Dr. RL Fernando Garcia is a dynamic and accomplished hospitality professional, celebrated for his exceptional skills and extensive experience in orchestrating and optimizing hotel operations with a focus on human resources. Holding a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration, his journey commenced as a Butler, culminating in his remarkable ascent to Assistant Operations Manager at the prestigious Pan Pacific Manila, known as The First and Finest Butler Hotel in the Philippines. His tenure included expert management of rooms operations and the esteemed butler department, earning him accolades such as Manager of the Quarter and contributing to the hotel's recognition as The Philippines Leading Business Hotel.

Venturing beyond hotel management, Dr. RL Fernando Garcia served as the Director for Hospitality and Food Service Operations at a leading consultancy firm in the Philippines. In this pivotal role, he led consultancy services for diverse establishments, emphasizing his attention to detail during rigorous audits such as LQA and Forbes Quality Standards. His expertise was instrumental in the successful pre-opening phase of Club Med Finolhu Villas in the Maldives, where his HR policies and Butler Department setup contributed to the resort's seamless launch.

Within the culinary landscape of the Philippines, Dr. RL Fernando Garcia assumed the role of Complex Training and Development Director at a prominent food conglomerate. His transformative initiatives spanned upscale and Michelin-starred establishments, leaving an indelible mark on venues like Todd English Food Hall, Pound by Todd English, Sunnies Café, Foo’d by Davide Oldani, and Hook by Todd English.

As the former Assistant Vice President for HR and Organizational Development at SM Hotels and Conventions Corp., Dr. RL Fernando Garcia oversaw a diverse portfolio, including hotels, resorts, clubs, and convention centers. His commitment to cultivating an HR Center of Excellence resonates across established properties and pre-opening phases, showcasing his dedication to nurturing talent and driving organizational success.

Currently serving as the Corporate Director of Training and Development at Brittany Hotels and Leisure Inc., a Philippine-based hospitality group, Dr. RL Fernando Garcia continues to bring his wealth of experience and expertise, coupled with his academic achievements, to contribute to the growth and excellence of the industry.

A graduate of Hospitality Management degree from the University of San Jose Recoletos and a recipient of the Certificate in General Manager’s Program from the world-renowned Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, Reyes worked his way starting from the ranks when he first joined Cebu Plaza Hotel in 1988. With a positive outlook and tenacity in his field of expertise in Sales and Marketing as well as Operations, Reyes moved out of Cebu to be part of the bigger players in the hospitality industry in Manila like Hyatt, The Westin Philippine Plaza, The Bayview Park Hotel and The Pan Pacific Hotel.

In 1999 Reyes came back to Cebu to join Waterfront Airport Hotel and Casino as General Manager and later joined properties in the Asia-Pacific region with stints in Grand Formosa Regent Taipei of the Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts and the 1,180-guest room Jakarta Hilton.

But home beckoned and Reyes was more than happy to return to the Philippines in 2003 as General Manager for The Linden Suites Manila under Swiss-Belhotel International (Hongkong).

It was during his work in The Linden Suites where Reyes received prestigious recognitions like the 2005 Swiss-Belhotel International General Manager of the Year and the Best Branding and Positioning as well as the 2006 Swiss-Belhotel International Highest REVPAR Performance. In 2008, he was appointed as Regional Director of Hotel Operations and Business Development, Philippines and Reyes started overseeing the entire hotel operations of Swiss-Belhotel International in the Philippines

Reyes took another kind of challenge when he joined Quantuvus Resources Corporation and became Owner Representative and Chief Operating Officer. Part of his accomplishments included the completion within 24 months and opening of the 42-storey Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center which gained for Reyes an extensive experience in all aspects of mixed-use property development, including construction, design, sourcing of operating equipment for serviced offices, restaurant and hotel. Reyes liaised with Oakwood management in Operations and Finance and with the commitment and dedication that he put into all his work, Joy~Nostalg Center became one of the leading business addresses in the country with 92% occupancy in 2010 and 100% occupancy in 2011.

In 2013, Reyes joined Widus Hotel and Casino in Clark Freeport Zone as General Manager of the 233-guest room leisure property. He took charge of the construction of Widus’ 2nd Tower, the renovation of the 1st Tower as well as the Casino expansion. During this stint, Widus received the highest market share inside Clark and topped Tripadvisor rankings.

