AHIF 2024 Delegate Guide by AHIF

WELCOME TO AHIF

As we stand on the cusp of another extraordinary chapter in the journey of the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), I am incredibly proud that we are hosting in the SADC region for the first time.

Our company history is defined by innovation and resilience - a story that began in 2011 when I joined Bench Events and set myself on a mission to serve our customers better. We asked our international community how we could serve them better and they gave a resounding call to launch an event in Africa, an emerging market ripe with potential.

In 2011, with that vision in mind, we hosted our very first African hotel investment conference in Morocco. With 250 attendees and 15 sponsors, we had humble beginnings. But the untapped potential of the continent continued to prove itself. In 2012, we received unwavering support from Kenya, enabling us to become the first event company to host a hotel investment conference in sub-Saharan Africa. AHIF, the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum, was born, and the rest is history.

Now, with over 400 professionals in attendance, AHIF has grown stronger by journeying through Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Morocco and Togo. In 2016, we proudly launched FIHA, AHIF’s sister event, the Forum de l’Investissement Hôtelier Africain, catering to the Francophone African region.

Investing in Africa has always been about exploring uncharted territories, connecting new people, and embracing alternative scenarios. With this in mind, we have chosen Namibia as the backdrop for AHIF 2024, promising a remarkable experience for all participants. Namibia’s diverse culture, stunning landscapes, and immense potential make it the ideal destination for our event. By extending our reach into the SADC region, we aim to connect with thriving markets and foster new relationships. This expansion aligns with our mission to provide you with fresh opportunities for growth and collaboration.

I’d like to take this opportunity to thank the NIPDB (the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board), Kasada Group and all the local stakeholders in Namibia who have united together behind AHIF to help us deliver, what promises to be, a magical week. I encourage all of our attendees to make the most of their trip and spend a few extra days to explore this wonderful country.

As we come together in Namibia, let us cherish the lessons learned over the past years, celebrate the moments we’ve missed, and seize the exciting opportunities that await. Let’s chart new paths to growth and expansion in a budding region. AHIF has evolved into the primary meeting place for hotel investors, owners, financiers, and developers because it is not only a platform for learning but also a space for nurturing valuable relationships.

Africa’s market, while promising, can be daunting to navigate. AHIF is a comprehensive solution for accelerating growth on the continent. It provides the stage to demonstrate thought leadership, raise awareness of your services, and engage in efficient, relevant networking.Networking has always been a cornerstone of AHIF, and we are committed to delivering an unparalleled networking experience. The connections you establish at AHIF 2024 will not only contribute to your professional growth but will also shape the future of the hotel investment community in Africa.

I eagerly anticipate working with you to make AHIF 2024 in Namibia an unprecedented success. Our shared journey is to collaborate on the growth of the region and foster harmonious connections within the industry for shared development.

Matthew Weihs Group Managing Director the bench

FLOORPLAN

Platinum Sponsors

P1 Rwanda Development Board

P2 Accor

P3 Radisson Hotel Group

P4 ClubMed

Silver Sponsors

E1 TIME Hotels

E2 TV5Monde

Refreshment Bar Sponsor

E5 Zia Atelier

Mini Golf Sponsor

E4 CBRE Excellerate

AHIF Clinic Sponsor

N3 Wisefields Law

Gold Sponsors

CityBlue Hotels

Hansgrohe

Marriott International

BWH Hotels

Millennium Hotels & Resorts

IHG

Aleph Hospitality

TUI Hotels & Resorts

CHIC

JLL

Knight Frank Colliers

G13

G14

Kofisi

Uganda Tourism Board

Confectionary Café Sponsor

E3 Profica

Networking Sponsors

N1 DSTV

N2 Talinda East Africa

Engrav-A-Dream - Laser Engraving

Josephine’s Leather Works, Arts & Crafts – Leather Products

Saras Saran – Handmade Arts & Crafts

Elephant Bistro - Crafts & Bistro Shop

Amor Leather – Leather bags

FLOORPLAN

AGENDA 2024 TUESDAY, 25 JUNE

From 11:00 Registration

12:00 - 13:00 Investor Council - Closed Door Session

12:30 - 13:00 Newcomers Welcome

13:00 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 Discussion Groups

A facilitated roundtable discussion centering on prominent trends and challenges within the hospitality sector. Participants will engage in dialogue and gain insights into a specific industry topic

14:00 - 14:45 Domestic Demand Generator – how can big brands become more attractive for the local market?

Management Agreements and Franchise Models as Viable Strategies in Emerging Markets?

14:00 - 15:30 AHIF Clinic

This is a unique opportunity to gain valuable knowledge on navigating the complex legal landscape of the hospitality industry by Wisefields, an award-winning specialist law firm renowned for its singular focus on the real estate, hotels, and tourism industry . Attendees will have the chance to engage directly with legal experts asking questions. Time slots can be booked via the AHIF app.

14:00 - 14:45 What is the best use for AI in training talent in Africa?

14:30 - 16:00

Workshop Room 1

Powering Investments into Namibian Hospitality

This interactive session provides delegates an opportunity to gain valuable insights into Namibia’s vibrant tourism industry and emerging investment opportunities as Namibia positions itself as a premium destination for leisure and business tourism.

