With more than two decades of experience, Sunish is a Certified Revenue Management Executive (CRME) who specializes in Digital Strategy, ECommerce implementation, and establishing revenue management culture in the hospitality industry. Throughout his career, Sunish has focused on developing Commercial Revenue Strategy and building digital infrastructure for properties in countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Dubai, Maldives, and the Philippines, while working with diverse teams and cultures. He has been responsible for Revenue strategies at more than 20 properties.

Sunish has gained extensive knowledge and insights into Hospitality Management through his work with luxury hospitality operators like Amari and Anantara, as well as independent operators such as Chelsea and Chroma, at both property and corporate levels.
Combining his expertise in digital marketing, sales, e-commerce, distribution, and revenue management, Sunish has developed market share growth strategies that have consistently driven profitability across all revenue streams. He is also a passionate advocate of Book Direct Initiatives in the APAC region.

Sunish is a highly regarded speaker at various events, including the Direct Booking Summit, Digital Travel Asia, Eye for Travel, and Triptease. He is also a contributor to various blogs on Online Distribution and Direct Booking Initiatives.

Mr. Garry Garcia is a highly respected figure in the international hospitality industry with over four decades of international experience. He has been instrumental in transforming the brand image of several hotels worldwide, leveraging his deep understanding of hotel management and operations, which he acquired through his formal education from various institutions, including University of Toronto, Cornell University, and National University of Singapore.

As the hospitality industry continues to evolve, Mr. Garcia has adapted himself to the ever-changing business environment, equipping himself with skills such as data science, asset management, and business development. He is a firm believer in actively engaging with the stakeholder local tourism, serving as an officer for various organizations such as Philippine Tourism Congress, Danang Tourism Commission in Vietnam, Tourism, Lapu-Lapu City’s Historical and Cultural Commission and SKAL International.

Mr. Garcia has penned and reviewed a number of articles for various publications, including Cornell Hospitality Quarterly, Harvard Business Review, and Travel Life Magazine, among others.

In his spare time, Mr. Garcia enjoys scuba diving and participating in triathlons. He is also an officer in the Philippine Coast Guard Auxiliary, holding the rank of Commander.

Mr. Jeremiah “Jem” Pampolina is currently the Vice President of Investor Relations & Corporate Planning and also the Chief Compliance Officer of publicly listed real estate company Sta. Lucia Land Inc. (SLI) with over 20 years experience in real estate, investor relations, finance, operations, marketing & branding, business development, leadership and strategic planning.

He previously served as Junior Bank Officer of Union Bank of the Philippines cited as a Quality Banker, Business Development & Strategic Planning Manager of P. J. Lhuillier Group of Companies, Supply Chain and Operations Manager of Technomarine Philippines and Business Development & Operations Manager of Aboitiz-Jebsen.

He was also an Associate Lecturer at De La Salle University teaching Strategic Management.
He was recently awarded by Cxociety Asia Excellence - Leadership Award as FP&A Lead Finalist representing the Philippines last Jan 2022 at Conrad Hotel Singapore.

Graduate of AB Management Economics at the Ateneo De Manila University and MBA Graduate with Distinction and Dean’s Honors' List at the De La Salle Graduate School of Business.

Mr. Reyes, a pioneer, opened the first independently managed property in 2017 with 668 hotel rooms and 8 Food & Beverage outlets. With 35+ years of diverse experience in the Asia-Pacific region, he specializes in hospitality, including hotel and restaurant management, serviced apartments, project development, construction management, refurbishment, and operations.

Florent grew up in the west of France and was studying Biology before he shifted to Hospitality Management. He worked with a Michelin star and a top 5-star restaurant in France and also worked in the UK before moving to Asia to pursue his career.

He was the General Manager for a hotel in Jakarta Indonesia, prior to joining Red Planet Hotels in 2017 where he became the Director of Operations for Red Planet Indonesia. He rose to become Vice President for Operations of the company, coming into full-circle as the new Chief Executive Officer by 2022.

Highly motivated, tactical, and versatile leader with cross-functional experience in:

o Corporate Finance
o Mergers & Acquisitions
o Corporate Strategy
o Investment Distribution
o Product Development
o Asset Management
o Social Entrepreneurship


Skilled in anticipating changes to dynamic environments and leveraging this to create high-impact results.

Self-starter with proven analytical, organizational, communication and creative skills.

