Bench Events has announced that it has acquired southeast Europe's leading hotel investment conference, Adria Hotel Forum, as it expands its global presence as a trusted organiser of hospitality investment forums and business events.

Having co-founded the globally renowned International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, Bench Events chairman, Jonathan Worsley, has continued to develop and deliver some of the most impactful hospitality investment and aviation conferences globally. These include the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, the Arabian Hotel Investment Conference, the Global Restaurant Investment Forum and AviaDev.

Adria Hotel Forum (AHF), which was founded in 2013, has encouraged the development of the hotel industry in the southeast Europe region. The event sees key hotel investment decision makers gather every year to discuss the latest investment trends and projects while exchanging sustainable ideas to foster the development of the industry. Marina Franolic, CEO of AHF said: "With this acquisition, we have proven our excellence in business delivery while harnessing a unique opportunity to grow AHF internationally. I have always admired Bench Events and this is just the beginning of our journey. We are now better equipped to deliver the great plans we have for our industry."

Bench Events Chairman, Jonathan Worsley commented: "We are delighted to add the Adria Hotel Forum to our portfolio and I'm thrilled that AHF's Marina Franolic has joined our rapidly expanding team. With her experience, we are adding a whole new dimension to the development of our business across Europe."

Bench Events has recently welcomed Hugo Worsley to its team, joining the company's restaurant investment events division. Hugo received formal training from École hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland and is passionate about the food business, having worked his way up from being a kitchen porter and commis chef to becoming a general manager and owner of his own restaurants in London.

With new products added to a growing portfolio, Bench Events has also expanded its marketing expertise with the hiring of Rinoy Varghese as Senior Marketing Manager. Rinoy will be working within the company's marketing team to support and enhance online and offline marketing activities while adding enhanced content value to event sponsors, speakers and delegates. Rinoy brings with him over ten years of international and diverse marketing experience, having worked in Canada, Australia and the United Arab Emirates, and sectors such as fashion, technology, non-profit, consultancy and events.

About The Bench

The Benchhas established a legacy for delivering world-leading investment forums and conferences in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. The key principle behind these platforms has remained "dealmaking'. Transforming the way business connect, Bench has developed a reputation for creating innovative and high-impact meeting spaces for the industry.

For over two decades - government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel & tourism associations, the world's most influential hospitality brands, hotel owners & investors, renowned restaurant groups, airlines & aviation authorities, destination developers, asset managers, financial groups and consultants – have been participating in The Bench's events for their respective objectives. These include AHIC, AHIF, GRIF, FHS, AHF, IDEEA, AviaDev and RENEW –where industry players showcase their brands, position themselves as thought leaders or innovators, and connect with the right opportunities and knowledge.

Learn more on thebench.com

FHS 2023

Dates: 25-27 September 2023

Location: Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island

Sponsors: Abu Dhabi Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Miral and Hilton Abu Dhabi Yas Island as Host Sponsors; Accor, Boutique Group, Hilton, IMKAN, The Ministry of Tourism Saudi Arabia, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group, Spectrum & Next Group and Rua Al Madinah as Platinum Sponsors; IHG Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels & Resorts, Rotana, SMIT Morocco and Taiba Investments as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality, AMSA Hospitality, BECC, CBRE, Choose Madagascar, Colliers, Compass Project Consulting, Domus, ELAF, Emaar Hospitality, HVS, IHCL, Insignia, IT Hospitality Group, JLL, Knight Frank, Leva Hotels, Louvre Hotels Group, Minor Hotels, ModDsys, OBMI, PWC, QUO, Restoworks, Rikas Hospitality Group, Rove Hotels, Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR), SSH, Valor Hospitality Partners, Voltere, Whitewater, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Zimbabwe Tourism Authority as Gold Sponsors; Aldar, Atmosphere, Deutsche Hospitality and Hospitality Management Holding as Silver Sponsors, and Forsite Creative, Frischs, Klimato, Table and Beyond, and Winnow as GRIF Exhibitors.

Jonathan Worsley
The Bench