INVEST Awards
INVEST, the only think tank dedicated exclusively to visionary investments in hospitality real estate development, recognizes through the INVEST Awards the most valuable contributions to the real estate development of hospitality in Romania.
In this way, we promote and encourage owners, investors and brands to continue to dare to be INSPIRED and develop the hospitality industry.
Only in this way can we attract and inspire many others, reinvigorating existing projects and partnerships and helping to initiate new ones.
These awards are about celebrating and spotlighting courageous initiatives rather than fostering competition.
Because this industry is actually dedicated to people, we aim to bring this very thing to the forefront: PEOPLE who had the vision and courage necessary to make decisions and to act in that sense that generated a major impact in the hospitality industry in Romania.
The INVEST Awards categories and what we aim to celebrate
The "INVESTOR"
Award
Recognizes contributions to the development of investments in hospitality by allocating the necessary financial resources
The “INVESTOR” Award
The "INVESTOR" AWARD – Contributing to the development of investments in hospitality by allocating the necessary financial resources.
Candidates will be nominated for this award who:
• have constantly supported investments in hospitality (hotel sector) in Romania by providing entrepreneurs with the necessary funds, and have thus contributed to the constant improvement of the hotel offer on the Romanian market (investments and loans have supported the increase in the number of hotels on the market / renovation of existing hotels, etc.)
• contributed to economic growth in the geographical area where the investment was made
• have contributed to improving the perception of the quality of the offer specific to the hotel industry (at infrastructure level)
• increased the value of the real estate in which the investment was made
The "OWNER"
Award
Recognizes contributions to the development of hospitality investments through the creation and development of the hotel portfolio
The “OWNER” Award
The "OWNER" AWARD – Contribution to the development of investments in hospitality through the creation and development of the portfolio of owned hotels.
Candidates will be nominated for this award who:
• have chosen to develop businesses in the hotel field and own hotels / hotel chains dedicated to the constant improvement of the specific offer on the Romanian market
• innovated through investments made in the hospitality sector
• have (re)introduced into the hotel offer in Romania, through renovation and repositioning, buildings with a rich, recognized history
• have contributed to Romania's inclusion on the map of some of the most recognized international brands
The "BRAND"
Award
Recognizes contributions to the development of investments in hospitality by putting Romania on the map of the most important international brands
The “BRAND” Award
The "BRAND" AWARD – Contribution to the development of investments in hospitality by putting Romania on the map of the most important international brands.
Candidates will be nominated for this award who:
• have constantly contributed, through their activity, through training in the field of hospitality and/or specific experience in the field, to supporting investors and owners through consulting services
• facilitated the communication/negotiation with and bringing international brands to the Romanian market
• have coordinated projects or facilitated large-scale projects in the field of hospitality in Romania, in particular, conversions of hotels for operation under an international brand
• are nationally and internationally recognized in the hospitality industry for their work and contribution to the development of the industry
INVEST Award Jury
Simona Constantinescu
President, FIHR
Simona Constantinescu
President, FIHRAs the Chairperson of the Board of Directors at FIHR, the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation, and the CEO of Ana Hotels, one of the largest hotel chains in Romania, Simona has over 20 years of experience in leading and transforming businesses in the hospitality and finance sectors. She has a Master of Arts in Board Practice and Directorship from Henley Business School, and an Executive MBA from ASEBUSS and the University of Washington. Her core competencies include corporate governance, hospitality management, change/transition management, wealth management and management of family-office, strategy formulation, crisis management, advocacy, corporate finance, financial risk management, and capital markets. She is passionate about pursuing the interests and standards of the hotel industry in Romania, and promoting its potential and opportunities to the global market. She has successfully navigated the challenges and opportunities of the COVID-19 pandemic crisis, implementing innovative and sustainable solutions to ensure the recovery and growth of the hospitality business. She has also contributed to the development and implementation of the national tourism strategy, and established strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the public and private sectors.
Nina Moldovan
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova in Cluj & CEO, Winners First
Nina Moldovan
Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova in Cluj & CEO, Winners First
With a wealth of experience in business development, Nina Moldovan has dedicated her career to enhancing the hospitality sector through strategic leadership and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Her extensive background in new business development gives her a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by startups, thanks to her involvement in projects from their earliest stages.
With over 23 years of experience across various roles and domains, including tourism, hospitality, real estate development, and startup programs, she remains committed to elevating service standards, optimizing operational efficiency, and giving back to the community.
Her mission is to foster innovation within the hospitality and real estate industries, seamlessly blending tradition with technology and always striving for excellence.
