First speakers announced for Future Hospitality Summit Saudi Arabia

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - The 2024 edition of the Future Hospitality Summit (FHS) Saudi Arabia, which is set to take place at Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh from 29 April to 1 May 2024, has confirmed the first speakers for the region’s leading hospitality investment platform.

Organised by The Bench, FHS Saudi Arabia brings together the hospitality investment community’s industry leaders and decision-makers to discuss development, investment, entrepreneurship, sustainability, innovation, and human capital with insights on the continued growth of the Kingdom’s hospitality and tourism sectors.

Confirmed speakers include leaders from some of the most dynamic hospitality brands, the real estate, asset management, investment and consulting community, international media, and government representatives. Among the confirmed names are Khalid Saud Abu Haimed, Chief Executive Officer, Al Khozama Investment - host sponsors of FHS Saudi Arabia; Sultan Bader Al-Otaibi, Chief Executive Officer, Taiba Investments; Henri Giscard D’Estaing, President, Club Med; Mark De Cocinis, Chief Executive Officer, Boutique Group; Matthew Martin, Saudi Arabia Bureau Chief, Bloomberg LP; Pat Thaker, Editorial Director Middle East & Africa, The Economist Group; Thomas Emanuel, Senior Director, STR; Norah Al-Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer, Baheej; Aradhana Khowala, CEO & Founder, Aptamind Partners, and Susie Ellis, Co-Founder, Chair & CEO, Global Wellness Summit and Chair & CEO of the Global Wellness Institute.

The agenda for FHS Saudi Arabia is shaping up very nicely and we are excited to welcome our first distinguished speakers for what is set to be a stellar line up of leaders representing the hospitality investment community in Saudi Arabia and around the world. 

Under our theme ‘Invest in Tomorrow: Today, Together,’ this year’s content tracks will include hospitality investment, industry entrepreneurship, sustainable development and human capital, including a focus on job creation and career development in the industry in line with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Tanja Millner, Production Director at The Bench

Co-located with FHS Saudi Arabia again this year is the Global Restaurant Investment Forum (GRIF), connecting restaurant investors and operators. GRIF is a platform that provides knowledge, connections and inspiration for the restaurant investment industry globally with features like culinary tours, networking dinner and workshops.

Confirmed speakers for GRIF include Michael Flanagan, Chief Business Development Officer for Al Khozama Investment Company; Mohammed Jawa, Founder & Chairman of MJS Holding; Faisal Shaker, Co-founder & CEO of Modern food Company (MFC); Sonya Janahi, Founder and CEO of SJ Investments and Maya Delices, and Sinan Al Saady, Founder & CEO of Cool Inc.

As part of its commitment and focus on women in hospitality, organisers The Bench will be offering complimentary passes to FHS Saudi Arabia 2024 for Saudi national women leaders working in the Saudi hospitality sector.

We are delighted to introduce our #FHSWomenPower campaign this year, an initiative to champion gender diversity and women empowerment in the industry in line with Saudi Vision 2030 and the region’s social and economic aspirations. We invite senior female professionals in hospitality to join us on our journey towards an inclusive and progressive hospitality landscape. Jonathan Worsley, Chairman of The Bench

To learn more about this transformative initiative and register, please visit: www.futurehospitality.com/sa/saudi-women-in-hospitality

For more information about the 2024 editions of the Future Hospitality Summit, please visit futurehospitality.com/.

About FHS Saudi Arabia

• Dates: 29 April – 1 May 2024
• Location: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
• Sponsors: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Management Holdings as Host Sponsors; Baheej, Boutique Group, Hilton, Kerten Hospitality, Ministry of Tourism, NEOM, Radisson Hotel Group and Saudi Icon Company as Platinum Sponsors; Saudi Tourism Investment Company (ASFAR), Club Med, Marriott International, Millennium Hotels and Resorts and Rotana as Emerald Sponsors; Aleph Hospitality; Bits Arabia, Colliers; Compass Project Consulting, DAR Engineering, Domus Management Housing, IHCL, Knight Frank, LEVA, Minor Hotels, QUO, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Whitewater and Wyndham Hotels & Resorts as Gold Sponsors; HVS, STR, Time Hotels and Voltere by egis as Silver Sponsors; Foresite Creative as GRIF-Data Partner, and Livit as GRIF’s Culinary & Concept Tour Partner

About Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh

With an enviable location in the heart of the prestigious Olaya district, Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh is the epitome of Arabian hospitality in Riyadh. The luxurious hotel features 325 tastefully designed rooms and suites, complemented by around-the-clock butler service, an array of exquisite dining options, an award-winning ladies-only Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness centre. The hotel’s 6,300 square meters of customisable meeting facilities have been designed to accommodate events of any size. Surrounded by Al Faisaliah Tower, Mode Mall and other Riyadh’s key attractions, Manadarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh is a cosmopolitan hub with Saudi charm.

About Al Khozama Investment

Al Khozama Investment (AK) is a pioneering developer and manager of premium commercial properties in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Established in 1995, the company follows a progressive and diversified business model that covers the ownership, investment and management of properties in hospitality, retail, commercial, F&B and residential sectors.

With numerous international awards garnered by company over the past 25 years, in 2019 AK Investment was named Saudi Arabia's leading luxury hospitality company by the World Travel Awards. In addition to presently managed five hotels including Al Faisaliah Hotel and Al Faisaliah Suites, Riyadh; Bay La Sun Hotel & Marina and Views Hotel & Residences, King Abdullah Economic City and Al Bustan Residences, Riyadh. For more information, visit alkhozama.com.

About The Bench

The Bench has built a legacy as a global curator of opportunity, designing transformative forums and summits that empower the hospitality and travel industries to connect, innovate, and thrive. With over two decades of expertise, The Bench creates platforms that go beyond transactions to inspire collaboration and drive meaningful change.

Each event brings together government leaders, tourism ministries, global travel associations, leading hospitality brands, hotel owners and investors, airlines, destination developers, and more. From flagship gatherings like FHS World (formerly AHIC) and FHS Saudi Arabia, to FHS Africa (formerly AHIF) and AviaDev, The Bench creates events where ideas spark, relationships deepen, and investments take flight.

The Bench thrives on fostering dynamic and forward-looking dialogues, uniting industry pioneers to address challenges, seize opportunities, and co-create the future. Each event is crafted to deliver more than just connections - it's about transforming ideas into action and building a better tomorrow.

Discover more at thebench.com.

About FHS Saudi Arabia

Dates: 20-22 April 2026

Location: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Sponsors: Mandarin Oriental Al Faisaliah, Riyadh and Al Khozama Investment as Host Sponsors; Taiba Investments as Founding Partner; Amsa Hospitality, Jabal Omar Development Company, Radisson Hotel Group and Red Sea Group as Strategic Partners; BWH Hotels, ClubMed, IHG, Italia Hospitality, Story Hospitality, The Ascott Limited as Headline Sponsors; Accor, Aleph Hospitality, IHCL, JT + Partners, Knight Frank, Legacy Hotels Holding, Minor Hotels, Quo, Serb Holding Co., Sommet Education, STR and The First Group Hospitality as Sponsors; DAR Engineering, Echelonet Concierge, Melia Hotels International, Rove Hotels, Shaza Hotels, Sophos and WhiteWater as Exhibitors.

Anne Bleeker
In2 Consulting
+971 56 603 0886
The Bench