excellence Awards in the ‘Sustainable Tourism Excellence’ category.

“The Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas has been an icon of Port Douglas hospitality since it opened its doors in 1987. I’m thrilled to join this award-winning property as Hotel Manager and continue its decades-long reputation of excellence,” says Amerio. “With the Great Barrier Reef to one side and the Daintree Rainforest to the other, Port Douglas is a truly unique Australian region. I’m excited to welcome visitors to our piece of paradise and support Sheraton’s commitment to preserving its vitality for generations to come.”

Raised just north of Cairns, Joseph called the Tropical North home from the age of five, giving him an in-depth understanding of the region. He earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Marketing and Management from James Cook University in Townsville before his first hospitality role on the Cairns Esplanade. Joseph enjoys all things outdoors, including scuba diving, camping and fishing. 

Cvent and Choice Hotels International announced today the global rollout of Cvent Instant Book™ across Choice’s portfolio of franchised hotels.

The new direct booking integration, available later in Q3, offers a simplified booking experience for meeting planners to easily find and book guest room blocks online at Choice Hotels properties, streamlining what can traditionally be a cumbersome, manual process.

Hotels joining the Choice distribution engine after the acquisition of Radisson Hotels Americas will gain access to Cvent Instant Book soon. 

Planners can search, compare real-time rates and availability, and book rooms at Choice Hotels' properties with just a few simple clicks, bypassing the request for proposal (RFP) process that is typically required for larger, more complex events.

Embedding the technology into Choice Hotels booking platform also enables hoteliers to increase their visibility and attract more group business by showcasing their properties to Cvent's extensive global network of event planners. 

"We’re proud to work with Choice Hotels International to further expand our Cvent Instant Book experience,” said Jim Abramson, Cvent Vice President of Product Management. "This new functionality reflects our shared vision of making booking and managing meetings and events easier – for both planners and hoteliers alike.

By embracing innovative technology like Cvent Instant Book, Choice Hotels is prioritising the customer experience, and now, each of their property owners can easily tap into our extensive global network of 110,000 meeting and event organisers who trust Cvent to find the right venue and power their events."

"We are excited to work with Cvent to further bolster our simplified booking options for meeting planners around the world," said Abhijit Patel, Vice President, Global Distribution and Commercial Strategy. "Our integration with Cvent highlights our commitment to providing our customers with the technology and functionalities they use most, and we will continue to expand our offerings to best showcase our hotels and attract group business to our properties."

As a longtime Cvent customer, this announcement expands Choice’s use of Cvent technology to power their group and corporate travel business and reach a global planner audience. All Choice properties are listed on the Cvent Supplier Network, one of the one of the world’s largest venue-sourcing platforms where planners go to find and book meeting and event venues. In addition, Choice will continue their strategic Cvent Business Travel partnership.

Entries for the popular HSMAI Europe Awards 2022 have opened, with hospitality professionals invited to enter 12 categories, including new categories.

The annual awards celebrate individual as well as company achievements across the hospitality industry. These recognise the people, teams and businesses driving industry change, from the most inspiring sales, marketing, and revenue management professionals to the best employer, branding, and technology initiatives. For the first time, the awards will also acknowledge key environmental and social achievements made by hospitality representatives.

The new HSMAI Europe Sustainability Award, sponsored by d2o - a leading provider of cloud-based sustainability and productivity management technology will focus on sustainability activities introduced by industry players over the last year. From campaigns that positively impact a wide range of sustainability factors, from poverty reduction and health to biodiversity and energy efficiency, the award is open to individuals, teams, and organisations.

Speaking about the importance of the new sustainability award, Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO of HSMAI Europe, said: “Despite the challenges of the last few years, it’s clear that hospitality companies are embracing greener ways of working and incorporating groundbreaking new technologies and meaningful sustainable initiatives into their business.

“HSMAI Europe is delighted to be partnering with d2o and grateful for their support in introducing this important category. With their track-record in planning and predictive analytics software, we’re excited to have the opportunity to showcase some of the best practice examples and shine a light on some of the eco-friendly elements and industry heroes that are helping drive change across the hospitality sector.”

Speaking about their involvement, Young N. Nguyen, Founder & CEO of d2o, said: “Working with HSMAI Europe on this award is the start of a longer-term relationship better to understand the industry’s challenges in the sustainability area and help us make our PMI GoGreen platform in assisting hoteliers aligning their daily resource consumption with activity levels, which will result in reducing the carbon footprint.

“We feel passionate about the need to restructure how we forecast, act, monitor and evaluate the way we do business to ensure a greener tomorrow. And we’re excited to be working with HSMAI Europe to showcase other best practice examples across the hospitality industry that are as good for operators and owners as our planet.”

