Our conference will feature a distinguished lineup of keynote speakers and panelists from Romania, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, France, and the United Arab Emirates. The roster includes prestigious economists, private investors, and developers deeply entrenched in the real estate sector, alongside representatives from international financing structures, major Romanian banks, and active investment funds within the CEE region. Our experts, ranging from project managers and architects to construction engineers and building science specialists, bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise in real estate project development.
In an era where energy efficiency and sustainability are at the forefront of the real estate industry, our speakers will address crucial topics such as energy self-sufficiency, prosumer strategies, home and building automation, and their integral role in the sustainability of projects. These discussions will help delineate the difference between a project destined for success and one that might not yield a return on investment.
Moreover, we will have representatives from leading hotel chains, both those currently active and those planning to enter the Romanian market, along with suppliers of cutting-edge technologies, FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment), and other essential products vital for the hospitality sector.
LISTEN TO THE 2025 Event Speakers
Philippe Bijaoui
Chief Development Officer Europe & North Africa Premium, Midscale, Economy, Accor
Philippe Bijaoui
Chief Development Officer Europe & North Africa Premium, Midscale, Economy, Accor
Joining Accor in January 2023 as Chief Development Officer Europe & North Africa for Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands, Philippe Bijaoui is responsible for defining the growth strategy in the region; leading the development teams in charge of identifying, negotiating and signing of hotel conversion and development projects, as well as contract retention; leading strategic hotel development projects.
Philippe has a solid experience of nearly 30 years in the business development and hotel industry, and had held several general development management positions in international hotel groups, such as "IHG" from 2012 to 2016 as Head of Development Europe, "Wyndham Hotel Group" as Chief Development officer EMEA until 2018. He then worked for "Butterfly Hospitality Development" and "Christie & Co", leader in hotel sales in Europe, where he was until now General Manager France.
Philippe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Anthropology, from Tel Aviv University (Israel) and an MBA in Hotel Management from IMHI Cornell University Essec Business School (1992).
In 2020, he was awarded the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor (RICS) qualification (UK), which acknowledges his professional competence in recognized standards in the property, construction and infrastructure markets.
Claude Béglé
Chairman & CEO, Swiss NeWater Holding
Claude Béglé
Chairman & CEO, Swiss NeWater Holding
Dr Claude Béglé is a Swiss entrepreneur, currently fully engaged in the field of sustainability and environmental initiatives. Founder and CEO of Swiss NeWater, a company whose purpose is to tackle two complementary SDGs: enhance public health / fight pandemics through hygiene, while at the same time protecting the environment. Swiss NeWater has developed a disruptive technology, i.e. a machine producing on the spot 18 eco-friendly cleaning and disinfection formulas.
He was a member of the Federal Parliament of Switzerland, particularly active in its Foreign Affairs Committee, with a focus on peace and humanitarian activities, as well as digitalization and cybersecurity. Previously, he served as Chairman of the Board of the Swiss Post, a logistics and financial service entity with a revenue of 11 billion CHF, 10 % net profit and the country’s second largest employer. He has been a member of DHL Express global board and CEO for Central Europe & Germany. Prior to that, he has been Chairman and CEO of DPD, as well as Executive Vice President of GeoPost (French Post). He also served as Vice President Europe of TNT Express. During the first half of his career, he held several marketing and managerial positions for Nestle and Philip Morris. He started with the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Development Cooperation) and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
He holds a PhD in Economics, a Master in Law and a Master in International Relations.
Saar Sharon
Managing Director, West Ridge Asset Management
Saar Sharon
Managing Director, West Ridge Asset ManagementSaar is the Managing Director of West Ridge Asset Management, a boutique asset management advisory. Saar is a hotel and real estate transactions specialist with over 32 years of commercial experience, advising on disposals, acquisitions, asset management, funding, development, office conversions, leasing and management and franchise agreement across all hotel asset classes in UK and Europe. Over the years Saar has held senior positions with Colliers, Leonardo Hotels, PPHE and JLL. Since 2005 Saar has helped investors, operators, hotel brands, and lenders generate returns through hotel disposals, acquisitions, funding and asset management. To date, Saar has been involved with hotel property worth more than £12bn in the UK, Western and Eastern Europe, working for public and private companies. Since the inception West Ridge Asset Management In 2016 Saar advised on deals worth over £5bn of hotel real estate deals including the successful acquisition of 102 hotels comprised of 20,000 bedrooms valued over £2bn.
