-- Thank You for Being with Us, Together We Excel
Shanghai, April 10, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 31 to April 1, the 2015 Asia Hotel Forum Annual Conference and the 10th China Hotel Starlight Awards Ceremony, themed "Gratitude·Excellence," were grandly held at the Shanghai Pudong Ritz-Carlton. Since its inception in 2005, AHF has accompanied Chinese hoteliers through ten years of challenges and changes, witnessing the dynamic development of the industry. It has not only grown into one of the most influential forums in China's hospitality sector but also leverages its platform to gather more premium resources, embracing diversity and striving for shared progress..
An annual feast of ideas brought together leaders from various sectors to celebrate this significant event. Over the two-day program, there were three authoritative releases, six main forums, and 18 breakout sessions, featuring over 150 guest speakers and panelists engaging in vibrant discussions. More than 800 top hotel executives, successful entrepreneurs, investors, and influential industry leaders from around the world attended as scheduled to review the past decade of China's hotel industry and explore the innovative development of the industry in the next ten years under the internet era. The concurrently held 10th China Hotel Starlight Awards Ceremony, with its Oscar-like glamour, honored outstanding organizations and individuals who made remarkable contributions and achievements in the hotel industry over the past year. It also conferred the "2005-2015 China Hotel Industry Top Ten over Ten Years – Outstanding Entrepreneurs in China's Hotel Industry Award" and the "2005-2015 China’s Top Ten Outstanding Hotel Groups," paying tribute to the industry..
Image 1. Ribbon-cutting Ceremony at the Opening of the 2015 Asia Hotel Forum Annual Conference
Looking Back and Ahead: Charting the Next Decade for China’s Hotel Industry
With the release of the State Council’s "Several Opinions on Promoting the Reform and Development of the Tourism Industry," the integrated development of the tourism and hotel industries is set to benefit from a more favorable policy environment. The world has high expectations for China in its "new normal." This forum presented three authoritative releases, reviewing the milestone events in China's hotel industry from 2005 to 2015, and provided insights into the current state of the industry through STR Global’s analysis of hotel market performance in the Asia-Pacific and China. Six main forums gathered industry elites, addressing trends in hotel development within China’s economic context, with one thought-provoking and insightful dialogue after another. Looking ahead to the next ten years, management, branding, and assets will remain key focus areas for industry development. Changes in consumer demographics and the impact of internet intelligence are directly bringing new challenges to hotel operations.
Meanwhile, the 18 breakout sessions over the two days were divided into pre-conference salons, AHF Lecture Halls, Starlight Salons, and TOP 50 GM Meetings, covering asset management, tourism real estate, green design, mobile innovation, intelligent applications, mid-scale hotels, serviced apartments, human resource management, and new models of operational management, generating brilliant ideas and new perspectives through lively discussions.
This year’s event introduced engaging interactive segments, such as My Meeting Room "My Time, My Rules" and the Summit Debate, significantly enhancing participant engagement. The innovative formats received an enthusiastic response on-site, with the atmosphere reaching a climax.
Image 2. Forum Guests in Dialogue
The World’s Eyes on China HAMA Global Hotel Asset Management Lecture Hall Makes Its First Debut in China
In recent years, the hotel transaction market has become increasingly active, with frequent cross-border investments, acquisitions, mergers, and property transactions. China’s hotel industry is entering the era of asset management.At this year’s forum,the HAMA Global Hotel Asset Management Lecture Hall sparked heated discussions. The international exchange chairs of HAMA from five regions—Maxine Taylor (USA), Theodor Kubak (Europe), Ren Beil (Middle East & Africa), Tasos Kousloglou (Asia-Pacific), and Anna Abe (Japan)—all attended. In a 90-minute session packed with data and insights, they provided a comprehensive overview of asset management conditions across major global regions and shared the latest experiences and case studies with attendees.e This marked the first time the HAMA Global Hotel Asset Management Lecture Hall was held in China, alongside the first HAMA global exchange meeting. At the same time, HAMA China officially announced its establishment.
The ten members of HAMA China’s board are: Mr. Zhou Tao, CEO of Luneng Group Hotel Management Company (Chairman); Mr. Cheng Erjun, President of Wanda Hotels & Resorts (Vice Chairman); Mr. Chen Heng, Founder of Asia Hotel Forum Center and Chairman of Phoenix Hotel Consultants (Secretary-General); Mr. Cao Jun, Owner Representative of Shanghai Waldorf Astoria and Financial Controller of Shanghai New Friendship Building Co., Ltd. (Treasurer); Mr. Zhang Dian, Managing Director of Del Group; Ms. Yin Xiaozhou, General Manager of Beijing Intime Properties Co., Ltd.; Mr. Bai Haibo, Chairman and CEO of HNA Hotels Group; Mr. Chen Mengchao, Vice President of China Jinmao (Group) Co., Ltd.; Mr. Wang Yingjie, Deputy General Manager of Beijing Financial Street Asset Management Co., Ltd.; and Ms. Zheng Zhiwen, Chairperson of New World Hotels Group and Executive Director of New World Development Company Limited.Amidst this wave of asset management, AHF takes on its responsibility in industry development by leveraging a broader platform to deepen international exchanges and cooperation, working with HAMA to advance asset management in China’s hotel industry.
Image 3. The 10th China Hotel Starlight Awards Ceremony
China Shines·Hospitality Honored: China’s Hotel Oscar Event in Full Glory
The 10th China Hotel Starlight Awards Ceremony was undoubtedly the most anticipated highlight of the annual conference. As the partner and the exclusive designated automotive brand of the forum, "Mercedes-Benz" hosted a star-studded gratitude dinner for China’s contemporary hotel elite, celebrating ten glorious years of the Starlight Awards.
.The glamorous Starlight Red Carpet, the bustling welcome reception, and the presence of hundreds of media at the gratitude dinner all showcased the charm of China’s hotel professionals.The China Hotel Starlight Awards consolidates the influence of authoritative domestic and international media to honor star-rated hotels that have earned praise from both the industry and consumers over the past year, recognize outstanding corporate leaders who have achieved remarkable and admirable accomplishments in their fields, and commend enterprises that have made relentless efforts to drive and influence industry progress. Among them,
Mr. Zhu Minkang, Senior Consultant of Hyatt Hotels Group Greater China, was awarded the "10th China Hotel Starlight Awards Lifetime Achievement Award.".。Chen Miaolin, Cheng Erjun, Huang Deli, Ji Qi, Qian Jin, Sun Jian, Yang Weimin, Zhang Rungang, Zheng Nanyan, and Zheng Zhiwen were honored with the "2005-2015 China Hospitality Industry Ten-Year Ten People – Outstanding Entrepreneurs in China's Hotel Industry Award"; Accor, BTG, Hyatt, Hilton, InterContinental, Jinjiang, Marriott, Starwood, Shangri-La, and Wanda Hotels & Resorts received the "2005-2015 Top Ten Outstanding Hotel Groups in China".
The global large-scale cross-media organization Questex is supporting the September Investment Summit, highly anticipated in Beijing
The 8th Asia Hotel Forum International Hotel Investment Summit, to be held this September in Beijing, will continue to focus on hot topics in China’s hotel investment while also introducing a strategic partner: Questex Hotels + Tourism. As a major global cross-media organization, Questex has successfully hosted multiple editions of the IHIF International Hotel Investment Forum in cities such as Berlin (Germany), Russia, and Singapore. Through this powerful collaboration and resource integration, the new AHF International Hotel Investment Summit will deliver more professional insights and a more international perspective. Stay tuned.