Andreas heads the expansion of the BWH Hotel Group in Central Europe, one of the top 10 global hospitality brands, currently featuring more than 250 hotels in the central European region and more than 4.700 hotels globally flagged under brands such as WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts and Sure Hotels. Moreover he participates at the company’s Brand Management Functional Teams responsible for setting brand standards, design and quality management guidelines.

Previously he hold executive commercial responsibilities, amongst for Hilton in Central and Northern Europe and for NH Hotels on global level. With over 25 years of experience Andreas has been experiencing both challenging and promising times for the Hospitality and Travel Industry. He is confident that the sector will see a positive revival during the post-Pandemic period however states that changes in regards to established habits will become necessary to remain successful in the future.

Christiaan is one of the founders of The Regeneration Collection, which is dedicated to accelerating the development of regenerative destinations and properties around the world.
This is done through investing and developing new properties, but also actively involving the new generation of leaders within hospitality, conservation and architecture.
With a background in strategy, innovation, and sustainability, Christiaan will explain why the future of hospitality is regenerative and what are the exciting opportunities that come with it.

More than 30 years’ experience in the hotel and rent a car industry in commercial areas. Worked in international environments like London, Dubai, Brussels, Barcelona and Germany. Employers include NH hotels, Jumeirah hotels, Europcar, Pierre & Vacances Spain.

Areas of expertise: Revenue Management, Capacity Management, Training, Training Development, Pricing, Yield Management, Strategic Development, Rent-a-car, Pre-Openings, Take-Overs,
SOP development, Guidelines & Handbook development, Leisure Sales, Business Planning, Budgeting, Forecasting, System Development & Implementation

Commercial, brand and operations specialist Helen ter Beek uses her expertise to oversee the company’s core value proposition of revenue and performance optimisation and deployment services for Choice’s European franchisees. Previously having held international commercial and operational roles with Melia, IHG, Hyatt, and Hilton, Helen has worked in France, Spain, Netherlands and Mexico.

Julie White was appointed Vice President Commercial for EMEA at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts in January 2020. In her role, she is responsible for supporting the Commercial activities of Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ brands driving collaboration across loyalty, sales, revenue management, distribution and marketing to maximize the performance of managed and franchised hotels across the EMEA region.

Wyndham Hotels & Resorts is the world’s largest hotel franchising company with over 9,300 hotels and 20 brands across more than 90 countries.

Julie White has a long-standing career and deep knowledge of the travel industry. Prior to joining Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, she spent 2 years with PwC in M&A Consulting specializing in travel sector integration planning.  She also spent over 17 years in the airline industry at leading global carriers including Virgin Atlantic, British Airways and American Airlines where she held a variety of commercial leadership roles including Sales, Distribution, and Alliances.

A California native, Julie holds an MBA in International Business from Thunderbird and a Bachelor’s degree from Scripps College.  Julie has lived in 8 cities across 5 countries and speaks 5 languages. Her passion for travel is founded in her love for exploring cultures through their delicious food and wine.

She is based in Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ London office.

Kate Nicholls is CEO of UKHospitality, the powerful voice representing the broad hospitality sector, having previously worked as CEO and Strategic Affairs Director of the ALMR.

In January 2020, Kate joined the Mayor of London’s London Food Board, advising the Mayor on food matters directly affecting London. Kate is also Chair of the Tourism Alliance and the Mayor of London’s Night Time Commission. Kate serves as a member of the Events Industry Board, Tourism Industry Council, Cultural Cities Enquiry, London & Partners Members Group, Best Bar None Board and is a trustee at Hospitality Action.

After gaining a degree in English and a post-graduate diploma in competition law, Kate worked as a researcher in the House of Commons and European Parliament before joining Whitbread as Government Relations Manager, starting her career in hospitality in 1993. Kate was Director at one of the largest independent public affairs companies, working with a number of hospitality, retail and leisure accounts before establishing her own strategic communications consultancy in 2000. She is a graduate of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge and Kings College London.

Being responsible for the Central Europe region in the EMEA Wyndham Hotels & Resorts division with around 120 hotels from budget to luxury Sascha’s daily work consists on focus on partner- and franchise management, at the same time solving everyday challenges and looking for positive change.

He is a fighter for sustainable development in the ecological and personnel environment.

As an Expert he serves for the renewal of the apprenticeship in Germany and active in the examination committee of the IHK to support the securing of young talent.

Regular guest lecturer at the Hanover University of Applied Sciences in the field of event and hospitality management.

Vision:

“Technology as the key to simple and holistic travel allows hosts to be hosts again. Communication between guests and teams will then become less of a process and more of an exchange. Options are created to give guests and teams opportunities, and the human component is strengthened. ”

With a classic apprenticeship in the hotel industry and continuous further experience for 25 years in the hotel industry. Trained instructor, trainer and business administrator, he holds expertise in hotel operations from housekeeping to hotel management, strategic management in revenue and distribution as well as partner and franchise management.

Firmly connected to the hotel industry, therefore also an expert for the new training regulations, Chairman of the Examination Committee of the Hanover Chamber of Commerce, Member of the Advisory Board HSMAI Europe, Senior Advisor Robotise AG.

Tom Baum is a Professor of Tourism Employment and formerly Head of the Department of Work, Employment and Organization (2014-2019) in the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. He previously held the post of Head of The Scottish Hotel School, also in Strathclyde. He is internationally recognized as a specialist in social dimensions of work and employment, including labor mobility and migration with a particular focus on the frontline service context (hospitality, tourism, retail etc.).  Tom trained in education and pedagogy and holds BA (Hons) and MA degrees in Education from the University of Wales, an MPhil in Educational Development from Nottingham Trent University and holds two doctorates (PhD and DLitt) in tourism/ hospitality employment policy studies from the University of Strathclyde. He has worked in about 50 countries as researcher, teacher and consultant and has completed projects funded by key international agencies including the World Bank, ILO, UNICEF, UNWTO, UNDP, EU and ADB. Tom has supervised about 40 PhD students to completion and examined over 100 doctoral theses. He is author of over 200 scientific papers and 11 books on topics relating to employment and skills in the service sector. Tom is currently coordinator for the Strathclyde MBA module, Managing People in Organizations and teaches this in 8 countries. He is visiting Professor in universities in Estonia, Malaysia, New Zealand,  South Africa and the UK.