For details about each individual webinar please scroll down to the programme.
Welcome to 'Building Success in Partnership'
For the Europe Development team, strong human connections with our owners and stakeholdersare fundamental in what we do every day. So we would love to meet you in person. However, while travel remains restricted across Europe we invite you to join us for a series of interactive and engaging webinars planned over the course of 2021. The programme has been designed to put a spotlight on our diverse brand portfolio and share insights on how we deliver for our guests and owners.
Whether your project is a new build or a conversion opportunity, our development and design & engineering teams will be able to advise on the most suitable brand fit, and work with you to optimise your return on investment. Or if you are simply curious to learn more about our brands, you are most welcome to join too.
For more information on the topics, dates and speakers please scroll down.
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our webinars.
With very best regards
Willemijn Geels
Vice President Development Europe
Whether your project is a new build or a conversion opportunity, our development and design & engineering teams will be able to advise on the most suitable brand fit, and work with you to optimise your return on investment. Or if you are simply curious to learn more about our brands, you are most welcome to join too.
For more information on the topics, dates and speakers please scroll down.
We look forward to welcoming you at one of our webinars.
With very best regards
Willemijn Geels
Vice President Development Europe
Programme
The complimentary webinar programme, as outlined below, is designed to make the most of your valuable time: you can select which webinar(s) you'd like to attend and each of the sessions are kept short and punchy.
| Staybridge Suites |
TUE 30 NOVEMBER 2021 | 11h00–12h00 CET / 10H00–11h00 UK
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- John Wright, Mainstream Brand Director Europe
- Matteo Furci, Senior Manager Design
About: Our upscale extended stay brand, Staybridge Suites delivers warm, welcoming modern comforts, a thoughtful experience created by a genuinely caring team and an authentic sense of community that makes guests feel completely at home. The brand offers owners the opportunity to maximise ROI through driving cost efficiencies such as a lean staffing model, a limited F&B outlet and reduced operational cost.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- John Wright, Mainstream Brand Director Europe
- Matteo Furci, Senior Manager Design
About: Our upscale extended stay brand, Staybridge Suites delivers warm, welcoming modern comforts, a thoughtful experience created by a genuinely caring team and an authentic sense of community that makes guests feel completely at home. The brand offers owners the opportunity to maximise ROI through driving cost efficiencies such as a lean staffing model, a limited F&B outlet and reduced operational cost.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Completed Events
Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express
Wed 28 April 2021 | 11h00-12h00 CET / 10h00-11hoo UK
This event has now been completed. Missed it and would like to find out more? Contact: [email protected]
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Stefanie Rummel, Senior Director Design Northern Europe
- John Wright, Director, EMEAA Mainstream Brands
About: This session will give insight into our Holiday Inn brand family, the world’s largest and most recognised hotel brand and the trusted Global Leader in Genuine Hospitality. It has the largest global presence resulting in 9 out of 10 travellers having stayed at a Holiday Inn. It offers unparalleled brand awareness, great mainstream products for a growing market and strong RevPAR performance. Their efficient design reduces cost to build and ongoing operational expenses. Find out why the brand can truly optimise the value of your hotel and hear about the latest brand developments such as extended stay and resort projects.
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Stefanie Rummel, Senior Director Design Northern Europe
- John Wright, Director, EMEAA Mainstream Brands
About: This session will give insight into our Holiday Inn brand family, the world’s largest and most recognised hotel brand and the trusted Global Leader in Genuine Hospitality. It has the largest global presence resulting in 9 out of 10 travellers having stayed at a Holiday Inn. It offers unparalleled brand awareness, great mainstream products for a growing market and strong RevPAR performance. Their efficient design reduces cost to build and ongoing operational expenses. Find out why the brand can truly optimise the value of your hotel and hear about the latest brand developments such as extended stay and resort projects.