Opening Remarks: Investment Opportunities in Namibia:

Roundtable Discussion:

Closing Remarks:

15:00 - 17:00 YPO Networking Reception

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

16:45 - 17:30 Workshop Room 2

16:45 - 17:30 Workshop Room 1

Elevating Hospitality: Addressing Global Skills Deficiency in Tourism Tonderayi

16:00 - 16:45 Workshop Room 1 What are the lessons learned from Mature Markets in Destination Development?

Decoding Investment Opportunities in African Tourism Destinations

Naiara López Giner

17:30 - 18:30 Sundowner Speed Networking

Main Conference Room

Speed Networking is a great way to break the ice and ensure you go into FHS already knowing your fellow attendees. Meet over 30 new contacts before the conference has officially started! Don’t forget to bring lots of business cards! Taking place prior to the Opening Reception.

18:30 - 21:30 Welcome Reception at Movenpick Hotel Windhoek

Join us for the welcome reception indulging in African culture at the Movenpick Hotel Windhoek, hosted by Kasada Capital Management. Workshops

08:00 - 09:00 Registration

09:00 - 09:10 Welcome Remarks

09:10 - 09:20 Opening Remarks

09:20 - 09:40 Africa in the New Global Geopolitical Order: The Impact on the Hospitality Industry

As the world undergoes significant geopolitical shifts, Africa’s role and influence are becoming increasingly pronounced

09:40 - 10:00 Setting the Scene for Destination & Hotel Development in Africa

10:00 - 10:20

10:20 - 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 - 11:15 Government Initiatives to support the Hospitality Industry

The role of Government in developing sustainable tourism across the continent in emphasizing the potential for collaborative efforts among various countries to promote similar initiatives.

11:15 - 11:30 Fireside Chat: How to Align Tourism Strategies Across Key African Markets for Sustainable

AGENDA

11:30 - 11:45 Fireside Chat: How to Align Tourism Strategies Across

11:55 - 12:25

12:25 - 12:45

Investing with Insight: Strategies for Implementing Optimal Capital Structures in High-Interest Rate Environments

13:00 - 14:00

14:00 - 14:30

12:45 - 13:00 Hospitality with Purpose: Balancing Profitability with ESG and

14:30 - 14:50 In the Pipeline

14:50 - 15:10 Crafting Success: A Comprehensive Journey through Hotel Project Development in Africa

Decoding the process of building a hotel from its inception by focusing

well-defined project scope.

15:25 - 16:00

15:10 - 15:25 Driving Growth in the Hospitality Market: Strategies for Scaling Brandsz

Assessing the Significance and Economic Viability of International Brands in African Destinations

Exploring

16:00 - 16:30 Coffee

16:30 - 16:45

17:00

17:00 - 17:25

Our Greatest Asset: Nurturing the Power of People

How to foster a positive change in the hospitality industry across the African continent by advancing principles of equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and addressing gender disparities in leadership roles

17:25 - 17:35 Hotelification of the Workplace: Introducing a new asset class for hospitality investors on the continent

How the emerging trend of ‘hotelification’ in workplace environments is unveiling a new asset class to captivate hospitality investors across the continent

17:35 - 18:00 Redefining the Workplace: The Future of Hospitality-Driven Office Spaces

A panel discussion which goes beyond the traditional real estate investment, introducing alternative asset classes tailored for hospitality investors

18:00 - 18:05 Recap of the Day

18:05 - 22:00

Evening Reception at Droombos

Delve into Namibian culture with an evening reception at Droombos Vineyard Country Lodge, situated on the picturesque foothills of the Auas mountain range.

07:00 - 08:00 Charity Run at Windhoek Country Club

08:00 - 09:00 Refreshments

08:00 - 09:30

Workshop Room 1 Spotlight on Namibia: Unveiling Potential through Projects

09:00 - 09:15 Welcome Back

09:15 - 09:40 Skybound Synergy: Public-Private Partnerships for Enhanced Aviation Connectivity

This session focuses on the imperative for collaboration between private

and key airlines

09:40 - 10:10 A New Dawn: Pioneering the Rise of Lifestyle Hospitality Brands in Africa’s Urban and Leisure Destinations

How lifestyle hospitality brands in Africa’s urban and leisure destinations are setting new standards in luxury experiences

10:10 - 10:20 Sustainability from a Namibian Tourism Perspective

10:20 - 11:00 Guests’ Quest for Unique Experiences: The African Approach to Authentic Leisure

Understanding the shift in tourist preferences to meet the growing demand for distinctive and authentic experiences by travelers

11:00 - 11:30 Coffee Break

11:30 - 11:40 Charity Presentation

Conference Room

11:40 - 12:00 Innovating Hospitality: How AI is shaping Africa’s Tourism

12:00 - 12:15 Leading the Way: Pioneering Green Vision in Hospitality Investment

12:15 - 12:50

Conscious Hospitality: Preserving Africa’s Natural Heritage through Social, Environmental, and Economic Initiatives

Highlighting the social, environmental, and economic impact of sustainable hospitality by taking a closer look at tangible projects in Africa. How equipped is the continent for more sustainable guest experiences?