Magdalena is a marketing strategist captivated by behavioural, wellbeing and new lifestyle trends. She has 15 years of multi-market experience across trade, client, and agency sides. At European tourism association (ETOA) she led campaigns promoting Europe as a destination. Working for marketing agency Accord, she promoted campaigns for various travel clients including hotels, tour operators and destinations. She has co-organised events with Google London, ETC, UN and other partners. Subsequently, Magdalena moved to work on concept development for new openings and repositioning in Portugal (Vale do Lobo, Vilamoura, Palmares). Magdalena works on profiling audiences and designing creative ways of promoting destinations, and both residential and tourism experience. She embraces the need to focus on ‘new luxury’: community-feel, wellbeing, active living, sustainability, growth and contribution. All delivered through integrated campaigns led by social, influencer, content and events campaigns. She regularly speaks at international conferences. As a typical unsettled mind, Magdalena has a keen interest in digital, holds Tourism Management MA, Google Squared Digital Marketing certification and is an MCIM. She is also a mindfulness & flow state coach, passions which she embraces both personally and professionally.

Matt is head of architecture and strategy, developing the future Technology strategy for Whitbread, covering a major period of investment in our core technology to help prepare the business for the accelerating demand for digital services and further growth, both in the UK and beyond. 

Focusing on finding new opportunities to collaborate and utilise existing technologies across Premier Inn and restaurants.

Ryan is a hotel technology marcomms consultant with over 15 years’ experience working with global systems and software in the sector. He is Managing Director of Haynes MarComs working with technology companies to bring clarity and opportunity for hotels in the journey of digitalisation. As host of Travel Market Life podcast, Ryan explores technology and digital developments to support industry buyers in procurement and market management. Hoteliers’ Voice series explore how hotels are addressing key developments within their tech stacks. Former broadcaster and PR consultant, Ryan supports businesses with engaging market engagement strategies to build profile and gain momentum. Ryan has worked with the likes of eRevMax, HomeAway, SIHOT, Pegasus, bd4travel, Sciant, Arvoia and Beonprice.

Passionate, positive and hard worker with over 20 years' experience in Revenue Management & Digital Marketing, Piergiorgio started his career working for airline companies on intercontinental markets, switching to the hospitality industry in 2009 and since 2011 he applied his knowledge to create in Blastness the largest italian independent team of Revenue Management with focus on direct bookings.

In Blastness Piergiorgio developed the next step of “Web Revenue Management” as it plays a crucial role in the process of boosting direct sales. With a degree in Economics, a Master in Big Data, and an MBA, he is also one of the most quoted professors in LUISS Business School for over than ten years

Markus Mueller is the co-founder of GauVendi, bringing 25+ years of leadership in tourism across Europe, the Middle East, the Caribbean, and Asia, working with Mövenpick, Hyatt, IHG, and Marriott. He holds an MBA with Distinction from Warwick Business School.

As a founder, he has pioneered a new way to manage, price, and sell real estate-based experiences, using AI-driven dynamic matching to connect properties with travelers—enabling personalized stays instead of generic room bookings. His innovations have led to 20% higher revenues, 70% automation of reservation processes, and a 30% increase in Net Promoter Scores.

Luis has over 18 years of experience in the hotel industry, specializing in distribution and hotel technology. His career highlights include making a significant impact in 2009 when he launched Getaroom.com. Following this, he took on the role of Business Development. Currently, he is the Senior Director of Business Development for Iberia and LATAM at SHR.

McCartan is a dynamic pricing evangelist who has helped thousands of hotels, owners, and brands generate more revenue and improve profitability via the adoption of pricing automation and AI. In his hotel and travel technology career spanning over 20 years, he has held executive-level roles in large and well-known companies as well as early-stage start-ups.

McCartan is a recognized and sought-after speaker in the hotel technology space and is widely seen as an influencer in global hotel revenue management. In this role, McCartan represents IDeaS as a thought leader and speaker at industry events while leading the EMEA sales organization in current and new markets.

