Education & Content
Redefining hospitality – Recovering for future growth
We are thrilled to invite you to our series of seminars, carefully crafted to offer a dynamic mix of learning, development, and in-depth industry debate. Our seminars feature a wide range of leading thought leaders from the hotel and hospitality sector, who will share their insights and expertise with you.
By attending these seminars, you will gain valuable insights into the latest trends and key issues impacting the sector. You will discover the latest innovations, creativity, and knowledge that will help drive you and the hospitality community forward.
We are confident that our seminars will equip you with the tools and resources you need to stay ahead in the fast-paced world of hospitality.
Key themes discussed this year included:
- Day 1: The current state of business within the hospitality industry
- Day 2: Practical steps on how to re-establish your business in the sector
Event At A Glance
THURS – 18 MAY 2023
Feature
Audience
EXPO
ALL
INDOOR
OFFICIAL OPENING OF EXPO
OUTSIDE EXHIBITION 1
WORKSHOP CONTENT
ALL
WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR
HOTEL GM’S FLOOR TOUR AND PRIVATE LUNCH
INVITED GUESTS
WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR AND SANDTON SUN
NETWORKING
COCKTAIL
FUNCTION
ALL
WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR AND SANDTON SUN
EXPO FLOOR
EXPO FLOOR
IID DESIGN PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
HOTELSTUFF/GREENSTUFF ECO-FRIENDLY PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
FRI – 19 MAY 2023
Feature
Audience
EXPO
ALL
INDOOR
WORKSHOP CONTENT
ALL
WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR
HAPPY HOUR FUNCTION
INVITED GUESTS
EXPO FLOOR
EXPO FLOOR
EXPO FLOOR
IID DESIGN PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
HOTELSTUFF/GREENSTUFF ECO-FRIENDLY PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
SAT – 20 MAY 2023
Feature
Audience
EXPO
ALL
INDOOR
WORKSHOP CONTENT
ALL
WORKSHOP THEATRE EXPO FLOOR
ART ESCAPE
INVITED GUESTS
EXPO FLOOR
HAPPY HOUR FUNCTION
ALL
EXPO FLOOR
EXPO FLOOR
EXPO FLOOR
IID PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
HOTELSTUFF/GREENSTUFF ECO-FRIENDLY PAVILION
EXPO FLOOR
Theatre sponsor
2023 Hotel & Hospitality Show Workshop Agenda
*This is a provisional programme and subject to change
Day 1: Thursday, 18 May 2023
Sub-theme: Current state of business
10:15 – 10:30
Keynote opening address
Gugu Bridget Sithole, Chairperson of the Board, Johannesburg Tourism Company
10:30 – 11:45
Panel discussion: What lessons have we learned from the COVID era? What has changed and what are the numbers?
What has changed and what are the numbers?
The pandemic taught us how to do more with less as we pivoted to new business models and focus more closely on the numbers. But the question remains how much of the old normal do you want back, or can you afford it? Join this session and hear industry leaders share key learnings and reflections on how they have adjusted to recover and uncover new opportunities in the current landscape.
- 2 years post-COVID, how are things looking?
- What in this modern age, have you learned and will be taking forward about global issues that affect tourism?
- What areas have come to light as you had to realign your businesses?
- Where do the opportunities lie?
Moderator:
Lee-Anne Bac, Director, BDO South Africa
Panelists:
Graham Wood, Chief Operations Officer: Hospitality, Sun International
Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, Chief Operating Officer, City Lodge Hotel Group
Garnet Basson, Chief Operating Officer, The Capital Hotels & Apartments
Neil Hughes, Managing Director (SA), Providence Hospitality
Mike Vroom, Executive Director for Africa, Newmark Hotel
11:45 – 12:45
Expert panel discussion: Dealing with your energy problems: A practical guide by the experts on how you can immediately start addressing your energy constraints
South Africa is in the throes of an energy crisis experiencing the highest levels of ‘load-shedding’ with reports that this will continue for years to come. Hotels reported a 30% increase in operational costs, not to mention the loss of revenue when the power is out. Join our expert panel as they discuss the latest interventions to address soaring prices, efficiencies you can implement right now, and what you need to know when considering getting off the grid.