Tinu Sebeșanu
Managing Partner, Trend Hospitality
Tinu Sebeșanu
Managing Partner, Trend Hospitality
With more than three decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Tinu has put his mark in the concept, development and management of various landmark projects in the region, positively impacting their implementation and success.
He attended the courses of the Bucharest Institute of Technology followed by an MBA Program. Pursuing in a continuing education credo, he got specializations in Strategic, Financial and Asset Management at Cornell and Boston Universities and received the Postgraduate Certificate of Board Practice and Directorship at Henley Business School.
In 2005 he founded Trend Hospitality Consulting & Management, which has become one of the leading companies in the South Eastern region with over 300 projects completed to date. The company offers consulting and management services as market research, feasibility studies, valuations, financing, brokerage and asset management. Also, Tinu is a founding member of HORA (the Hotels and Restaurants Organization in Romania).
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.
Yateendra Sinh
Principal, YS & Associates – Switzerland
Yateendra Sinh
Principal, YS & Associates – Switzerland
Yateendra Sinh is a hospitality expert, who has been working at Board and senior executive level for more than three decades. Yateendra believes that the true value of an enterprise is developed through connecting the finer details, and human emotions, to a macro vision and concept.
He advises on the development of service enabled real estate projects, townships and tourism destinations. He has project experience in 60+ countries and several high-end brands, including, W, Dusit, Nestlé, Nespresso, Mandarin Oriental, Mercedes Benz, Audi, Häagen-Dazs, Rotana, Jumeirah, Oberoi.
Yateendra works out of Switzerland and maintains his connection with his roots in India.
Vlad Dragoescu
Partner, CEE Head of Portfolio Management, Revetas Capital
Vlad Dragoescu
Partner, CEE Head of Portfolio Management, Revetas CapitalVlad Dragoescu is Partner – CEE Head of Portfolio Management at Revetas, that he joined in 2014. With over 21 years of experience in asset and property management, as well as real estate development and investment, Vlad brings a wealth of expertise to his role. In his current capacity, Vlad oversees the Portfolio Management team for the entire CEE region, continuously optimizing the operations of the Revetas portfolio. He is actively involved both operationally and strategically in all phases of the real estate investment cycle. Prior to joining Revetas, Vlad served as the senior asset manager of a private equity group focused on investments across Central and Eastern Europe. During his tenure, he managed nearly all acquisitions, financings, greenfield investments, and asset management operations of the group. From 2011 to 2014, Vlad worked as the Romanian local partner for the same London-based private equity fund, coordinating their property and asset management departments and directly managing several projects. Vlad holds a master’s degree in Financial Management and a bachelor’s degree in Finance, Banking, and Stock Exchange, both from the Bucharest University of Economic Studies.
Pankaj Birla
Regional Vice President, Eastern Europe Marriott International
Pankaj Birla
Regional Vice President, Eastern Europe Marriott International
Pankaj Birla is the Regional Vice President for Eastern Europe, overseeing the managed and franchised operations across 24 countries in the region.
With a distinguished career spanning over 30 years at Marriott International, Pankaj brings a wealth of experience in operations, finance, corporate support, above-property roles, and as a General Manager. His extensive international experience includes assignments in the United States, Asia, and Europe.
Since March 2017, he has excelled as the Area Vice President for Eastern Europe for managed operations. Most recently, he held the position of Area Vice President for managed operations for DACH and Eastern Europe.
Pankaj is a graduate of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, Texas.
Pankaj resides in the picturesque town of Oberursel, Germany, a charming suburb of Frankfurt, with his wife Manisha. They are proud parents of two accomplished grown-up children: their son Mayank, who lives in New York, and their daughter Kanika, who resides in Berlin.
Vlad Doicaru
Business Environment Executive at Huawei Romania
Vlad Doicaru
Business Environment Executive at Huawei Romania
Vlad Doicaru, born in 1978, has an experience of 22 years in the ITC industry. He holds a Major in Electronics and Mobile Communications from the National University of Science and Technology POLITEHNICA Bucharest, Faculty of Electronics, Telecommunications and Information Technology.