Driven by growth and innovation, I lead strategic partnerships at Agilysys, delivering cutting-edge digital solutions across EMEA hospitality. With a proven track record in sales and market analysis from previous roles at Planet and Hoist Group, I focus on enhancing guest experiences and optimizing operational efficiency for our clients. My deep understanding of the industry fuels successful engagements with top-tier resorts and hotels, positioning Agilysys as a leader in hospitality technology.

Philip is a serial software entrepreneur in the field of cloud based technology. He is a co-founder of Apaleo, the Munich based open hospitality platform. Throughout the past 20 years and prior to co-found Apaleo, he has successfully built up various cloud businesses including logistics platform, real estate platform, and first cloud-native PMS. Philip acts as an advisor for startups and has also invested in various innovative software companies. 

Email address: philip.vonditfurth@apaleo.com  

Currently serving as the Head of Commercial at Clink Hostels, Diogo oversees all commercial teams and has spearheaded the implementation of various tools and systems, enhancing operational efficiency and performance. Clink Hostels are pioneers in the early adoption of numerous hospitality systems such as Mews, Pace, Groupcorner, HiJiffy, and more. The goal for the future is a seamless integration of BI Tools to facilitate data-driven decision-making.

With a background in business management, hospitality, and asset management, complemented by a Certificate in Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell, Diogo brings a wealth of knowledge to the table. He holds a Master's in Hospitality Management from the Glion Institute of Higher Education and a Bachelor's in Business Management from the University of Coimbra.

Jane has worked with HOSPA (the Hospitality Professionals Association) for many years and has been CEO for 9 years. Her relationship with HOSPA was first as a sponsor and member, then - after volunteering her time assisting with the annual conference HOSPACE - she was taken on to run the Membership and Events office before being promoted to CEO in early 2016.

HOSPA is a not-for-profit membership organisation for commercial leaders involved in finance, technology, revenue management and marketing alongside hospitality business owners and their representatives.

Having gained a degree in hospitality management, Jane worked in both chain and independent hotels before she spent many years assisting hotels and restaurants with their technology decisions around Property Management, Point of Sale and Revenue Management. This culminated into a role as VP and General Manager covering Europe for a global hospitality software house.

She is an enthusiastic supporter of hospitality businesses and the myriad of people who work within them. Jane likes to add her positive voice to promote the industry far and wide.

As Senior Director of Sales EMEA at Cendyn, Marcel drives enterprise sales in key markets, helping hotels navigate digital transformation by leveraging data and simplifying processes. Marcel is a results-driven Sales Professional, with expertise in pipeline management and driving revenue growth through strategic ownership of commercial initiatives across both new and existing accounts.

Skilled in negotiating with C-suite executives and key stakeholders, Marcel builds sustainable, mutually beneficial relationships. With a strategic mindset, he also leverages second- and third-degree decision-makers to address challenges and deliver value.

Marcel has extensive experience managing complex vendor selection processes and RFPs across a portfolio of 40+ solutions, while successfully coordinating cross-functional teams (marketing, sales, finance, legal, and onboarding) to meet targets. His ability to pioneer sales and Go-To-Market strategies has led to significant business growth.

As a strong communicator, Marcel excels in presenting, negotiating, and participating in international public speaking engagements, panel discussions, and thought leadership.

He is committed to staying ahead of hospitality technology trends, adapting strategies to meet the demands of an ever-evolving market landscape.

With a robust background in hospitality, combined with 10+ years of leadership experience in top e-commerce and cloud-based SaaS companies, Marcel specializes in defining and executing Go-To-Market strategies, building high-performing teams, and driving success in new markets.

With 20 years of experience in Hospitality, Tiago has been working in different sectors of the business.

From PMS and POS to Network Systems Integrator and lately at Belmond, leading local IT Operations, supporting the local teams, managing the systems and infrastructures and acting as a facilitator on the different projects within the company.

With a passion for Technology and Hospitality, Tiago deals with the day to day challenges always with the goal to streamline and simplify the Hotel Operations Processes.

Strategic advisor and responsible to introduce new business models, technologies, partnerships and solutions for the areas of both guests and employees for all Strawberry’s 245 hotels. Involved during incubation and concept phase of new projects and hotel concepts.