The industry has until 16 December 2022 to submit their award entries for the awards. The winners will be announced on 19 January 2023 at the Award Dinner at the HSMAI Europe’s annual Revenue Optimisation Conference (ROC), set to take place at the InterContinental London Park Lane.

For more information visit the HSMAI Europe Awards website 

Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town announced today the appointment of Mr. Lennart Jayawardena (cover photo) as Cluster Commercial Director. Originally from Germany, Lennart is transferring from Croatia, Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa.

“I am looking forward to working together with such a truly professional and ambitious team as we  have in Prague. My aim is to continue the good work which has been done in the past and to steer both properties into an ongoing successful future. My focus will be to further strengthen the position of Hilton Prague as the leading European business hotel and to keep up the great performance and brand recognition Hilton Prague Old Town has achieved.” said Lennart Jayawardena.

Educated in the International University of Applied Sciences, Bad Honnef, Germany and University of Brighton, Eastbourne, England, Lennart has over 10 years of experience in the hotel industry. He has been with Hilton for nine years and has worked as Commercial Director at Hilton Astana, Kazakhstan and most recently as Commercial Director at Hilton Rijeka Costabella Beach Resort & Spa, Croatia.

Lennart’s native language is German and he speaks English fluently. He appreciates the gastronomic scene and tries to explore through travel as much as possible.

Many exciting new hotel projects are revitalising Vienna as a sustainable and complementary meeting destination. Each promises to offer a fantastic setting for a wide range of events in the number one meeting destination, as stated in the “2021 ICCA Ranking – Destination Performance Index (DPI)” which was released at the beginning of June.

In Vienna one can find more than 350 hotels and around 32,500 rooms to suit all tastes and budgets. The newest additions presented here have one thing in common – the Viennese great taste when it comes to design and style. Come and find out: 

The Rosewood Vienna

Just recently opened at the Wiener Graben, the 5-star Rosewood Vienna is the luxury hotel chain’s fifth hotel in Europe and the first in a German-speaking region. With 99 rooms and suites, as well as several meeting rooms, the hotel offers several dining areas – including a rooftop bar and an intimate garden restaurant – as well as private relaxation experiences at Sense, Rosewood Vienna’s in-house spa.

The Leo Grand

A few steps from St. Stephen’s Cathedral, we find a listed Baroque gem transformed into a luxury hotel with 76 rooms and suites. With its unconventional location, The Leo Grand has recently opened combining the highest individual standards with contemporary luxury elements. The Leo Grand is also home to what is probably the most exclusive “Schanigarten” in Vienna, a winter-proof inner courtyard with an elegant bar and several private dining areas.
 

Hotel Gilbert

Since December 2021, MuseumsQuartier in central Vienna is home to Hotel Gilbert, a trendy 4-star hotel with a cosmopolitan philosophy, a strong environmental stance and top services. The green concept of the family-run BWM hotel is evident in the hotel’s 57 flats, suites and lofts. In addition to a gym and sauna, there are also two meeting rooms, a thermal and anti-noise façade and several green spaces with an extensive indoor plant concept.
 

Bassena Wien Donaustadt

Set to open this Autumn in Vienna’s new TWENTYTWO district, this four-star property will be both a lively hotel and a relaxing retreat with 198 rooms spread over nine floors. The first floor provides space for the public area with a library, a communal restaurant and bar, Bassena kitchen as well as a lounge, conservatory and pub garden. The congress centre of the Austrian Centre Vienna can also be reached quickly and easily by subway.
 

Hotel Indigo Vienna

A hidden gem at the gates of Naschmarkt, this boutique hotel boasts over nine floors, offering 158 modernly designed guest rooms − including a meeting room, two suites, restaurant, bar, a landscaped courtyard and a fitness centre. With an abundance of plants, the boutique hotel is inspired by the harmony and liveliness of Vienna’s Margareten district.
 

Hotel Motto

Situated on Mariahilferstrasse, Austria’s largest shopping street, Hotel Motto, combines 1920s Parisian style and modern Viennese life with Scandinavian hygge lifestyle. The design of the rooms and suites matches this blend of styles with vintage-inspired decor and furnishings. High on the roof of the 1870s building is a restaurant with a bar and terrace, and on the first floor the hotel operates its own organic bakery.
 

Almanac Vienna

The Almanac Vienna is currently under construction above Vienna’s Ringstrasse and is scheduled to open in late 2022/early 2023. Planned as a five-star property with over 111 rooms − over two-thirds of which are suites − the hotel is being completely redesigned to meet the needs of the modern traveller, with breathtaking event spaces. A spa, concept shop, coffee shop and first-class restaurant with bar will complete the luxurious project.