Vlad Doicaru is currently Business Environment Executive at Huawei Romania. Since he joined Huawei in 2004 he had several roles in sales and business environment. Among its responsibilities he was in charge of Global Telecom Key Accounts with local operations, Enterprise (including hospitality vertical) and Digital Power business development as well as Government, Regulatory and Public Authorities, Industry Associations, NGOs and other third parties relations.
Dr Achim Schmitt
Dean, EHL
Dr Achim Schmitt
Dean, EHLDr. Achim Schmitt Dean EHL Hospitality Business School Member of the EHL Group’s Executive Leadership Team Full Professor of Strategic Management Achim joined EHL in 2013. He holds a PhD from the University of Geneva and obtained a Habilitation at the University of Paris-Dauphine in France. Before moving into academia Achim worked in strategy consulting, gaining substantial knowledge in strategy formulation and managing underperforming business situations. His research focuses on organization theory and strategic management, with particular interest in organizational decline, corporate turnarounds, and strategic renewal. Academically, Achim has gained experience at the University of Geneva and the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland), Collège des Ingenieurs (CDI) in Paris and Audencia Business School in Nantes (France), China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) in Shanghai (China), Columbia Business School in New York (USA), and the Universidad de los Andes in Bogotá (Colombia). Achim is a member of the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Swiss Advisory Council and currently holds one board membership in the private sector.
Russell Kett
Chairman, HVS London
Russell Kett
Chairman, HVS LondonRussell Kett is Chairman of the London office of HVS, the leading global specialist hotel valuation, consulting, asset management and brokerage firm, which he joined in 1995. Russell has 40+ years' specialist hotel consultancy, investment and real estate experience, focused on providing valuation, feasibility, property, brokerage, investment, asset management, strategy and related consultancy services, advising hotel, serviced apartments and hostel companies, banks, developers and investors on all aspects of their hospitality industry related interests, throughout Europe, Middle East and Africa. He is a frequent writer, moderator and speaker on the international hotel industry, especially on topics relating to hotel valuation, investment, marketing and finance. Russell received a Lifetime Achievement Award from HOSPA in 2011 and the ‘Hall of Fame’ Lifetime Achievement Award at the Hot.E hotel investment conference in London in 2017. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and a member of the International Hotel Investment Council. He and his wife are blessed with two children and three grandchildren.
Vassilis Themelidis
Regional Director, South & East Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Vassilis Themelidis
Regional Director, South & East Europe, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts
Vassilis Themelidis is the Regional Director for South & East Europe at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, based in Athens, Greece. He leads the company’s strategic expansion and operations across 19 countries, overseeing a diverse portfolio of 88 hotels under 10 internationally recognized brands.
With nearly three decades of experience in the hospitality sector, Vassilis has developed a strong track record in hotel development, franchising, and touristic real estate. Since joining Wyndham in 1998, he has held key roles across multiple markets, including the Nordics, Central and Southeast Europe, the CIS, and the Middle East.
He holds a Bachelor's degree in Tourism and a Master of Science (MSc) in Tourism Management from the University of Surrey in the UK.
Dr Colin Johnson
Professor, San Francisco State University
Dr Colin Johnson
Professor, San Francisco State University
Colin Johnson, Ph.D., holds a doctorate in economic and social sciences from Fribourg University, Switzerland. He also has an M.B.A. from Manchester Business School and a B.A. from the Open University in the UK.
He has worked in many sectors of the hospitality industry including contract catering, airline catering, two-, four- and five-star hotels, private members clubs, retail restaurants and was assistant catering manager at Manchester United Football Club.
He has held faculty and management positions in seven colleges and Universities in the UK, Switzerland and the US. He was the dean at the Domino Carlton Tivoli Hotel Management School in Lucerne, Switzerland and dean and then founding director of research at the Lausanne Institute for Hospitality Research at the ecole hôtelière de Lausanne.
Before joining San Francisco State University, he served as professor and chair at San Jose State University. He has published in a number of leading hospitality and tourism journals including The Annals of Tourism Research, The Cornell Hotel and Restaurant Quarterly, and The International Journal of Hospitality Management and Managing Service Quality.
His research interests include services internationalization, small and medium size enterprises sustainability and social entrepreneurship.