Experienced international keynote and inspiration speaker within innovation, future trends, digitalization and the importance to think differently.

Director of Future Business department in Strawberry until March 2020 that was doing more of
disrupting innovation. Testing a lot on a small scale (MVP’s) and educating internally about
trends within and outside our business.

Running several “worlds first” projects such as mobile keys (now also live with both Google Wallet and Apple Wallet Key as first and only hotel), digital guest journey, AI, blockchain inventory, voice assistance (Alexa), VR, project mapping and many other hotel related solutions for staff/guests.

Renée Nicole Wagner, PhD. completed her broad education at the MODUL hotel and tourism school in Vienna and her studies at the University of Vienna with a doctorate in political science. Various postgraduate studies on the topic of "Economics and sustainability in tourism" as well as specialized trainings around the topic of ESG have always accompanied her in here entire career.

Renée is an ESG expert with passion, coming from the international hospitality field. Currently working for Orascom Hotels Management - one of the biggest hotel owners and operators in the MENA region, with more than 8,000 guestrooms dispersed across Egypt, Oman the UAE,  Montenegro and Switzerland.

Nils combines over two decades of experience in hospitality and technology to drive innovation at Thynk. Passionate about solving industry challenges, Nils leverages his deep understanding of hotel operations and SaaS solutions to empower hospitality businesses.

Andrew is a lifelong hotelier, starting his career as a bellman.  Over the years he worked numerous property level operational roles. He’s had key leadership roles at the Wyndham Hotels and Red Lion Hotels. Currently, Andrew manages all operations at ENG Infotech, a hospitality-focused, software training powerhouse.

Andrew Ingram is Alfa's Global Head of Product Strategy. Andrew joined Alfa in 2008 and has over 10 years’ experience of working with global asset finance companies to optimise their business processes through the delivery of innovative technological solutions. Andrew began his journey at Alfa as a consultant before progressing through implementation and management roles prior to transitioning to provide architectural oversight of the Alfa Systems product in 2017.

As a keen technologist, Andrew has a wide range of experience in identifying opportunities to integrate digital technologies into complex business processes to optimize customer experience. Alongside his product responsibilities, Andrew takes a lead role in the organisation of Alfa User focus groups, as well as presenting at industry events and collaborating on industry articles.

Carolina Pinto is an Analyst in the Thematic Intelligence team specializing in how macro themes, including supply chain disruption, geopolitics, and sustainability, impact the tech sector. She also contributes to analyses on the adoption of AI, robotics, IoT, and other emerging technologies in the consumer goods and automotive sectors.​

PhD in Tourism. More than 25 years of experience in the tourism sector in the areas of strategy, market intelligence, tourism policy and innovation. Senior Director for Strategy & Knowledge Management at Turismo de Portugal and Chairman of OECD Tourism Committee.

Tourism Expert in several workgroups from international organizations such as EU, UNWTO, OECD, ETC and WEF.

Invited Professor at Nova School of Business and Economics, Nova Information Management School and Universidad Europea das Canarias.

Linkedin: https://pt.linkedin.com/in/sergioguerreiro74

Twitter: @Serg_Guerreiro

Passionate about technology and dedicated to the hotel industry.

CEO and board member of SIHOT Group, owner of the SIHOT hotel management system, since 2019, having previously led the company as Support and General Manager since 2008. Also, Addipos director since November 2022.

He has led the company through its digital transformation, evolving its platform to meet the traveller’s technological expectations, improving the guest experience and bringing greater efficiency to hotel operations.

He has also been involved in its international expansion (for example, as Project Manager in Australia) and the development of new products (such as SIHOT.SAAS and SIHOT.CLOUD).

Harman Singh Narula is the Co-Founder and CEO of Canary Technologies, the hotel industry’s leading guest technology company.  Serving over 20,000 hoteliers globally, Canary offers award winning guest management solutions, including Canary AI, Mobile Check-In, Guest Messaging, Dynamic Upsells, Digital Tipping and others. Canary works with the world’s largest hotel companies, including Four Seasons, Marriott, IHG, and Wyndham. Canary is one of the top-funded venture backed hotel technology companies globally and has raised nearly $100M.

