AHIC 2021 to focus on innovation, sustainability and the future

The in-person event will take place at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 20-22 September

The Arabian & African Hospitality Investment Conference (AHIC) will address the most pressing issues impacting the hotel market in a post-pandemic world when it returns next month.

Under the theme ‘Rise Together’, event organisers Bench and Meed, in collaboration with the AHIC Advisory Board, have designed the programme around the key themes of ‘innovation, sustainability and the future’.

Bench chairman and AHIC founder Jonathan Worsley said: “As the industry strives to emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient than ever, we want to facilitate real and genuine conversations around the best ways to do this. 

“The programme features more than 50 opportunities for our delegates to deliberate, learn and network over three days. There will be a focus on industry transformation and collaboration with debates, data and trend reports written exclusively for AHIC, interviews with industry leaders, smaller breakout sessions for specific communities, such as investors focused on Saudi Arabia’s giga-projects, and spectacular evening receptions.”

He added: “We’re looking forward to the return of our off-the-record ‘AHIC Interactive’ workshops, including Breakfast with the Bankers, Roya’s Owners-Only Majlis, an in-depth look at owner-operator agreements with Al Tamimi & Company, and the HAMA Asset Management Members’ workshop.”

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AHIC 2021 will present a series of HARDTalk interviews with industry leaders live on stage, including Accor chief executive Sébastien Bazin, Orascom Hotels & Development chairman Samih Sawiris, Red Sea Development Company and Amaala chief executive John Pagano and Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts chief executive José Silva.

Innovation will be another theme covered during the conference, with the launch of incubator Kube Ventures, the AHIC Innovation Den for business start-ups and the AHIC Operators’ Pitch Den, which will see global brands and newcomers alike present their most innovative products.

The event will bring together AHIC, the Saudi Arabia Hospitality Investment Conference (SHIC), Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF) and the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF).

For more information, visit www.ahic.com