PROFITABLE GROWTH IN HOTELS
THE ROAD TO 2030
26-27 MAY 2026 • JW MARRIOTT HOTEL
26-27 MAY 2026 • JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

Agenda

Discover the program of the 2026 edition and the topics that will be discussed at the JW Marriott Hotel on May 26-27.

Day 1: MAY 26, 2026

INVEST TODAY TO SECURE YOUR BUSINESS FOR 2030

The first day of the conference focuses on how smart investments today can secure the future of hospitality businesses through 2030 and beyond.

08:00 - 08:45 - PARTICIPANT REGISTRATION

TREND STAGE

09:00
10:30
90 MINUTES
Rewriting the Investment Map: Hospitality in 2030 and the Strategies Needed Today
The hospitality investment landscape is changing fast, driven by technology, global trends, and evolving traveler expectations. This session looks ahead to 2030 market movements, focusing on key data and exploring where the future is heading and how to capture it.
09:00 - 09:30
30 MINUTES
Investing in Hotels Today: What Still Works — and What Comes Next

Alexandros Vassilikos

PRESIDENT, HOTREC

In discussion with

Simona Constantinescu

PRESIDENT, FIHR & VICE PRESIDENT, CPC

09:30 - 10:00
30 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: Hotel Performance Trends from Regional to Local Markets
Speaker

Ryan Bains

ACCOUNT DIRECTOR, STR

10:00 - 10:30
30 MINUTES
What’s Next For Hotel Investments: What’s Changing And Why It Matters Now

Frank Reul

HEAD OF DEVELOPMENT, ACCOR ECO, MIDSCALE & PREMIUM BRANDS

In discussion with

Takuya Aoyama

Moderator:

Dragos Anastasiu

OWNER & CEO, EUROLINES ROMANIA

10:30 - 11:00 - COFFEE BREAK

MONEY STAGE

11:00
11:50
50 MINUTES
Capital in Motion Across CEE: Where Is Hospitality Investment Heading. How Can Romania Compete?
Industry experts will discuss key investment trends, where investors are currently directing capital, which markets are gaining momentum and what Romania’s hospitality sector must do to attract more investment.
Speakers

Silvija Lovreta

VICE PRESIDENT DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL AND SOUTH EASTERN EUROPE, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

Giovanni Valentini

CEO, APEX ALLIANCE HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Marilena Vuiu

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR - SENIOR BANKER, REAL ESTATE DEPARTMENT, EBRD

Mircea Draghici

CO-FOUNDER & PARTNER, BRIMEROCK HOSPITALITY INVESTMENTS

Alla Shamova

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ISWM GROUP

Moderator:

Iulia Szabo

SENIOR CONSULTANT, CAPITAL MARKETS CZ | HOTEL SERVICES ROMANIA, CBRE ROMANIA

OWNERS & BRANDS STAGE

12:00
12:50
50 MINUTES
The Owner vs The Operator: The Honest Conversation
Take part in a dynamic discussion between hotel owners and operators that goes beyond shared objectives and brings to the forefront the real tensions shaping performance and investment decisions.
Speakers

Riad Abi Haidar

CEO/PARTNER HOTEL DIVISION, ONE UNITED PROPERTIES

Malgorzata Morek

SENIOR DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE, HILTON

David Jenkins

VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, RADISSON HOTEL GROUP

Adam Konieczny

Director of Hospitality Asset Management and Investments, ISWM Group

Tassos Kotzanastassis

PARTNER, PETRA HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Brigita Aleksandraviciute

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, APEX ALLIANCE HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Moderator:

Christophe Chamboncel

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NIRO INVESTMENT GROUP

13:00 - 14:00 - LUNCH BREAK

LEASE STAGE

14:00
14:50
50 MINUTES
The 3 Rs which will make you to rethink hotel leases: Risk, Rent & Reality
The discussion will examine how hotel lease structures must evolve as Romania’s hospitality market matures, focusing on how risks and responsibilities should be realistically shared between owners and operators, especially in a market where performance is becoming more predictable.
Speakers