Andreas Schweitzer
Founder of Artis Trade Invest and Arjan Capital Ltd, London
Andreas Schweitzer
Founder of Artis Trade Invest and Arjan Capital Ltd, LondonAndreas Schweitzer is the founder of Arjan Capital, specialising in high-yield German real estate investments, and Artis Trade Invest, an EU-regulated trade finance platform funding global commodity and pharmaceutical flows. A seasoned entrepreneur and bestselling author of Trade Works, he creates uncorrelated, resilient investment strategies across trade and real assets, combining institutional discipline with entrepreneurial vision to deliver secure, attractive returns in changing market environments.
Dr Jamil Hebali
Senior Lecturer, EHL
Dr Jamil Hebali
Senior Lecturer, EHL
Jamil Hebali, PhD, is a Senior Lecturer at EHL. He developed his academic and scientific research skills at the University of Geneva as marketing researcher. After working as a Teaching Fellow in collaboration with the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship, Jamil increased his expertise in market research and market intelligence with JTI SA as Market Research Projects Associate. He joined EHL as Professor of Marketing and Market Research Manager, his main area of expertise and teaching are marketing intelligence, Big Data, consumer behavior and Brand management, etc.
Jamil obtained a certificate in Business Intelligence from the University of Geneva, and his PhD in marketing from HEC Geneva. He also has an advanced diploma (DEA) in information systems (Université de Savoie, France), a master’s degree in Management and Technologies of Information Systems (Ecole supérieure des affaires, Grenoble, France), and a Bachelor’s degree in Management (Faculté de droit, des sciences économiques et politiques, Tunisie).
Ruud Reuland
Reuland Hospitality Coaching, Former CEO of EHL
Ruud Reuland
Reuland Hospitality Coaching, Former CEO of EHL
Ruud Reuland, born in 1949 and of Dutch nationality, has a bachelor’s degree in hospitality management (Hotel school The Hague, the Netherlands) and a bachelor’s as well as a master’s degree in business law (Erasmus University, the Netherlands).
He worked in many operational jobs in the hospitality industry in the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Ireland.
In 1977 he was appointed Director of Human Resources of a hospital in Haarlem, the Netherlands.
In 1980 he joined the Hotel school The Hague, first as professor in Human Resource Management and Hospitality law, later as Member of the Board of Directors. In 1997 he was appointed Dean of the same school.
Ruud became General Director of the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne, Switzerland in 2002 and ensured that the school was and is ranked as the premier hospitality school in the world.
Since 2011 Ruud is involved in several international projects, mainly in hospitality education strategy development and implementation: Switzerland, Australia, Singapore, Thailand, Philippines, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Oman, Cambodia, Bhutan, India, Kenya, China, Tunisia, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, and Tanzania.
Ruud worked for and with renowned organizations, such as the Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, Dusit International in Thailand, the Aga Khan University in Kenya, the Institut de Tourisme et Hôtellerie du Québec, the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management in Dubai, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management in Hong Kong and the Nova School of Business and Economics.
Augusto Hasman
Associate Professor, EHL
Augusto Hasman
Associate Professor, EHLDr. Augusto Hasman is an Associate Professor of Finance at EHL Hospitality Business School, HES-SO, University of Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland. He holds a PhD from Carlos III University in Madrid and has the FRM (Financial Risk Manager) certification. Before joining EHL, he was the Executive Director of the Bilateral Assistance and Capacity Building (BCC) Program for Central Banks at the Graduate Institute in Geneva. Dr. Hasman was responsible for developing and monitoring country-specific capacity building Programs for Central Banks in developing countries on different topics such as Monetary Policy Formulation and Implementation, Bank Supervision and Regulation, Financial Market development and Operational Risk Management. Dr. Hasman has several publications on Financial Stability and Risk Management in peer-reviewed journals such as Journal of Banking and Finance, Journal of Economic Dynamics & Control, Journal of Financial Stability, Economic Modelling or Journal of Economic Surveys.
Remy Rein
Senior lecturer, EHL
Remy Rein
Senior lecturer, EHL
Remy Rein has a wide range of international multi-site management and consulting experience within the hospitality industry. His expertise spans the whole hospitality sector, ranging from 0 to 5-star properties, residences, resorts and restaurant chains and education. His operational roles span from GM to VP hotel division for branded hotel companies and family fund.
