One of the most anticipated events in the hospitality industry, The BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA-2024), is all set to take place on October 21 and 22, 2024, at the prestigious Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences. Bringing together top industry leaders, the brightest minds and most experienced professionals from Indian hospitality, travel, tourism, and F&B sectors under one roof. It offers a platform for industry leaders to network, share insights, and explore the future of hospitality in India, with insightful discussions, awards, and networking opportunities that make it the highlight of the year.
Building on its legacy since it started in 2016, IHA has consistently been a great success, helping the Indian hospitality industry claim its rightful place on the global stage. This time, the 2024 edition promises to be no different, featuring keynote addresses and panel discussions led by nearly more than 100 leading experts. These sessions will dive deep into the latest trends, challenges, and innovations shaping the industry, offering participants a chance to gain valuable insights and contribute to shaping its future.
A Two-Day Affair – IHA 2024
This year's edition of the BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards will take place over two days:
Dates: October 21-22, 2024 (Monday-Tuesday)
Venue: The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences
The central theme of IHA 2024, “Revolutionising Indian Hospitality”, will guide the discussions and sessions, with each day focussing on a unique aspect of the industry:
Day 1: Investments & Development – Exploring how India can become the most preferred global destination for hospitality investment and development
Session 1: CHIEF GUEST ADDRESS
The Role of Government Policies in Hospitality Development
Shri GS Shekhawat, Hon'ble Minister of Culture and Tourism, Government of India
Session 2 : BWH INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT KEYNOTE
Nihat Ercan, CEO, Asia Pacific Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL
Session 3: BWH LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE
Charting the Future: Future of Indian Hospitality
Patanjali (Patu) G Keswani, Chairman & MD, Lemon Tree Hotels
Session 4: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: REGIONAL LEADERS ON INDIA’S GROWTH TRAJECTORY
Investment and Development Strategies for India's Emerging Markets
Moderator:
Farhat Jamal, Chairman - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mumbai
Speakers:
Zubin Saxena, SVP & Regional Head - South Asia, Hilton
Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels
Sudeep Jain, MD, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, Oberoi and Trident Hotels
Session 4: GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER KEYNOTE MOT
Vision for Indian Hospitality
Suman Billa, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Session 5: BWH INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE: CAPITALISING ON OPPORTUNITIES
Unlocking Investment Potential in Indian Hospitality
Moderator:
Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL India
Speakers:
Amit Grover, CEO - City Side Development, Adani Airport Holdings
JB Singh, President & CEO, InterGlobe Hotels
Raghu Sapra, Head Hospitality - Embassy Oce Parks REIT
Atul Dangayach, MD, Dangayach Group
Gyana Das, Executive VP & Head of Investments, SAMHI Hotels Pvt Ltd
Session 6: BWH HARNESSING DATA ANALYTICS: “DATA DON’T LIE” – STR, COSTAR GROUP
Triumphs, Trends & Trails in the Indian Hospitality Industry with a global context, through the lens of STR data
Karan Mahesh, Senior Sales Manager, South & Southeast Asia– STR, CoStar Group
Session 7: BWH INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Building Strategic Partnerships for Growth
Moderator:
Rahul Pandit, MD & CEO, Advent Hotels International
Speakers:
Pramod Ranjan, Managing Director & CEO, Oriental Hotels
SP Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, Terminus Group
Khaled Assaf, Commercial Director and Head of Marketing, Marjan, RAK, UAE
Nathan Andrews, Business Head Hospitality and New Projects, DS Group
Sonica Malhotra Kandhari, JMD, MBD Group
Session 8: BWH LEADERSHIP KEYNOTE: GLOBAL THOUGHT LEADER KEYNOTE
Navigating the next Decade (2025-2035): India’s Competitive Advantage in the Global Hospitality Arena/Industry
Dr Dipak C Jain, Former Dean at Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Illinois, USA and currently Co-Chair of Academic Council of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Social Security and Aging Finance Institute
Session 9: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES
Strategic Development: Expanding Footprints in India
Moderator:
Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS Anarock
Speakers:
Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International
Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Session 10: BWH SPOTLIGHT: SUSTAINABILITY IN CLEANING
