Previous edition

Letter of thanks from the conference producer

Dear Participants of the “5th Annual Africa Hotel Expansion Summit”

I would like to express my gratitude for your participation in “5th Annual Africa Hotel Expansion Summit”. It was a great pleasure meeting you at the conference, and seeing the vibrant interactions that took place on site. We were honored to host parties flying in from around the world.
During the two day conference, 27 eminent speakers shared their expertise and viewpoints across a variety of themes. Topics ranged from identifying hot spots to value of branding, from maximizing the value of hospitality assets to aligning interior design specifications, focusing from luxury and boutique segment to budget & Midmarket, from trends to financing flagship projects news to contracts.
To be brief the event is asking for a next edition! But in the meantime, I first of all, must thank all great contributors to this 2018 edition.
I would like to start expressing my gratitude by thanking Ethiopian Airlines, W Hospitality, Addis Ababa Hotels Owners Association (AHA), Radisson Blu and Ethiopian Hotel and Related Service Provider Employers’ Federation for supporting this event, I would also extend my sincere thanks to Trevor Ward, Principal of the W Hospitality Group | Chairman of Hotel Partners Africa for chairing this conference. Moreover, my deepest thanks and appreciations to the speakers for their tireless contributions, exclusive knowledge, expert insight, and unique presentations:

• Trevor Ward, Principal of the W Hospitality Group | Chairman of Hotel Partners Africa
• Henock Lemma Nigatu, Manager, Alliances & Commercial Cooperation, Ethiopian Airlines
• Alexis Janoray, VP Development Sub-Saharan Africa, AccorHotels
• Dev Malhotra, Group Advisor – Sales & Marketing, Jaquar Group
• Paul Mack, Executive Director, The Latitude Hotels Group
• Laurinda Marsh, Project Sales Manager Sub Saharan Africa, hansgrohe Africa
• Saahil Lalit, Associate Director | Hotels (MENA Region), Colliers International
• Wesam Okasha, Group Business Development Director, Mangalis Hotel Group
• David Harper, Head of Property Services, Hotel Partners Africa
• Manel Roig Mañé, Global Sales Director, Porcelanosa Group AIE
• José Pliya, Managing Director, National Agency for the Promotion of Heritage & Development of Tourism, Benin
• Dawit W. Michael Gebre-ab, Senior Director of Strategic Planning, Djibouti Ports & Free Zones Authority – DPFZA
• Karl de Lacy, International Development Director, Best Western Hotels & Resorts
• Feteh Weldesenbet Zeberga, President, Ethiopian Hotel and Related Service Provider Employers’ Federation
• Cyrill Czerwonka, Assistant Director of Development EMEA, Dusit Hotels & Resorts
• Martha M. Abera, Hospitality Management Consultant, M&N Consulting Services Inc. USA

Their presentations spoke to the heart of the main issues facing the industry and their eagerness to build the industry is commendable.
Furthermore, I want to extend my gratitude to our other moderators & panelists for their insights.

• Mark Dunford, Head, East Africa, JLL
• Samantha Muna, Development Director, East Africa, Hilton
• Ramzy Fenianos, Vice President Development, EMEA, Minor Hotels
• Benyam Bisrat, Chairman of Addis Ababa Hotel Owners Association | Managing Director of Jupiter Hospitality Group
• Tadiwos G. Belete, Chief Executive Officer, Boston Partners P.L.C
• Miraf Kelemu, Operation Manager, Mosaic Hotel
• Azeb Retta, General Manager, Global Hotel
• Yonas Moges, Managing Partner, Calibra Hospitality
• Panos Loupasis, Vice President Development – Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group
• Ronald Egelman, Director of Development, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group
• Ziad Abiraad, Director of Development – Middle East, East Africa & Indian Ocean, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts

Last but not least, I want to thank all our sponsors: Ethiopian Airlines, Jaquar Group, hansgrohe, Porcelanosa Group, SportsArt, Hafele, Alliance Laundry Systems, Electrolux, Leds C4, Armstrong, Orsini, Hospitality Systems Consultants and AHI Carrier for their support in realizing this event.

Again, thank you for your valuable participation, I have no doubt that your presence and involvement directly contributed to the overall success of this meaningful event. We will keep you abreast of our upcoming industry events and I am earnestly looking forward to meeting with you again.

Kind regards,

Bora Erel
Conference Director
Noppen Group