The theme for the 2022 Australasian Hospitality Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), which is organized by HM, co-hosted by the Government of South Australia and presented by leading partners HOSTPLUS and Pro-invest Group, is ” The Time Is Now,” and will focus on reopening borders, international travelers and maximizing opportunity as the hospitality industry recovers.
AHICE is held for the 13th consecutive year and has become the largest and most influential hospitality industry conference in the world outside of the United States.
Over two days at the Adelaide Oval, expect over 1,100 delegates, over 100 speakers (including several CEOs from Europe, the US and Asia), and over 50 keynotes, panels and questions and answers, as well as a new welcome gala that will take networking to another level.
Importantly, this year will see the return of global CEOs in person to speak at the event and AHICE is proud to reveal that we have several confirmed already, including IHG – EMEAA CEO Kenneth Macpherson (London); Outrigger CEO Jeff Wagoner (Honolulu); Chairman of Hilton – Asia-Pacific Alan Watts (Singapore); International President of Marriott – Asia-Pacific (excluding Greater China), Rajeev Menon (Singapore); Far East Hospitality CEO Arthur Kiong (Singapore); LWT Asia-Pacific, Chief, Satoshi Konagai (Singapore); and Pro-invest Group co-founders Ronald Barrott and Dr. Sabine Schaffer (Dubai and London).
They will speak alongside leaders from Australasia, including Accor – Pacific CEO Sarah Derry; DOMA’s CEO, Jure Domazet; Crown Sydney CEO Simon McGrath; Dr. Jerry Schwartz, co-director of the Schwartz family; Barry Robinson, president of Wyndham Destinations; Jane Hastings, CEO of EVENT Hospitality; Travel CEO Matt Cameron-Smith; The Ascott Limited MD – Australia David Mansfield; Hilton Head of Australasia Paul Hutton; CEO of the Lodging Association, Richard Munro; Tourist Accommodation Australia MD Michael Johnson; Radisson Hotel Group MD – Australasia Mark Bullock; Jan Smits, co-CEO of the Pro-invest group; Lancemore Group CEO Julian Clark; 1834 Hotels CEO Andrew Bullock; Sean Hunt, international vice president of Marriott; Alex Thorpe, co-founder of Veriu Hotels; Craig Bond, General Manager of La Vie Hotels; Too Build CEO Ian Wilson; QCC Collection CEO Caspar Schmidt; Wayne Taranto, COO of Ovolo Hotels; Steven Skarott, director of Salter Brothers Hotels; Geoff York, CEO of Crystalbrook Collection; South Australian Tourism CEO Rodney Harrex; IHG SVP and MD – Japan, Australasia Pacific Leanne Harwood; IHG MD – Australasia Pacific Matthew Tripolone; Watson Farley & Williams’ Head of Hotels & Hospitality Asia Pacific Robert Williams and many others.
Several world leaders will also tune in for exclusive interviews, including Accor CEO Sebastien Bazin (Paris), Marriott International Group Chairman and CEO – International Craig S Smith (Washington DC), Radisson Hotel Group Chairman – Asia-Pacific, Katerina Giannouka (Singapore), President of Wyndham Hotels and Resorts – Asia-Pacific, Joon Aun Ooi (Shanghai) and Founder of Ovolo Hotels Girish Jhunjhnuwala (Hong Kong).
Over three days, AHICE, Design Inn and the brand new Future Leaders Forum are expected to attract more than 1,000 owners, investors, hoteliers, executives and leading suppliers from around the world, making it one of the most important conferences for the global hospitality industry. .
Along with regular updates on developing trends and in-depth market analysis, AHICE 2022 offers a number of new features, including the first-ever Emerging Leaders Forum, an all-new Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards and a spectacular gala. opening event.
What’s new for 2022
The first Future Leaders Forum will be held on the afternoon of Tuesday, May 3 (2:30-5:00 p.m.) at SkyCity.
The Future Leaders Forum is the new under 35 leadership summit featuring the industry’s brightest stars. This exclusive, invitation-only event will feature keynote addresses from global and local CEOs and think tank sessions covering higher learning, owner forums and rising through the ranks. .
This year, AHICE will also be offering an excellent Welcome Gala Reception on Wednesday 4 May (6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) at the Adelaide Oval, themed “A Taste of South Australia”, presented in partnership with the Government of Australia from South.
The welcome reception has always been a highlight of AHICE, but the organizers are taking this to an even higher level in 2022.
With support from the South African Government’s South Australian Tourism Commission and EVENT Hospitality and Entertainment, prepare for an extravaganza of local food, wine, beer and spirits and spectacular entertainment.
Keynote addresses for AHICE 2022 have also been announced and this year we are proud to reveal that one of our keynote speakers will be Gavin Wanganeen. He is an AFL legend – the first Indigenous player to receive the Brownlow Medal – and is now an acclaimed Indigenous artist. Gavin will speak about resilience, diversity and inclusion and inspire us.
Another keynote will be delivered by Anyier Yuol, Founder and CEO of Miss Sahara and Anyier Model Management, and former Chair of Australia’s National Committee on Refugee Women. Born in a refugee camp in Kenya and moving to Australia at the age of 10, Anyier is an inspiring entrepreneur who dreams of social change.
At Design Inn 2022, there will be an expanded program including an all-new Australasia-Pacific Hotel Design Awards, including recognition of the best new build, conversion and renovation projects, as well as an overall winner, who will take home the Paul Davis 2022 Design Award (the most important design award in the hospitality industry).
A full program and limited tickets are still available at ahice.com.au