Reyes decided to return to his roots in 2016 to join bai Hotel Cebu. He oversees the ongoing construction and heads the pre-opening team which includes the hiring of seasoned hoteliers in and out of Cebu.

At bai Hotel, Reyes aims to complete a traveler’s wish list of expectations with a fuss-free 5-star service in contemporary settings. A modern take on Cebuano hospitality but with respect to the local culture for which Reyes is proud of.

Reyes shares that bai Hotel Cebu is a 100% Filipino Hotel that caters to business and leisure travelers who value exceptional customer service and memorable experiences. It is positioned to take in various market segments and strategies are now in place to make Bai Hotel the place to be when in Cebu, another landmark to a must-see destination outside of Metro Manila. And things are on to a good start, with the holding of the 2017 APAC Regional Sales Conference of Worldhotels in August this year.

Reyes, who aimed for excellence, earned a Mabuhay Gold Awardee in 2019 by the Association of Human Resources Managers in the Hospitality Industry (AHRM). And just recently, he was awarded as the Hotel General Manager of the Year during the Rotary Club of Manila's 18th Tourism Awards last April 21, 2022 held at The Heritage Hotel Manila.

Indeed, bai Hotel Cebu is opening its doors with the trademark of Cebuano hospitality with Reyes and his team greeting you at the lobby.

Jeremiah is the current VP - Corporate Planning & Investor Relations for Sta. Lucia Land. He has carved his lane in Business development, Investor Relations and Strategic Planning Executive with experience in strategic/corporate planning, business development, investor relations, operations management, supply chain management, marketing and market research. He adds tremendous value and gets people connected to entrepreneurial and corporate initiatives through people, leadership and development. Jeremiah specializes in Leadership Development, Business Development, Investor Relations, Business Strategy, Corporate Planning, Market Research, Retail Operations, Inventory Supply Chain Management, Operations Planning, Business Relationship Management and Strategic Marketing. Jeremiah as a seasoned leader with a comprehensive knowledge both on compliance but as well innovation and performance management. He is a true leader in his field contentiously seeking to learn how to better serve in an organizational framework. In spite of the pressure associated with his line of work, Jeremiah wis easy and seamless because of his sunny and agreeable disposition throughout work facets.

Lynette is the current Senior Vice President and Head of Sales and Operations for Discovery Hospitality. For years, she has demonstrated a storied and a decorated run in the hospitality industry. Her qualities have made her a valuable member of notable companies in the hotel industry. She is a good leader who always exhibits superior communication skills and has been a catalyst on building solid springboards in the alley of sales, operations and marketing.

She is an outstanding creator of opportunities, helping build relationships that result in collaborations. Lynette is bent on attracting bigger markets who are continuously on the lookout for partnerships in our country. Business opportunities that can provide new experiences and outsource business solutions for stronger economic ties.

With a strong passion for Sales and Revenue Management, Chris has led both contracting and sales teams of some of the prominent international B2C and B2B online agencies in Southeast Asia, helping hotels maximize their exposure in the online world.

Backed up by 20 years of hospitality experience, he leads the team in balancing the market mix and ensuring that each property’s Total REVPAR is optimized to its fullest potential.

Kash Aristotle Salvador joined Accor as Director of Development for the Philippines. In this role, Kash oversees the pipeline and development functions of Accor in the country. Before joining Accor, Kash already possessed a solid resume, working for noteworthy players in the hospitality industry. He is well-versed in the lane of investments and capital markets as far as the hospitality industry is concerned. His cup of tea is filled with ideas on exciting expansion plans and project pipelines. Furthermore, Kash’s career has been well-decorated with his knowledge and expertise on property management and his eye for growing transactional activities in the different parts of the Philippines. All in all, Kash is a multifaceted professional in the field of hospitality and aims to continue running his course for the growth and success of Accor.

Over 25 years experience in executive hotel management support services particularly resort, wellness and spa operations. Includes consultancy and owners’ representation in different countries worldwide. Various roles covered 18 pre-openings, 5 renovations and 4 takeovers, both on land and at sea. Extensive knowledge in new business generation, revenue growth, team development, legendary standards, quality branding, training, strategy, sales and marketing of luxury international hotel spas and premium image wellness facilities. Exceptional communication and presentation skills especially in customer relations and key client relationship management. Certified Trainer for Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Philippine Ambassador to "Global Wellness Day" movement.