As the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Moldova, Nina Moldovan serves as a catalyst for synergy between the two countries, fostering educational, cultural, and business exchanges. This unique role at the intersection of diplomacy and hospitality has further refined her expertise in new business development within the hospitality sector.
Radu Savopol
President, Romanian Hotel and Restaurant Employers' Organisation - HORA
Radu Savopol
President, Romanian Hotel and Restaurant Employers' Organisation - HORARadu Savopol is a seasoned Romanian entrepreneur with 20 years of experience in the HoReCa industry, successfully implementing similar business concepts across various regions in the country. His most significant venture to date is the 5 to go coffee shop chain, a project born from the desire to offer high-quality coffee at an affordable price. The chain aims to create a consistent daily experience for customers at any of its over 150 locations, where both service and coffee quality are standardized. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Savopol, who is also an interior designer, personally crafted the interior design of the 5 to go locations. He placed a strong emphasis on creating a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to a diverse clientele, including high school and college students, as well as corporate clients. Recently, 5 to go was recognized as one of the top three coffee shop chains in Central and Eastern Europe at the largest HoReCa symposium in Europe.
Dr Gabriela Țigu
Dean of the Faculty of Business and Tourism, ASE
Dr Gabriela Țigu
Dean of the Faculty of Business and Tourism, ASE
Gabriela TIGU, Professor, Ph.D., is the Dean of the Faculty of Business and Tourism at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies since 2020 and Professor and PhD Coordinator in the Department of Tourism and Geography.
Between 2012 and 2016, she was Vice-Rector for Education and Lifelong Learning at the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
Her areas of specialization are Tourism Operations Management, Destination Management, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development, Business Ethics and Human Resources Management in Tourism. She is the author of 22 published books, more than 150 articles and scientific papers and 34 national and international research assignments dealing with tourism issues.
She has successfully managed two postgraduate programs, namely Strategic Hospitality Management and Manager of Tourism Destination.
Gabriela Tigu is also a tourism journalist and Vice President of the Tourism Press Club FIJET Romania; member of the Advisory Board of the Romanian Competition Council, Director of the Academic Association for Research in Tourism and Services CACTUS; Member of CNATDCU (National Council for the Accreditation of Titles, Diplomas and Certificates), since 2011; Member of the Transylvanian Thermal Tourism Cluster; Advisor to the Romanian Ministry of Tourism, 2011 and 2019-2020; and Member of the World Committee for Tourism Ethics within UNWTO, between 2019 and 2023.
Petru Văduva
Chairman Investment Committee, Țiriac International Foundation
Petru Văduva
Chairman Investment Committee, Țiriac International FoundationPetru Văduva is presently the President of the Investment Committee for Tiriac International Foundation. Following his education period where he graduated with a BA/MS in Molecular Biology from Columbia University and a MBA from Yale University, Petru has developed an extensive management and investment banking experience in various financial, energy, consumer and service industries. As a highly ranked analyst, he occupied key positions in companies in the United States and Europe, such as JP Morgan, Bear Stearns and Caspian Securities (USA), Renaissance Capital and UralSib (Russia), SEB Investment Mgt and CLSA London (United Kingdom) participating in some of the more known global Emerging Market transactions, the privatization of Banco Wise in Peru and Rosneft in the Russian Federation. Later in his career, his devoted his management and analytical skills as a CEO of two of the largest companies in Romania, Tiriac Holdings and SNTGN Transgaz.
Christine Schillings
CEO, winsed.swiss Romania
Christine Schillings
CEO, winsed.swiss RomaniaChristine Schillings, an internationally renowned manager in the hospitality industry, with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry, holds the position of Chief Executive Officer for Romania of the Swiss educational group winsed.swiss (World Institute of Service Education). She worked in the operational sphere in hotels in France, Germany, Great Britain, as well as in Romania, where she was part of the management team that opened the Athénée Palace Hilton Hotel. She also served as Hilton Worldwide Regional Director for 16 years, coordinating a portfolio of 46 hotels in Eastern Europe, Turkey, Russia and Israel. She led, as general manager, the Ana Hotels Romania group, and since June 2018 she has held the position of general manager of the Crowne Plaza Hotel Bucharest. A Belgian national, she graduated from Hotel Management School in Brussels and then specialized in Asset Management, Project Management at Cornell University. In addition to the business area, another activity in which she invests a lot of energy is professional training, being specialized in leadership courses for future managers. Since July 2020, she holds the position of CEO of winsed.swiss Romania
Răzvan Pîrjol
CEO, Turism Felix
Răzvan Pîrjol
CEO, Turism Felix
Răzvan Pîrjol graduated from Glion Institute of Higher Education (GIHE) in Switzerland in 1994, where he also held various positions, from marketing and communications (starting 1991) to that of operational director.