voco and the power of conversions
TUE 11 MAY 2021 | 11H00–12h00 CET / 10H00–11h00 UK
This event has now been completed. Missed it and would like to find out more? Contact: [email protected]
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Will Yell, VP voco and conversions
- Carmela Crisafulli, Director strategy voco
About: IHG has extensive experience in conversions across its brand portfolio. During this webinar the spotlight will be on voco hotels which appeals to a broad range of asset types, including both conversions and new builds. It offers an experiential and distinct customer proposition and flexible approach to brand standards that are easy to implement and offer efficiency and a lower capital outlay compared to other brands. Find out more about IHG’s fastest growing brand to the IHG brand family and its success with 50+ open and pipeline hotels worldwide.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Will Yell, VP voco and conversions
- Carmela Crisafulli, Director strategy voco
About: IHG has extensive experience in conversions across its brand portfolio. During this webinar the spotlight will be on voco hotels which appeals to a broad range of asset types, including both conversions and new builds. It offers an experiential and distinct customer proposition and flexible approach to brand standards that are easy to implement and offer efficiency and a lower capital outlay compared to other brands. Find out more about IHG’s fastest growing brand to the IHG brand family and its success with 50+ open and pipeline hotels worldwide.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Kimpton & Hotel Indigo
Wed 9 June 2021 | 11h00–12h00 CET / 10h00–11h00 UK
This event has now been completed. Missed it and would like to find out more? Contact: [email protected]
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Claire Chapoulet, Head of Global Crowne Plaza® and EMEAA Upscale Brands
- Remi Lefevre, Brand Director Luxury Europe
- Henry Reeve, Director Interior Design
About: During this session you will gain insight into two of our Luxury & Lifestyle brands, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo. These brands are known for being design-led, their genuine service and each hotel being unique. Both have a strong global presence and a track record in crafting award-winning resorts. Kimpton is known for its design-led hotels which are developed during a collaborative, proprietary process. Hotel Indigo offers an innovative business model and drives profitability by achieving the right balance of efficient staffing and premium room rates.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Claire Chapoulet, Head of Global Crowne Plaza® and EMEAA Upscale Brands
- Remi Lefevre, Brand Director Luxury Europe
- Henry Reeve, Director Interior Design
About: During this session you will gain insight into two of our Luxury & Lifestyle brands, Kimpton and Hotel Indigo. These brands are known for being design-led, their genuine service and each hotel being unique. Both have a strong global presence and a track record in crafting award-winning resorts. Kimpton is known for its design-led hotels which are developed during a collaborative, proprietary process. Hotel Indigo offers an innovative business model and drives profitability by achieving the right balance of efficient staffing and premium room rates.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
| Regent, InterContinental and Branded Residences |
Tue 6 July 2021 | 11h00–12h00 CET / 10h00–11h00 UK
This event has now been completed. Missed it and would like to find out more? Contact: [email protected]
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Ananth Ramchandran, VP Branded Residences
- Tom Rowntree, VP Global Luxury brands
About: IHG’s growing portfolio of luxury brands is a collection of the very best in the travel industry. This session will look at our upper tier luxury brands reimagined for the modern luxury consumer. These brands are defined by timeless legacy bound together by distinctive design and unforgettable service. Each one offers something unique to our guests, and together they offer an unparalleled choice of locations and experiences. The session will also hone in on IHG’s Branded Residences offering and ways of working.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Ananth Ramchandran, VP Branded Residences
- Tom Rowntree, VP Global Luxury brands
About: IHG’s growing portfolio of luxury brands is a collection of the very best in the travel industry. This session will look at our upper tier luxury brands reimagined for the modern luxury consumer. These brands are defined by timeless legacy bound together by distinctive design and unforgettable service. Each one offers something unique to our guests, and together they offer an unparalleled choice of locations and experiences. The session will also hone in on IHG’s Branded Residences offering and ways of working.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Crowne Plaza
Tue 21 Sept 2021 | 11h00–12h00 CET / 10h00–11h00 UK
This event has now been completed. Missed it and would like to find out more? Contact: [email protected]
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Claire Chapoulet, Head of Premium Brands Europe
About: Crowne Plaza is our leading full-service Premium brand, the first to create the business-class hotel in 1983. Today, Crowne Plaza is one of the largest upscale hotel brands globally with hotels in diverse locations, an impressive full-service model and focussed on continuous improvement helping owners to drive revenue.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Speakers:
- Willemijn Geels, VP Development Europe
- Claire Chapoulet, Head of Premium Brands Europe
About: Crowne Plaza is our leading full-service Premium brand, the first to create the business-class hotel in 1983. Today, Crowne Plaza is one of the largest upscale hotel brands globally with hotels in diverse locations, an impressive full-service model and focussed on continuous improvement helping owners to drive revenue.
Register here for this and/or other sessions.
Keynote Speakers
We are extremely excited to showcase the lineup of impressive keynote speakers.
Your host:
Willemijn Geels
Willemijn Geels
VP DEVELOPMENT EUROPE | IHG
Willemijn drives the expansion of the IHG's brands across Europe through managed and franchised deal structures and works closely with owners and investors in a support and advisory capacity to drive long-term revenue.
Prior to joining IHG in 2005, Willemijn was Development & Acquisitions Director at Louvre Hotels Group and also gained experience in Deloitte's Transport, Hospitality and Leisure team in Paris. Willemijn graduated from IMHI-ESSEC business school with an MBA degree in International Hospitality Management and specialising in Real Estate.
Prior to joining IHG in 2005, Willemijn was Development & Acquisitions Director at Louvre Hotels Group and also gained experience in Deloitte's Transport, Hospitality and Leisure team in Paris. Willemijn graduated from IMHI-ESSEC business school with an MBA degree in International Hospitality Management and specialising in Real Estate.