Max Gross 

CDO CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE, RADISSON HOTEL GROUP

Virginia Zaharia

LAWYER, ZAHARIA LAW OFFICE

Gergely Bálint

HEAD OF CEE HOTEL VALUATION, CBRE

Moderator:

Catalina Toma (Rosu)

CO-FOUNDER, WIN ADVISORS, DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SPECIALIST

GROWING TREND STAGE

15:00
15:30
30 MINUTES
Hospitality Without Hotels: Setting the Right Foundations
A forward-looking panel exploring the rapid evolution of hospitality beyond traditional hotel models, through the development of segments such as Branded Residences and Extended Stay.

Begüm Kaya Kutlu

SENIOR DIRECTOR, ACCOR ONE LIVING, HEAD OF MIXED-USE, EUROPE

In discussion with

Beatrice Dumitrascu

CEO RESIDENTIAL DIVISION, ONE UNITED PROPERTIES

THE NEXT MOVE STAGE

15:30
16:40
70 MINUTES
Where to invest for a Maximum Profitability by 2030
A session analyzing and positioning recent hospitality investment strategies in Romania to generate profitability by 2030. The discussion moves from recent investments in global luxury brands to growing demand for nature-oriented destinations and immersive experiences.
15:30 - 15:45
15 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: Real Projects - What We’re Developing Next for the 2030 Traveler
An exclusive preview of upcoming projects in Romania that will shape the hotel portfolio through 2030 and highlight emerging directions in the hospitality industry.
SPEAKER

Razvan Puchici

CEO, CUMULUS

15:50 - 16:40
50 MINUTES
Debate
SPEAKERS

Andrei Vacaru

MANAGING DIRECTOR ROMANIA & CEE HEAD OF CAPITAL MARKETS, IO PARTNERS

Vassilis Themelidis

SENIOR REGIONAL DIRECTOR, SOUTH & EAST EUROPE, WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS

Maria Dragulin

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR – ENA DEVELOPMENT SOUTH EAST EUROPE, ACCOR PREMIUM, MIDSCALE & ECONOMY BRANDS

Alin Popa

DIRECTOR GENERAL, NOVUM - FAPACO GROUP

Andreea Mihai

BOARD MEMBER, DRACULA LAND

Moderator:

Calin Ile

SENIOR PARTNER, HORWATH HTL ROMANIA

19:00 - 22:30

TOPHOTEL AWARDS CEREMONY

On May 26, the industry gathers at JW Marriott Bucharest for a five-star gala dinner and an evening event. Participation requires prior registration. Register here!

Day 2: MAY 27, 2026

OPERATE SMART TODAY FOR A PROFITABLE 2030

Efficient operations and intelligent strategies can improve hotel performance and sustain business profitability through 2030.

08:00 - 09:30 - ENERGIZE & RECONNECT: BREAKFAST & COFFEE

TREND STAGE

09:30
11:00
90 MINUTES
Performance as the Growth Engine: Meeting the Expectations of the 2030 Guest
09:30 - 09:55
25 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: How Hotels Will Be Perceived, Sold and Chosen in Tomorrow's Digital Marketplace. New Rules of Distribution & Demand

Marina Begletsova

AREA MANAGER, BOOKING.COM

10:00 - 10:25
25 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: Luxury and Guest Satisfaction Through The Lens of Hotel Star Ratings: a Glimpse into the Future of Hospitality
This presentation will explore what lies ahead for hotel star ratings in an AI-driven world, considering that official classifications can shape a country’s hotel sector for years. From the perspective of a hotel star rating expert, key quality standards are being discussed that directly impact not just the degree of guest satisfaction but also the profitability of hospitality businesses. Emphasis will be put on how hotel operators can avoid frequently committed mistakes and on how the right touches of luxury and comfort can boost a hotel’s performance through 2030.

Dr. Dimitris Koutoulas

HOTEL DEVELOPMENT ADVISER AND PROJECT MANAGER, KOUTOULAS CONSULTING

10:30 - 10:55
25 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: AI vs Algorithms
This presentation cuts through the AI hype in revenue management, questioning what is truly AI versus rule-based. It explores whether RMS can outperform human decision-making, how success goes beyond RevPAR, and why—despite automation—profit still depends on the balance between data and human judgment.