Prior to founding Canary, Harman was a management consultant at Bain & Company, where he advised senior executives in hospitality, technology and private equity. Earlier, he was a part of the Global Sales Strategy Group at Starwood Hotels and Resorts, focusing on strategic initiatives to streamline operations and enhance the guest experience. Harman began his career at Citigroup in the office of the CEO, focused on corporate M&A and strategy.

Harman holds an MBA from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a BS from Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration.

Accomplished IT Leader with experience communicating IT strategies and goals to meet business demands. Highly motivated professional with over 15 years of experience in a variety of IT operational and leadership positions. Strong business acumen and technical knowledge with a strong background in managing teams across 100+ countries, and multi-million dollar budgets. Analytical and dedicated with the ability to deploy emerging technologies to optimize workflows and provide efficiencies. Proven success in shaping Global IT strategies and roadmaps. Leveraged excellent leadership skills to motivate teams to meet and exceed organizational objectives. Possess complementary strengths in designing and deploying key Infrastructure initiatives globally.

Frank Wagner is a senior hospitality technology executive with more than 37 years of experience in the global hospitality industry. Over the past 25 years, he has held Director and Vice President leadership roles with leading hospitality technology providers including MICROS, Oracle Hospitality, and NCR, working closely with many of the world’s major hotel groups and restaurant brands across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.

Frank’s career spans large-scale enterprise technology transformations, including cloud migrations, multi-country PMS and POS rollouts, and the integration of complex hospitality IT ecosystems. He brings a rare combination of vendor, integrator, and operator-focused perspectives, allowing him to translate technology strategy into practical, scalable outcomes for hospitality organizations.

Today, Frank leads ACT International’s strategic expansion, focusing on the global delivery of hospitality technology services and solutions. He regularly speaks on global service models, cloud transformation, and the operational realities of hospitality technology at scale.

IT Leader passionate about hospitality with more than 20 years in the industry working with, stadiums, hotels, private clubs, and cruise ships. Focusing on how to leverage technology to improve both employee and guest experience. Currently, Global Hotel Technology Lead at Radisson Hotel Group, aiming to ensure that our IT Standards align with the latest technology trends, future-proofing today's installations while maintaining an ROI for our owners. While always having an eye on security work with the central team to create and maintain the Global Hotel IT Audit, Local IT Audit SOP, and conduct training for all IT managers and internal auditors. I currently have a dual role as Senior Service Delivery Manager for Northern and Western Europe and also oversee compliance, openings, capex, and central projects across that area.

Passionate Hotelier, Goal Oriented Leader, Luxury Experience Specialist.

Dedicated and innovative hotelier, I am passionate about delivering unparalleled luxury experiences to guests. My career has defined my steadfast commitment to excellence, focus on guest satisfaction and development of high - performing teams.

Rui’s 25 years of experience span across multiples industries, from software development to education, retail, financial markets, aeronautics and hospitality. Rui was the the Head of IT of PortoBay for the past 10 years and is now deeply focused in the digital transformation process.

With a degree in Systems Engineering and a Master’s degree in Software Development, with a Thesis in Organisational Engineering, Rui is passionate about leveraging technology to enhance human’s activity, both from the guest, as well as from the staff perspective.

Rui is co-founder of the Digital Forum at PortoBay Hotels and Resorts, an internal initiative that envisions to empower people from across all the organisation to become part of the digital transformation process, a cross-pollination of knowledge and experiences from which all the organisation will benefit.

Rui is also passionate about aviation and photography.

Markus is the CEO of LIKE MAGIC (likemagic.tech), bringing strong leadership capabilities and deep expertise in innovation, business transformation, and change management across the financial services (banking and credit cards) and hospitality sectors. He has a proven track record of identifying, designing, and implementing user-centric innovations—both within corporate environments and in collaboration with startups—that deliver measurable impact on business performance and drive sustainable growth.

