AHIC launches Arabian Young Leader Award to help nurture the next generation of hoteliers — Source: MEED

Dubai, UAE: March, 2019.The Arabian Hotel Investment Conference (AHIC) has announced a new initiative designed to celebrate the young, homegrown talent working within the region's dynamic hospitality industry.

Created in collaboration with the AHIC Advisory Board and Partners, the first Arabian Young Leader Award is open to GCC Nationals aged 30 years and younger that have been working in the Middle East hospitality sector for at least two years.

Nominations are now open, with the winning nominee set to receive a full three-day access pass to AHIC and enrollment onto the Executive Certificate programme provided by The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management.

Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of Bench Events and Founder of AHIC, said: "We're delighted to invite nominations for the Arabian Young Leader Award and encourage hospitality owners, operators and consultants to celebrate the dedication and achivements of the young people working within their teams.

"The Arabian Young Leader Award provides a great opportunity to nurture our future leaders and showcase young talent and ideas. The development of the next generation of hoteliers is critical to the future growth of the hospitality industry and we have a collective responsibility to help them navigate these exciting, yet challenging, times of disruption as we strive for synchronised success," added Worsley.

The Arabian Young Leader Award has been launched following the success of the first SHIC Young Leader Award, which took place at the Saudi Hotel Investment Conference in January and was open to Saudi Nationals aged 30 years and younger.

Yasmin Al Sanea, Human Resources Manager at the Intercontinental Al Jubail, won the SHIC Young Leader Awardand was commended by the high profile judges for her exceptional achievements so early in her career.

Prestigious industry leaders are also set to review and award the nominees for the Arabian Young Leader Award. The judging panel includes: Dr Badr Al Badr (Chief Executive Officer, Dur Hospitality), Gasem Al Maimani (CEO, Taiba Holding Company), Marc Dardenne (Chief Operating Officer, Public Investment Fund Amaala), Pascal Gauvin (Managing Director IMEA, IHG), Olivier Harnisch (Chief Executive Officer, Emaar Hospitality Group), Rudi Jagersbacher (President, Middle East, Africa & Turkey, Hilton), Amine Moukarzel (President, MENA Region, Louvre Hotels Group), Dr Scott Richardson (Executive Dean, Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management) and Gaurav Sinha (Founder & CEO, Insignia Worldwide).

Dr. Scott Richardson, Executive Dean of the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, said "The importance of attracting and nurturing young talent in one of the region's most dynamic sectors cannot be underestimated. For young people to be successful within the industry, it's not just about knowledge, but the ability to lead, innovate and share their passion for hospitality".

Nominationsfor the Arabian Young Leader Award are open at https://www.arabianconference.com/arab-young-leader-award and will close on March 18. The winner will be announced at a special ceremony during the 15thedition of AHIC, which takes place on 9-11 April at the AHIC Village in Ras Al Khaimah.

AHIC 2019, featuring 100 speakers from around the world and expecting to attract more than 900 delegates in total, has been curated around the theme Synchronised for Success.

The programme will uncover innovative approaches to business, analyse market trends, foster harmonious relationships between all stakeholders and help them future-proof against evolving demands.

For more information about AHIC 2019, visit:
www.arabianconference.com

About AHIC 2021

AHIC, now in its 17th year, is the annual gathering for the Middle East's hospitality investment community organised by global hotel investment event organiser Bench in partnership with Middle East business intelligence brand, MEED. AHIC creates a knowledge and networking platform for global and regional investors of all backgrounds, offering essential insights to investing in hotels, showcasing regional and international hospitality investment opportunities and facilitating direct connections with hospitality industry stakeholders. AHIC 2021 will be held at Madinat Jumeirah in Dubai from 20 to 22 September under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Airports, President of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and Chairman and CEO of Emirates Airline and Group, whose continued support of the industry and AHIC has been critical to the region's tourism growth.

AHIC 2021 Sponsors

Sponsors include: Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts as Host Sponsor; Accor, Dur Hospitality, Hilton and SMIT as Platinum Sponsors; Emaar Hospitality Group, IHG, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group, Rotana and Taiba Investments as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, Bespoke Modular Solutions, Colliers International, Compass Project Consulting, Farnek, HVS, The Indian Hotels Company, Insignia, IT Hospitality Group, Katch, Louvre Hotels Group, OBMI Architecture, SSH, STR, TIME Hotels, Toggle Hospitality and The London Project as Gold Sponsors; Al Tamimi and Company, Colliers Project Leaders, Deutsche Hospitality, Diriyah Gate Authority, Hotstats, JLL, MMAC Design, CHIC-NAIA, PWC, Ròya, Shangri-La Group, The Red Sea Development Company, and Voltere by Egis as Silver Sponsors; The Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management, Hospitality Asset Managers Association, Sustainability Hospitality Alliance and WiH Global as Supporters; JA Resorts and Hotels as Golf Supporter; and Nespresso as Official Coffee Partner.

Anne Bleeker
In2 Consulting FZE
+971 56 6030886
MEED