| 8:00am-onwards |
Registration |
|
| 8:45am-8:50am |
Opening remarks
- James Wilkinson (Managing Editor, HM magazine)
- Howard Kemball, MC |
|
| 8:50am-9:10am |
Opening Presentation:
Ross Greenwood, Channel 9, State of the economy |
|
| 9:10am-10:00am |
PLENARY SESSION: AHICE Leader’s Forum
Moderator: James Wilkinson, HM Magazine
Topics to be discussed:
- Performance outlook for the remainder of 2011/2012;
- Major issues facing the industry at present;
- Development in Australasia (or lack thereof);
- Impact of low-cost airlines and airline disruptions;
- Impact of Australian domestic tourism with a high dollar;
- International arrivals: the hot markets;
- Innovation in the industry, including winning over Chinese and Indian travellers;
- Expected impact of the 2011 Rugby World Cup;
- Update on Christchurch and domestic NZ
Panellists:
Ashley Spencer, Vice President Australia, Hilton Worldwide
Bob East, CEO, Mantra Group
Paul Richardson, Vice President – NZ, Accor Hospitality
Stephen Burt, CEO, Mirvac Hotels and Resorts |
|
| 10:00am-10:15am |
Presentation: Bryon Merzeo, STR Global: National hotel markets outlook |
|
| 10:15am-11:00am |
PLENARY SESSION: What Owners Want
Moderator: Howard Kemball, Kcom
Topics to be discussed:
- Development, operations, management, discounting, what drives revenue, occupancy, marketing, selecting a management company and more.
Panellists:
Andrew Turner, Managing Director, Shenton Hospitality
John Hudson, Managing Director, Thakral Holdings Group
John van der Wallen, Fund Manager, CPHF, Colonial First State Global Asset Management
Nigel Greenaway, Eureka Funds Management
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|
| 11:00am-11:30am |
Morning tea in exhibition area |
|
| 11:30am-12:15pm |
BREAKOUT SESSION 1a: Travel Forum – airlines, inbound and outbound
Moderator: James Wilkinson, HM Magazine
Topics to be discussed:
- A snapshot of new airline routes and opportunities for domestic and outbound tourism;
- An insight into where Australians and Kiwis are travelling to globally;
- Impact of a high Australian dollar on surrounding nations (NZ, Pacific Islands, Asia-Pacific);
- Future growth from Middle East and Asian carriers – are they helping inbound tourism?;
- Markets to target for inbound tourism across the Asia-Pacific region;
- Are Australia and New Zealand too expensive with our high dollar (a mini-debate)?;
- Maximising low-cost carriers from Asia wanting to serve Australia / NZ;
- How Asian nations are stealing Australian and NZ travellers with ingenious campaigns.
Panellists:
Deepak Ohri, Chief Executive Officer, Lebua Hotels and Resorts (Bangkok)
Glenn Bourke, CEO, Hamilton Island
Jayson Westbury, CEO, Australian Federation of Travel Agents
Simon McGrath, Vice President – Australia, Accor Hospitality
Tony Harrington, Managing Director, Asia Pacific Public Relations
|
|
| 11:30am-12:15pm |
BREAKOUT SESSION 1b: Human Resources
Moderator: Murray Wright
Topics to be discussed:
- Immigration and student visa issues;
- OH+S issues for hotels at present;
- The importance of training and staff retention (including skills training programs);
- Overseas labour – why it is a major issue both in Australia and NZ;
- Hotel school students – how do we keep them in Australia and New Zealand?;
- Australians returning home – is the “greenback rush” over?;
Panellists:
Melanie Smith, Director of Human Resources - NSW/ACT, IHG
Arthur Antonellos, Executive Manager Client Services and Sales, HOSTPLUS
John Sweetman, Workplace Relations Advisor, AHA (Victoria) Rachel Argaman, CEO, Toga Hospitality
|
|
| 12:15pm-1:00pm |
BREAKOUT SESSION 2a: The franchising boom
Moderator: Tony Ryan, Ryan’s Lawyers
