HOTEL TECHNOLOGY SUMMIT November 16-17, 2016 Park Hyatt Dubai, UAE

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1 Connect. Manage. Secure. Comfort. Day 1, Wednesday, 16 th November :00 08:55 Registration, welcome refreshments, open business meetings and technology demonstrations 08:55 09:00 Welcome address by Naseba 09:00 09:05 Introductory remarks by the Chairperson Lyle Worthington, CHTP Global President (HFTP) 09:05 09:15 Opening tech talk Hospitality market in the Middle East in 2017: Latest technology trends and developments Guest expectations grow very fast, and hotels must constantly update and upgrade their technologies, or risk being left behind. Knowledge of industry trends is also crucial in order to stay competitive in the industry, and hoteliers must therefore carefully evaluate upcoming technical opportunities and choose only those that will guarantee an increase in market share and guest satisfaction. This tech talk will present current hospitality sector performance and highlight the latest technology trends that impact the hospitality industry, from smart control and mobile engagement to beacons, robotics and virtual reality. Nancy Wolff Vice President Hotel Systems Jumeirah Group 09:15 09:55 Interactive panel discussion Smart hospitality solutions to increase profitability in turbulent times As occupancy rates are decreasing, hoteliers are on the lookout for the most effective tools to increase market share, cut costs and acquire and retain guests. The panel discussion will explain how to improve operational efficiency by reducing expenses, and generate new revenue streams through next-generation technologies. Viewpoints of discussion include: What are the key factors to consider when purchasing software and technology products in crisis? How to maintain a balance between price and quality?

2 How to boost the productivity of staff and improve operational efficiency via self-service technologies? Habits, attitudes and preferences of millennial travellers: how to properly analyse the needs of tech savvy guests and improve their experience while cutting down budgets Moderator: Lyle Worthington, CHTP Global President (HFTP) Panel speakers: Khalid Anib Managing Director Al Hokair Group Mahmoud Kamal Chief Information Officer Al Habtoor Hotels Wolfgang Emperger Vice President Infor Hospitality EMEA & LATAM Stephen Leeds Vice President ecommerce Network International 09:55 10:25 Talk show Just like home: Technology for improving guest satisfaction and comfort The Middle East has always been a region known for its remarkable hospitality. The culture of the region places high emphasis and value on treating guests well. To offer all of the comforts required to make travellers visit enjoyable, hoteliers are increasingly assessing technology. This talk show will highlight the latest technologies to wow guests, improve their satisfaction and on the whole reduce costs while increasing efficiency. Points of discussion include: Smart mobile apps for pre, present and post-stay experience Smart lighting solutions IP TVs and interactive display solutions Evolution of guest room access control Demand and preference based personalised service offerings

3 Moderator: Prashant Dutta Vice President Information Technology Mӧvenpick Hotels and Resorts Talk show speakers: John Rees Senior Director of Operations MENA Marriott International Bilal Jebara Director of IT Projects & Brand Standards Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC 10:25 10:40 Tech talk Around the world in 80 devices Travelers now have the world at their fingertips. Every online connection is an opportunity, and travelers expect instant access and a secure web experience. With travelers shifting between multiple devices, a one-size-fits-all online strategy is no longer sufficient. This tech talk will explore how travelers are using web and mobile devices to search, shop and share and how you can optimize your web experience to fulfill the increasingly diverse online requirements of your customers. It will also discuss the delivery of high quality images to support your brand and how to manage the increasing amount of bot traffic Enrique Duvos EMEA Director Product Marketing & Enablement Akamai Technologies 10:40 10:50 Tech talk Mobility and cloud computing: how to get the most of next-gen technologies? Two major trends mobility and cloud computing are having a large impact on the hospitality industry in the Middle East by making technology infrastructure more flexible and improving overall guest experience. Both technologies assist in managing the information technology needs of hotels, helping them stay connected with their customers and maximise revenue. This tech talk will explore new practical applications of the cloud in hotels, challenges to mobility adoption and the most effective ways to increase workloads through the integration of highly virtualised environments.

4 Jeroen Wisse IT Director Middle East Accor Hotels Middle East 10:50 11:30 Interactive panel discussion Hotel cybersecurity: the most effective practices to protect your hotel Guest, employee and property data is vulnerable to an explosion of cyber attacks and high level breaches, that are becoming increasingly targeted. Cyber attackers innovate continuously, so hotels across the region should significantly improve emergency response and contingency plans so that they can effectively respond to, and recover from, cyber breaches. This panel discussion will provide an overview of the following points: The latest challenges and catalysts in hotel cyber security How can network and data be protected from sophisticated malware and phishing attacks? Moving data to the cloud and security considerations The vulnerability of hotel cyber security from a hacker s perspective The most effective strategies to recover from damage caused by cyber breaches Moderator: Nigel Hattersley Regional Director of IT Starwood Hotels & Resorts Panel speakers: Jeroen Wisse IT Director Middle East Accor Hotels Middle East Roy Verrips Area Director of Information Systems Hyatt Hotels Mahmoud Kamal Chief Information Officer Al Habtoor Hotels 11:30 13:00 One-to-one business meetings and networking coffee