Sustainable Cleaning: Innovations for a Greener Hospitality Sector
Moderator:
Dr Nitin Shankar Nagrale, Founder & General Secretary – HPMF; CEO India and Emerging Markets – QualityNZ
Speakers:
Indira Paul, Area Director Brand Implementation, Quality Management & Housekeeping, RHG
Somer Gundogdu, President of Emerging Markets, Diversey
Brijesh Pratap Singh Rathore, VP - South Asia (Professional) & Global Strategic Accounts (APAC), Diversey
Session 11: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: REGIONAL LEADERS ON INDIA’S GROWTH TRAJECTORY
Investment and Development Strategies for India's Emerging Markets
Moderator:
Nikhil Sharma, MD & Area Senior VP, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Speakers:
Ranju Alex, Area Vice President, South Asia, Marriott International
Sunjae Sharma, MD India & Southwest - Asia, Hyatt
Jatin Khanna, CEO, Sarovar Hotels
Samir MC, Managing Director, Fortune Hotels
Souvagya Mohapatra, MD, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts, India, Nepal, Bhutan & Sri Lanka
Session 12: BWH DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE: SHAPING THE FUTURE
Innovative Development Strategies for Indian Hospitality
Moderator:
Roopa George, Senior Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Advisory, JLL
Speakers:
Omar Romero, Chief Development Officer and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels
Dhruva Rathore, Vice President Of Development, India & South West Asia, Hyatt
Jacob Purackal, Senior Director, Development – South Asia, Hilton
Gaurav Sharma, Vice President - Development, IHCL
Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Bhaskar M. B. Baruah, Chief Development Officer, ITC Limited - Hotels Division
Session 13: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: GLOBAL INSIGHTS FOR LOCAL GROWTH
Harnessing Global Expertise for India’s Hospitality Boom
Moderator:
Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels
Speakers:
Nihat Ercan, CEO, Asia Pacific, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL
Salil Panigrahi, Managing Director, Atmosphere Core
Omar Romero, Chief Development Officer and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels
Khaled Assaf, Commercial Director and Head of Marketing, Marjan, RAK, UAE
Day 2: Operations & Talent Pool – Achieving operational excellence and developing a world-class talent pool.
Session 1: BWH VISIONARIES ROUNDTABLE
Building a Vision for Future-Proof Hospitality in India
Moderator:
Rattan Keswani, Author, Independent Consultant; Erstwhile Dep MD Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd; Erstwhile President Trident Hotels
Speakers:
KB Kachru, Chairman – South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Ajay K. Bakaya, Managing Director, Sarovar Hotels and Director, Louvre Hotels India
Session 2: BWH DIVERSITY, INCLUSION AND WOMEN LEADERSHIP ROUNDTABLE: PIONEERING THE FUTURE OF HOSPITALITY
Building Inclusive Workplaces: Best Practices from Industry Leaders
Moderator:
Rakhee Lalvani, Founder, RLA
Speakers:
Pratima Badhwar, Head – Commercial India & South Asia, Accor
Reema Singh, Director Communications, South Asia, Hilton
Sonavi Kaicker, CEO, Neemrana Hotels
Shweta Jain, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
Session 3: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: REGIONAL LEADERS ON INDIA’S GROWTH TRAJECTORY
Investment and Development Strategies for India's Emerging Markets
Moderator:
Farhat Jamal, Chairman - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mumbai
Speakers:
Zubin Saxena, SVP & Regional Head - South Asia, Hilton
Anil Chadha, Chief Executive, ITC Hotels
Sudeep Jain, MD, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Anuraag Bhatnagar, CEO, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts
Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, Oberoi and Trident Hotels
Session 4: BWH OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE ROUNDTABLE
Achieving Operational Excellence in Diverse Hospitality Environments
Moderator:
Arun Kumar, Market VP – North India, Nepal and Bhutan, Marriott International
Speakers:
Atul Bhalla, VP Operation - West & North, ITC Hotels
Anupam Dasgupta, Area VP – North, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts and GM, The Leela Palace New Delhi
Shridhar Nair, Senior Vice President & GM, The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences
Vineet Mishra, Cluster GM, Pullman & Novotel New Delhi Aerocity, Novotel & Ibis Bengaluru Outer Ring Road, Novotel & Ibis Chennai OMR
Vishvapreet Singh Cheema, Director Of Operations – South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Kanika Hasrat, Area Director – Operations and GM, Vivanta, Surajkund
Session 5: BWH HOSPITALITY SKILL DEVELOPMENT
Moderator:
Rajan Bahadur, CEO - Tourism & Hospitality Skill Council Of India (THSC)
Speakers:
Sangeetha Gandhi, Vice President- Oberoi Centre of Learning and Development (OCLD)