Romolo Valentino Benedetto Nati, (born February 14, 1968) known as Romolo Nati or RVN, is a multi-awarded Italian architect and businessman with interest in sustainable development (energy and real estate). He graduated “summa cum laude” in architecture at “La Sapienza” University of Rome and he holds an Executive MBA from Asian Institute of Management (AIM), an international management school established in partnership with Harvard Business School and considered as the best in terms of executive education in the Asia-Pacific region by Asiaweek magazine (a TIME publication).

He is the current Executive Chairman and CEO of Italpinas Development Corporation (IDC), an Italian-Filipino real estate development firm which held its initial public offering (IPO) on Monday, December 7, 2015, that specializes in the design and development of sustainable buildings.

He is also the Vice Chairman of the Philippine renewable energy company Constellation Energy Corporation (CEC) that focuses on acquiring, financing and developing small to medium-scale renewable energy projects across the Philippines.

Rhea Vitto Tabora is an accomplished professional in the hospitality and software solutions industries. With 20+ years of vibrant career experience, her journey has taken her across Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines.

With expertise in public relations, branding, sales, and marketing, she held esteemed positions, including Director of Sales and Marketing at The Ascott Limited (a leading international serviced residence owner-operator) and Deputy General Director at Vinhomes (Vietnam's largest commercial real estate developer).

In 2015, Rhea embarked on a transformative journey, leaving the corporate world behind to follow her passion for travel and writing.

Since then, she has been living her dream—traveling the region, crafting powerful narratives, and creating impactful content that champions sustainable tourism.

With a journalism degree from the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, she has written hundreds of travel articles for various publications and hotel websites, and authored an inspiring biography.

In 2019, Rhea co-founded Travel Asia Now, a digital travel and lifestyle magazine that transformed into a platform focusing on sustainable and responsible travel in Asia.

In 2022, she co-founded Asia Sustainable Travel (AST), a digital media network that provides companies with insights to make informed decisions on sustainable travel in Asia. AST produces and publishes actionable advice and insightful intelligence on sustainability, regeneration, and consumer engagement in Asia.

Rennan John Reyes is a seasoned professional in the field of Hotel, Serviced Residence, and lodging Operations, with a remarkable career spanning over 22 years. His extensive experience covers various aspects of the industry, including Operations, Food & Beverage, Property Management, Financial Management, Sales & Marketing and Talent performance management.

Rennan is an expert with launching and pre-opening of properties under development, with four successful properties launch and opened with The Ascott Limited under his leadership such as Somerset Alabang Manila in 2015, Citadines Bay City Manila in 2018, The Suites Malate Manila in 2023 and opening of the first lyf property here in the Philippines, lyf Malate Manila.

Throughout his career, Rennan has worked with renowned hospitality brands, including Pan Pacific Hotel & Resorts, Marriott International and currently with The Ascott Limited, one of the leading international lodging owner and operator worldwide as the Multi Property General Manager of Ascott Bonifacio Global City and Citadines Bay City Manila.

Some of the noteworthy achievements and recognition in his career are bagging the “Asia’s Leading Serviced Residence” and “World’s Leading Serviced Residence” at the World Travel Awards in 2022. And this year they are determined to defend the crown, as they’ve been nominated once again in the “World’s Leading Serviced Residence” category. On the other hand, Citadines Bay City Manila is currently at the top spot in Tripadvisor’s Traveler Ranking in Pasay, Metro Manila and the entire Luzon.

Rennan John Reyes career has been marked by consistent excellence, leadership, and a strong commitment to delivering exceptional hospitality experiences. His journey from the early days as a Hotelier to his current role as the General Manager of Ascott Bonifacio Global City and Citadines Bay City Manila serves as an inspiring example of dedication, expertise, and passion within the Hotel and Hospitality industry in general.

Anthony is the Executive Vice President at Triumph Development Corporation, a property development and management company in the Philippines. He is also the Executive Vice President at and Triumph Spaces Incorporated, the Group’s flexible office space arm.

Prior to re-joining the Triumph Group in February of 2022, Anthony was Program Director at the Philippine Constructors Association -- where he was tasked to enable the association's agenda in transforming construction, and in developing the industry’s human capital by leveraging on technology and innovation. He was also a member of the working group who crafted the Philippine Construction Industry Roadmap 2020-2030.

