Archives: Speakers

In the world of global hospitality, few people show innovation and leadership like Mr. Elias Saad. With a career spanning over 25 years, Mr. Saad has made a significant impact on the hospitality industry. His continuous pursuit for new ideas and his commitment to exceeding industry standards have made him a model of excellence and creativity. 

Mr. Saad’s career is a prime example of both operational and strategic brilliance. He has led many successful pre-opening projects and developed business strategies that often exceeded operational goals. His strategic skills and operational success have earned him many awards, including the Gold Winner F&B Director/Leader of the Year 2024 and a spot among the Best 30 F&B Leaders in the Middle East 2023. These awards highlight his outstanding leadership and dedication to improving the hospitality experience. 

Mr. Saad holds a Master of Business Administration from Cardiff Metropolitan University, which strengthens his professional achievements. His deep understanding of business, management, marketing, and related services supports his strategic and operational decisions, driving the success of the establishments he leads. 

Mr. Saad’s career demonstrates his versatility and impact in various high-profile roles. His journey from an assistant manager at Hilton Abu Dhabi to an executive leader at some of the Middle East’s most prestigious hotels is inspiring. At Bab Al Qasr Hotel in Abu Dhabi, he has served as Executive Assistant Manager I/C Food & Beverage , where his leadership has been key in achieving high levels of culinary excellence and customer satisfaction. His previous roles at Fairmont Bab Al Bahr, Le Meridien Hotel Abu Dhabi, and Emirates Palace also show a consistent record of improving operational efficiency and customer loyalty. His commitment to challenging norms and driving excellence continues to shape the future of the hospitality industry. His story is not just one of professional success, but also one of transformative leadership and visionary ambition that encourages others to strive for greatness in their careers. 

One of his notable achievements is the implementation of the first ISO 22000 standards in the Middle East and Africa, highlighting his dedication to excellence and safety in hospitality operations. His recognition for Total Hotel Revenue Management by HSMAI Middle East in May 2023 shows his innovative approach to maximizing profitability and efficiency. 

Beyond his professional work, Mr. Saad has become an influential presence, leveraging social media to extend his impact and inspire others in the hospitality industry. His adept use of digital platforms demonstrates a modern and dynamic approach to leadership, setting an example for the next generation of hoteliers. 

In the world of hospitality, Mr. Saad is a significant figure whose legacy of excellence, innovation, and leadership will continue to influence the industry for years to come. 

Nuran, a seasoned commercial professional and change catalyst, results driven brings over two decades of invaluable experience in commercial management. She has worked with renowned hospitality brands such as Hilton, Hyatt, Shangri-La, Emaar, Louvre, Rixos, and Millennium, among others. 

Her diverse background and deep understanding of the industry will undoubtedly contribute to the continued success and growth of TIME Hotels. Nuran is not only highly experienced but also highly qualified, holding certifications in Hotel Business Administration and an MBA in Digital Marketing. Her combination of practical expertise and academic achievements makes her uniquely suited to lead Time Hotels’ Commercial Team to new heights. 

Some of her notable achievements include: 

1. Strategic Partnerships: Kilani has successfully forged strong partnerships with key stakeholders, driving revenue growth and enhancing brand visibility for TIME Hotels in very short period
2. Revenue Optimization: Her data-driven approach has led to significant revenue increases across various properties. She excels in identifying untapped opportunities and implementing effective pricing 

Overall, Nuran Kilani’s expertise lies in driving commercial success through innovation, collaboration, and a deep understanding of market dynamics. 

Hakan Ozkasikci is Executive Vice President of Design and Technical Services at Kerzner International, overseeing the overall direction of the company’s new and ongoing projects. He joined Kerzner International in 2019, as Senior Vice President of Design & Technical Services, with over 30 years of experience working on iconic projects in 36 countries over 4 continents including the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. 

Kerzner International, through its subsidiaries, is a leading global developer and operator of destination resorts, ultra-luxury hotels and residences and innovative entertainment and gaming experiences. He has been instrumental in the development of SIRO Hotels, Rare Finds along with Atlantis Resorts & Residences and One&Only Resorts and Private Homes. 

With a passion for architectural design and fixtures, Hakan’s specialties include architecture, interior design, design and process management, branding, conversion, innovation, and sustainability. He approaches each individual project to reflect the locale, their culture, and their people to reinterpret their values to strike a streamlined balance between comfort, sophisticated simplicity, and luxury. 

Hakan completed his master’s degree from Mimar Sinan Fine Arts University in developing sustainable design models for the hospitality industry including small, unbranded luxury hotels. He is a member of the Turkish Chamber of Architects, International Design Management Institute (DMI) and Ashford Institute Alumni and he holds a certificate on Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University. 

Prior to joining Kerzner International, Hakan worked as a consultant designer and architect in different parts of the world. He joined Intercontinental Hotels Group to lead the design and development of the brand in Europe. Following that, he went on to work with Aman to lead the design of the brand across some landmark sites and instill the brand’s determination to preserve their natural settings and offer a luxurious peaceful refuge. 

Amro Khoudeir is a distinguished commercial leader with over 15 years of experience in digital marketing and product development and management. His expertise spans prestigious international hospitality organizations, including the Jumeirah Group and Movenpick Hotels & Resorts, where he has played a pivotal role in crafting and executing innovative digital marketing strategies. Amro has also spearheaded numerous product development, integration, and transformation projects, significantly impacting these organizations’ digital landscapes.

Since January 2023, Amro has served as the Senior Vice President of Digital & Ecommerce at Accor. In this role, he has been instrumental in steering the strategic direction and overseeing the execution of digital initiatives aimed at driving industrialization across the full funnel ecosystem, enhancing customer experience and driving both direct and indirect web revenue growth. Amro’s responsibilities encompass managing an extensive portfolio of over 1,000 hotels across the MEA and APAC regions, covering Accor’s Premium, Midscale, and Economy brands.

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. 

Imran is a seasoned hospitality professional operator who has worked in Sales & Marketing, Revenue Management and Rooms Operations, subsequently rising through General Management & leadership positions in a number of international luxury hotel brands across 5 different continents covering UAE, UK, USA, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Australia, and Zambia. In his hospitality career spanning over 30 years, Imran spent 16 years with Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts where he led Sales & Marketing functions at property, cluster & at corporate level before growing in operational and executive management roles at iconic hotels such as Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers and Burj Al Arab. Imran then continued to build upon his professional credentials further by working in leadership roles with the Four Seasons, Accor, Anantara and The Aga Khan Foundation. Imran joined Diriyah Gate Company Ltd. (DGCL) in 2020 to manage its business development function for the hospitality assets. He has since then enjoyed consistent growth & recognition whilst contributing to the organization’s hospitality asset development strategy, positioning, selection of hotel & branded residence operators and leading Hotel Management Agreement (HMA) negotiations. Earlier in 2023, Imran was given additional responsibilities and appointed as ‘Centre of Expertise’ for Hospitality Asset Class within DGCL. He currently leads the Hospitality Development practice as its Executive Director and is responsible for strategic guidance and leadership across a diverse portfolio of 40 hotels & resorts currently under development across 5 masterplans. Imran holds an MBA degree from the prestigious London Business School, UK and earned his General Managers Program (GMP) certification Cornell University, USA.