IHG's Managing Director Australasia and Japan, Leanne Harwood.
IHG’s Managing Director Australasia and Japan, Leanne Harwood, is a key speaker at AHICE

Virtual registrations are open for the 2020 Australian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), headline sponsored by Intrust Super and Hostplus, with all physical tickets to attend the two events in person now at capacity.

A wait list is now available for those who still wish to attend in person at Hyatt Regency Sydney and more tickets will become available should government event restrictions ease.

Those who attend in person or watch AHICE 2020 virtually are set to catch one of the most high-level hotel conferences ever held in Australia, thanks to a program that features senior executives, owners, investors, consultants and leaders in the field speaking on stage and virtually from across the world.

Confirmed speakers include Accor’s Michael Issenberg and Simon McGrath, Hilton’s Heidi Kunkel, IHG’s Kenneth Macpherson and Leanne Harwood, Marriott’s Craig Smith and Sean Hunt, Outrigger’s Jeff Wagoner, key investors Dr Jerry Schwartz, Jure Domazet, Marianne Ossovani, Ronald Barrott and many more.

CLICK HERE to register to receive virtual access to AHICE 2020.

The eleventh AHICE and sixth edition of Design Inn is scheduled to take place at Hyatt Regency in Sydney as well as a pop-up event at Hilton Auckland (should restrictions ease in New Zealand) on Tuesday 8 September and Wednesday 9 September.

For the full programs by day for Design Inn and AHICE 2020, please click either (Design Inn), (AHICE Sydney Day 1) – (AHICE Sydney Day 2) OR (AHICE Auckland Day 1).

Hyatt Regency Sydney will be the setting for the 2020 edition of AHICE and Design Inn.

The Auckland part of the conference (to be held if restrictions are lifted) includes live sessions on stage for the New Zealand hotel industry.

Curated by industry experts, the Design Inn component will attract designers, architects, specifiers, consultants, whilst hotel owners and asset managers from throughout Australasia will be attending AHICE to learn and collaborate.

AHICE is the leading hotel industry conference in Australasia. The conference has become the place where senior industry professionals come together to share stories, experiences and ideas.
With the accommodation industry facing one of its most serious challenges, the conference has combined a face-to-face component with a virtual element to ensure the event is accessible for everyone, whether they want to attend in person in Sydney and Auckland, or virtually from anywhere in the world.

The current COVID-safe regulations in Sydney limit physical gatherings of more than 150 people, but virtual attendees will be able to access both speakers and delegates via live Q&A sessions and open-forum opportunities. At a recent AHICE webinar, more than 1800 people tuned in, indicating interest in listening and learning remains high.

With the new virtual ticket package, delegates will have access to all sessions live and will also be able to view the recordings of the sessions for up to a month after the event. The aim is to provide virtual delegates with an inclusive and engaging experience.

Using a unique log-in id and pin delegates will have access to a web-based app which will provide direct interaction with the live-action happening in Sydney and Auckland. Virtual delegates can also engage in polling, Q&A sessions, interact with other attendees; everything from the comfort of their home or office.

Marriott International’s Group President – International, Craig Smith, is speaking at AHICE

The program for the two days will be (local times):

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER (Sydney)
9:00am-1:00pm AEST: Design Inn Symposium
1:00pm-6:15pm AEST: AHICE Day 1
6:15pm-8:00pm AEST: AHICE Networking Event

TUESDAY 8 SEPTEMBER (Auckland)
10:50am-3:00pm NZT: Design Inn Symposium
3:00pm-6:00pm NZT: AHICE Day 1
6:00pm-8:15pm NZT: AHICE Networking Event

WEDNESDAY 9 SEPTEMBER (Sydney)
8:15am-8:55am: Breakfast Session: “Revenue Management: weathering the storm”. In association with Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School at Torrens University Australia.
9:00am-6:00pm: AHICE Day 2

James Wilkinson

Editor-In-Chief, Hotel Management