The feedback is in about the IH&RA 41st Annual Congress held 19-22 November in Istanbul, Turkey…
The feedback is in about the IH&RA 41st Annual Congress held 19-22 November in Istanbul, Turkey. For IH&RA President John Bell, “There can be no doubt that Istanbul was an outstanding success with high attendance, strong program acceptance and a wonderful venue.”
…but why not judge for yourself?!
For the first time in its history and thanks to a partnership with media partner Hsyndicate, IH&RA has today posted live audio-recordings of the Conference Programme on its website at: www.ih-ra.com/events. Log on today to hear and see highlights of the IH&RA Congress 1-1/2 Conference Programme focused on “Building Business – Building Partnerships” which includes clear and crisp quality recordings of speeches and panel debates, a photo recap, testimonials from some of the 250 high-level participants in attendance, as well as PowerPoint presentations and speeches for download!
Hear the Keynote speech by Serial-Entrepreneur Stelios Haji-Ioannou, Chairman & Founder, EasyGroup who offered an informative and entertaining story about launching the easy brands and his method of challenging traditional business models to create his own formula for success in the 21st Century.
Also available on-line is the audio-recording and PowerPoint presentation given by Doug Shifflet, President & CEO, DKS&A on key economic, social and geo-political drivers of change in the industry today. Also hear and download the PowerPoint presentation by Keynote Closing speaker and consumer trends guru Peter Yesawich, Chairman & CEO, Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell who delved into “Emerging Lifestyles and Travel Trends.”
Download the speech by industry legend Gerard Pelisson, the co-founding Chairman of Accor and the President of the Paul Bocuse Institute, who gave the IH&RA Congress Opening Ceremony address. Mr. Pelisson illustrated how Accor’s worldwide success was built on partnerships stating, “At Accor, we have always built our development on partnerships, especially in emerging countries. We rarely invest alone, except sometimes to launch and test our products. This then makes it easier to find outside investors. For example, we built the first three Ibis hotels in Brazil with our own funds and we’re taking the same approach in China. We then join forces with leading local organizations and develop our networks through management and brand licensing contracts.”
“Partners or Enemies?” – This was one hot debate on “The Booking Process – On-line distributors” expertly moderated by the main presenter of the BBC, Nik Gowing. This highly anticipated panel pinned the InterContinental Hotels Group, represented by Paul Mulcahy ecommerce Director EMEA, against Expedia and Hotels.com represented by Henrik Kjellberg, Vice President & Managing Director, Supply Europe. IHG vigorously defended the decision to cut off all ties with Expedia & Hotels.com stating, “IHG is committed to only working with distributors and their affiliates that do not engage in confusing and potentially unclear marketing practices.” Find out the response from Expedia & Hotels.com and on-line distributor PriceLine and Active Hotels – plus the surprising rebuttals from hotel e-distribution directors from Hilton International, Jumeirah International and Le Meridien.
On-line distribution was not the only focus on technology. Another panel dedicated to “The Changing Hotel Product” looked at technology inside the hotel room and “The Hotel Room of the Future.” On this panel was Gerard Greene, CEO of Yotel who gave a peak into what he believes will be “one of the world`s most radical hotel concepts” offering a solution to “expensive and boring hotels”. To give insight into a leading chain’s version of the Hotel of the Future was Amar Lalvani, VP Acquisitions & Development of Starwood Hotels & Resorts “Hip” and “Wired” Brand – W.
This focus on technology was complemented by the results of the Boston-based CeMe Inc. (Center for Marketing Effectiveness) Study on In-Room Technology presented by Senior Advisor Gary Mays.
Other Conference panels on “Building Business – Building Partnerships,” focused on trends and forecasts specific to human resources, food service, marketing and development – all available to hear on-line at www.ih-ra.com/events.
The resounding message of the IH&RA 41st Annual Congress is that the hospitality industry is definitely back on track, but speeding towards a very new destination. The ubiquitous “reserved optimism” of the past has blossomed to full confidence in a continued recovery, but it does not mean returning to the business models of a pre-9/11 era. On the contrary, the hospitality industry is in the process of completely reinventing itself – the product has changed, the business models have evolved and today’s customers are all grown up as Baby Boomers retire and Gen X takes over.
Co-organized with TUROB, the Turkish Hotel Association, the IH&RA Congress welcomed over 250 delegates and was held at the five-star Hotel Istanbul Conrad from 19-22 November 2004. Congress delegates revelled in the historic and culturally rich city of Istanbul, the crossroads of Asia and Europe, and were offered a power packed programme that “may well have been the best we have ever had,” according to IH&RA President, John Bell.
“The attendees were a very high calibre and I certainly met a number of useful contacts. Kristie Willmott – Director Distribution & e-Commerce, Jumeirah International
“Thank you for a very successful conference… Nancy Johnson – Executive Vice President, Brand Leader Select Service Carlson Hotels Worldwide Country Inns & Suites by Carlson Park Inn
…a well organized and robust schedule of events. Kathryn Pretzel-Shiels, Director Hotel & Restaurant Industries EMEA, Establishment Services Group, American Express Europe Ltd
“…outstanding venue, great program with dynamic progressive speakers… and not the least of all superb social activities…” Anthony Pollard, President Hotel Association of Canada
… a real pleasure to be involved… I would love to be involved next year… congratulations again on a job well done and do let me know if there is anything I can do for the IH&RA between now and the next congress. Gareth Gaston, Director, eBusiness, Hilton International
The next IH&RA Congress is slated to take place 28-30 October 2005 in Beijing China!
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