He continues to demonstrate this skill in his current role as CEO of LIKE MAGIC—a company he successfully built from the ground up and spun out as a subsidiary of SV Group. LIKE MAGIC is now being adopted by an expanding portfolio of hotels and serviced apartment providers across Central and Western Europe, as well as Australia, including Schani Hotels, Stay KooooK, IBIS Styles Nagold, The Zipper Hotel (Hospitality X), McDreams Hotels, and others.

Jason Noronha is the co-founder and CEO of D3x (https://d3x.ai) , an AI agent that automates customer support across multiple channels—including phone, website chat, WhatsApp, Instagram, SMS, and email—through seamless integration with the hotel technology stack. By providing real-time updates on rates, reservations, housekeeping, upsells and more, D3x significantly enhances operational efficiency and guest satisfaction. Prior to D3x, Jason co-founded Counter App, a property management system for hostels, and pioneered India's first backpacker hostel, growing it into a chain serving hundreds of thousands of travelers. He holds an MBA from Columbia Business School.

Steve Johnson is Senior Director, Hospitality EMEA, for RUCKUS Networks. Prior to his nine years tenure at Ruckus, Steve spent time in management roles at Tech Data, 3Com and Extreme Networks. A long standing in the network industry is mapped to a history of deep and successful engagements with hospitality establishments of all sizes.

Ran Roth is the co-founder and CEO of Sensibo, a global leader in smart climate automation. With an MSc in Computer Science and Algorithms, Ran brings extensive expertise in AI and algorithmic development. Prior to Sensibo, he honed his skills in advanced Computer Vision and algorithm design at various industries in renowned companies like Mobileye, contributing to cutting-edge innovations in sensor and IoT technologies.

Ran’s deep background in AI and data-driven systems has been pivotal in Sensibo’s growth. Under his leadership, the company developed Sensibo Airbend, an advanced IoT platform that manages hundreds of thousands of air conditioning units, optimizing HVAC efficiency for businesses across various sectors like hospitality and retail. Sensibo Airbend leverages AI to deliver real-time insights, automated control helping enterprises reduce energy costs, enhance operational efficiency, increase occupants comfort, and meet organizational sustainability goals.

Drawing on his algorithmic expertise, Ran has successfully integrated machine learning and IoT connectivity to create smarter, more adaptive climate control solutions. His vision positions Sensibo at the forefront of innovation in smart automation, empowering businesses to achieve both economic and environmental impact.

Ran continues to drive Sensibo’s mission to transform HVAC systems globally, leading the way toward a more energy-efficient and sustainable future.

Dynamic and results-driven digital content strategist with over 10 years of experience in the hospitality and digital marketing industry, specializing in content strategy, SEO, and digital transformation. Currently leading digital content strategy for Hyatt Hotels Corporation in the EAME region, ensuring seamless and engaging digital experiences across multiple markets.

Proven expertise in developing and executing digital content strategies, optimizing performance through data-driven insights, and leveraging AI, automation, and emerging technologies to drive engagement and conversion. Passionate about enhancing property websites, direct bookings, and omnichannel content marketing while ensuring brand consistency and localized relevance.

Gábor Kelemen has over 15 years of experience in IT management, primarily in the hospitality industry, with a focus on multi-country and multi-brand hotel operations. As the Director of Information Technology at Danubius Hotels and Ensana Hotels, he is responsible for defining and implementing the IT strategy for both brands, ensuring alignment with business goals and industry trends.

His work emphasizes enhancing guest experiences, improving operational efficiency, and supporting sustainability initiatives. Key areas of focus include cloud-based solutions, digitalization, mobility, and security. Gábor has contributed to projects such as online check-in systems, payment integrations, and the implementation of key hospitality systems like PMS, CRS, and RMS.

Before his current role, he worked with Accor Hotels, managing IT operations across several Central and Eastern European countries. His responsibilities included overseeing hotel openings, leading IT reorganizations, and managing daily operations in diverse environments.

Gábor is experienced in project management, vendor relations, and team leadership, with a hands-on approach to implementing practical solutions that meet business needs. His work consistently supports the integration of modern technologies into traditional hospitality settings, ensuring both scalability and reliability.

