Singapore Hotel Association (SHA) kicked off its first Hospitality Exchange 2024 this morning at Hilton Singapore Orchard, a conference built to tackle vital industry trends and key concerns and of hoteliers operating in the city-state.
Welcoming participants, Kenneth Li, president of SHA, described the new conference as a “must-attend blockbuster event of the year” with a programme that leverages SHA’s expertise in innovation, sustainability and human capital.
Li expressed hopes that the Hospitality Exchange would become an annual platform for industry colleagues to “promote exchange of ideas, views on how to advance our industry, and to jointly tackle challenges we face through real-life case studies and experiences”.
Sessions included a panel discussion on the impact on the workplace brought on by the integration of people and technology, a panel discussion on co-creating a green hospitality experience, a presentation on latest sustainability trends and initiatives in Singapore, and more.
Hospitality Exchange 2024 comprised an exhibition component that showcased vendors supporting various operational aspects of hotels.
Speaking to TTG Asia on the sidelines, Li said the debut edition was well attended by about 270 people – most of whom were hotel general managers, senior leadership and hotel owners in Singapore.
When asked if the next edition would be held across more than just a day and target hoteliers from the region, Li said priority was to “start small and then slowly grow” the conference, with a focus on “captivating the local audience with topics right and relevant for us”.
As for topics to be featured next year, Li said the SHA team would look into leading trends of the moment and consider diving deeper into the same pertinent areas that were addressed this year.
“There are some ideas that I’ve already pencilled down,” he said, adding that breakout sessions could be built into future editions.
Bringing with him a wealth of expertise in experiential luxury hospitality, Billgren first joined Minor Hotels in 2021 where he served as general manager of Anantara Mui Ne Resort, and has since held other leadership roles at several of Minor Hotels’ key properties in Asia before joining Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle.
With nearly two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, D’Souza will manage the daily activities across all departments, with a focus on operational excellence, financial performance, and enhancing the guest experience.
With over 30 years of experience in the Thai tourism sector, his diverse background and expertise across all segments and departments of the destination management business make him a valuable asset to the company.
The Cathay/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens 2025 will be held at Kai Tak Sports Park (KTSP) from March 28 to 30 next year, where rugby teams and passionate fans from around the world can participate in this inaugural event.
This Sevens event will be one of the first major international sports events at the KTSP’s opening period, marking a significant milestone in Hong Kong’s sports legacy, and is expected to further boost the tourism and entertainment industries, creating significant economic benefits.
KTSP is working closely with the Hong Kong China Rugby (HKCR) and relevant government departments for the three-day event, which will be held at the Kai Tak Stadium. Accommodating up to 50,000 spectators, the venue is equipped with numerous international standard facilities, along with a wide variety of dining, retail, and leisure options within the precinct.
The Kai Tak Stadium is also one of the few venues globally designed specifically for rugby sevens, featuring more than 20 changing rooms to accommodate the needs of the multiple teams, referees and other personnel involved in Sevens matches, along with dedicated dining and rest areas for players.
Additionally, the Kai Tak Stadium is equipped with a soundproof retractable roof, allowing events to proceed regardless of weather conditions, and its bowl cooling system ensures a comfortable viewing experience from every single seat.
KTSP project director shared: “As Hong Kong’s home venue, we are truly honoured and excited to host this globally prominent sports event at KTSP. For Hong Kong, this sporting occasion not only promotes the development of local rugby but also showcases the city’s capability to host world-class events, enhancing its status as a mega events capital.”