INVEST, EXPAND & PROSPER
THE HOTEL INDUSTRY’S NEXT MOVE
14-15 MAY 2025 •  JW MARRIOTT HOTEL
14-15 MAY 2025 •  JW MARRIOTT HOTEL

Agenda

Discover the schedule for the 2025 edition, the topics to be discussed, and the speakers who will take the stage at the JW Marriott Hotel in Bucharest on May 15.

Day 2: 15 MAY 2025

Prosper Through Hotel Operations: Maximising Long-Term Value

On the second day, TopHotel goes deeper into the world of hotels, exploring how they can be successfully designed and operated. This day will make connections within the industry, offering an understanding of how the foundation of operations can take the hotel to another level.

08:30 - 09:00 ENERGIZE & RECONNECT: BREAKFAST & COFFEE
09:00 - 10:30 SESSION 1
New Directions and the Immediate Shifts Shaping Hotel Operations
To prosper in today's dynamic hotel market, a strategic combination of efficiency and innovation is essential. This requires understanding efficient operations, adapting to global technological shifts, and implementing strategic operational strategies that build long-term investment success.

Dr. Alexander Lennart Schmidt

PROFESSOR OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION, HOTELSCHOOL THE HAGUE

Juan Gallardo

DIRECTOR OF HOTEL INTELLIGENCE – EMEA, HOTSTATS

Marina Begletsova

AREA MANAGER, BOOKING.COM

Moderator

Razvan Pirjol

PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD, NATIONAL CENTER FOR TOURISM EDUCATION

10:30 - 11:00 COFFEE BREAK
11:00 - 11:50 SESSION 2
When to Go with the Flow
Does the operational flow start when guests arrive, or does it begin with the very first step—feasibility? This panel will discuss how the customer journey should be considered at the development stage, influencing architectural decisions and investment strategies before any money is spent.

Jean Pierre Mifsud

GENERAL MANAGER, CORINTHIA BUCHAREST

David Evans

CEO, OPTIM PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Andrii Davydenko

VICE PRESIDENT OPERATIONS, ACCOR PREMIUM, MIDSCALE & ECONOMY BRANDS

Elena Dragu

SENIOR PARTNER, CUMULUS

12:00 - 12:50 SESSION 3
Money Matters
This session will discuss the pros and cons of outsourcing versus keeping hotel operations in-house by examining costs, potential revenue gains, and the impact on profit margins, considering factors like brand positioning, long-term growth, and market adaptability.

Atakan Turhan

HOTEL GENERAL MANAGER, RADISSON BLU HOTEL BUCHAREST AND PARK INN BY RADISSON BUCHAREST

Hugo Sanalitro

MANAGING PARTNER, EYE MANAGEMENT

Georgeta Grecu

GENERAL MANAGER, SWISSOTEL POIANA BRASOV

13:00 - 14:00 LUNCH BREAK
14:00 - 15:00 SESSION 4
From Traditional Management to White-Label Operators and Third-Party Operators
Traditional management models are evolving. this shift reflects a strategic move towards specialised expertise and flexible operational structures, aligning with the need for agile responses in a dynamic market.

Brigita Aleksandraviciute

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, APEX ALLIANCE HOTEL MANAGEMENT

Malgorzata Morek

SENIOR DIRECTOR DEVELOPMENT CENTRAL & EASTERN EUROPE, HILTON

Lucian Marinescu

MANAGING PARTNER, HORWATH HTL ROMANIA

15:00 - 16:00 SESSION 5
Keynote Session: Adding Value to Hotels by Telling Stories
Helmut will focus on the role of storytelling in hospitality, illustrating how narrative, sensory design, and cultural context contribute to differentiation, guest engagement, and value creation.

Helmut Clemens

FOUNDER, HOTELKONZEPT

How to Add Value to a Hotel Property by Telling a Unique Story
Developing a successful property requires a clear strategy that aligns with market demand, operational efficiency, and guest expectations. But how can hotels maximise their profitability potential in today's world of standardisation?
Exciting Deal Reveal - New Projects That Will be Introduced to the Market Soon

Dr. Orsolya Pacsay-Tomassich

DIRECTOR GENERAL, FOUNDATION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF CENTRAL EUROPEAN BUILT HERITAGE

Cristian Bondor

DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR, ISSA RESORT, CRAMA LA SALINA

Helmut Clemens

FOUNDER, HOTELKONZEPT

Alex Calcan

OWNER, HOTEL PESTERA - WELLNESS & SPA

Moderator

Simona Constantinescu

PRESIDENT, FIHR - ROMANIAN HOTEL INDUSTRY FEDERATION

PARTENERI

  • Host-Age