At industry events, Gábor shares insights on digital transformation, technology adoption in hospitality, and creating service-oriented IT ecosystems that benefit both guests and operational teams.

Ivana Tagliamonte Newman is a passionate hospitality professional and the visionary behind Bellport Inn, in New York, where she blends her commitment to the community with her dedication to exceptional guest experiences. With a background in luxury real estate and an eye for detail, Ivana has transformed Bellport Inn into a cherished retreat on Long Island's South Shore. She is known for curating a warm, personalized atmosphere, ensuring every guest feels at home and every stay is memorable - utilizing technology at nearly every turn.

Based between New York City and Como, Italy, Ivana is also an Associate Residential Real Estate Broker at Compass specializing in Manhattan’s luxury market.  With over two decades of real estate experience, Ivana has been recognized as one of the country’s top agents by the Wall Street Journal. Featured in several episodes of HGTV’s Selling New York, Ivana is also a speaker at national and international real estate conferences, bringing her insights to audiences around the world.  A passionate real estate investor, Ivana’s interests extend into startups, including those in technology and sustainable materials.

Originally from Italy, Ivana’s love of exploration and learning spans continents as well as oceans—she is an avid paddleboarder, hiker, rower, and passionate traveler. Dedicated to community and philanthropy, Ivana actively supports the Bellport Boys and Girls Club, and is a member of Female Founders in Hospitality, Tide Risers and Forum.

“As a real estate and hospitality entrepreneur, I’m here to serve as a resource for any discussions or questions. I believe in bringing value to all my relationships, personal and professional. Collaboration and connection are my truest loves.”

Fran is the co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer at Turneo. Prior to Turneo, Fran held the role of Innovation Lead at Brussels Airport Company, where he managed all external innovation partners and assessed new investment opportunities. Fran holds degrees from University of Warwick and University of California at Berkeley.

Matija is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer at Turneo. Prior to Turneo, Matija held executive roles at Expedia, where he was part of the leadership team of $15bn+ B2B division, responsible for strategy & strategic initiatives. Prior to Expedia, Matija spent years as an advisor at Strategy& / PwC in London. He holds degrees from University of Cambridge (UK) and Rotterdam School of Management (NL).

Erlendur's expertise blends deep-rooted hospitality and cutting-edge technology. Raised in a family-run bed and breakfast in Copenhagen, he understands the heart of guest experiences. With over 20 years of experience in software and telecommunications, he co-founded Sweeply to modernise hospitality tasks. From the warmth of traditional B&Bs to the forefront of tech innovation, Erlendur bridges the best of both worlds.

Hajing Li serves as Market Director for Accommodations in Southern Eu-rope at Trip.com Group, overseeing key markets including Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and Turkey. Based in Rome, she drives strategic initiatives to expand Trip.com Group’s influence, forge impactful partner-ships, and position the company as a trusted leader in the region’s ac-commodation sector.
With over a decade of experience in the travel and hospitality industry, Hajing has built a reputation for fostering collaboration with regional and global accommodation partners, driving mutual success and innovation.
Since joining Trip.com, Hajing has taken on impactful leadership roles, contributing to global initiatives at the Centre of Excellence and supporting market performance optimisation across Europe.
Hajing earned an MBA in Leadership and Marketing from the Glion Institute of Higher Education and a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Shanghai University of Finance and Economics.

As Vice President Global Chains & Hopper Technology Solutions (HTS) at Hopper, I lead the global expansion of the Hospitality division across B2C and B2B segments.
HTS is at the heart of Hopper's strategic priorities, offering (travel) companies a comprehensive suite of solutions, including fintech ancillaries, advanced ecommerce capabilities, and full-stack white label technology. Our mission is to empower partners to stay competitive in the rapidly evolving digital landscape by meeting the growing demands of consumers through seamless, innovative direct channels.

