Global Hospitality Talk 2026 – London

8am

ARRIVALS

Registration with coffee, tea and breakfast

8.50am

WELCOME

Can Faik, Co-Founder, Global Hospitality Talk

EVENT COMPÉRE
Rick Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Red Cloud

9am

JLL UPDATE

Joe Stather, Head of Hotels & Hospitality Research, EMEA JLL

9.15am

VALUE VS VISION: CAN CONSTRAINT STRENGTHEN CREATIVITY?

A rigorous debate on value engineering and creative authority in global hospitality. As financial scrutiny intensifies, design ambition is tested against cost reality. Can constraint elevate creativity, or does optimisation risk eroding long-term impact?

James Cavagnari, Founder & Creative Director, Prima Design
Danielle Madigan, Director, Blue Moon Procurement
Toni Black, CEO, House of Black
Damien Follone, Associate Principal and Creative Director, Wimberly Interiors

Moderator
Alys Bryan, Managing Editor, Design Insider

10am

– COFFEE/TEA & NETWORKING –

10.30am

EMOTIONAL CAPITAL IN THE CULTURAL CAPITAL

As London continues to set the pace as a global cultural capital, the real value of a hotel lies not just in its physicality, but in the holistic emotional resonance it creates – for guests, locals, staff and for the wider urban fabric.

This session explores how design, storytelling, internal culture and programming can transform hotels into meaningful spaces that resonate with the rhythms, needs and aspirations of our thriving city – moving beyond transaction to connection.

Eljesa Saciri, General Manager, The Mandrake
Paul Brackley, Founder & CEO, Kinsfolk & Co
Etienne Haro, Managing Director, Cambridge House, Auberge Resorts Collection
Guillaume Marly, General Manager, Waldorf Astoria London Admiralty Arch

Moderator
Uwern Jong, Experientialist®-in-Chief, OutThere

11.15am

REASONS FOR OPTIMISM: WHAT’S WORKING IN HOSPITALITY DESIGN — AND WHAT’S NOT

This panel will explore the current landscape of hospitality design, highlighting successful trends and identifying the challenges the industry faces. Participants will share insights on innovative design solutions that enhance guest experiences and create sustainable environments. They will also discuss what hasn’t worked and the lessons learned, offering valuable takeaways for designers and operators alike.

This session promises to provide inspiration and a deeper understanding of the evolving dynamics of hospitality design.

Sam Hall, Director, Interior Design – Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts
Inge Moore, Founder MUZA Lab
Alex Woogmaster, Founder, Woogmaster Studio
Libby Bull, Design Director, ROAM

Moderator
Alastair Graham, President, Montrose

12 noon

– LUNCH & NETWORKING –

1.30pm

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

Bashar Wali, Founder & CEO, This Assembly

1.45pm

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Neil Jacobs, Founder, Wild Origins

MODERATOR
Rick Evans, Chief Executive Officer, Red Cloud

2.30pm

Legacy vs Velocity: Which Hospitality Markets Will Still Matter in 10 Years?

A candid debate on resilience, volatility, capital flows, and creative relevance across global hospitality hubs. Which markets are building long-term gravity—and which are riding capital, incentives, and momentum that may not survive the next cycle? As the industry looks toward 2036, where will luxury hospitality truly lead, and which destinations will define the next era?

Anne Becker Olins, Global Chief Design & Technical Services Officer, Ultra Luxury and Luxury, Accor
Rafael Da Silva, Director of Architecture & Design – Technical Services, Mandarin Oriental
Trevor To, Senior Associate, Gensler
Olga Fox, Director of Interiors, Studio Indigo

Moderator
Milan Jankovic, President, 3lite & Everything Metal

3.15pm

– COFFEE/TEA & NETWORKING –

3.45pm

HOW BRANDS AND OPERATORS ARE INNOVATING THE EXPRESSION OF BRAND IDENTITY

Brands and operators are redefining their identities through innovative design, concepts, and technologies, including branded residences. This panel will discuss how these innovations create memorable experiences, expand into new markets, and enhance guest satisfaction through tailored amenities. Join us to explore the strategies driving brand innovation and setting new industry standards.

Wiebke Stahl, Managing Director, Bugatti Brand Lifestyle, Bugatti International
Jonathan Wingo, Global Head of Real Estate & Residential Programs, Hilton Worldwide
Sam Barrell, Director, Mixed-Use Development, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Marriott International Hotels
Daniel Daggers, Founder, DDRE.Global

Moderator
Riyan Itani, Founder and Director, Global Branded Residences

4.30pm

CLOSING REMARKS

Can Faik, Co-Founder, Global Hospitality Talk

– DRINKS & NETWORKING –