Moderator:
Vash Singh, Head of Sustainability, LTM Energy Group (Pty) Ltd
Panelists:
Marloes Reinink, Director, Solid Green Consulting
Jutta Berns, Director and Principal, Ecocentric Green Building Services
Hugo Vermeulen, Chief Commercial Officer, Solarus Smart Energy Solutions
12:45 – 13:45
Panel discussion: Township economy – Building hospitality communities
If you own and operate a township-based tourism or hospitality establishment, or wish to do so, come hear firsthand about resources to assist, from the benefits of the grading system through licensing, payment, and financing options. Hear from those in the know how you can make the most of your business.
Moderator:
Beulah Mosupye, Managing Director, HBS Consulting
Panelists:
Wendy Alberts, Chief Executive Officer, Restaurant Association of South Africa (RASA)
Bronwen Auret, Chief Quality Assurance Officer, South African Tourism
Bheki Twala, President, Township Economy Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Noah Debeila, President, SMME Chamber of Commerce
13:45 – 15:45
Interactive future-proofing masterclass: Scenario planning and managing risk – Planning uncertainty and possible futures for hospitality
Scenario planning and risk management are valuable instruments for decision-makers to have in their tool-kit. Join this session and make sure your voice is heard as we unpack several possible scenarios and risk strategies for the medium-term tourism and hospitality sector. The report developed in this session will be released after the show.
Facilitators:
Lee-Ann Bac, Director, BDO South Africa
Richard Walker, National Head of Risk Advisory Services, BDO South Africa
15:45 – 16:45
Panel discussion: Designing holistic hotel spaces that embrace wellness
Since the pandemic, never before has health and wellness been more important, but what does this mean for your hotel design and how do you cater to the growing demand? Join this session and hear industry experts share the latest trends influencing hotel design.
Moderator:
Thuli Mahlangu, Founder and Professional Senior Interior Designer, Zing Design
Panelists:
Maria Day, Chief Operating Officer, The Interior Design Institute of South Africa (IID)
Deborah Garth, Professional Interior Designer, Deborah Garth Interiors
Linda Classen, Marketing Co-ordinator, Consentino South Africa
Lyle Nesbit, General Manager, NMC SA
Ronel Currin, Area Sales Specialist, Linen Drawer
Tony Payne, Chief Executive Officer, TechnoGym
James Linton, Business Development Advisor, GROHE
Omohemi Unuigbe, Country Manager, BoConcept SA
CPD points 0.3 category 1
16:45 – 17:00
Special Announcement
17:00
Networking Cocktail Function
Day 2: Friday, 19 May 2023
Sub-theme: Practical steps on how to re-establish your business
10:30 – 11:30
Panel discussion: Pricing strategies – Past, present, and future
With margins tightening across the market, savvy hotel operators are analysing and rethinking all aspects of their operations and pricing to stay ahead. Join this discussion and uncover the latest trends, market analysis, forecasts, and realities of how to recalibrate your revenue management and pricing strategy.
Moderator:
Lee-Anne Singer, Marketing Director, The Singer Group of Companies and Chairperson, FEDHASA Cape
In conversation with
Speakers:
Michael Breytenbach, Commercial Portfolio Manager, TrevPAR World Group
Michael Puffett, Head of Business Development, Profitroom
11:30 – 12:30
Panel discussion: Becoming an incredible employer and solving the employment crisis – What steps are you putting in place to build a diverse workforce?
Join this discussion and hear from our experts as they discuss the challenges of retention in a churning market, steps how to find quality staff, and ensure their ongoing commitment.
Moderator:
Darryl Erasmus, Managing Director, TrevPAR World Group
Speakers:
Ashleigh Christie, Regional Director of People & Culture – Africa, Minor Hotels
Stephen Hickmore, Director, Swiss Hotel School
Sarah Donnelley, Managing Director, Hospitality Jobs Africa
Fihliwe Molefi, Group HR Executive, Peermont Hotels
Hannie van Liebergen, Snr Manager for Talent & Leadership Development, Hilton Africa & Indian Ocean
12:30 – 13:30
Thought leadership: Sustainable hospitality – What, why, and how – Nice to have or essential for your hotel’s future?