I consider myself a citizen of the world having lived in the Philippines, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Japan, China and the United States

Certification: International Association of Registered Financial Consultants, Securities and Exchange Commission Registered Fixed Income, Equity and Mutual Fund Sales, Treasury Certification Program (Money Market and Foreign Exchange Modules), Certified Securities Representative

Matthias Gelber is an international ESG and Sustainability expert who supports various sustainable brands with their ESG and NetZero journey. In 2022 he completed a two-and-a-half-year assignment as ESG advisor at the Philippines Stock Exchange. He was voted Greenest Person on the Planet in 2008 and has given talks in 42 countries internationally and five times at TEDx events. Matthias holds a Master's degree in Environmental Science from Brunel University, UK, and now lives a happy family life in the Philippines. He is a regular trainer and advisor for the tourism and hotel industry in the SE Asia region.

General management professional with over 20 years progressive experience in strategic
planning, improving operational efficiency, team building and project management for hospitality industry.

She is able to quickly understand complex concepts, identify and solve problems, turn ideas into logicalstrategies, and implement systems that optimize productivity and customer satisfaction, decreasevacancy rates and increase bottom line. Likewise an ethical team player, an out-of-the-box thinker andresult focused leader.

AHG is led by its Managing Director, a passionate hotelier, Juan P. Roca, with over 25 years of
extensive hospitality experience from various hotels and resorts around Asia, the Caribbean,
and Europe. With years of experience in several hotels locally, he obtained deep knowledge of
the Philippine market.

Juan has the expertise in managing properties from luxurious down to mid-scale, from pre-
opening to actual operations, driving revenue management, sales & marketing to hit targets,

and managing finances. He has also earned Master Certificates in Hospitality Management,
Hotel Planning and Design from Cornell University; and Hotel Feasibility Analysis, Development
and Negotiations from EHL Hospitality Business School.

The last 23 years of Alexander Ablaza’s 38-year professional career have been dedicated to growing energy efficiency and other clean energy technology deployment in 14 Asian markets through the identification, due diligence and financial close of over $3 billion in direct investments, and also through catalytic market and policy interventions.
Across Asia and the Middle East, he currently provides energy efficiency expertise with the objective of scaling up energy efficiency capital flows through innovative finance, investment structures and policy reform.

He convened and chairs the Asia-Pacific ESCO Industry Alliance and the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance. He co-founded the Global ESCO Network and co-chairs a taskforce of the global coalition, Mission Efficiency.

Wearing his investment hat, he designed and heads Climargy, the world’s pioneer private Super-ESCO aggregator of ESCO project assets.

Alex is armed with 35 years of project and corporate management experience, and an educational background in civil engineering (BSCE) and business economics (MBE).

"As a passionate tourism advocate and resort owner, Alfred drives the Hotel, Tourism & Leisure division at Leechiu Property Consultants.

Alfred has over 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Australia, Singapore, US and the Philippines. His experience varies from hotels, restaurants franchise systems and the last 7 years as a consultant with leading hospitality consulting firms.

As Director of Leechiu Property Consultants, Alfred leads a specialist team to grow the business focus on Hospitality industry Research, Development, Investment Sales and Advisory.

Alfred holds a Bachelor of Economics from Monash University, Australia and Advanced Certificate in Hotel Real Estate Investments and Asset Management from Cornell University, School of Hotel Administration.

Chris is a dynamic professional driven by an unwavering passion for Sales and Revenue Management. With an illustrious career spanning 28 years in the hospitality industry, Chris has established himself as a seasoned leader in the field. His expertise lies in directing contracting and sales teams, having successfully served renowned international B2C and B2B online agencies in Southeast Asia.

One of Chris's standout achievements is his exceptional ability to guide his teams in achieving a harmonious market mix, ensuring each property reaches its maximum Total REVPAR potential. His dedication to the industry is evident in his continuous pursuit of knowledge and professional development. Chris holds a postgraduate certificate in Chief Marketing Officer Leadership Development from the prestigious Asian Institute of Management. Additionally, he has earned a Master Certificate in Revenue Management from Cornell University, showcasing his commitment to staying at the forefront of industry trends.

Chris's qualifications extend further, with certifications as a Revenue Management Executive and a Certified Digital Marketing Professional. These certifications underscore his proficiency in both traditional and digital marketing strategies, enhancing his ability to empower hotels to enhance their online presence and capitalize on diverse revenue streams.