Other venues to keep an eye on:

With high-quality facilities, high security standards, and easy access, “Ariana” provides another attractive event venue in Vienna that opened just a few weeks ago. In the fall, “Weitsicht Cobenzl” will open as a versatile and completely renovated location with the highest design standards – and a long history. As early as around 1900, the Viennese made their way up the hill to enjoy the fantastic view of the city. Several buildings make a great ensemble, the highlight is the “Kuppelsaal” which offers space for up to 500 people.

Get an overview of all hotels and venues here

After two years of walking in the dark, the meetings industry has felt a palpable drift in hotel strategy quite driven by the pandemic and hybrid phenomenon. Hotels are not just places where delegates go to rest and take break but also where they meet for breakout sessions and business meetings, on par with other destination venues. On the other hand, hotels are definitely ambassadors for cities and temporary shelter for thousands of visitors – if these cities are increasingly aware of resource management, their carbon footprint and their environmental role, so should they.

The Brussels Hotels Association (BHA) is the institutional voice of Brussels hoteliers, with 15,000 rooms in its portfolio and representing almost 85% of hotels in the capital city. After a period when government support measures and Covid surveillance systems were a common presence in the hotel community, it has now opened its (various) doors to welcome Ukrainian refugees in the face of the exodus from Eastern Europe. Plenty of reasons to talk to the general secretary, Rodolphe Van Weyenbergh, about these and more topics on the BHA’s agenda.

1) How have your members been picking up new activity and bookings at this stage? Do they see an upturn on the horizon?

After two difficult years, we are indeed seeing a steady increase in the number of overnight stays, although we are still far from the pre-crisis level. There has been an increase in leasure tourism, and business mobility is also gradually picking up. We are aware that the COVID narrative is not a closed issue, but we are by now familiar with a whole series of additional procedures to guarantee the safety of our guests. Moreover, we are facing new challenges such as inflation and the search for qualified personnel. In the future, it will be important to work with all parties involved to provide good training in order to continue to deliver an excellent service to our guests.

2) How are hotels becoming better places to work, meet and extend business event stays? How can the hotel industry come up with a new business model from this idea of “co-working space”?

Hotels are certainly also a meeting place; the hotel lobby or bar are good examples of this, as they are always accessible to everyone. Recently, there has been a tendency for hotels to focus more on common areas. In this way, the hotels also attract more local companies that make good use of conference rooms for their meetings or events, thus creating opportunities to meet in a different environment. Of course, hotels are also responding to changing trends such as online meetings. The meeting rooms are therefore increasingly equipped with the latest technologies.

3) A very curious aspect observed after the pandemic, has been the growing affirmation of new trends of hotel stays, such as “workcation” or “bleisure”. Have hotels in Brussels been identifying this profile and addressing their offers in this direction?

We are indeed observing a changing trend. It is certainly true that since the Coronavirus crisis there has been a greater focus on personal well-being, and this has consequently had an impact on business trips. This creates a potential for hotels, especially business hotels that are broadening their focus to the well-being of their guests, and we expect this trend to develop further. In any case, our capital city has a lot to offer to those who want to add a few days to their business stay.

4) I believe that never before has the hotel community felt so much pressure to move towards a sustainable path and balanced vision of its global business. How much has this been an “issue” with your board and its members?

It is true that sustainability has attracted more and more attention in recent years, but this is not new to us. The BHA and its member hotels have been working with the government for years to achieve sustainable labels. More and more hotels are being awarded a sustainable label like Green Key because they definitely meet the conditions. On the one hand, this is because the hotels themselves recognise the importance of sustainability and want to work towards it, but on the other hand, we also notice that more and more guests are sensitive to a sustainable approach.

5) The Brussels hotel community has made almost 200 rooms available free of charge for the reception of Ukrainian refugees, in an unprecedented act of solidarity. How did this initiative take shape among several of your representatives?

The hotels have been working together since the start of the refugee flow from Ukraine. They immediately came up with the proposal to jointly provide free rooms to guarantee emergency accommodation, and as BHA we took on a coordinating role in this, working together with Fedasil, Brussels Prevention and Safety, Red Cross, Citizens’ Platform and Brussel’Help. As a result, we were soon able to make hundreds of rooms available to the refugees. The Brussels hoteliers are also doing their utmost to ensure that people who fled their country in terrible circumstances can find a peaceful refuge. Answering you, this was a natural step to take within our CSR framework.

The centrally located Hilton Prague Old Town is proud to announce the appointment of Mrs. Tanya Podgoretska (cover photo) as General Manager. Originally from Ukraine, Tanya is transferring from Prague, where she was Cluster Commercial Director for Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town since 2018.

