The remaining tickets to AHICE on May 16 in Melbourne are selling fast and anyone wishing to attend is encouraged to book by next week to avoid disappointment.
The news comes as the fourth annual Australasian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE) continues to attract a record number of delegates in 2013, with close to 300 from the nation’s largest chains now confirmed for the day-long event at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins.
A special welcome event has also been announced by organisers Intermedia (publisher of HM magazine) and Interpoint Events. An exclusive function – sponsored by HM, The Windsor Melbourne, Crush Wines, Asahi and Kingfisher Beers and Somersby Cider – set to be held at the historic Windsor Melbourne hotel on Spring Street from 6-9pm on Wednesday May 15.
The main conference – emceed by leading asset manager Howard Kemball and has themed ‘Leadership Matters… the Leaders of Today and the Future’ – then gets underway at 8:45am on May 16 with a welcome from HM magazine’s Editor-In-Chief James Wilkinson, followed by a series of panels and keynote speakers.
Speakers lined-up for AHICE to date include Carolyn Creswell, founder of Carman’s muesli bars and recent recipient of the prestigious 2012 Telstra Business Woman of the Year Award, and Accor Asia-Pacific’s Chairman and CEO, Michael Issenberg, who is flying in from Singapore for the day-long event.
Notable sessions on the day include: ‘The Asian Century’, which will look at travellers’ trends in Asia-Pacific and the outbound markets of China and India; ‘What Owners Want’, a detailed discussion about the expectations of hotel owners in 2013 and beyond; ‘Industry Leaders Forum’, where the region’s leading CEOs will face tough questions from the moderator and the crowd; ‘Business Events’, which will look at the competitive state of the market; and ‘Hotel Development Outlook’ where heads of development will talk about opportunities in Australasia.
Journalist Bruce Guthrie will then close out the day. Guthrie has been editor of The Sunday Age, The Age, Who Weekly, the Weekend Australian Magazine and Wish. His most recent appointment, in 2007, was as editor-in-chief of the Herald-Sun – a role he filled until his dramatic and unexpected exit in November 2008, which is documented in his recent book ‘Man Bites Murdoch’.
“We are thrilled with the response to date for the change of city and season and the whole team are looking forward to hosting a world-class event in a world class destination,” said HM magazine’s Wilkinson.
“Attendees can expect an insightful day from over 20 fantastic speakers from inside and outside the industry and as such, AHICE promises to be a must-attend event on the accommodation industry calendar,” he said.
For the last three years the event – which annually attracts over 220 hoteliers, suppliers and industry leaders – has been held in Sydney and for 2013 it was decided to give the event a fresh take, including a change of season and city.
To date, sponsors of the event include gold sponsor Reward Hotel Projects (gold), and silver sponsors AH Beard, DE Master Blenders, Dometic, Empire Hospitality, Innova Group, Nespresso, Sealy, SICO and Sleepmaker, while industry supporters include Accor (platinum), Choice Hotels Australasia (gold), IHG (gold), Mantra (gold), Quest (gold), Best Western (silver), Hyatt Hotels and Resorts (silver), Pan Pacific Hotels Group (silver), Toga Hospitality (silver), The Windsor Melbourne (silver) and Wyndham (silver). Industry supporters are the Accommodation Association of Australia, Tourism Accommodation Australia, TTF Australia and Victoria Tourism Industry Council.
For tickets and a speaker line-up, visit www.ahice.com.au