With his wealth of experience, deep industry knowledge, and an impressive portfolio of qualifications, Chris is an invaluable asset to the hospitality sector. He continues to make a significant impact on hotels' overall success, helping them thrive in an ever-evolving and competitive market.

As Director of Hospitality in Gensler's fast-growing Asia Pacific & Middle East region, Kirk Ellis is one of Gensler’s global Hospitality Practice leaders. His approach to finding solutions that address memorable guest experiences, revenue generation, and efficient operations is appreciated by developers and hotel operators alike. Kirk's design leadership focuses on creating smart and effective solutions that differentiate a project in the marketplace, while also balancing aesthetics and constructability. Having worked in cities around the world, Kirk is a recognised thought leader and speak at industry events about factors beyond aesthetics that shape the future of hospitality design.

Philip Barnes serves as the Country General Manager of The Ascott Limited, Philippines. He is responsible for the successful leadership and management of the company’s business operations in the country. The portfolio in the country comprises of thirteen (13) operating hospitality properties in Metro Manila, Cebu, and Iloilo-Iloilo, under the brands of Ascott, Somerset, Citadines & lyf. Philip has oversight in the pre-opening of new properties, ensuring strong implementation of brand standards, revenue generation and audit compliance. Currently, there are a further eighteen (18) properties under development.

With experiences in Hong-Kong, Malaysia and Australia, Philip brings a proven track record in the industry. Philip and his team(s) have received multiple prestigious recognitions, including the Ascott Global Property of the Year Award, Ascott's Corporate Social Responsibility Award, EDGE Certification of Ascott Makati (first Global Service Residence to achieve), BCA Green Mark Certification of Somerset Central Salcedo Makati and consecutive World Travel Awards.

Philip holds an MBA in Asset and Revenue Management from Glion University, Switzerland along with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Hospitality Management from The University of Tasmania, Australia.

"With over 10 years of experience in real estate, Katrina Tordilla is currently heading the business development of The Ascott Limited in the Philippines, driving growth across its portfolio of serviced residence, hotel, and co-living brands. Katrina’s extensive background in project management and real estate development provides her a unique perspective in integrating hospitality solutions to development projects. In line with steering the company’s organic growth in the country, Katrina is an advocate for local and sustainable tourism and its ability to act as a catalyst for progress.

Katrina graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Business Management Honors Program of the Ateneo de Naga University."

Loleth So, a renowned figure in the hotel industry with 35 years of experience, has made significant contributions in PR and Sales & Marketing. She held key roles at prestigious establishments including The Peninsula Manila, Solaire Resorts & Casino, Pan Pacific Manila, Sofitel Ho Chi Minh, Crown Regency Hotels & Resorts, and Holiday Inn Resort in Clark Pampanga.

Currently, she serves as the Area Director of Sales and Marketing at Megaworld Hotels & Resorts and is the President and Board of Trustee of the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA). Her expertise in Revenue Management, Financials, PR, and Sales & Marketing drives her commitment to ensuring sustained company profitability.

With a Bachelor of Arts & Sciences degree from the University of the Philippines, she finds happiness in her family life and is proud of her talented daughter, a gymnastics champion. Loleth's unwavering dedication to her family's well-being and her industry accomplishments make her an enduring source of inspiration.

President
Hotel Restaurant Association of the Philippines

Hanky Lee is the serial entrepreneur, brand builder and visionary behind The Henry Hotels and Resorts, the pioneering boutique hotel brand in the Philippines. In a short span of time, the properties have won numerous awards and accolades. Competing against established international hospitality giants, he has brought his properties to consistently win TripAdvisor's Traveller’s Choice and Certificate of Excellence Awards.

His vision is to open more properties in the country within the coming years and continues its mission of providing ‘Like No Other’ experiences via People, Place and Philippines. More properties are currently being developed in Boracay, Cebu and Tagaytay.

Before venturing into hospitality, Hanky co-founded Yellow Cab Pizza Co. in 2001 and was owner until 2011 when the brand was sold to a listed company. At that time, Yellow Cab was the fastest growing pizza chain with 80 stores in the Philippines and international stores in Malaysia, Qatar and the US.

If you’d like to be part of the journey as an existing hotel owner, land owner or investor, do get in touch with him how he can redefine and elevate your property.