Mr. Rein has executed numerous transactions of single and portfolio real estate and hotels assets, performing different consulting missions including the supervision of feasibility studies, strategic advice, hotel management agreement and lease negotiations, operator selections. He has overseen valuations representing up to €5.5 billion. Its clients cover a wide range of institutions: banks, investment funds, hotel chains, hotels franchisees and private equity investors. Remy was instrumental in the success of CBRE hotels France and BNP Real Estate Hotels.
Starting in 2017, Remy Rein has been teaching within master, bachelor, executive education programs at EHL Hospitality Business School in Lausanne. He is a regular guest lecturer invited by major companies within the hotel and real estate industry.
Mr. Rein has an MBA from IMHI Cornell ESSEC with a concentration in International Hotel Finance and Management, a master’s degree in human resources from Lyon 3 University and an Executive Master in Art management from PSL Dauphine.
Jens-Henning Peters
Consultant, EHL
Jens-Henning Peters
Consultant, EHL
Jens-Henning is a Consultant with EHL and the Head of Vocational Education and Training by EHL, a skill training licensing model for the hospitality industry. In his role, he focuses on Business Development, international partnerships and managing strategic cross-functional projects.
In the past 15 years, Jens-Henning has worked on a variety of projects in over 20 countries, expanding and sharing his expertise in hospitality, education management, entrepreneurship and strategic project management.
His professional experience enables him to develop, pilot and commercialize complex transversal projects, lead diverse teams in different cultural contexts and guide clients in ambiguous environments.
As an Alumni of EHL, he holds a Bachelor Degree in International Hospitality Management; as well as a Federal Diploma as Management Assistant in Hotel and Hospitality from the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Jens-Henning is fluent in German, English and French.
Competencies
Business Development; Strategic Project Management, Entrepreneurship; Management Consulting; Hospitality and Education;
Răzvan Pîrjol
President of the Board, National Center for Tourism Education
Răzvan Pîrjol
President of the Board, National Center for Tourism Education
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.
Between 2024-2025 he was the CEO of the hotel group Turism Felix SA, based in Băile Felix, Bihor, and was involved in the restructuring and renovation of the hotels.
At present, he serves as Chairperson of the Board for the National Centre for Tourism Education (CNIT).
Simona Constantinescu
President, FIHR
Simona Constantinescu
President, FIHR
Simona Constantinescu is a distinguished leader in Romania’s hospitality and finance sectors, with over two decades of experience in business transformation and strategic leadership. As the Chairperson of the Board of Directors at FIHR, the Romanian Hotel Industry Federation, and the CEO of Ana Hotels for about 10 years, one of the largest hotel chains in Romania, Simona plays a key role in shaping the industry. She holds a Master of Arts in Board Practice and Directorship from Henley Business School - UK, as well as an Executive MBA from ASEBUSS and the University of Washington. Her expertise spans corporate governance, hospitality management, change and crisis leadership, strategy formulation, capital markets, and wealth management, particularly in the context of family-owned companies and succession planning.
Simona is deeply committed to elevating Romania’s tourism sector, promoting its international potential, and advocating for sustainable and high-standard practices. During the crises as COVID-19 pandemic or geopolitical turbulence at borders, she demonstrated agile leadership by implementing innovative recovery strategies for the hospitality business. She has actively contributed to national tourism policies and fostered collaboration between the public and private sectors. Her strategic vision, combined with a passion for excellence and impact, continues to position her as a key figure in Romania’s economic and tourism development landscape.
David Jenkins
Vice President Business Development, Radisson Hotel Group
David Jenkins
Vice President Business Development, Radisson Hotel Group
In the region since 1995, David Jenkins joined the Radisson Hotel Group in 2015 as Vice President Business Development and now covers Balkans, Baltics and CAC (Central Asia & Caucuses). This followed on from a 10-year period as one of the most respected hotel consultants in the Russian market with JLL, Cushman & Wakefield, DTZ and Horwath. Prior to consulting, David spent 8 years with Interstate in Moscow working in operations for the 3 Marriott/Interstate properties. David has a degree in Hospitality Management and now has over 30 years of experience in the industry from operations, consulting and development.
