Experts in hospitality investment will deliver insight and forge valuable connections at the International Hospitality Investment Forum (IHIF), which returns to Berlin on 15-17 May 2023.

Under the headline theme, Fortune Favours the Bold, the industry-leading event returns following what was a terrific event in 2022, attended by 2,400 forward-thinking hospitality professionals, including investors, owners and developers. The forum moves from strength to strength with another inspirational billing of over 200 guest speakers, who will focus on bold movements within the market being the key to a successful trading year.

Confirmed headline speakers include Keith Barr, CEO of IHG Hotels & Resorts; Sébastian Bazin, Chairman and CEO at AccorHotels; Christophe Beauvilain, Managing Partner at Pygmalion Capital; Anna Cohen, Fund Manager at Extendam; Dr Peter Ebertz, Managing Director and Head of Hotels at Art-Invest Real Estate Management; Ruslan Husry, Owner and CEO of HR Group; Ufi Ibrahim, CEO at Energy & Environment Alliance; Jeffrey O, CEO at St Justine Hotels; and Gilda Perez-Alvarado, Global CEO for JLL Hotels & Hospitality.

As well as offering a programme of insightful talks and discussions, IHIF 2023 also provides multiple opportunities to network, including a welcome reception for delegates new to the forum. Created for the market by the market, based on delegate feedback and Advisory Board recommendations, the programme promises challenging and thought-provoking sessions with specific areas of focus for each day.

Tuesday 16 May – Assessing the Macro-Environment and Travel & Hospitality Trends

Focusing on the challenges faced by the industry in the current economy, the day will shine a spotlight on managing the impact of structural forces and current trends. In addition to this, the afternoon’s Big Interview will see a leaders’ perspective, sharing their insights into setting clears ESG goals to meet shareholders’ needs.

Wednesday 17 May – Partnerships & Performance and Looking Forward to Future Growth

The insightful programme looks to analyse the value of partnerships and how aligning growth strategies can build long-term success including talks on efficiency, productivity and profitability. Later in day discussions between a panel of innovators, trailblazers and entrepreneurs will explore the increase of asset output as well as a keynote from Andrew Cosgrove, Global Business Insights Leader at EY, which will see the forums final talk discuss getting ahead of the future consumer.

Commenting on the opportunities for the hotel industry this year, Joe Stather, VP Market Lead for Operational Real Estate at Questex, explained: “One sector with real potential in 2023 is limited-service hotels. More investors are looking at this sector relative to full-service hotels. The index score in the Investor Sentiment Index was 61.9 for limited-service compared to 45.2 for full-service hotels. The reason could be that the cost base is typically leaner and these businesses are not exposed to some of the operational cost headwinds that full service hotels are, so mitigating what they’re expecting from a demand, revenue and profitability point of view within their investment strategy.

“Certainly with the cost of living crisis being felt by all, the industry may have to be bold in order to take advantage of the opportunities presented. With a fantastic line-up of speakers and the chance to network with other key figures from across the industry, IHIF 2023 is shaping up to be a key event in the diary to help everyone’s fortunes over the next 12 months.”

The full programme can be viewed here.