Claire Chapoulet
HEAD OF CROWNE PLAZA GLOBAL AND EMEAA UPSCALE BRANDS | IHG
Claire looks after the Crown Plaza brand on a global scale and in addition also after our Upscale brand collection in EMEAA. She has been with IHG since 2006 and has a deep understanding of IHG brand propositions.
Carmela Crisafulli
DIRECTOR STRATEGY VOCO | IHG
Italian born, Carmela has spent the last fifteen years in London where she has been growing her experience across the hospitality, retail and financial services sector.
Currently leading the strategic delivery and go-to-market efforts for IHG’s latest upscale brand, voco, Carmela works side by side with hotel developers across Europe, Middle East and Africa, Australasia and Japan to bring voco hotels to those markets.
Passionate about hotels and hospitality, Carmela is an eager sponsor of the industry and its growth in her home country, Italy.
Currently leading the strategic delivery and go-to-market efforts for IHG’s latest upscale brand, voco, Carmela works side by side with hotel developers across Europe, Middle East and Africa, Australasia and Japan to bring voco hotels to those markets.
Passionate about hotels and hospitality, Carmela is an eager sponsor of the industry and its growth in her home country, Italy.
Remi Lefevre
BRAND DIRECTOR LUXURY EUROPE | IHG
Remi is brand & marketing professional with 15+ years of experience in hospitality. He orchestrates the strategy, growth and delivery of IHG's portfolio of luxury brands in Europe and contributes to global luxury projects. He loves crafting unique, guest-centric experiences that can be delivered personably and consistently to differentiate each asset and drive tangible returns.
Ananth Ramchandran
VP branded residences | IHG
Ananth Ramchandran is Vice President, Head of Branded Residential with IHG Hotels & Resorts and is based in the Singapore office. He is responsible for IHG’s branded residential business globally and is also involved in M&A, strategic investments and asset management across Asia Pacific as part of the Capital Investments & Transactions team. Ananth has 15+ years of experience across hotel investments, investment banking and management consulting.
Tom Rowntree
VP GLOBAL LUXURY BRANDS | IHG
Tom leads the definition, development and performance delivery of Regent Hotels and InterContinental Hotels & Resorts globally and Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants across Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia.
Tom has been with the company for 20 years in roles across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Prior to his current role, Tom was Vice President of Luxury & Boutique brands for Europe and oversaw the Quality & Standards division for all brands in the region. Prior to this Tom was Vice President of Commercial, IHG Middle East & Africa, which saw him lead the Sales, Marketing and Revenue functions for the region.
Tom has been with the company for 20 years in roles across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Prior to his current role, Tom was Vice President of Luxury & Boutique brands for Europe and oversaw the Quality & Standards division for all brands in the region. Prior to this Tom was Vice President of Commercial, IHG Middle East & Africa, which saw him lead the Sales, Marketing and Revenue functions for the region.
Stefanie Rummel
Senior Director Design Northern Europe | IHG
Stefanie Rummel joined IHG as Senior Director Design & Engineering for the DACH region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland) in 2018. In her current position, she is responsible for franchised and managed projects and is available to help owners and investors at every stage of the project by bringing in her over 20-year experience in the hospitality sector.
Prior to her current position, Stefanie was responsible for feasibility design and planning for all brands at Marriott International, working closely with MI Development, owners and franchisees to ensure optimal solutions for early stage projects. In this capacity she was a key contributor to achieving Marriott International’s growth objectives for Continental Europe and realising on-strategy hotels.
Prior to her current position, Stefanie was responsible for feasibility design and planning for all brands at Marriott International, working closely with MI Development, owners and franchisees to ensure optimal solutions for early stage projects. In this capacity she was a key contributor to achieving Marriott International’s growth objectives for Continental Europe and realising on-strategy hotels.
John Wright
MAINSTREAM BRAND DIRECTOR EMEAA | IHG
John leads the growth strategy, brand management and performance delivery of IHG’s mainstream portfolio across Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia. This represents 750 hotels operating under three IHG brands - Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express and Staybridge Suites. John has been with IHG for 10 years and has held a range of roles in the UK and USA spanning Corporate Strategy, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants Integration, Global Brand & Marketing Strategy, New Brand Development and Europe Brand Management. Prior to joining IHG, John worked as a Management Consultant for L.E.K. Consulting in London and Australia. He graduated from University College London with a First Class degree in Physics.
Will Yell
VP VOCO AND CONVERSIONS | IHG
Will is responsible for the development of IHG’s long-term luxury and upscale conversion and affiliate brand strategies, including future growth opportunities. In his 8.5 years at IHG he has held a range of roles in Corporate Strategy, Planning and Brand Management. As Head of voco Hotels, he has also provided end-to-end leadership of the voco rollout in EMEAA and support for the brand’s expansion into America and Greater China. Prior to joining IHG, Will worked as a Management Consultant for Deloitte in London. He also holds a First Class Degree from the London School of Economics.