”I am excited to join such a diverse and professional team and will do my best to keep up the great performance and brand recognition Hilton Prague Old Town has achieved over the recent years”, said Tanya Podgoretska.

Educated in the University of Tourism, Economy & Law in Kyiv, Tanya has over 20 years of experience in the hotel industry. She has been with Hilton for 9 years and has worked at Hilton Kyiv and Hilton Warsaw City as Director of Business Development before moving to Prague.

In her new role, Tanya will focus on delivering lifetime memories and outstanding quality for Hilton guests and a great place to work for Hilton’s Team Members.

Tanya’s native language is Ukrainian, she speaks fluently English, Polish and Russian. She has a 10-year-old daughter and in her free time, Tanya likes to practice yoga and is interested in history and art.

About Hilton Prague Old Town
Located 25 minutes from the airport and in the very heart of Prague, the newly renovated Hilton Prague Old Town provides a complement of services and brand amenities, including 303 guest rooms and suites, 1.200 square meters of renovated meeting space situated on one floor, with flexibility to accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 800 people in 14 meeting rooms with natural daylight and stylish Dvorak Ballroom, Zinc Restaurant, Lounge & Bar, health club with indoor pool and a 24/7 fitness. The Art Deco design elements throughout the hotel are bringing in an authentic Prague experience.

Associations are truly sensitive to local relationships. Typically, these partnerships are deeply connected to their own subject matter supported by their local committee when choosing a congress destination. And while everyone feels that events should be tailored to the needs of the event organiser, few think about the specific needs of delegate accommodation. During IBTM World in Barcelona we had the opportunity to meet the Co-CEO of bnetwork, Stéphane Teboul (pictured in the right), and discuss the projects and service experiences of this leading hosting management company.

When you stepped into the market, did you feel you were presenting something exclusive and unheard-of?

bnetwork is responding to a central issue that is not always clearly identified. Accommodation accounts for 35% of the overall expense of a major event. This is a crucial issue, and can put your event at risk if you don't address it properly. We are treading a joint path with convention bureaus as partners. As a private agent, we are authorized to negotiate on behalf of our clients. Therefore, booking conditions, both in terms of price and timing, are essential to the sustainability of an offer. We are the link between destinations and event organisers to offer a comprehensive, reliable and sustainable solution in the long term. When we look at the most prevalent businesses, they will have to be more agile, more creative, and more efficient under the concept of a must-go event. Therefore, it is very important to address the fundamentals of a long-term relationship from the beginning. How? By explaining to the hotels and the different stakeholders the reasons why the event has come to this destination.

Can you tell me right now the impact that digital offerings have on your market share and the hotel industry?

It’s really about seizing and replicating the right models. The digital space has helped us maintain a secure and sustainable customer environment, whether in Asia, South America or Europe. By developing a comprehensive and stable digital environment, we are able to generate a certain sense of security and trust. One of the fears of visitors when searching for a hotel online is the risk that there is no reliable actor. There are many fake agencies and scams that are destroying the online environment and customers’ trust by selling non-existent products. In many large events, there is a risk linked to pirate agencies selling products that are very appealing but do not correspond to reality, such as hotels that do not exist. Getting a secure provider to maintain a safe and smooth journey for your visitor is part of an event planner’s duty. You have to make sure that your client is not only getting value for money, but also the right expert behind it.

"In many large events, there is a risk linked to pirate agencies selling products that are very appealing but do not correspond to reality, such as hotels that do not exist."

When you had the idea to create bnetwork, did you have this in mind? Combining a quality agency service with technological offerings?

We made a point of identifying leads ahead of time by driving our business solutions with high-end technology. Our tech presence grew thanks to the Mobile World Congress (MWC) in the early 2000s in Cannes. That was the origin of our story. The event had about 600 people (we’re talking about an event that in 2019 hosted 110,000 people). So, this was really the beginning of mobile technology. The exponential growth of the event forced us to adhere to the most efficient technology available to deal with such a large volume of people. We had to find some ways to handle that traffic without losing quality. Therefore, we had to come up with a business model and a set of tools to a traffic that was absolutely unexpected...

...so, the congress forced you to streamline new ways of getting accommodation for those delegates as the event grew?