Over 23 years of experience in the Hotel / Hospitality industry. Specializing in Operations, Financial Management, Sales & marketing, Property Management. Extensive experience in Project Management and Pre Opening Properties.
Grassroots were from Pan Pacific Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and currently with Ascott Limited, one of the leading international lodging owner / operator worldwide.

Over 23 years of experience in the Hotel / Hospitality industry. Specializing in Operations, Financial Management, Sales & marketing, Property Management. Extensive experience in Project Management and Pre Opening Properties.
Grassroots were from Pan Pacific Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and currently with Ascott Limited, one of the leading international lodging owner / operator worldwide.

Executive Director
Philippine Hotel Owners Association (PHOA)

Backed by his broad architectural background, Norman joined HBA in 1998 where he explored the many facets of hospitality design. With a keen eye for detail and exceptional space planning skills, he nurtured his passion for creating bespoke interiors-spaces that are unique with the distinctive experience of guests and end-users in mind.

After living overseas, 10 years in Singapore and 8 years in Australia, Norman moved to Manila in late 2013. Having worked on high-end hospitality projects with HBA over the years, his approach to design has evolved into a process of designing from the inside out, closely collaborating with Clients and Operators alike.

He strongly believes in concept-driven design, defined not just by function but also by the location of the project. As a designer, his travels to Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific, China, USA, and Europe have been a valuable source of inspiration. Jazz is also an important creative motivating force. His love of jazz music could only be rivaled by his passion for great design. He explains, “Good design is like a well-composed jazz piece. Aside from technical ability, a jazz musician creates depth; the articulation of notes is fueled by emotion. Excellent design should make you feel good”.

In his current role as Partner of HBA Manila, Norman brings with him years of international industry experience to produce the highest level of inspired design. He infuses HBA’s DNA into the team of carefully selected designers from diverse specialty backgrounds, resulting in projects delivered with competence and a fresh design aesthetic.

Gaurang Khemka is an Architect with a specialization in Urban Design, Urban Hotels and Resort Planning and Architecture. He has over 27 years of experience working in North America, Europe and Asia and has worked across a range of scales and contexts, from master planning and programming public institutions to detailed design of high-end resorts and residences. He understands the essence of place making and the qualities that create some of the world’s finest institutional, hospitality, commercial and residential projects and combines that with his management skills to deliver a product of the highest quality.

Gaurang has studied Architecture, Urban Design and Planning from Sushant School of Architecture, India and the University of California, Berkeley. and has worked with reputed architects and urban design firms such as Charles Correa (Mumbai), Kerry Hill Architects (Singapore), EDAW/AECOM (San Francisco), HOK (Hong Kong, Singapore and Brisbane) and Populous as their South Asia Leader.

He is an active member of several professional organizations globally such as AIA, APA, IIA, SIA, SPUR and sits on the board for ULI South Asia. He is a visiting professor at CED, UC Berkeley and Adjunct Associate Professor, Department of Architecture at the National University of Singapore.

He started his own firm URBNarc in 2011 and the firm has completed award-winning projects such as Alila Seminyak - a luxury beach resort in Bali, Indian Heritage Centre in Singapore and Serenity Sky Villas in Vietnam. The firm also has multiple projects in different stages of design, construction or completion spread across the globe.

He is also an active philanthropist and sits on the Board for STEP and advises regularly to Street Child Project/ I-India (www.i-indiaonline.com).
He is very passionate about cities and is an ideator for policy and planning for creating liveable cities. He has been nominated by the Ministry of National Development, Singapore, to be a Global Young Leader at World Cities Summit.

"John Pauline is Design Principal for JERDE, Singapore.
He has been a key designer of some of the worlds most high profile projects including :

Watercube - National Aquatic Centre, Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.
Recent hospitality focused projects include;
Hollywood Road Tower, Hong Kong
Shaw Studios Re-Development, Hong Kong
The Silveri Hotel, Hong Kong
Mr C Residential, Dubai
The Podium, Manila
Lanson Place, Manila
Palau Banyan Tree, Palau
Shangri La Hotel, Putian
Fairmont Hotel, Chengdu
Palm Island, Chongqing
Wawu Mountain Hotel and Resort, Sichuan
John specialises in integrated mixed use developments, involving complex combinations of office, hotel, leisure, retail, residential and cultural functions
John's work has been published in multiple international design magazines and architectural books. His work has been displayed at Architectural Biennale's in Venice and Beijing
He has lived and worked in Singapore, Australia, Indonesia, USA, Qatar, Greece, UK, Japan, Brazil, Russia, Korea and China"

"Mr. AJ Dela Fuente or better known as Coach AJ is a Celebrity Coach has mentored and coached the finest and brightest stars in the Philippine Entertainment Industry with over 15 years of solid coaching at ABS CBN Talent Center now known as Star Magic.