In recent years David has signed multiple hotel agreements in Romania, Serbia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania amongst others.
Marius Adrian Moldovan
Executive President, Transilvania Investments
Marius Adrian Moldovan
Executive President, Transilvania Investments
Highlights
Top executive investment fund listed on stock exchange
- CEO, VP and Board member, AUM of 400M Euro
- Experienced board member in various industries: hospitality, real estate, industry
- Capital market professional with more than 20 years experience as a: fund manager, head of trading, broker, investment advisor
- Authorized by Romanian Financial Service Authority (ASF)
- BA in Finance and Law, WU Academy -Executive MBA
Ryandeep Bains
Senior Account Manager, Industry Partners – STR
Ryandeep Bains
Senior Account Manager, Industry Partners – STRRyan works with European hotel owners and investors to provide benchmarking insights for each step of the asset lifecycle. He is a regular speaker at hospitality, revenue management and investment conferences, providing market insights and trends to the industry. After working as audit advisor to global retailers, he moved to the hospitality industry at the beginning of 2022.
Joel Goldman
Founder, Key2 Hotels
Joel Goldman
Founder, Key2 Hotels
For over 30 years, Joel Goldman has been a leading force in hospitality investment and branding. His extensive experience spans property development, branding, and transactions across all short-stay accommodation types. Having held senior roles with some of the world's most prominent hotel brands and consultancies, he has managed complex real estate deals, leasing and brand development throughout the EMEA region.
Joel's deep expertise is forged from a career of two halves—first as a hospitality real estate consultant across Europe, and later as a regional brand developer for three global hotel brands. This dual perspective allows him to effectively connect the dots between real estate and brand strategy.
As the founder of Key2 Hotels, Joel now offers a comprehensive suite of services that goes beyond traditional brokerage and advisory. He provides a confidential resolution service for hospitality disputes and develops training and educational programs for students and executives. Joel brings his multifaceted expertise to both established and emerging independent owner-operators, as well as individual stakeholders who participate in branded hotels.
Michel Rochat
President VAUD Promotion, former CEO EHL Switzerland
Michel Rochat
President VAUD Promotion, former CEO EHL Switzerland
Michel Rochat is President of Vaud Promotion, the state agency in charge to promote the State, as well as President of OVV (Office des vins Vaudois). Additionally, several boards of directors in services and industry give him the opportunity to promote and transfer good practices from one domain to another, but above all he is contributing to the developing of agile governance and teams by sharing network and experiences.
Before becoming CEO of the EHL Group in 2015 (a position he held until 2022), Michel Rochat was General Director of Ecole Hôtelière de Lausanne, a position which he occupied since 2010. Prior to heading the Executive Committee, he had also been a member of EHL's Board of Governors between 2003 and 2010.
Michel Rochat transformed EHL into a modern and well-known international university (ranked n°1 in 2019/2020/2021/2022 by QS). He developed an international network by certifying schools and universities and developing tourism infrastructures in China, India, Lebanon, Mexico, Dubai, Cambodia and Japan. He worked on adapting EHL strategy from a focus on hospitality towards the domain of integrated service.
Michel Rochat began his career with PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he handled major audit and evaluation projects. He then he launched Gresco Conseils a consulting firm dedicated to authorities (France and Switzerland).
Michel Rochat is a graduate of HEC Lausanne, EPFL, Stanford and National University of Singapore. He possesses an ISO professional auditor license and oversaw many internal reorganizations during his 6 years at the Etat de Vaud.
In 2014 he was awarded the Hospitality Innovation Award and in 2016 recognized by Bilanz magazine as one of the top 100 leading figures in Switzerland.
Magsud Rahmanov
Founding Partner, Dosfield Group
Magsud Rahmanov
Founding Partner, Dosfield GroupMagsud is the Founding Partner of Dosfield Group, a hotel investment & advisory firm focusing on offering solutions throughout the lifecycle of hotel real estate ownership in CEE, including deal sourcing, underwriting, execution, debt structuring, negotiation of operating structures as well as hands-on asset management. Having spent nearly 10 years at Cushman & Wakefield, Magsud’s primary focus was on hotel capital market advisory across Central, Southern & Eastern Europe. He successfully completed projects across 10 major markets in Continental Europe advising clients on disposals, acquisitions and strategic asset management, totalling over EUR 1 billion in transaction volumes, where he represented pan-European and global clients such as Accor Invest, Corinthia Hotels, Rixos, B&B Hotels, CPI Property Group and many other PE funds, strategic hotel funds, family offices and HNWIs.