Roberto Gobo is the Director of digital strategy and technology in Valamar Riviera, the largest and leading tourism company in Croatia (7,000 employees), which – in its 61 hotels, resorts, camping sites – can simultaneously accommodate 58.000 guests. Roberto is highly technical, dedicated and result oriented senior software director with a successful track record in the sourcing and delivery of software projects, complex products and data services launches for Enterprise Clients. He has worked as Developer, Technical Lead, Architect, Delivery Manager, Director (in the USA, Ireland, India, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia) with HP, Vodafone, Mobitel, BT, O2, Danieli etc. in delivering outsourced software projects, setting up outsourced operations, improve development process, developing new products and introducing release process into organizations. His main focus in Valamar is digital strategy and transformation of the company, future software architecture, technologies and delivery of strategic digital projects. Roberto’s interests are enterprise architecture, emerging technologies, real time data streaming, Data platforms and adoption of AI/ML.

Felix Undeutsch is Co-Founder and CEO at hivr.ai, an AI-powered platform that automates the manual sales process for meeting and group bookings for hotels. By streamlining these complex, time-consuming tasks, hivr.ai enables hotel chains such as Minor Hotels Group and Radisson Hotel Group to respond more quickly to booking requests, increase conversion rates, and enhance customer satisfaction. Previously, Felix spearheaded similar innovations at Expedia, focusing on meeting and group sales automation. He holds a Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship from HEC Paris and has been recognized with awards like the IHA Startup Award, the Fiylo Innovation Award, and the Freiburger Innovation Award for his tech-driven contributions to the hospitality industry.

André is passionate about using technology to enhance human experiences and improve business outcomes. He started his career in UX and service design, consulting for global companies and developing a strong understanding of user needs and digital interactions.

For the past 8 years, he's been applying this expertise at PortoBay Hotels & Resorts, where he's played an important role in streamlining processes, optimizing data collection, and enhancing business intelligence. This work has contributed to improved operations, data-driven decision-making, and better experiences for both guests and staff.

André's approach to technology is grounded in human-computer interaction principles, with a focus on using technology to enhance, not replace, human connection. His work at PortoBay aims to create a more human-centered and efficient workplace. From guessing a guest nationality, to pre-process rooming list emails, saving precious time to the reservation department. AI is already a reality in PortoBay.

Currently, André is focused on "Staff Digital Empowerment," an initiative exploring how AI, automation, and digital tools can empower employees to provide exceptional service and build stronger guest relationships. He believes technology can free staff from repetitive tasks, allowing them to focus on engaging with guests and creating memorable experiences.

Miguel Valério is the IT Director at HotiHoteis, where he plays a pivotal role in driving the company’s technological vision and digital growth strategies. With a career spanning over a decade in the information technology field, Miguel’s expertise lies in blending cutting-edge solutions with seamless operational workflows, ensuring that HotiHoteis remains at the forefront of a competitive hospitality market.

Before joining HotiHoteis, Miguel worked with various organizations, honing his technical acumen and leadership skills. He developed a strong track record of implementing robust IT infrastructures, integrating next-generation software platforms, and cultivating agile methodologies that elevate business performance. At HotiHoteis, Miguel leverages his extensive industry insight to supervise data security, optimize internal networks, and facilitate stable, user-friendly reservation systems for both guests and staff.

Miguel’s management style is defined by open communication, collaborative problem-solving, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. He maintains close relationships with his teams, encouraging them to explore innovative technologies that enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve the overall guest experience.

With a passion for continuous learning, Miguel regularly updates his skill set by attending industry conferences, participating in professional workshops, and engaging with thought leaders. His dedication, technical prowess, and forward-thinking mindset make him an invaluable member of HotiHoteis’ leadership team and a key driver of the organization’s long-term success in the digital era.

Luisa Aires is an Hotelier with more than a decade of experience. Luisa have lived and worked in several countries and experience several cultures and adapted to different mindsets as Barcelona, Boston and Panama.

Now currently living in the Algarve she is working as Director of Residences for the Luxury hotel W Algarve. Luisa passions are travelling and spend time with her twins Giorgio and Helena.  As far she have visited 49 countries and of course every time she travels she loves to visit the most icon hotels. Besides that on her time off she dedicate time to workout and practice mindfulness.