In addition, he was also a consultant at John Robert Powers International where he contributed to writing its curriculum and mentored its students. The highlight of his career at JRP was the send-off of his students to New York to compete at the International Model and Talent Association where his mentees bagged contracts from talent agencies from Milan, New York, Japan, and Paris.

He started his hospitality career in learning and development with world-renowned Amanpulo. He then moved to Accor Hotels as Regional L&D Manager for 5 countries - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Maldives, and the Philippines - identifying and developing talents to future-proof the business. He is now Robinsons Hotels and Resorts Director for Human Resources and Training where he also champions its CSR Projects.

He is recently recognized as Philippines' Top 30 Leaders on LinkedIn 2023 and Philippines' Top Corporate Education Leader 2023. He believes in Equipping Leaders of Tomorrow, Today."

With over 20 years of experience in the tourism industry, a passionate leader and innovator in sustainable tourism and destinations development, management, recognition and certification. As the President and CEO of the Society for Sustainable Tourism (SST), Green Destinations Southeast Asia Partner and Representative, has spearheaded learning and capacity building programs, consultancy and advisory services, and keynote speaking and resource person engagements for public and private stakeholders in Southeast Asia and beyond.

A co-founder and vice chair of the Asian Ecotourism Network (AEN), Author and Adviser of The Coron Initiative UNEP APFED Showcase Program, now working more than ever in Learning & Leadership Building, and a UNWTO Multi Advisory Council-MAC Partner. Her mission is to promote excellence in sustainable tourism and ecotourism, with a focus on grassroots and community social responsibility, cultural and ecological legacy, authentic and responsible travel experiences. Her field of expertise covers ecotourism, community-based, sustainable MICE, and agri-tourism development and promotion, as well as sales, marketing, operations, events, and human resources management for small and luxury hotel resorts, tour operators, travel agencies, lifestyle events, and publications.

Mike Emaas boasts an impressive 20-year tenure in the insurance and banking industry, complemented by a robust 4-year stint in Fintech. His professional journey has been marked by a profound expertise in various domains, including merchant acquisition, corporate and wholesale sales, as well as cultivating partnerships and driving business development. Throughout his career, Mike has consistently exhibited a commitment to excellence, making him a seasoned and accomplished professional in the financial sector

Driven by a unique career trajectory that transitioned from the sciences to a prominent role in the hospitality industry, Cecille has amassed an impressive 23 years of experience, establishing herself as a dynamic and accomplished hotelier. Beginning her journey with a degree in biology, Cecille made a pivotal shift into sales and subsequently delved into operations within the hospitality sector.

Cecille's journey in the hospitality industry commenced when she secured a position in an internationally renowned hotel in Makati, transitioning from her background in sales. Demonstrating exceptional dedication and leadership skills, she climbed the corporate ladder, leaving an indelible mark on properties across Metro Manila and the scenic shores of Boracay.

In 2016, Cecille joined The Ascott Limited – Philippines, assuming the role of Residence Manager at Somerset Alabang Manila. Her proficiency and commitment to excellence propelled her ascent, leading to her appointment as General Manager for Ascott Makati and Somerset Millennium Makati in April 2022.

In a testament to her outstanding capabilities, Cecille's journey reached new heights in 2023 when she was appointed as the Area Manager for The Ascott Limited, responsible for overseeing the operations of multiple fundamental properties in Makati. This portfolio includes Ascott Makati, Somerset Millennium Makati, Citadines Benavidez Makati, Citadines Salcedo Makati, Somerset Central Salcedo Makati, and the soon-to-open Somerset Valero Makati.

Cecille's strategic vision, coupled with her wealth of experience, has contributed to the success of individual properties and played a pivotal role in shaping the overall excellence of The Ascott Limited in the Philippines. Her dedication to fostering unparalleled guest experiences and her ability to lead diverse teams make her an invaluable asset to the organization as it thrives in the competitive hospitality landscape.