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If one were to ask where and when to meet and interact with some of the brightest minds and experienced professionals from the Indian hospitality, travel, tourism, and F&B industry under one roof, the answer undoubtedly would be – the BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA).
One of the most anticipated events of the year on the hospitality horizon, the eighth edition of IHA will be held at The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences on October 21-22 this year. The summit’s central theme is Revolutionising Indian Hospitality.
As in the past, the 2024 edition promises to help the industry claim its rightful place on the global stage and chart a roadmap for the future together. With engaging keynote addresses and enlightening panel discussions, nearly 100 leading experts will explore the latest trends transforming the hospitality industry. Each day of the event promises distinctive experiences, active participation, and valuable insights.
Since its launch in 2016, the BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA) has been a cornerstone of the BW Businessworld portfolio. In 2020, it reached a significant milestone by transitioning to a virtual format for IHA-2020, held from August 31 to September 4. This pioneering event showcased over 200 speakers and conferred 100 distinguished awards. The scale and impact of this achievement set a high benchmark that will be difficult to surpass.
IHA 2024: The Two-Day Affair
The BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA 2024) will be a two-day event:
• Dates: October 21-22, 2024 (Monday-Tuesday)
• Venue: The Leela Ambience Gurugram Hotel & Residences
This year’s overarching theme for the IHA is “Revolutionising Indian Hospitality.”
Mark your calendars and register well in advance for both days. Each day will focus on a distinct theme:
• Day 1: Investments & Development – Making India the Most Preferred Global Hospitality Investment & Development Destination.
• Day 2: Operations & Talent Pool – Achieving Operational Excellence and Developing a World-Class Talent Pool.
Thought Leaders and Visionaries Take the Stage
Here are just some of the eminent speakers, on the first day, at this year’s BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards include:
• Dr Dipak C Jain, Former Dean at Kelloggs School of Management, Northwestern University, Illinois, USA, and currently Co-Chair of Academic Council of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS)
• Dimitris Manikis, President – EMEA, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
• KB Kachru, Chairman, Radisson Hotel Group
• Rajeev Menon, President, Asia Pacific excluding China, Marriott International
• Nihat Ercan, CEO, Asia Pacific, Hotels & Hospitality, JLL
• Dilip Rajakerier, CEO, Minor Hotels (MH) and COO, Minor International (MINT)
• Puneet Dhawan, Head of Asia, Minor Hotels
• H.E. Maharaj Kumar Lakshyaraj Singh Ji Mewar of Udaipur
• Jaideep Dang, MD, Hotels and Hospitality Group, JLL
• Ajay Bakaya, MD, Sarovar Hotels & Resorts
• Ranju Alex, Area Vice President - South Asia, Marriott International
• Anil Chadha, Divisional Chief Executive of ITC's Hotels business
• Anuraag Bhatnagar, Chief Executive Officer at The Leela Palaces, Hotels and Resorts.
• Mohit Nirula, Chief Operating Officer, The Oberoi Group
• Zubin Saxena, Senior Vice President & Country Head, Hilton-India
• Sudeep Jain, MD – SW Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts
• Sunjae Sharma, MD – India & SW Asia, Hyatt
• Nikhil Sharma, MD & Area VP – SA, Radisson Hotel Group
• Samir MC, MD, Fortune Park Hotels
• JB Singh, President & CEO, InterGlobe Hotels
• Sanjay Sethi, MD & CEO, Chalet Hotels Limited
• Aman Kapoor, CEO - Airport Land Development, GMR Airports Holding Limited
• Pramod Ranjan, CEO, MD & Executive Director, Oriental Hotels Ltd.
• SP Reddy, Chairman & MD, Terminus Group
• Sameer Nayar, CEO & Founder, CapCity
• Gautam Birudavolu, CEO, GreenPark Hotels & Resorts
• Amit Grover, CEO-Cityside Development, Adani Airports
• Raghu Sapra, Head of Hospitality, Embassy Office Parks REIT
• Vineet Verma, Executive Director & SBU Head, Brigade Hospitality
• Mandeep Lamba, President, South Asia at HVS ANAROCK
• Farhat Jamal, Chairman – Travel, Tourism & Hospitality Committee, IMC Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Veer Vijay Singh, CEO & MD, Trance Hotels
• Jatin Khanna, Chief Executive Officer at Sarovar Hotels & Resorts
• Souvagya Mohapatra, MD for India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and Bhutan, Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts
And that’s not all — many more distinguished names will be revealed as the event draws nearer.