You have no idea to what extent! Now, it seems like an obvious choice to make but we’re talking about a time when Airbnb didn’t even exist. We had to aggregate a huge supply of apartments to meet that demand. We even had to include student residences and summer camps to find alternatives for different budgets, and travel a radius of 100 kms to accommodate everyone. The MWC moved from Cannes to Barcelona because it was facing a huge growth crisis, as they desperately needed a bigger stage. I can give you another example: we are currently collaborating with the Web Summit in Lisbon. The event is aimed at young engineers working in start-ups, and this audience has a great sensitivity to everything that is available online. We have to deliver something that addresses these desires from a hosting perspective, as they ask for a quick and easy overview for immediate comparison. We have to accept the open environment in which we operate where our customers are experienced and able to find the right answer to their needs.

Can you give some more details about the Destination Network Alliance, which is also a very interesting proposal for the association environment?

The DNA project is a joint venture between bnetwork and, so far, five DMCs and other event management entities to further improve the best solutions for our clients. It will help us bring solutions to meet both the technological needs of our clients in a secure environment, and to deepen a local intimacy with each destination selected by the associations. Behind this project lies a proper educational component, a real teamwork with local DMCs in order to nurture an alliance that avoids the risk of creating an artificial scenario. Our goal is to establish a real involvement of local partners not only to deliver, but also to deeply understand the products we are running − to promote themselves and this alliance at a local level and to address an audience that requires the right technology to deliver their events.

Have you given any thought to the long-term impact and positive results your work can leave on the destinations you are working with.

I foresee a hunt for quality rather than quantity of events. We want to position ourselves as an asset to increase the attractiveness of a destination. Our expertise is aimed at helping the destination optimise the performance of its housing aspect. That is definitely where we feel we are giving back here. We are grateful that all these destinations have invested a lot to bring offerings that are the basis of our services − we need them. We are working with a deep respect for these investments to ensure that in the long term we can join these players in successfully meeting the huge challenges ahead. That is our legacy, which is also a matter of loyalty.

From redesigned baroque palaces and on-site flower meadows to sustainable kitchens and social business innovation: numerous exciting new hotels are revitalising Vienna as a meeting destination.

Many remarkable hotel projects are set to open in 2022 or have welcomed their first guests in recent months. Each one promises to deliver a fantastic setting for a wide range of meetings. In addition to the great hotel news, there is even more to celebrate: as of 16 April 2022, existing COVID-19 restrictions on events in Vienna have largely been lifted.

First Rosewood to arrive in German-speaking countries

The 5-star Rosewood Vienna hotel is set to open in summer 2022 and work is currently in full swing at Wiener Graben, in the heart of Vienna's city centre. The lavishly renovated 1830s bank building will be the fifth hotel by the luxury hotel chain to open in Europe and the first Rosewood Hotel in the German-speaking region. Featuring 99 rooms and suites as well as several function rooms available for meetings, the hotel offers several gastronomic areas, including a rooftop bar with a grand view and an intimate garden restaurant serving European cuisine. Discerning guests can also enjoy a private relaxation experience at Sense, the in-house Rosewood Vienna Spa.

A homage to Emperor Leopold I: The Leo Grand

A few steps away from St. Stephen's Cathedral, the Viennese Lenikus Group has transformed a listed baroque jewel into a luxury hotel with 76 rooms and suites. With its unconventional location and luxurious concept, the Leo Grand is not only setting new, but also the highest standards. The hotel has recently opened and prides itself on celebrating both individualism and contemporary luxury elements. Chief designer, Gabriele Lenikus and her team have completely reimagined baroque design and transported it spectacularly into the present. Fittingly: the figure of the eccentric, art and fun-loving Emperor Leopold I. (1640-1705) is also reflected in the gastronomy: The Leo Grand is home to what is probably the most exclusive Schanigarten in Vienna, a winter-proof inner courtyard with an elegant bar and several private dining areas.

A green island near the MuseumsQuartier: Hotel Gilbert

Since December 2021, the MuseumsQuartier in the centre of Vienna has been home to Hotel Gilbert, a 4-star trend hotel with a cosmopolitan philosophy and the very best service. The green concept of the family-run hotel by BWM is evident throughout the hotel’s 57 flats, suites and lofts. In addition to a gym and sauna, as well as e-Vespa and e-bike rental, there are also two meeting rooms and the hotel is setting a strong example in terms of environmentalism and sustainable climate change adaptation. The green façade, a living-wall system from Dutch Sempergree and designed by the Viennese office Green4Cities, provides cooling and noise reduction. In addition, the Hotel Gilbert features a flower meadow, a green courtyard and an extensive indoor plant concept. Elsewhere at the hotel's Café Brasserie &flora, chef Parvin Razavi cooks according to the belief "From Root to Leaf” where every piece of the fruit and vegetables used on her menu are processed to provide more taste and less waste. 