Mandy Stam leads the Business Solutions department at Radisson Hotel Group, driving digital transformation in Meetings & Events. With a background in Hotel Management and a Master’s in New Media & Technology Management, she optimizes processes through tech-driven solutions. With 19 years of experience in Meetings & Events, Mandy has held various roles, gaining both operational expertise and strategic insight. She focuses on process optimization through structural and system-led improvements, enhancing efficiency and innovation.

Her strength lies in bridging traditional hospitality with modern digital advancements. By leveraging technology, she enhances service delivery, improves customer experiences, and streamlines workflows. She works closely with stakeholders to align tech initiatives with business goals. Mandy is passionate about innovation and continuously seeks ways to refine strategies, creating seamless, tech-enabled experiences. Her extensive background equips her to lead complex transformation initiatives successfully.

With a future-focused mindset, she remains committed to evolving the Meetings & Events landscape through digital innovation and strategic execution.

After a career with Accenture and Deloitte, advising some of the largest companies in the world on information security strategy, Adam founded ThreatSpike Labs where he developed a first-of-its-kind software-defined security platform and grew the business to over 500+ customers spanning 80 countries.

JS Anand, a distinguished figure in the hospitality industry with over two decades of experience, epitomizes the essence of effective leadership and innovation. Graduating with a diploma in hotel management, he honed his managerial acumen through progressive roles within esteemed hospitality organizations. 

His trailblazing career is punctuated by a series of remarkable achievements. Shortlisted for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Awards 2023 by Hotel and Catering News M.E and Leading Hospitality Group, Anand's leadership prowess was further acknowledged when he was recognized as one of Dubai’s Most Powerful Leaders by Arabian Business. Notably, his influence extended beyond regional borders, earning him a place among Forbes Top 100 Hospitality leaders in 2023 and 2024. 

Anand's impact on the industry was solidified through his inclusion in various esteemed lists such as the Power 50 - Most Influential Leaders by Hotelier Middle East in 2023 and 2024, and the Executive Power list 2023: The Most Influential Hotel Leaders in the Middle East. His innovative approach also earned him recognition as one of the Most Innovative Business Leaders Inspiring the World 2022 by The Excelligent 

Magazine and as one of the Most Influential Entrepreneurs from Dubai To Watch in 2022 By The Gulf Entrepreneur Magazine. 

Driven by a people-centric and future-focused vision, Anand aims to revolutionize the hospitality landscape by prioritizing employee well-being and satisfaction, fostering an unparalleled service culture, and championing humanitarian causes globally. 

Central to his mission is the cultivation of enduring connections, instrumental in propelling LEVA's expansion across the MENA region and Europe. Anand's leadership is characterized by a hands-on management style and an unwavering commitment to the core values of integrity, transparency, and accountability. 

Committed to excellence, Anand envisions LEVA as a premier provider of lifestyle hotels, dedicated to clarity, transparency, and unwavering fulfillment of promises to clients and stakeholders. Through his visionary leadership, Anand continues to shape the future of hospitality, setting new standards of excellence and innovation in the industry. 

As CEO of swissnet International, Roger Tabbal is transforming the company from a regional ICT provider into a global player in digital solutions, delivering long-term value across industries.

With over 25 years of experience at the intersection of infrastructure and innovation, Roger brings operational insight and a future-focused mindset, positioning swissnet International as a strategic partner for brands embracing digital transformation across hospitality and beyond. Before joining, he served as Global VP of Guest Technology Innovation at Accor, where he shaped digital strategies across 6,000+ hotels worldwide. His leadership advanced cloud-based PMS and POS systems, next-gen Wi-Fi, digital F&B, and seamless guest experiences at scale. Prior to Accor, he served as Executive Director of Customer Technology Services at Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts (IMEAT), leading critical digital rollouts across the region to meet global IT and service standards.
Roger holds an Executive MBA from Bayes Business School (City University of London) and a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the Lebanese University. He is ITIL-certified, a Certified Data Centre Professional (CDCP), and has completed Project Leadership & Systems Architecture programs at Cornell University. Now based in the UAE, he drives swissnet International’s global expansion by forging strategic alliances, scaling infrastructure, and advancing digital innovation to power future-ready growth.