Natwar Nagar, Founder, The People Network l The Job Plus
Lokesh Sabharwal, Regional Vice PresidentOperations, India & South West Asia, Hyatt
Vivek Shukla, CEO, The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group
Session 6: BWH ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN ROUNDTABLE
Design Trends Shaping the Future of Indian Hospitality
Moderator:
Hemant Sud, IP Chairman, IIID-DRC
Speakers:
Reema Diwan, Vice President of Design & Technical Services, India & South Asia, Accor
Sahil Khan, VP and Head of Design and Planning, Oberoi Hotels & Resorts
Vandana Dhawan Saxena, Principal, Studio IV Designs
Jaskaran Singh, Principal Architect, Fab Studio
Rajat Rialch, Principal consultant, HPG Consulting
Ganesh Newton, Sr Lead Specialist -
Product Management, Commercial Air Conditioning & Global Products Sales Group, Blue Star Limited
Shibani Dasgupta Jain, Founder & CEO, Baaya Design
Session 7: BWH INVESTMENT & DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE: STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Building Strategic Partnerships for Growth
Moderator:
Rahul Pandit, MD & CEO, Advent Hotels International
Speakers:
Pramod Ranjan, Managing Director & CEO, Oriental Hotels
SP Reddy, Chairman & Managing Director, Terminus Group
Khaled Assaf, Commercial Director and Head of Marketing, Marjan, RAK, UAE
Nathan Andrews, Business Head Hospitality and New Projects, DS Group
Sonica Malhotra Kandhari, JMD, MBD Group
Session 8: BWH HE HR ROUNDTABLE
Nurturing Talent: Innovations in Hospitality Education and HR Practices
Moderator:
Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality
Speakers:
Kamal Kant Pant, Principal & Secretary, IHM Pusa, New Delhi
Sanjay Bose, Executive Vice President & Head HR, ITC Hotels
Vinay Jaswal, Vice President, HR Operations, South Asia (APEC), Marriott International
Yogendra Agnihotri, Area Senior Director People & Culture, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Deepali Bhardwaj, Regional Human Resources Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Session 9: BWH LEADERSHIP DIALOGUE: STRATEGIC DEVELOPMENT PERSPECTIVES
Strategic Development: Expanding Footprints in India
Moderator:
Mandeep S. Lamba, President & CEO (South Asia), HVS Anarock
Speakers:
Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International
Dimitris Manikis, President EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Session 10: BWH IT & Tech Roundtable
Technological Advancements: Enhancing Efficiency and Guest Experience in Hospitality
Moderator:
Anthony Khoury, VP – Asia Pacific, RMS Cloud
Speakers:
Aryavir Kumar, MD, The Clarks Hotels & Resorts
Anirudh Ganesh, Co-Founder & CEO, Hotelzify
Kahraman Yigit, Co-Founder & CEO, Olive by Embassy
Akshay Thusoo, Sr Vice President - Commercial, Sarovar Hotels
Tejarshi Roy, Vice President – Strategic Initiatives, Lemon Tree Hotels
Vivek Gangishetty, Vice President – Sales & Marketing, India and South East Asia, RMS Cloud
Session 11: BWH F&B Roundtable
Culinary Innovation: Redefining Dining Experiences in Indian Hospitality
Moderator:
Antoine Lewis, Journalist, Radio Commentator & Food Consultant
Speakers:
Chef Manisha Bhasin, Corporate Executive Chef, ITC Hotels
Prashant Kulkarni, Director of Food & Beverage Operations – South Asia, Hilton
Diwan Gautam Anand, Founding Trustee, Cuisine India Foundation and President, IIHM College of Distinguished Fellows
Zorawar Kalra, Founder and Managing Director of Massive Restaurants Pvt Ltd
Chef Hemant Oberoi, Founder & CEO, Hemant Oberoi Restaurant & Hospitality and OB Hospitalities
Session 12: BWH DEVELOPMENT ROUNDTABLE: SHAPING THE FUTURE
Innovative Development Strategies for Indian Hospitality
Moderator:
Roopa George, Senior Vice President, Hotels & Hospitality Advisory, JLL
Speakers:
Omar Romero, Chief Development Officer and Luxury Officer, Minor Hotels
Dhruva Rathore, Vice President Of Development, India & South West Asia, Hyatt
Jacob Purackal, Senior Director, Development – South Asia, Hilton
Gaurav Sharma, Vice President - Development, IHCL
Davashish Srivastava, Senior Director Development, South Asia, Radisson Hotel Group
Bhaskar M. B. Baruah, Chief Development Officer, ITC Limited - Hotels Division
Session 13: BWH HERITAGE ROUNDTABLE
Preserving Heritage: The Role of Historic Properties in Modern Hospitality
Veer Vijay Singh, Managing Director and CEO, Trance Hotels & Resorts
Maharaj Kumar Sahib Dr Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur
Session 14: Award distribution
Conversations that Matter: Enlightening Dialogues and Roundtables
The first day will feature insightful discussions through BWH Leadership Dialogues on India’s growth trajectory, global perspectives, and strategic partnerships. Day 2 will include sessions such as the BWH Visionaries Roundtable, BWH Women Leadership Roundtable, and roundtables on operational excellence, HR, IT, F&B, and heritage. These sessions are designed to spark debate, share knowledge, and set the stage for future innovation.
