- HGEF Series | Europe 2025, 9 Dec ~ Agenda
8:00AM TO 8:50AM
Winter Arrival: Registration, Pick Up Your Badge and Welcome Coffee
Kickstart your day with registration, a welcome coffee, and the chance to network with fellow attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors. Build meaningful connections before the main sessions commence.
8:50AM TO 9:00AM
Welcome Address: Igniting the Winter Glow
Mirja Braun, General Manager/ CEO, CLARION HOTEL ARLANDA AIRPORT TERMINAL
9:00AM TO 9:30AM
Keynote Panel: Crafting a Winter Guest Experience
Jamie Cole, Managing Director, DIGITAL SERVICE WORKS
Hara Poucha, Sr. Director Brand Strategy & Guest Experience, RADISSON HOTEL GROUP
Brent Gibbs, Global Director of Brand Experience, GENERATOR
Antoaneta Nikolaeva, Head of Cusomer Journey, STRAWBERRY
Want to share your success and innovation with Europe’s leading hotel executives? Contact us about speaking opportunities.
9:30AM TO 9:50AM
Enhancing Guest Experience with PMS Technology: A Winter Efficiency Glow
Markus Levin, Sales Director Northern Europe, MEWS
9:55AM TO 10:15AM
Winter Trends and Challenges Shaping the Future of Hotel Guest Experiences
Festive Case Studies by Hoteliers and Industry Leaders:
Case Study 1: A Cosy Hybrid Haven: Blending Holiday Comfort with Modern Need
Minna Hurme, Head of Design, VALO HOTEL & WORK
Case Study 2: How CIC Hospitality transformed its guest engagement strategy to turn conversations into conversions
Anna Randow, Partner & Sales Director Nordics, BOOKBOOST AB
Case Study 3: TOPIC COMING SOON
Dr Renée Nicole Wagner, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, ORASCOM HOTELS MANAGEMENT AG
Networking Slot - 1-2-1 Pre-Arranged Meetings between Hoteliers & Suppliers
10:20AM TO 10:35AM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 1
10:35AM TO 10:50AM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 2
Arrange your 1-2-1 meeting via our App, 4 weeks before the event.
• This networking session provides a unique opportunity for hoteliers and sponsors to collaborate on shaping the future of guest experiences. Use our event app to schedule personalised 1-2-1 meetings to discuss innovative strategies, share insights, and explore solutions that enhance the guest journey.
• The meeting scheduling feature will go live 4 weeks before the event. Please ensure you download the app, complete your profile, and plan your meetings in advance to make the most of this valuable networking opportunity.
• The App is only available for registered attendees.
10:50AM TO 11:10AM
🎅🎅Breakfast with Santa🎅🎅
Enjoy festive refreshments with Santa while networking with peers, suppliers, and sponsors from across Europe. Discover tailored solutions and live tech demos to enhance hotel operations and guest experiences.
Want to share your success and innovation with Europe’s leading hotel executives? Contact us about speaking opportunities.
11:10AM TO 11:25AM
Driving Venue Booking Innovation: A Snowflake of Success
Andrea Fiumana showcases how MeetingPackage’s platform transforms venue bookings with a festive flair for European hotels. Through real-world case studies from across the continent, discover how innovative technology enhances guest satisfaction and streamlines operations during the busy holiday season.
Andrea Fiumana, CCO, MEETINGPACKAGE
Networking Slot - 1-2-1 Pre-Arranged Meetings between Hoteliers & Suppliers
11:30AM TO 11:45AM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 3
11:45AM TO 12:00PM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 4
12:00PM TO 12:15PM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 5
Arrange your 1-2-1 meeting via our App, 4 weeks before the event.
12:15PM TO 12:45PM
Panel Discussion
Unwrapping Seamless Guest Experiences Through Collaboration
• This panel explores how hotel departments – wellness, front office, housekeeping, F&B, IT, marketing, and more – collaborate to create a cohesive, holiday-inspired guest experience across European hotels. Panellists share festive case studies from diverse markets on aligning efforts, managing occupancy, and integrating real-time feedback to deliver personalised, memorable stays during the winter season.
Custódio Barreiros, Founder & CEO, EIP MGT
Sara McKinven Höök, Group Revenue Director, ORASCOM HOTELS MANAGEMENT
James Yip, Head of Concierge & Operations, NOBIS HOTEL STOCKHOLM
12:45PM TO 1:30PM
Festive Lunch and Networking
Savour a delightful Christmas-themed lunch featuring European holiday specialities. Network with fellow attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors from across the continent in a warm, festive atmosphere under the glow of holiday decorations.
Want to share your success and innovation with Europe’s leading hotel executives? Contact us about speaking opportunities.
1:30PM TO 1:40PM
Innovation Spotlight: A Gift of Technology
Pål Byberg, VP Major Accounts, HOTEZA
1:45PM TO 2:15PM
Fireside Chat
Warming Up Tomorrow’s Guest Experience
Networking Slot - 1-2-1 Pre-Arranged Meetings between Hoteliers & Suppliers
2:20PM TO 2:35PM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 6
2:35PM TO 2:50PM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 7
2:35PM TO 2:50PM - 1-2-1 Meeting Slot 8
Arrange your 1-2-1 meeting via our App, 4 weeks before the event.
2:55PM TO 3:30PM
What Do Guests Wish for This Christmas?
Diana Zambrano, Head of Guest Experience & Community, Sheraton Stockholm
3:30PM TO 3:50PM
Afternoon Tea and Networking Break
Want to share your success and innovation with Europe’s leading hotel executives? Contact us about speaking opportunities.
3:50PM TO 4:20PM
Panel Discussion
Loyalty Programmes and Revenue Management Under the Mistletoe
This panel explores how loyalty programmes and revenue management drive profitability. Panellists share case studies from across the continent on dynamic pricing, data analytics, and personalised offers to build stronger guest relationships during the winter season.
Patrick van der Wardt, Owner/Founder, THE HOTEL IT GUY
Håvard Uglem Hovdahl, VP Loyalty, STRAWBERRY
4:20PM TO 4:40PM
Building Hotel Brands with AI: A Winter Guest Journey
Tomas Bäcklund shares how Elite Hotels of Sweden uses AI to create festive, personalised guest journeys that enhance the holiday experience across European markets.
Tomas Bäcklund, Chief Marketing Officer, ELITE HOTELS OF SWEDEN AB
4:40PM TO 5:10PM
Closing Panel: A Winter Vision for Hotels in 2026 and Beyond
This forward-looking panel explores emerging trends shaping the European hotel industry during the festive season and beyond. Panellists discuss technology, sustainability, ESG practices, and changing traveller behaviours to create magical guest experiences in 2026 and beyond across diverse European markets. From digital transformation to responsible operations, the panel will highlight strategies that balance profitability with long-term environmental and social impact.
Daniel Lister, Consultant
Stephen Meinich-Bache, CEO, CLASSIC NORWAY HOTELS
Remy Merckx, Vice President Operations, WiZiU
Dr Renée Nicole Wagner, Corporate Director ESG & Quality Management, ORASCOM HOTELS MANAGEMENT AG
5:10PM TO 7:30PM
Winter Après-Ski Reception
Celebrate the Forum’s success with a Festive reception blending Christmas cheer and Europe’s vibrant après-ski hospitality culture. Enjoy holiday cocktails, hot drinks, live music, and alpine-inspired décor in a cosy, ski-lodge atmosphere. Network with attendees, sponsors, and exhibitors from across Europe, explore innovative solutions for winter guest experiences, and toast to the future of hotels.