Andre Kaufmann

HEAD OF GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS, ROOMPRICEGENIE

Moderator:

Sevda Cadir

Head of Feasibility & Valuation | Hospitality Advisory, Win Advisors

11:00 - 11:30 - COFFEE BREAK

AI STAGE

11:30
12:00
30 MINUTES
AI Is Rewriting How Hotels Operate, Compete and Profit by 2030
A new era is beginning for the hospitality industry one where speed in distribution and operations will accelerate every process. By 2030, successful hotels will be those that move fast, make decisions in real time, and use AI to keep up with an industry that doesn’t wait. This session is about how AI is changing the rules of the hotel industry, what leading hotels are already doing & what you need to do now to avoid being left behind.

Laura Calin

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, CONSUMER INDUSTRIES (HOSPITALITY, RETAIL, RESTAURANTS), ORACLE (USA) (USA)

In discussion with

Bogdan Stanciu

DIRECTOR GENERAL, BIT SOFT

LUXURY STAGE

12:00
13:00
50 MINUTES
Understanding Luxury in Hospitality Today
Luxury in hospitality must be redefined to remain relevant through 2030; shifting from visible symbols of wealth to subtle refinement that creates balance between comfort and wellbeing, technology and human interaction, wealth and meaning.
12:00 - 12:15
15 MINUTES
Keynote Presentation: Luxury in Hospitality Today - From Opulence to the 2030 Traveler

Ettore Cavallino

VP DEVELOPMENT LUXURY SOUTHERN & EASTERN EUROPE - ACCOR

12:15 - 13:00
45 MINUTES
Debate
SPEAKERS

Alexis Feuillat

SENIOR DIRECTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, BLACK SEA, CAUCASUS & CIS, BANYAN GROUP

Adina Calfa

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, ISSA ESTATE GROUP

Maria Gagiu

GLOBAL MANAGING DIRECTOR & CONSULTANT WELLNESS SPA LONGEVITY, GUIDEPOINT

Florin Suciu

SALES EXECUTIVE, TECHNOGYM ROMANIA

Moderator:

Georgios Bakopanos

CONCEPTUAL ARCHITECT & CO-FOUNDER, THE SOLAS PROJECT

13:00 - 14:00 - LUNCH BREAK

PROFIT STAGE

14:00
14:50
50 MINUTES
The Profit: Renovation and Upgrades that makes money, not just looks good
Focus on finding the right balance between investment, design upgrades, and maintaining long-term value for both guests and the business.
Speakers

Eric Drach

CEO, HAGAG DEVELOPMENT EUROPE

Alina Vladulescu

CO-FOUNDER, WIN ADVISORS, PRE-OPENING OPERATIONS AND HOTEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST

Alina Toie

FOUNDER & MANAGING PARTNER, SPARK HOSPITALITY

Moderator:

Irina Semaca

GENERAL MANAGER, HILTON GARDEN INN BUCHAREST OLD TOWN

AI-READY STAGE

14:50
15:30
40 MINUTES
Hotel booking under Pressure: Between Algorithm & Human Touch
Hospitality has always been about people. AI promises efficiency — faster data, dynamic pricing that reacts in real time, housekeeping optimisation, and predictive maintenance that fixes issues before they happen. But the real question is: how do you use it today to optimise hotel operations and make possible what was impossible yesterday?
Speakers

Svetoslav Georgiev

CEO, HOTELONE

Cristian Brinza

ENTREPRENEUR IN HOSPITALITY, TECH AND CONSTRUCTION & FOUNDER, MOON RESORTS

Moderator:

Alex Calcan

OWNER, HOTEL PESTERA - WELLNESS & SPA

15:30 - Drinks & Culinary Celebration

At the end of the two days, participants will celebrate together, raising a glass to long-term partnerships and building new connections through networking.

PARTNERS

  • Host-Age