EHMA
importance of perseverance and hard work. He succinctly captured this with a compelling statement: “Hard work surpasses talent if talent does not work hard.” Building on this theme, Paola Gariglio showcased the transformative capabilities of AI platforms in optimising operations – from analysing RFPs to designing tailored travel itineraries – highlighting how technology can amplify both human productivity and creative potential. Equally compelling was the session led by Manuel Engelsthal, who emphasised the critical need to embrace technological innovation and adopt practical solutions – such as carbon offsetting – to meet the pressing challenge of emissions reduction. This message was further strengthened by Christoph Steindorf, who presented a thorough and forward- thinking introduction to blueprinting methodologies specifically designed to elevate sustainability and efficiency in luxury hotel operations. Alexa Poortier’s enlightening session challenged common assumptions around sustainability, emphasising the essential pillars of compliance, transparency, equitable income distribution, net-zero targets and ecosystem stewardship – cornerstones of responsible leadership in luxury hospitality. Nick Driessen offered a poignant reminder of the strength found in unity when facing global disruption. His message powerfully conveyed thought through the evocative analogy of “brewing a better world”, resonated deeply with attendees. Equally impactful was Paola Vulterini’s passionate call for inclusive leadership, centred on the empowering principle: “Nothing about us without us.” Her message reinforced a vital truth – designing a better world for individuals with disabilities ultimately enhances the experience for all guests and the hotel’s team.
A personal highlight was Professor Ian Yeoman’s keynote, which offered a compelling vision of the future of food tourism. He portrayed food not just as nourishment but as a powerful medium for escapism and community connection – an especially poignant insight as climate change continues to transform culinary landscapes.
Dr Joanna Jurga deepened our understanding of neuro-architecture, revealing how physical environments profoundly shape emotional well- being and sensory perception. Her insights are especially relevant as hotels increasingly aim to craft spaces that foster emotional connections and elevate guest satisfaction. Renowned designer Adam D Tihany shared an inspiring framework for anticipating guest expectations – rooted in creativity, meticulous craftsmanship and the delivery of authentic value. These principles are vital to achieving enduring
Hotel Management International /
www.hmi-online.com
success in luxury hospitality. Clare Shine’s closing remarks eloquently captured the spirit of our AGM’s educational journey, calling on the industry to champion inclusion, embrace sustainability and confront societal anxieties – paving the way for a transformative future in hospitality. Adding a compelling dimension to the insights shared by our industry speakers, Fifa and Uefa referee Szymon Marciniak delivered powerful lessons in leadership, ambition, humility and self- belief. The wisdom of his mentor, Pierluigi Collina – urging never to allow success to foster arrogance – resonated deeply within the audience. These enriching sessions embodied the essence of our AGM: a commitment to continuous learning, unlearning and re-learning – a mindset that is essential for navigating the future with agility and purpose.
Evolution and revolution Technology has undeniably reshaped both our lives and professions. Pawel Motyl eloquently illustrated this through the transformative impact of innovation of the iPhone and Google Maps – disruptions that profoundly affected companies such as Garmin and TomTom. Today, the rapid evolution of AI, further underscored this momentum. Breakthroughs like Sora’s hyper-realistic video generation and Google’s revelation revealing that a significant proportion of GPT code is algorithmically generated, showing the accelerating pace of technological innovation in hospitality.
As we embrace these technologies, it is essential to remain rooted in a human-centric ethos – hospitality by design. Integrating AI should complement our efforts to enhance guest experiences, improve sustainability goals and support employee well-being – never to replace the human intuition, empathy and creativity that lie at the heart of our industry.
I was deeply honoured to be re-elected as president of EHMA for the 2025–27 term – a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to guiding our industry with integrity, loyalty and trust. Together with Pawel Lewtak as first vice-president and Stephan Stokkermans as vice-president, we stand ready to uphold and further the prestigious legacy of EHMA. We are also delighted to welcome 12 new EHMA members, each contributing fresh energy and innovative perspectives, further strengthening EHMA’s dynamic growth. With our membership now reaching 478 hospitality professionals, EHMA continues to expand its influence fostering a thriving community dedicated to excellence in the industry. ●
9
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31
