The 6th annual ROC ME Commercial Strategy Conference took place at Conrad Dubai on November 28th and 29th, 2023. This gathering united visionary hospitality leaders, industry innovators, and technology enthusiasts. Among the sponsors and active participants, ExploreTECH stood out, taking center stage to facilitate insightful discussions and share real-time updates on social media throughout the event.
Setting the Stage
The conference commenced with a warm welcome from Mona Faraj, Managing Director at HSMAI Middle East, and Bob Gilbert, President & CEO of HSMAI. ExploreTECH played a pivotal role in framing the narrative for two days of immersive learning, networking, and exploration.
Key Highlights: Day 1
Day 1 set the stage for a dynamic exploration of key trends, innovative strategies, and insightful discussions within the hospitality industry.
Enhancing Direct Digital Performance
Francis Louis Passerini, Managing Director, Middle East, Africa at D-EDGE, delivered a keynote address focusing on strategies to enhance direct digital performance, covering aspects such as Digital Media, Campaign Management, and Website Experience.
Enduring Trends in F&B
Tarandeep Singh moderated a chat on enduring trends in F&B, joined by industry experts Marvin Alballi, Joseph Chalfoun, and Puneet Mahindroo, providing insights into optimizing F&B operations and exploring innovative commercial tools.
Roundtables
Michael D.P. Marchand, Regional Director of Sales, EMEA at Cendyn, led a roundtable on converting clicks into profitable revenue, exploring how hotel groups leverage B2B leisure platforms to connect with new markets while maintaining control over distribution and parity compliance.
Participants also enjoyed an insightful session led by Michael McCartan, Area Vice President at IDeaS, on the importance of a purposeful RMS in the evolving hospitality landscape, gaining firsthand insights into leveraging cutting-edge technology for a competitive advantage and driving revenue growth.
Future-Forward Hospitality Panel
ExploreTECH's Co-Founder and COO, Ralph Melis, led the Future-Forward Hospitality Panel, featuring industry luminaries such as Patrick Antaki, COO of CMH, Alexander Edstrom, CEO of Atomize, Paolo Federico, Senior Vice President of revenue Management & Distribution at Jumeirah Group / Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts, and Kevin King COO of Shiji Group. The panel provided real-time insights into the MEA Tech Landscape, discussing integrated tech stacks, hospitality automation, and technology's transformative power.
Navigating Tomorrow: Day 2
Day 2 showcased a diverse range of engaging sessions, offering insights and discussions on the evolving landscape of the hospitality industry.
AI Revolutionizing the Guest Experience
The day began with a panel discussion led by Judith Cartwright, featuring industry experts such as Colin Fitzpatrick, Stewart Miller, Ujjwal Suri, and Selin Atayeva, a Swiss International School Dubai student. The panel explored how AI is revolutionizing the guest experience and the broader hospitality industry, emphasizing the importance of balancing technological innovation with the human touch.
Leadership Hub
In the Leadership Hub tradition, Joy Ghosh of Amadeus led a session titled "Looking over the other side!" offering insights into consumer buying behaviors, airline demand trends, key events' impact, and an analysis of key data points. The session provided a comprehensive view of the industry landscape for 2023 and a preview of expectations for the first quarter of the next year.
Fireside Chats
Marieke Siefers, VP, Revenue Management at Jumeirah Group, engaged in a fireside chat with David Thomson, Senior Vice President Branding & Business Development at TFG Hotel Management, challenging the status quo in revenue management. The conversation explored common traits that drive success, the pandemic's impact on risk-taking, future hospitality trends, time allocation, and owner/asset management engagements.
Roundtable Discussions
Total Asset Optimization, Opportunities in a Dynamic and Challenging Landscape
Alessio Di Gaetano, CRO & Co-Founder of DynamEat, led a roundtable discussion on "Total Asset Optimization, Opportunities in a Dynamic and Challenging Landscape," urging hoteliers to embrace a culture of total asset optimization powered by cutting-edge technology.
Tech-Focused Roundtable
Ralph Melis further asserted ExploreTECH's influence in a tech-focused roundtable. This session explored the nuances of enhancing guest experiences through technology. Varied digital engagement preferences were discussed, emphasizing the need for comprehensive journeys.
Additional Insights
Additional sessions featuring Alexander Edström, CEO of Atomize, Faisal Memon, CEO of iOL, Carlo Alvarez Spagnolo, Regional Sales Manager EMEA at Lighthouse, and Jens Munch, CEO of FLYR For Hospitality, provided insights into modern Revenue Management Software, hotel payments, selecting optimal comp-sets, and navigating disparate data, respectively.
ROC Star Awards
Furthermore, the ROC Star competition winners were celebrated for their dedication to excellence in the industry.
ROC Star Winners
1st Place: Linda Mwaffak, Commercial Director at Hilton Worldwide
2nd Place: Abhay Bishnoi, Director of Sales at Jumeirah Hotels & Resorts Marsa Al Arab
3rd Place: Laurence Desirée Klett, Director of Marketing Communications and Sustainability at Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas Hotels
Closing Remarks and Beyond
As Jeff Strachan, Business Development Director at DET - Dubai College of Tourism, delivered the final notes, the ROC ME 2023 conference concluded not just as an event but as a catalyst for transformation. The theme of Connect. Evolve. Lead echoed throughout, challenging industry professionals to turn aspirations into achievements.
In summary, ExploreTECH's active involvement in ROC ME 2023 underscored its commitment to shaping the future of hospitality through insightful discussions, thought leadership, and a focus on the transformative power of technology. The event left attendees equipped with a concrete "to-do list" and a renewed vision for navigating the dynamic landscape of the hospitality industry.