Ben Wolff
CEO, Co-founder stayoasi.com
Ben Wolff
CEO, Co-founder stayoasi.com
Ben Wolff is a hotel developer, operator, and marketer.
He is the co-founder & CEO of hotel marketing and management firm, Oasi, and co-founder of landscape hotel brand, Onera.
Oasi drives growth for hotels worldwide through video storytelling, social media marketing, revenue strategies and hotel management.
Onera is the top-performing hotel brand in the Texas Hill Country and sold its first location to a public REIT in 2022.
Anja Graf
CEO, Founder and Chairwoman, Visionapartments
Anja Graf
CEO, Founder and Chairwoman, Visionapartments
Anja Graf, the founder, Group CEO, and Chairwoman of VISIONAPARTMENTS, is a dynamic business leader with a strong educational foundation. She received her education at Switzerland’s Seminar Unterstrasse and has consistently sought to enhance her practical business knowledge through various courses and seminars.
Under Anja's visionary leadership, VISIONAPARTMENTS has become a market leader in furnished apartment and commercial accommodation in Switzerland. Starting with just 4 apartments in 1999, the company now boasts over 2’500 properties across Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Romania and more. It has expanded into several European countries, becoming a multinational corporation with over 20 “Satellite” Sales Offices across Europe, solidifying its presence in European markets.
Anja's ultimate goal is to achieve global dominance in the industry, emphasizing a practical and action-oriented approach. Her multilingual proficiency and dedication to business are noteworthy, and she enjoys reading, sports, and cultural adventures.
VISIONAPARTMENTS has diversified into complementary sectors, including Jar Food Production – YAJAR – a health orientated eco-friendly solution for busy individuals. The company further ventured into water production, along with the establishment of the La Lup bistro & bar brand.
In addition to her achievements with VISIONAPARTMENTS, Anja Graf recently acquired and continues to maintain Acomodeo.com, a leading B2B platform for booking serviced apartments. Acomodeo.com connects travelers with a curated selection of over 8 million high-quality serviced apartments worldwide. With this acquisition, Anja is further expanding her influence in the corporate travel industry, ensuring Acomodeo.com's continued success under her strategic guidance.
Apart from her successful business life, Anja is a devoted mother of four children, finding joy in family life and sharing it with her partner. She balances her dynamic, international perspective by residing in Bucharest, Romania, and frequently travelling to Switzerland, enjoying the best of both worlds and rich cultural experiences.
Farhan Shubailat
Corporate Director of Development, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSC
Farhan Shubailat
Corporate Director of Development, Rotana Hotel Management Corporation PJSCFarhan Shubailat is the Corporate Director of Development at Rotana Hotel Management Corporation, where he is responsible for identifying strategic market opportunities, driving growth and expanding the company’s portfolio. A graduate of EHL Hospitality Business School, he gained early experience with Intercontinental and Starwood groups. At Rotana, he has held several senior leadership roles, including Financial Controller, Director of Finance, and Director of Research and Development.
Césarine Calafell
Analyst (Hotel Transactions), Cushman & Wakefield
Césarine Calafell
Analyst (Hotel Transactions), Cushman & WakefieldCésarine Calafell is part of the Hotel Transactions at Cushman & Wakefield, covering the CEE and SEE region. She contributes to the region’s leading Capital Markets practice, which has transacted over 65 hotels valued at more than €2 billion since 2015. Césarine provides clients with market insights and broker opinions of value, advising on hotel acquisitions and disposals and offering guidance on pricing, market positioning, and transaction strategy to maximize investment outcomes across Central and Southeastern Europe. She graduated with honors at EHL Hospitality Business School.
Adina Oprea
Channel Sales Manager, CEED Sales Romania, Samsung Electronics
Adina Oprea
Channel Sales Manager, CEED Sales Romania, Samsung ElectronicsAdina Oprea is a distinguished sales professional with over 14 years of experience, currently thriving as a Channel Manager at Samsung. Her career spans the IT and telecommunications industries, where she has excelled in developing strategic partnerships, driving sales growth, and leading high-performing projects. In addition to her corporate achievements, Adina has also ventured into entrepreneurship, successfully managing a social media platform for her crafting shop. Her diverse expertise and innovative approach continue to make significant contributions to Samsung's success and the broader industry.
