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 14.

Day 1: 14 MAY 2025

Invest to Expand: Hotel & Property Deals

On the first day, we will learn the ways of investing strategically to expand successful hotel businesses, ensuring a prosperous future in the field.

08:00 – 08:45 REGISTRATION OF PARTICIPANTS
09:00 – 10:30 SESSION 1
Opening Session: The Future of Hotel Investment – Opportunities in the Face of Uncertainty
Yes, we're in the middle of geopolitical challenges, and investor confidence might be affected. But don't let that distract you – the opportunities are still here, validated by the data?

Alex Robinson

DIRECTOR, INDUSTRY PARTNERS, STR

Alexandra Dumoulin

DIRECTOR, HVS

Special guest

Roger A. Allen

GROUP CEO, RLA GLOBAL

Moderator

Dragos Anastasiu

OWNER & CEO, EUROLINES ROMANIA

10:30 – 11:00 COFFEE BREAK
11:00 – 11:50 SESSION 2
Build a Strong Future for Your Hotel Investment
Analysing the opportunities, challenges, and long-term outlook of investing in the hotel industry.

Erik Webb Dempsey

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER, JULIUS MEINL LIVING

Adam Konieczny

INTERNATIONAL HOSPITALITY DIRECTOR, INDOTEK GROUP

Vassilis Themelidis

REGIONAL DIRECTOR SOUTH & EAST EUROPE, WYNDHAM HOTELS & RESORTS

Calin Ile

SENIOR PARTNER, HORWATH HTL ROMANIA

Moderator

Giovanni Valentini

CEO, APEX ALLIANCE HOTEL MANAGEMENT

12:00 – 12:50 SESSION 3
The Luxury Boom: Real Growth or Passing Trend
The luxury trend is growing in Bucharest as well in Sofia, with several hotels announced in both cities. Is the demand real, and are there enough clients to support premium hotels? What will these hotels deliver, and how will the market change as a result?

Christophe Chamboncel

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NIRO INVESTMENT GROUP

Riad Abi Haidar

CEO/PARTNER HOTEL DIVISION, ONE UNITED PROPERTIES

Mircea Draghici

MANAGING PARTNER, EST HOSPITALITY CONSULTING

David Jenkins

VICE PRESIDENT BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, RADISSON HOTEL GROUP

Ivan Kiseev

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR EE & CIS, MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

Bogdan Iliescu

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, NUSCO

Moderator

Takuya Aoyama

VICE PRESIDENT FOR DEVELOPMENT, HYATT INTERNATIONAL (EAME) LLC

13:00 – 14:00 LUNCH BREAK
14:00 – 14:50 SESSION 4
Manchise: the Hybrid Trends Shaping the Industry
Manchise is gaining traction across EMEA, but what does it really mean? Is it a simple transition from management to franchise, or is it more complex? Will this be the future asset-light model for brands?

Joep Peeters

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT FRANCHISE EMEA, RADISSON HOTEL GROUP

Bogdan Dogariu

ENTREPRENEUR AND OWNER, DENTOTAL GROUP OF HOTEL COMPANIES

Nicolas Stachowiak

VP OF DEVELOPMENT, ENNISMORE EUROPE

Marcel Lindt

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, ASCOTT HOSPITALITY MANAGEMENT

Moderator

Catalina Toma (Rosu)

CO-FOUNDER, WIN ADVISORS, DEVELOPMENT AND INVESTMENT SPECIALIST

15:00 – 15:50 SESSION 5
Keynote Session: Unlocking Opportunities & the Future of Hotel Investments in CEE
The hotel market in Central and Eastern Europe is characterized by strong fundamentals, attracting a growing number of investors seeking asset diversification. In addition to investments in existing hotels, building conversions are gaining popularity. With rising office vacancies, innovative hospitality concepts, and limited new developments, conversion projects are poised to play a crucial role in the future of hotel investments.

Balázs Csörget

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, CBRE

Conversion: a Growing Trend in CEE
Hotel conversions have been a common strategy in Western Europe, but they are now gaining traction in CEE. This panel will discuss how conversion models impact negotiations, investment strategies in Romania, and long-term profitability.

Tobias Reinecke

HEAD OF INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT EMEA, CHOICE HOTELS INTERNATIONAL

Maria Dragulin

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

Vlad Dragoescu

DIRECTOR - CEE HEAD OF PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT, REVETAS

Adinel Tudor

CEO, EVO PROPERTIES

Moderator

Iulia Szabo

INVESTMENT PROPERTIES CONSULTANT & HOSPITALITY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, CBRE ROMANIA

16:00 – 16:50 SESSION 6
Black Sea New Developments: Same Clients, Different Countries, Different Dynamics
Romania and Bulgaria’s Black Sea regions face similar pressures to meet the evolving expectations of hotel development. Despite differences, their focus shares many similarities, as both work to create the same seaside destination along the shared coast.

Lyubomir Stamboliyski

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR, ST. ST CONSTANTINE AND HELENA HOLDING JSC (BULGARIA)

Alin Popa

DIRECTOR GENERAL, NOVUM - FAPACO GROUP

Robert Anghel

CLUSTER GENERAL MANAGER, CROWNE PLAZA CONSTANTA MAMAIA BEACH

Moderator

Aurelian Marin

GENERAL MANAGER, PARADIS VACANTE DE VIS

19:00 - 22:30

TopHotel Awards Ceremony

On May 14th, the industry will gather at JW Marriott Bucharest Grand Hotel for a 5-star Dinner Awards Gala and an unforgettable evening. The event requires advance registration. Register here!

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

16:00 - 17:00 WINE & CULINARY CELEBRATION

Join us for a special culinary experience created by our host, while we'll toast to celebrate our long-lasting relationships and continue building new ones through networking.

PARTENERI

  • Host-Age