5 13:00 14:00 Interactive round tables Track A: Guest facing technology: Are you making the most of the digital services in your hotel? Guest-facing technology is evolving continuously, but do hoteliers exploit the full potential? In this round table we are focused on the essence of the guest-facing technology to discuss and share experience and best practices on how to efficiently integrate your digital services with all the screens that are inside the hotel and with all the mobile devices that your guests are bringing in. The focus is no longer on the monitors, TVs, tablets or smartphones - but on how we are managing the guest experience on every screen, and how we integrate our digital services to make them reachable is a way that is aligned with the overall guest experience we want to offer. Dimitris Petinos VP Marketing and International Sales MCOM Media Communications Track B: Hotel asset and inventory management using RFID Hotel owners, operators and management companies have always faced a number of challenges in managing their fixed assets and inventories, especially if these assets are geographically dispersed in multiple properties and storage locations. Local regulators as well as corporate shareholders are mandating yearly inventory checks as well as enforcing stricter asset management processes and procedures. This round table will elaborate on how to increase profitability by implementing the latest hotel asset management solutions. Ismail AlKamal Chief Executive Officer Nawatt Track C: Technology and mobility within food and beverage services In a world of constant digital and technological advancement, the adoption of mobile technology within food and beverage services is lower than it is in the hospitality industry overall. The two most used technologies are currently: online reservation, and mobile ordering for delivery (e.g. Zomato). But rarely is there a full integration with the local systems. The following factors are slowing down the rate of adoption of mobile technology: waiters' mobile ordering devices; guest mobile ordering to POS for delivery; loyalty tracking to POS; electronic menus - self ordering; kiosks; restaurant mobile app - pre ordering. This session will explore this slow rate of adoption, and determine its possible

6 causes, including: the reluctance of operators to adopt changes, the client's resistance to using technology, the challenges of integration and the costs vs the benefits. Emmanuel Clavé Vice President Gulf Countries & India, Product Director Mobile App / EPOS Xn protel Systems ME FZE Track D: Turnkey Solutions for Hotel IT and Security Total solutions for your customers maximise the efficiency of the different elements and can create beneficial cost savings in both time and money. This session will highlight how custom-made solutions can help you to close the cycle of sales procedure through quality assurance system focused on innovation and safety Mohammed Ayaz Division Manager ELV Systems Ateco 14:00 15:00 Networking business lunch 15:00 16:00 Open business meetings and parting tea

7 Connect. Manage. Secure. Comfort. Day 2, Thursday, 17 th November :30 09:30 Registration, welcome refreshments, open business meetings and technology demonstrations 09:30 09:40 Introductory remarks Frank Wolfe CAE, Chief Executive Officer 09:40 10:15 Opening tech talk Innovations in accounting and financial management for the hospitality industry: How can innovation unlock business growth? Sustainable competition in the hospitality industry drives an increased adoption of advanced technologies across different management activities, including accounting and financial management. Financial executives are trying to develop innovations to address costs and improve efficiencies. This tech talk will explore the technology innovations and IT solutions that are integrated with and complimenting accounting system, and will put a particular emphasis on characteristics and output of strategic renewal through innovation in financial management within the hospitality sector. Arlene Ramirez CHAE, CHE, CHIA, MBA, Global Immediate Past-President 10:15 11:00 Panel discussion What keeps Finance Directors and Revenue Management Heads up at night? Ineffective investments. Budget constraints. Missed reporting deadlines. Low speed and accuracy of decision-making. A multitude of Financial and Revenue Management Executives are faced with these challenges every day. In reality, all these problems are easy to solve with the right approach. This panel discussion will highlight the worst nightmares of Finance Directors and Revenue Management Heads and elaborate on most effective ways to overcome challenges and win their daily battles. This session will provide an overview of the following points: Mobile information integration and access Effective ways and new technologies to improve forecasting and budgeting Overcoming cost management challenges

8 Using Big Data for financial analytics Keeping up with the digital revolution Leveraging revenue management and optimization Moderator: Arlene Ramirez CHAE, CHE, CHIA, MBA, Global Immediate Past-President Panel speakers: Tarek Lotfy Regional Director of Revenue Management Golden Tulip MENA Sujoy Banerjee Director of Finance Oberoi Hotels & Resorts Sanjay Nadkarni Director of Research The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management 11:00 11:30 Talk show Women in hospitality finance and technology Women are traditionally underrepresented in the hospitality industry, especially in finance and technical positions and at leadership levels. Yet, HR specialists claim that there is no prejudice against hiring women for leadership roles. Moreover, professionalism of women is no longer in doubt. So why are most Financial and IT leadership roles occupied by men? This discussion will address the main challenges faced by womenwithin the finance and technology areas of hospitality and explore opportunities the industry opens up to them. This panel discussion will provide an overview of the following points: What is it like to be a woman working in IT within hospitality? What are the challenges faced by women in finance within hospitality? Which careers women can build in these sectors? What are the pitfalls? What development programs and mentorship initiatives can be put in place to support the development of female talent? Talk show speakers: Arlene Ramirez CHAE, CHE, CHIA, MBA, Global Immediate Past-President

9 Nancy Wolff Vice President Hotel Systems Jumeirah Group Dinara Rafikova Complex Director of Finance Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide 11:30 12:15 One-to-one business meetings and networking coffee 12:15 13:00 Think Tank Track A. Ten things that a Director of Finance should ask when hiring a consultant? Frank Wolfe CAE, Chief Executive Officer Lyle Worthington CHTP, Global President (HFTP) Track B. Unleashing the potential of Big Data Sanjay Nadkarni Director of Research The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management 13:00 13:30 Middle East Smart Hotel Award Ceremony The Middle East Smart Hotel Awards recognise individuals and organisations for their outstanding achievements over the past year in different categories: Best Booking Experience Best In-room Automation System Best Use of Cloud Service Best Smart Hotel Plus Bonus - HFTP 2016 President s Award! 13:30 14:30 Networking business lunch 14:30 15:30 Open business meetings Disclaimer: This document is for promotional purposes only and shall not be considered contractually binding. The content of the event, its dates, venue, agenda or speakers may be subject to change during the course of the event s preparation.