Vienna: A Pleasure Doing Business

Situated in the vibrant Naschmarkt neighborhood: Hotel Indigo Vienna

A hidden gem opened its doors in March 2022: the Hotel Indigo Vienna - Naschmarkt. Set over nine floors, it offers 158 guest rooms in a modern design – including a bright meeting room, two suites with a free-standing bathtub, a light-flooded restaurant, bar, a landscaped courtyard and a fitness centre. With an abundance of plants, the boutique hotel is inspired by the Vienna's Margareten district, where hidden gardens, bustling squares, hip cafés, bars, and small boutiques are lined up next to each other. It's part of the Indigo hotel brand, who create unique boutique hotels in art and cultural districts all over the world.

A modern hotel in the new Twentytwo district: Bassena Wien Donaustadt

The Bassena Wien Donaustadt, will open in the third quarter of 2022 in the new district of Vienna, TWENTYTWO. The four-star property will be both a lively hotel and a relaxing retreat with 198 rooms spread out over nine floors. A Bassena is the water basin in the hallway of most Vienna apartment buildings and was once a typical Viennese meeting place for gossiping so it makes perfect sense that at the Hotel Bassena Wien Donaustadt, every room will have its own wash basin. The first floor provides space for the public area with library, a community restaurant and bar, Bassena Kitchen as well as a living room, conservatory and pub garden. The interior by Kitzig Design Studios is young, dynamic and lively while the recreational areas Donauinsel, Donaupark and Alte Donau are only a few minutes away. Another plus is that the Austria Center Vienna congress center can be reached quickly and easily by subway.

Experience the flair of the 1920s at Hotel Motto

With the Hotel Motto, Vienna received a new hotel in autumn 2021 that is in many respects unparalleled. Situated on Mariahilferstrasse, the largest shopping street in Austria and one of the liveliest places in Vienna, Hotel Motto, combines the Parisian flair of the 1920s and modern Viennese lifestyle with Scandinavian hygge. The official motto is "Vienna meets Paris" and the design is correspondingly opulent: In the rooms and suites, floral fabric walls, ornate mirrors and playful chandeliers create a dreamy, relaxed and creative atmosphere. Carpets, furniture, tiles, and lamps designed especially for the hotel (Arkan Zeytinoglu Architects) are combined with vintage furniture - some of which are originals from the Ritz Hotel in Paris. However, the Hotel Motto does not only play with the past. The makers of the 91-room and suite boutique hotel refer to it as an "unusual mix of punk rock and avant-garde" and it has a lot to offer in terms of gastronomy. High up on the roof of the 1870s building is a restaurant with a bar and terrace and on the first floor, the hotel operates its own organic bakery.

Luxury on the Ringstrasse, Almanac Vienna is set to open in late 2022/early 2023

Those who want to experience Vienna in a particularly luxurious way will soon be offered something fantastic: the Almanac Vienna is currently being built on what is perhaps the most beautiful boulevard in the world, Vienna's Ringstrasse. Planned as a 5-star-plus property with 111 rooms, of which more than two-thirds are suites, the historic building alone guarantees special moments. The hotel is located in the historical Palais Henckel-Donnersmarck and is being completely redesigned to meet the modern traveller’s needs. Breathtaking event spaces are among those under construction at the Almanac Vienna and the rooms, which will be among the most beautiful in Vienna, will provide the perfect setting for meetings of all kinds. A spa, concept store, coffee shop and first-class restaurant with bar will round off the luxurious project. The Almanac Vienna is scheduled to open at the end of 2022/early 2023.

An overview of all hotels and locations of Meeting Destination Vienna can be found here. 

Vienna: The 'Waltz' Must Go On

Advisory Board will be part of a strategic drive to support membership and the hospitality, travel and event industry recovery in Germany, Austria and Switzerland 

Nominations are open until 1 March 2022 to apply for a number of prestigious leadership positions on the DACH Advisory Board at the Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International Region Europe (HSMAI). The successful applicants will work with the recently appointed Chair Andreas Kohn.  

The DACH Advisory Board will be part of a strategic drive to support the Association’s membership and the hospitality, event and travel industries in Germany, Austria and Switzerland in the post pandemic area - as, many make their first steps on the path of their business recovery.

Check the selection and application criteria here

In addition, the Board, will be working closely with two prominent business schools in the region; SHL Schweizerische Hotelfachschule Luzern and EHL Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne. The aim is to build even stronger ties with the undergraduate/post graduate community; to attract new talent to the industry, create new employment opportunities and boost the region’s economy. The Board will also be meeting with the Schools to ensure that students are armed with the necessary leadership skills and competencies in the modern era of hospitality.

HSMAI Europe is committed to growing business for the hotel, event and travel industry and their partners and is a leading advocate for intelligent, sustainable revenue growth on a local, national, and European level.

