Industry-leading event the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF) is set to take place in Berlin on 3-5 May 2022.

With a core focus of people, planet and profit, this year’s conference brings together forward-thinking investors, owners and developers from over 80 countries to discuss hospitality’s current state.

As the countdown to IHIF 2022 starts, we give the lowdown on five key areas being covered by the event:

Take it from the top
IHIF is THE place to meet and hear from hospitality’s global leaders. Find out what makes them tick, the major trends they’re watching and the challenges they face in unmissable sessions, including The Big Conversation: Experience, Innovation, Profit with Accor Chairman and CEO Sebastien Bazin on Thursday 5 May and How to Break All the Old Rules with Lifelong Hotelier David Bowd, Founder and Chief Executive of Salt Hotels on Wednesday 4 May. Later that day, hear from Federico J. González Tejera of Radisson Hotel Group, Dillip Rajakarier of Minor International and Larry Cuculic of Best Western in CEO Panel: Leadership for the Future.

Help solve the skills crisis
With hospitality in the midst of a talent shortage and ‘people’ one of the core themes for IHIF this year, it will be tackling the challenges head on through the session The People Issue: Addressing the Talent Shortage on Thursday 5 May.

“I am looking forward to a fruitful discussion on how the sector can make itself more appealing as a career choice to people, including what is needed from the industry in terms of education, training, and other in-work benefits,” says Dimitris Manikis, President for Europe, Middle East, Eurasia and Africa (EMEA) at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, who will speak with Mark Essex from KPMG, Andrea Belfanti from ISHC, Chris Mumford from Cervus Leadership Consulting and Laura Benoumechiara of Louvre Hotels Group.

Get the inside track
Learn about the latest hotel opening and innovations from around the industry from those implementing them. New hotel management agreements being signed at IHIF include Yiti Nikki Beach Resort, Four Seasons Muscat and YOTEL Lisbon. Meliá Hotels International will also be talking about its recent openings in Vietnam and its new Gran Meliá luxury hotel, Villa Le Blanc in Menorca while aparthotel operator YAYS will talk about its expansion with the recent opening of YAYS Opera Antwerp and IHIF Tech Hub Sponsors Cloudbeds, will showcase their new book More Reservations, Happier Guests: The Ultimate Guide for the Modern Hotelier, to give hotel owners and operators valuable insights and strategies to increase reservations, streamline staff operations, and create better guest experiences.

Stay ahead of the latest trends
From investment opportunities to implementing new ESG policies (tapping into those profit and planet themes) IHIF is a hotbed for the latest trends. Discover what the business of hotels will look like in 2022 and beyond in Decoding the Data: A Deep Dive on What the Future of Hospitality Investment Looks Like on Wednesday 4 May, while Finnbar Cornwall of Google looks at the key trends informing current traveller behaviours in a session on Thursday 5 May. Trading in a more sustainable fashion is the aim of many hotel owners and operators today, making the session How to Operate Sustainably and Profitably, led by Maribel Esparcia Pérez, Founding Partner of the European Sustainable Hospitality Group, essential for anyone wanting to put the planet first. Those seeking further insights should seek out patron sponsor Cheval, who will also be sharing the results of its hospitality future survey at IHIF.

Check out the alternatives

Running alongside IHIF on Wednesday 4 May is Adjacent Spaces, the think-tank for hospitality’s innovators and game-changers. Taking place at The Pullman Hotel Berlin Schweizerhof, the event will discuss adjacent concepts, including co-living, co-working, student accommodation, serviced apartments and senior living, and explore the opportunities they present for investors and the wider industry. Sessions include Investing in Hybrid Hospitality; Serviced Living: What’s Next for Aparthotels, Student Accommodation & Co-living and Live, Stay, Work. Trends and Innovations.

“Our powerful programme of events, talks, discussions and networking opportunities is all set to be delivered at IHIF 2022,” says Alexi Khajavi, Group President, Questex Travel and Hospitality. “I am thrilled to be welcoming hospitality professionals from around the globe to communicate and learn and I know that our delegates and supporters are equally excited about attending what will be a valuable experience for all.”

For more information and to register for IHIF (3-5 May 2022) visit www.ihif.com