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa
Partner, Țucă Zbârcea & Asociații
Răzvan Gheorghiu-Testa
Partner, Țucă Zbârcea & AsociațiiRăzvan Gheorghiu-Testa is a Partner of Țuca Zbârcea & Asociații, specialising in real estate law, corporate law, mergers and acquisitions and taxation. He has been listed four times in the "Top 50 Most Influential People on the Real Estate Market in Romania" guide published by Property Forum. His clients are investors and developers, asset and property managers, financial institutions/banks, energy investors, major retailers, engineering, construction and infrastructure companies and public authorities. He is also actively involved, including on a pro bono basis, in various programs dedicated to the growth of the HoReCa industry, while at the same time acting as a lawyer for numerous entrepreneurs in this industry. Furthermore, over time, Răzvan has invested in various start-ups in the HoReCa sector.
Mikhail Kolesnik
Regional Development Director, Eastern Europe&CIS, Minor Hotels Europe and Americas
Mikhail Kolesnik
Regional Development Director, Eastern Europe&CIS, Minor Hotels Europe and AmericasMikhail Kolesnik is responsible for MINOR Hotels growth as Regional Development Director in Eastern Europe, including Romania, Bulgaria, Balkans & CIS. Focusing on key gateway cities as well as resorts with the portfolio of 12 international brands ranging from selected service to iconic luxury.
Dan Mihai
Founding partner, Mihai & Co. Business Lawyers
Dan Mihai
Founding partner, Mihai & Co. Business Lawyers
Dan Mihai is the founding partner of Mihai & Co. Business Lawyers, a Bucharest-based firm advising multinational and local companies since 2003. With over two decades of legal practice, he has developed a strong reputation in corporate and commercial law, mergers and acquisitions, and international arbitration.
His legal advisory work spans industries including hospitality, where he has supported clients in navigating regulatory frameworks, structuring cross-border operations, and resolving commercial disputes. Dan’s experience includes coordinating multidisciplinary teams across jurisdictions and providing strategic counsel to executive boards and management teams in service-driven sectors.
He is a member of the Bucharest Bar Association and serves as Secretary General of the Proteus International Network of Law Firms.. He is appointed as an arbitrator at several international Courts of Arbitrations as: the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS/TAS, Lausanne), EODID Athens Mediation & Arbitration Organisation, Sport Resolutions UK, the Permanent Court of Arbitration with AHK Romania. These roles have equipped him to handle complex international disputes involving branding, licensing, and contractual enforcement across jurisdictions.
Dan regularly contributes to professional panels and seminars, where he has addressed legal challenges in employment and service delivery—topics closely tied to operational realities in hospitality.
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.
With the distinguished participation of
Mihai A. Ghigiu
Member of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies
Mihai A. Ghigiu
Member of the Romanian Chamber of Deputies
He holds a PhD in Political Science from the National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest (SNSPA) and has taught courses in European policy since 2012. He was appointed Vice-Rector of SNSPA in 2018 and served in this position until he was appointed President - Secretary of State of the National Institute of Administration (INA) in January 2022.
Previously, Mr. Ghigiu served as Senior Advisor to the Romanian Minister of National Education (2012-2014, 2016) and Deputy Minister in the General Secretariat of the Romanian Government (2017). Mr. Ghigiu has also been a member of the Board of the Romanian – US Fulbright Commission (2019-2022).
Also, Mr. Ghigiu is national coordinator for intellectual property and president of the Commission for Examination of Foreign Direct Investments (CEISD).
Mihai Ghigiu attended several training courses in Europe and the U.S., such as Universidad Complutense – Madrid (2013); École Nationale d’Administration (ENA) – Paris (2014); ETH – Swiss School of Public Governance – Zurich (2018); Kennedy School – Harvard University – USA (2017, 2018 and 2023), and other similar programs.
Daniel David
Romanian Minister of Education and Research
Radu-Dinel Miruță
Romanian Minister of Economy, Digitalisation, Entrepreneurship, and Tourism