Celebrating Excellence: BW HOTELIER Awards
BW HOTELIER takes pride in ensuring a rigorous and transparent evaluation process for its prestigious awards. The entire process is not only meticulously managed by an esteemed and independent agency but is also guided by the expert judgement of five distinguished juries. At the helm of this esteemed panel is Jury Chair KB Kachru, who is joined by a stellar lineup of National Jury members that includes:
Veer Vijay Singh, CEO & MD, Trance Hotels
Farhat Jamal, Chairman - Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee, IMC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mumbai
Dilip Puri, Founder & Executive Chairman, Indian School of Hospitality
Rattan Keswani, Author, Independent Consultant, Former Deputy MD, Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd
Diwan Gautam Anand - Founding Trustee, Cuisine India Foundation and President, IIHM College of Distinguished Fellows
Rahul Pandit, MD & CEO, Advent Hotels International
Jaideep Dang, Managing Director, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL India
Rakhee Lalvani
Chef Hemant Oberoi, Chef & Owner, Hemant Oberoi Restaurant, BKC
Kamal Kant Pant, Principal & Secretary, IHM Pusa New Delhi
A Four-Zone Judging Process for Complete Transparency
To ensure that every corner of the country’s talent is fairly represented, BW HOTELIER has divided the evaluation into four regional juries, each led by experts in their field:
North Zone: Chaired by Suresh Kumar, this panel includes notable names like Hemant Mediratta, Naveen Jain, Rifaqat Ali Khan, Samir Kuckreja, Sunil Gupta, Sanjeev K Nayar, Natwar Nagar, and Chef Parvinder Singh Bali.
West Zone: Under the leadership of Farhat Jamal, this jury features industry veterans such as Antoine Lewis, Chef Hemant Oberoi, Jehangir Aibara, Nisheeth Srivastava, Timmy Kandhari, Rakhee Lalvani, and Ravi Wazir.
South Zone: Headed by Veer Vijay Singh, the panel includes Anand Rao, Chef Chalapathi Rao, Chef Vijaya Baskaran, Dhunji Kavarana, PK Mohan Kumar, and Vinod Valson.
East Zone: Led by Sandip Mukherjee, this esteemed group comprises Dr Pooja Grover, Chef Sharad Dewan, Raja Sadukhan, Kuldeep Bhartee, and Sharada Ghosh.
Each of these regional juries will bring their invaluable expertise to the table, ensuring a balanced and well-rounded evaluation process. Their combined efforts will culminate in the final judgement, solidifying the BW HOTELIER Awards as the industry's most transparent and esteemed recognition of excellence.
A Showcase of Global Brilliance: Hospitality Brands Steal the Show
Attendees will have the opportunity to explore the best of both global and domestic hospitality brands, showcased through curated experience centres. These centres will present the unique features, luxurious amenities, and innovative services that set these brands apart, offering a glimpse into the future of hospitality.
Innovators Unite: Hospitality Suppliers at the Forefront
In addition to hospitality brands, leading suppliers will also unveil their latest innovations, showcasing state-of-the-art technology solutions, design concepts, and sustainable practices that are shaping the future of the industry. These experience centres will offer attendees a chance to engage with cutting-edge products and services.
The BW Hotelier Indian Hotel Awards 2024 are sponsored by top brands in the hotel, technology, and service industries. These sponsors play an important role in driving industry innovation and excellence.
Presenting Partner: Blue Star
Powered by: RMS Cloud
Co-Partner: Diversey
Category Partner: Baaya
Food & Beverage Partner: Amul
Lighting Partner: Hybec
Platinum Hospitality Partners: Radisson, Hilton, Accor, The Leela Palaces, Hotels & Resorts, IHG, Wyndham
Silver Hospitality Partners: ITC Hotels, Sarovar, AtmosphereCore, Embassy REIT
Knowledge Partners: JLL, Indian School of Hospitality
State Partner: Uttar Pradesh Tourism
Airline Partner: Indigo
Mobility Partner: Eco Mobility
Coffee Partner: Beanly
Host Hotel: The Leela Ambience, Gurugram
IHA 2024 Awaits You
As India’s hospitality sector prepares to secure its place on the global stage, IHA 2024 promises to be a hub of inspiration and innovation. This event offers unparalleled opportunities to network, discover new trends, and experience the future of hospitality. Mark your calendars and register to ensure you don’t miss out on this landmark event.
Join us at 10 AM on Day 1 and immerse yourself in the vibrant convergence of leadership, innovation, and industry transformation that defines the BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards.
Please note that the event is a closed-door gathering, and entry will be by invitation only. For those who wish to attend, kindly CLICK HERE for registration.
We look forward to seeing you there!!
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