There has been a remarkable increase in awareness and action toward more sustainable operations. Get the latest why what and how to meet new hospitality ESG standards and how easy it is to overhaul your procurement operations and choice of suppliers. Join this session and gain insights into the latest trends, upcoming legislation and consequences of non-compliance.
Moderator:
Paula-Ann Novotny, Senior Associate, Webber Wentzel
In conversation with
Speakers:
Manri van Wyk, Director, Moore Johannesburg
Cathie Lewis, Founder, Earth Energy
13:30 – 14:30
Panel discussion: F&B – Is experiential dining here to stay?
How dining is evolving depends on tweaking business models and innovations. Join this discussion and hear from design and culinary experts as they discuss the latest trends influencing tomorrow’s restaurants and bars.
Moderator:
Chef Martin Kobald, Owner, ChefMLK School of Cooking
Panelists:
Sakhumzi Maqubela, Owner, Sakhumzi Restaurant
Dada Maseko, Co-Founder, Brown Sugar Restaurant
Chef James Khoza, Executive Chef, Southern Sun Sandton and Sandton Convention Centre
Chef Junior Kotane, Executive Chef, 1947 on Vilakazi Street Restaurant
Thuli Mahlangu, Founder, Zing Design
14:30 – 15:30
Expert panel discussion: Travel recovery in Africa – Is the resurgence real?
Join experts as they share their views on best practices an unique approaches to securing an accelerated resurgence in inbound and domestic tourism. What has the public done in these countries to provide tourism incentives and investment in tourism and hospitality? Hear insights from our Hospitality Confidence Index backing up the move to recovery.
Moderator:
Jeff Blackbeard, Regional Director – Africa & Middle East, Moore Global
15:30 – 16:30
Thought Leadership: Hospitality and the AI revolution – A glimpse into the future of guest experience
Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, recently stated he believed AI to be more profound to human existence than both fire and electricity. If you’ve been using ChatGPT to turn 10-hour tasks into 10-second ones, you’ll probably agree with him. But how will AI and the domino effect of its introduction affect the hospitality space and your brand? How can hospitality brands leverage these technologies to create an even more magical experience for their guests, while staying true to their mission and business goals? Join our expert speaker as he delves into the world of AI and how it will shape the future of hospitality experiences.
Speaker:
Shaun Williams, Founder, Escapism
17:00
Happy Hour
Day 3: Saturday, 20 May 2023
11:00 – 12:00
Masterclass: Demonstrating sustainable solutions that create stylish interiors
Join the IID in collaboration with Tjhoko Paint as we showcase and demonstrate methods on how to transform interiors that enhance style and elegance.
Facilitators:
Francois Brits, Ambassador, Tjoko Paint
CPD points 0.3 category 1
12:30 – 13:30
Fireside chat: The fundamental principles of climate, sustainability, ESG and AI for tourism and hospitality
Sustainable, green hospitality can no longer be a nice-to-have. It needs to be part of your DNA and the very essence of your establishment. Understanding the fundamental principles of sustainability, circularity, regeneration, and net zero targets is central to knowing why, what, and how to make better choices. Until we fully grasp the urgency of the climate crisis and biodiversity loss, change will be lethally slow.
In this session we consider the major sectors throughout the hospitality industry to identify which critically important practices and products should be measured, improved, for the guest, we will look at choices that begin with booking, right through to checking out. For the host, we’ll look at choices for each service and product from the front of the house to the back of the house.
Speaker:
Lorraine Jenks, Chief Executive Officer, Hotelstuff/Greenstuff
13:30 – 14:30
Sustainability movie: Climate Change 2022: Impacts, adaptation, and Vulnerability
By the intergovernmental panel on Climate Change -Based on the latest research, a succinct summary, including a sector on Africa
*This is a provisional programme and subject to change