Topics to be discussed:
- Why franchising is the hot development model in Australia and New Zealand at present;
- Why owners are looking to the franchising model over management;
- What franchising really means for Hoteliers and staff in properties that are re-branded;
- What further opportunities there are for franchising in the market;
- Which segments are the development hot spots (economy, midscale, upscale);
- Growth projections from leading Hoteliers;
Panellists:
David Bayes, CEO, Choice Hotels Australia
David Wray, GM - Acquisitions and Business Development, Wyndham Hotel Group South Pacific
Dino Mezzatesta, General Manager – Franchising, Accor Hospitality
Paul Constantinou, Chairman, Quest Serviced Apartments
|
|
| 12:15pm-1:00pm |
BREAKOUT SESSION 2b: Sustainability and technology
Proposed moderator: Ted Horner, E Horner and Associates
Topics to be discussed:
- Where technology is heading in 2012 and beyond;
- How technology is helping sustainability;
- How energy-saving lighting is being adapted by hotels;
- Sustainability in hotels;
- Sustainable products;
- Sustainable design;
Panellists:
Andrew MacColl, Director of Technology, Staging Connections
Michael Matulick, CEO Concept Amenities
Richard Dalman, Managing Director, Dalman Architecture (NZ)
Vincent Hoogewijs, General Manager, Four Seasons Hotel Sydney
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|
| 1:00pm-1:45pm |
Networking lunch in exhibition area |
|
| 1:45pm-2:15pm |
CEO HARD TALK: An interactive discussion with Koos Klein, Managing Director of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia, about his plans for the new indigenous training academy at Ayers Rock Resort and plans for the property going forward. |
|
| 2:15pm-3:00pm |
PLENARY SESSION: The rise of boutique hotels
Moderator: James Wilkinson, HM magazine
Topics to be discussed:
- Why boutique is the world’s hottest development segment;
- Why the world’s biggest management companies are targeting the segment;
- How Australia’s boutique brands are taking off (Art Series, Diamant, Emporium, QT);
- Big brands vs stand-alone brands;
- Why the development opportunities are extensive;
- How the US is leading the way;
- The importance of F&B in the segment and why hotel bars are a key to success;
- The demands of the new world traveller and why boutique is the answer;
Panellists:
John Uliana, owner and General Manager, Gibraltar Hotel Bowral
Paul Fischmann, CEO, Eight Hotels Australia
Peter Savoff, General Manager, Emporium Hotel Brisbane
Will Deague, owner, Art Series Hotel Group
Wouter de Graaf, General Manager, Sofitel Queenstown
|
|
| 2:55pm-3:05pm |
Christchurch update from Bruce Garrett, General Manager, The George Hotel. |
|
| 3:05pm-3:30pm |
Afternoon tea in exhibition area |
|
| 3:30pm-4:15pm |
PLENARY SESSION: Social networking and marketing
Moderator: Kim McKay, Director, Klick Communications
Topics to be discussed:
- Trends in social media and how hotel chains can maximise the online savvy traveller;
- Using social media to increase bookings;
- Which social networking sites are leading the way (and how they work);
- Why LinkedIn has become a ‘must’ for hoteliers;
Panellists:
Ben Charlton, e-commerce Manager, Marriott
Gwen O’Toole, Editor, SpiceNews and Spice Magazine
Julian Bish, Managing Director, Biko Technologies (Netroomz)
Marcus Niszow, Deputy CEO, Pacific Resort Hotel Group (Cook Islands)
|
|
| 4:15pm |
Closing remarks and door prizes |
|
| 4:20pm |
Conference ends |
|
| 6:30pm |
Pre-dinner drinks for the 2011 HM Awards at Sydney Town Hall |
|
| 7:30pm |
HM Awards commence at Sydney Town Hall |
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