Ingunn Hofseth, President and CEO, HSMAI Europe adds, “Andreas’s contribution as the region’s Chair, along with the new DACH Advisory Board, will be a great source of support and guidance for members, not only for strategic and revenue management insights but offering businesses new avenues to recruit talent and networking events aimed to boost the pipeline of new business.

Even through the pandemic, the hospitality industry in the DACH region has shown great determination and resilience to keep going. 2022 promises to be a year for a green shoots’ recovery. Once travel restrictions lift, whether it’s for business, leisure or “bleisure”, we will want to meet, connect and explore new destinations and cultures. This is an exciting time for the hospitality, event and travel professionals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland to capitalise on opportunities.”

Andreas Kohn, said: “Together with the HSMAI Region Europe team, I am looking forward to supporting the membership to ensure that as an industry we unite, share knowledge and valuable insights in our region. HSMAI provides ideal platforms, forums and working groups, which serve as a think-tank on how to manoeuvre through today’s challenges.”, comments, Andreas Kohn.

As part of Hilton’s partnership with social enterprise South Pole to offset the carbon footprint of meetings and events, Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town now plan to offer carbon neutral business meetings.

The initiative will complement Hilton’s existing efforts to deliver low environmental impact solutions, supporting Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals to cut its environmental footprint in half and double social impact by 2030.

Approximately 60 hotels in Europe, the Middle East and Africa now offer to offset the carbon footprint of meetings and events at no extra cost to the customer.

Michael Specking, general manager, Hilton Prague said, “Our customers focus on sustainability and look for ways to further reduce their environmental footprint. The offer of carbon neutral meetings at no additional cost supports our commitment to limit the environmental impact and gain a win-win solution for both our customers and ourselves.”

The footprint of all business meetings with ten or more delegates will be offset through carbon credits. Credits will be allocated to a range of projects which support Hilton’s Travel with Purpose 2030 Goals, including repairing and maintaining boreholes in Rwanda to increase access to safe water sources, the construction of a geothermal power plant in Turkey to generate clean, emissions-free energy and the development and maintenance of wind farms in India and the U.S.

Hilton will use its award-winning corporate responsibility performance management system, LightStay, to estimate each meeting’s energy, water, carbon and waste consumption. LightStay’s Meeting Impact Calculator tool gives customers the opportunity to see an estimated carbon footprint for their event using the hotel’s specific utility data. In addition to the available measures for businesses to decrease the waste and energy usage of corporate events, carbon credits will be purchased from South Pole to offset any remaining environmental impact. 

Knowing that businesses will continue to choose to combine in-person meetings with virtual participation for some time, particularly as restrictions continue to change, Hilton Prague and Hilton Prague Old Town continue to offer EventReady Hybrid Solutions. The product empowers businesses to host seamless hybrid meetings across multiple sites.

Slowly and maturely, the industry is setting pieces for a full recovery but on the other side of the English channel, there's also a lot of work to be done. Spearheading representation to government and policymakers, elevating the hotel sector and championing sustainable changes, HBAA is the trade association for the meetings, events and accommodation Industry in the UK. We spoke with Juliet Price, consultant executive director at HBAA, about the future of the industry, role changes, mental health and, of course, Brexit.

Vital industry initiative aims to support hospitality undergraduates’ and graduates’ professional growth, harness entrepreneurial skills and directly connect them with peer-groups and hospitality brands across the UK and Europe. The Student Council will also help to overcome the industry’s challenge of attracting talent and raise the profile of the industry

Hospitality undergraduates and graduates across the UK and Europe are set to benefit from a vital new career and industry initiative which will be launched by HSMAI Europe in September 2021. The HSMAI Europe Student Council (“The Student Council”) will support hospitality students and recent graduates based in the UK and Europe by connecting them directly with other peers and hospitality brands across the region. The Student Council aims to provide a much-needed forum to facilitate and support undergraduates’ professional growth during their studies, as well as during the early stages of their career as they make the transition from graduate to getting their first job in the industry.

Emile Schelfhout (right photo), who recently graduated with an MBA in International Hospitality Management at Hotelschool The Hague and is completing his MSc in Corporate Finance & Banking at EDHEC Business School in Nice, has been appointed to head up and lead The Student Council. He will work in collaboration with Ingunn Hofseth, President and CEO of HSMAI Region Europe, other board members and be supported by other students – their Council appointments will be announced nearer the launch.

Ingunn Hofseth, President & CEO at HSMAI Region Europe said: “We aim to help the students build a network beyond their usual scope, stimulate their professional growth, and create a sense of belonging within our magnificent hospitality industry.”