In 2005 he founded a consulting company in Switzerland – Leading Choice – operating in the field of consulting, management and education in the hospitality industry, serving companies in Switzerland, USA, Italy and Romania.
He also bought and operated a boutique hotel restaurant in Piemonte, Italy, before returning in 2008 to Romania to become CEO and General Manager of THR - Consulting Group, the main authorized provider of professional training in the tourism and hospitality industry in the country.
Between 2011-2017 he held the position of President of Skal International Romania and, afterwards, Răzvan served as Personal Advisor to the Minister of Regional Development and Tourism.
For one year starting from 2018, he was the President of the Administration Council and the General Manager of Suter Palace Hotel 5*, considered the most luxurious in Romania, with the mandate to reopen the property.
Between December 2019 – March 2021, he acted as Secretary of State within the Ministry of Economy.
Following this, Răzvan held the position of Chief Business Development Officer for Winsedswiss Education Group (2022-2023) and has also been a Visiting Professor at the University of Economic Studies in Bucharest.
At present, he is the CEO of the hotel group Turism Felix SA, based in Băile Felix, Bihor, and is involved in the restructuring and renovation of the hotels.
Silvia Sticlea
Country Manager Nestlé România
Silvia Sticlea
Country Manager Nestlé RomâniaSilviu Sticlea is an experienced (internationally and locally) Executive Manager with a demonstrated history of achieving strong business results in the food & beverages industry. He is a strong marketing and business professional, with Sales experience, skilled in Strategy development and execution, Business Planning & Management, Sales, Consumer Products and insights. Mr. Sticlea is also an executive board (ManCom) member.
Florin Maxim
Founder of the Hospitality Culture Institute
Florin Maxim
Founder of the Hospitality Culture InstitutePast
- Corporate Executive @Lowe&Partners and Pernod Ricard Romania // 5 years
- Entrepreneur @IM Smite, full service advertising agency // 12 years
- Founding member of national patronal associations, FPIOR and HORA
- Business Angel and Advisory Board member for various start-ups from foodservice and advertising // 5 years
- Start-up Co-Founder @Comarket // 3 years
- Founder & Business developer @Hospitality Culture Institute // 7 years
- Founder of F&B Business Accelerator // 4 years
- Founder of Romanian Hospitality Awards // 6 years
Cris Micuț
Senior Hospitality Consultant
Cris Micuț
Senior Hospitality ConsultantConstantin (Cris) MICUȚ - a manager and consultant with over 30 years of experience in the hospitality industry and related fields such as air transportation, travel agencies, etc. - joined Trend Hospitality Consulting & Management in 2006, being responsible for the development of numerous hotel, restaurant, and club projects under well-known international brands such as Ramada, Hilton, Radisson, Marriott, IHG, Benihana, Hard Rock Cafe, and others in Romania and neighboring countries Moldova and Bulgaria. He is currently an independent consultant. Since 2005, he has also been the director of the Royal Institute of Hospitality Management in Romania – a collaboration with the École hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland, which has provided postgraduate programs in Romania for the training of future hotel, restaurant, club, and spa managers, etc.
Dr Ray F. Iunius
CEO, winsed.swiss
Dr Ray F. Iunius
CEO, winsed.swiss
Dr Ray F. Iunius is the author of various academic and professional articles published by journals in the management of services, technology, and innovation. He is also the author of a number of books such as « Industrie de l’accueil », « Hôtellerie de Luxe », « La gestion des spas », “Un Hôtel, un modèle ?” in de Boeck editions and co-author of the “Lausanne Report on the future of Hospitality Industry.”
In the last 20 years Ray occupied different management positions at EHL education Groups. He is also the founder of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne Institute of Technology and Entrepreneurship (EHLITE), the Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (INTEHL), the Students Business Projects (SBP), the EHLITE magazine, and the Chair of Innovation Paul Dubrule.
Ray is today CEO of winsed.swiss education group (WEG) SA, an integrated group of educational institutions comprising professional and vocational programs, soon universities and post-secondary education schools in the service industry.
As Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Business and Economics (HEC) of the University of Lausanne, he is currently teaching Strategic Consulting Projects and Service Operations Management.
Ray earns an MBA and PhD from the University of Lausanne and a BSc, MS and PhD in Technical Sciences from the University of Transylvania Brasov.