With a career spanning over thirty years in various leadership and senior roles, both local and regional, Anthony has domain and business experience across different industries and sectors from agriculture, building materials, cement manufacturing, construction, engineering services, information technology-business process management, and property development and management.

The last 24 years of Alex Ablaza’s 39-year professional career have been dedicated to growing energy efficiency and other clean energy technology deployment in 17 Asian markets through the identification, due diligence and financial close of over $3 billion in direct investments, and also through catalytic market and policy interventions.

Across Asia and the Middle East, he currently provides energy efficiency expertise with the objective of scaling up energy efficiency capital flows through innovative finance, investment structures and policy reform.

He convened and chairs the Asia-Pacific ESCO Industry Alliance and the Philippine Energy Efficiency Alliance. He co-founded the Global ESCO Network and co-chairs a taskforce of the global coalition, Mission Efficiency.

Wearing his investment hat, he designed and heads Climargy, the world’s pioneer private Super-ESCO aggregator of ESCO project assets

.

Alex is armed with 36 years of project and corporate management experience, and an educational background in civil engineering (BSCE) and business economics (MBE).

Reigine Valerie Banaag is an accomplished hospitality professional, currently leading the charge as the pre-opening CEO & General Manager for a burgeoning hotel brand, mySTAY Hotels. With extensive experience in the hospitality sector, Reigine has a proven track record of success in international and local chain hotels such as Crowne Plaza, Holiday Inn, Traders Hotel, Hotel Jen, and Midas Hotel. Her expertise in sales and management is complemented by her role as a part-time faculty member in hospitality management with St. Scholastica’s College Manila, where she shares her knowledge and passion for continuous learning with aspiring professionals.

Reigine holds a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree from the prestigious Ateneo Graduate School of Business and a bachelor’s degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from St. Scholastica’s College Manila. Her certifications include Hotel Industry Analytics (CHIA) and Guest Service Professional (CGSP) both from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute. She is currently completing her certification as a management consultant (CMC) with the Institute of Certified Management Consultants Philippines (ICMC).

Her dedication to education and professional development reflects her commitment to excellence and her desire to inspire the next generation of hospitality leaders. Reigine’s multifaceted career and leadership skills make her a standout figure in the industry, driven by a relentless pursuit of innovation and growth.

Christian Pirodon is a seasoned hospitality professional with over 53 years of extensive international experience. Commencing his journey in the late 1960s in France, Christian dedication to the industry led him to Asia in early 1976, where he became an integral part of prestigious hotel groups including "Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group" and "InterContinental Hotels Group."

Throughout his career, Christian has been recognized for his adeptness in nurturing talent, guiding individuals who now hold pivotal positions within the industry. A financial expert, he consistently optimized revenues

and delivered strong results. With a knack for overseeing complex projects, he brings a commitment to excellence, strong leadership, and adaptability to diverse environments. Christian career is marked by a passion for achieving goals and fostering positive relationships.

With a decade of dedicated service in the hospitality industry, Richelle Panulaya has established herself as a dynamic leader with a profound impact on E-commerce, Revenue and Online Management, and Hospitality Business Management. Her journey to becoming a General Manager is marked by significant achievements, including doubling Cocotel's online sales and overseeing operations for over 300 hotels and resorts.

Richelle's career trajectory reflects her exceptional ability to navigate and excel in the competitive hospitality landscape. Her strategic insights and innovative approaches have not only enhanced revenue streams but also streamlined operations across diverse properties. Notably, she has collaborated with esteemed group chains such as Reddoorz, Shangri-la, and Frasers Hospitality, further solidifying her reputation as a trusted industry expert.

In recognition of her outstanding contributions and leadership, Richelle was honored as one of the youngest inspiring women in Asian travel in 2024. This accolade underscores her influence and dedication to shaping the future of hospitality in the region.

Driven by a passion for excellence and a commitment to continuous improvement, Richelle continues to set new benchmarks in hospitality management, leveraging her expertise to foster growth and innovation within the industry. Her journey exemplifies resilience, vision, and a relentless pursuit of excellence in every endeavor she undertakes.