Thought-provoking roundtables, sessions
While the first day of IHA-2024 will witness insightful and stimulating sessions, including BWH Leadership Dialogues on Regional Leaders on India’s Growth Trajectory, Strategic Development Perspectives, and Global Insights for Local Growth, to BWH Investment & Development Roundtableson Capitalising on Opportunities, Strategic Partnerships, and Shaping the Future, the second day will feature the BWH Visionaries Roundtable, BWH Women Leadership Roundtable, BWH Operational Excellence Roundtable, and BWH Architecture & Design Roundtable, along with roundtables on HE-HR, IT & Tech, F&B, and Heritage.
BWH Awards and experienced jury panel
The highlight of the two-day event will be the BW HOTELIER Awards, distinguished by transparency and fairness, recognising talent across various functions, regions, and the country impartially. The evaluation process involves four regional juries and culminates in the final assessment by a national jury comprising esteemed industry veterans. There’s an open online nomination process, welcoming all who meet the common set of criteria and conditions. While BW HOTELIER ensures compliance, the entire process is meticulously managed by a reputable and independent agency, ultimately subject to the judgment of five juries.
The Jury Chair is KB Kachru, with the National Jury members including:
• Rajiv Kaul
• Suresh Kumar
• Veer Vijay Singh
• Farhat Jamal
• Dilip Puri
• Rattan Keswani
• Diwan Gautam Anand
• Mandeep Lamba
• Rahul Pandit
• Jaideep Dang
• Rakhee Lalvani
• Yateendra Sinh
• Chef Hemant Oberoi
• Sandeep Mukherjee
• Kamal Kant Pant
• Kunal Vijaykar
The Four Regional Juries
The North Jury, chaired by Suresh Kumar, includes Hemant Mediratta, Naveen Jain, Rifaqat Ali Khan, Samir Kuckreja, Sunil Gupta, Sanjeev K Nayar, Natwar Nagar, and Chef Parvinder Singh Bali.
The West Zone Jury, headed by Farhat Jamal, includes Antoine Lewis, Chef Hemant Oberoi, Jehangir Aibara, Nisheeth Srivastava, Timmy Kandhari, Rakhee Lalvani, and Ravi Wazir.
Veer Vijay Singh leads the South Zone as Jury Chair and comprises Anand Rao, Chef Chalapathi Rao, Chef Vijaya Baskaran, Dhunji Kavarana, PK Mohan Kumar, and Vinod Valson.
The East Jury, led by Sandip Mukherjee, includes Dr Pooja Grover, Chef Sharad Dewan, Raja Sadukhan, Kuldeep Bhartee, and Sharada Ghosh.
Experience the Best of Global and Domestic Hospitality Brands
This year, we invite you to immerse yourself in an unparalleled showcase of both India’s most distinguished domestic and globally renowned international hospitality brands. Our expertly curated experience centres will offer an in-depth look into a diverse array of hotel offerings, ranging from well-established icons to exciting new entrants set to make their debut in India. Each centre will highlight the unique features, luxurious amenities, and innovative services that set these brands apart, providing you with an exclusive opportunity to explore and engage with the best that the global and domestic hospitality industry has to offer.
Showcasing Excellence: Hospitality Suppliers and Their Innovations
In addition to our stellar lineup of hospitality brands, this year’s event will feature a selection of leading hospitality suppliers who will unveil their latest advancements and innovations. Through tastefully designed experience centres, these suppliers will present cutting-edge products and services that are shaping the future of the industry. From state-of-the-art technology solutions to groundbreaking design concepts and sustainable practices, this is your chance to discover how these suppliers are driving the evolution of hospitality.
Explore, Engage, and Elevate
Don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to explore what’s new and next in the hospitality industry.
As India’s hospitality sector gears up to broaden its horizons and secure its position on the global stage, our event promises to be a hub of inspiration and innovation. Whether you’re looking to network with industry leaders, discover new trends, or simply experience the future of hospitality firsthand, this is an event you won’t want to miss.
As we prepare to unveil this landmark event, the BW HOTELIER Indian Hospitality Summit & Awards (IHA) stands poised to offer unparalleled opportunities for networking, learning, and celebrating excellence. This summit is not just a gathering; it’s a vibrant convergence of innovation, leadership, and industry transformation. With its focus on Revolutionising Indian Hospitality, the IHA promises to be a beacon of insight and inspiration. We look forward to seeing you there, ready to engage with the foremost minds and drive the future of our industry.
Be there at 10am on Day 1 to catch all the live action.