The Student Council will regularly hold virtual, hybrid, live events and workshops for members of the council so they can harness vital skills required in the industry including digital innovation, branding and the importance of having a more entrepreneurial and innovative mindset in the post-pandemic era.

The students will also have regular access to potential mentors from the HSMAI Europe membership including senior management and marketers who work for both large and independent hospitality brands. It will serve as a vital hub for students to gain valuable strategic insights and also help them to identify brands they would be keen to gain an internship with during or immediately after their studies. In addition, students will meet with their peers from other hospitality business schools across the UK and Europe to share different views and offer advice.

The new initiative is set to be welcomed by many UK and European hotel business schools and universities along with thousands of hospitality brands in the industry who have been battling with the challenges of finding, attracting and retaining graduates. Valérie De Corte, Global Alliance and Partnership Director at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne – regarded as one of the world’s leading hotel business schools, has already confirmed that the school will be supporting the new initiative and joining The Student Council.

Ingunn Hofseth (left photo), President and CEO of HSMAI Region Europe said: “We continually consult our members about how HSMAI Europe can support the industry’s growth, and how we can support and critically overcome the challenges to find the right talent. This has propelled HSMAI Europe to take action, as now more than ever it is vital we all collaborate and try to overcome the challenges of talent acquisition and retention.

“Today’s students and graduates are the lifeblood of the new hospitality economy. The Student Council will not only create a wonderful hub by facilitating networking between students and businesses, but also bridge many of the skills gaps that are required in the modern era of hospitality.

“This is an exciting time as we partner with many hotel business schools and universities and help their students strengthen their professional and enterprise skill set so they can stand out with their future employers.”

Emile Schelfhout, Leader of HSMAI Europe Student Council comments: “Since I joined HSMAI Europe in March 2020, the association has boosted my professional growth. I cannot wait to share this experience with other students. The council provides the perfect means to do so. We want to help students standout, and support them in their journey to becoming young professionals in an environment that promotes inclusivity, responsibility, and sustainability. The fact that this council operates across hospitality business schools makes it the first of its kind worldwide.”

Valérie De Corte (right photo), Global Alliance and Partnership Director at Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne comments: “The hospitality industry will need to rely on emotional and artificial intelligence to manage complex environments, reinvent models, and be committed to a sustainable world. To provide students with the best tailor-made experience and the necessary skills to succeed in their career and in life, we need to embrace the best of both the ‘real’ and ‘virtual’ worlds in our educational methods. Therefore, the connection with key industry players is more important than ever. HSMAI Europe is helping the industry connect the dots between hospitality professionals, future leaders and academic institutions.”

For more information on the HSMAI Europe Student Council, please email: postbox@hsmai.eu

After its closure announcement in March, Penang’s largest convention hotel, the Hotel Equatorial Penang (HEP) reopens on Monday, 28 June 2021 as one of the biggest Covid-19 Vaccine Administration Centre or PPV in the state.

The hotel is expected to be administering approximately 1,600 doses of vaccine per day with the assistance of 40 paid staff and 4 management staff. The focused group to receive vaccines from the hotel include those working in Penang’s Business & Industrial sectors and Small Medium Industries (SMI).

To further understand the procedures and arrangements, the Hon. Mr Yeoh Soon Hin (Penang State Executive Councilor for Tourism and Creative Economy) together with Mr Ashwin Gunasekeran (Chief Executive Officer of Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau (PCEB)) conducted a site inspection to the hotel this afternoon.

“The Penang State Government is exploring the feasibility of more hotels functioning as PPVs to ramp up Penang’s vaccination drive, strategically putting these sites to great use during this period when travel restrictions are still in place. Hotel Equatorial Penang is the first convention hotel to be converted into a PPV and I believe this will assist greatly in speeding up the vaccination process and cover more of Penang’s population,” said Mr Yeoh.

Mr Alan Ong, advisor to Hotel Equatorial Penang explains that the decision to convert the hotel into a PPV is a joint effort between HEP and the Science, Technology and Innovation Ministry (MOSTI), International Trade and Industry Ministry (MITI) and Penang Health Department (JKNPP) through the COVID-19 Immunisation Task Force (CITF) and ProtectHealth Corporation Sdn Bhd (ProtectHealth) under the Ministry of Health (MOH).

“Although the hotel is closed, we are glad to be able to make available the facilities for use as a PPV and hope that it will be a meaningful contribution in our nation's battle against the pandemic,” said Mr Alan Ong.

“Hotel Equatorial Penang has been a beacon filled of history and memorable moments for Penangites and those who visit Penang. Even through its closure, it is still serving the people of Penang through this trying time. We are glad to be witnessing this achievement from a valuable industry partner,” said Mr Ashwin.