Grab For Business brings the best of Grab’s services and technology to companies and businesses of all sizes across Southeast Asia. Thousands of companies across the region already easily customise, budget, manage and track spends across corporate rides, employee food programs and more using Grab’s platform. These solutions improve employee engagement and enable their workforce to save countless hours on tedious manual processes so that they can focus on what’s most important - driving businesses forward. Grab For Business also offers digital gifting solutions for loyalty and reward programmes.

Tensei Philippines Inc., established in 2014, is a Japanese funded organization that is part of Tensei Group of Companies founded in Fukui Prefecture, Japan. Tensei Philippines is a multi-faceted organization combining both the Japanese discipline and Filipino ingenuity which offers a wide range of services that include system development, business process outsourcing, smart building and video security solutions, and manpower solutions. We want to create innovative technology solutions that will help in transforming the future.

RIOS is an international design collective working beyond boundaries to inventively combine disciplines and amplify the impact of design. Combined, our talents comprise a wide range of professional skills including architecture, landscape, urban planning, interior design, video, graphics and signage, and experiential and product design. Our work is irreversibly connected to the narrative of place and the complex order of human culture, creating solutions that are joyful, authentic, and unexpected. Our projects are diverse, including commercial, civic, hospitality, institutional, and residential.

KulörGroup manages and streamlines the full spectrum of hospitality consulting and hospitality design projects. From conceptualization to execution, all projects are overseen by both a technical and design expert. The team’s synchronous approach allows clients to increase efficiencies, decrease costs, and mitigate risks associated with hiring, onboarding, and managing multiple in-house and out-of-house teams.

TUI BLUE offers experience-oriented lifestyle travellers a hotel product tailored to their individual needs – for adults, families or holidaymakers interested in local culture and authentic experiences. BLUE Guides provide great hospitality with a personal touch and the BLUE App offers guests lots of activities at their choice. The experiences are tailored for all ages and range from entertainment in a relaxed atmosphere to a holistic fitness and well-being programme as well as a variety of excursions. TUI BLUE hotels stand for food experiences with a local touch, including authentic regional dishes while also catering for all dietary needs or nutrition plans. The hotel brand has more than 90 hotels worldwide and expanding its portfolio with a strong focus on Asia, the Middle East and Africa. TUI BLUE is a global brand of TUI Hotels & Resorts‘ leading leisure hotel portfolio.

EDGE (“Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies”) is a free soft- ware, a green building standard, and an international green building certification system.

EDGE is an innovation of IFC, a member of the World Bank Group. IFC created EDGE to respond to the need for a measurable and credible solution to prove the business case for building green and to unlock financial investment.

With a nationwide network of members, the Hotel and Restaurant Association of the Philippines (HRAP) is the recognized industry association that represents the accommodation and foodservice industry. Founded in 1951 as a non-stock, non-profit organization, and reincorporated in August 2002, the HRAP ensures that the interests and concerns of the industry are given priority and due attention by the national leadership.

Internationally, it is affiliated with the Asean Tourism Association (ASEANTA) and the Asean Hotel & Restaurant Association (AHRA) and currently networking with other Asian organizations.

The Lake Toba Tourism Authority Board is a Public Service Agency designed as a special institution to accelerate the development of Lake Toba as one of Indonesia's priority tourism destinations. The Lake Toba Tourism Authority Board is a work unit under the Ministry of Tourism of the Republic of Indonesia and also coordinates under the Coordinating Ministry for Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

This Board was formed through Presidential Regulation Number 49 of 2016 to carry out the development of the Lake Toba Tourism Area as the Lake Toba National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN). The Lake Toba Tourism Area Management Authority is responsible to the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The formation of the Lake Toba Tourism Authority provides management rights for at least 500 hectares of land to be developed into an integrated tourist area that is managed professionally to implement the authoritative function of this institution.

In addition to its authoritative function, the Lake Toba Tourism Authority Board is also tasked with carrying out a coordinative function by actively coordinating with relevant Ministries and Institutions, both the central government and regional governments from the eight districts around Lake Toba as a National Strategic Tourism Area.

Indonesia Hotelier is Marketing Distribution Channel that focused on supporting hotel in distributing their content to their customer.

www.IDHotelier.com offer huge opportunities for hotels to build brand and values awareness as it is a communication tool to the customer. More and more hoteliers has starting optimizing their content across 3rd party distribution channels.

Distribution of hotel content is an important part of hotel marketing strategy.