Watch: 5 sessions you might have missed at IHIF

I hope you’ve enjoyed our coverage of IHIF 2023 – even if you weren’t able to make it to Berlin (there’s always next year!).

The main stage was obviously the big draw for many with global CEOs, investors and others keeping delegates informed and entertained but away from it there were multiple tracks providing deep insights into the likes of ESG, profitability and dealmaking.

After the event we launched IHIF Digital a hub for all the sessions in Berlin and I wanted to draw your attention to a handful of sessions on some of the individual tracks that you may have missed.

You can view all the sessions on our IHIF Digital hub.

Learn from the Best: HAMA Europe Case Studies

Speakers: Harriet Durbin and Sophie Richard, HAMA Europe; Christian Bunte, Avingstone; Patrik Hug, Invesco Real estate; Nico Weber, Henderson Park

Now in its seventh year the HAMA Europe Asset Management Achievement Award celebrates the key role played by hotel asset management in sustainably growing asset value and driving underlying investment returns. This year’s finalists were:

·         Avingstone for the Four Seasons Madrid

·         Henderson Park and EQ Hotels for Project Metropoles

·         Invesco for a portfolio of Holiday Inn hotels

The winners were Henderson Park and EQ Hotels but each of the finalists provided valuable insights into how to run a successful asset management strategy. The IHIF session goes deep into the tactics used in each example.

Hospitality Investment in Italy: Exploring New Opportunities

Speakers: James Chapell, Horwath HTL; Giorgio Palmucci, Italian Hotels Association Confindustria; Angelica Corsini, Arsenale Group; Chiara Caruso, CDP Real Asset SGR;  Aldo Melpignano, Egnazia Ospitalita Italiana; Francesco Alfonsi, Italian Trade Agency; Elisabetta Fabri, Starhotels Group

Italy has become a happy hunting ground for international investors looking to institutionalise the country’s hospitality assets. Cities like Rome are seeing huge growth with 24 new properties opening over the next 12-18 months, most of which are luxury.

The session covers international standards, where investors are looking and the pros and cons of the owner operator model.

Management Agreements: A Critical Review

Speakers: Karen Friebe, Bird & Bird LLP; Giordano Nicoletti, CBRE Hotels; Ina Plunien , Cedar Capital Partners; Frank Veenstra, Corinthia Hotels; Maria
Zarraluqui, Melia Hotels International

The subject of hotel management agreements (HMAs) comes up again and again at IHIF but that doesn’t mean there’s nothing new to say on the subject. While recent changes probably represent an evolution rather than a revolution, the trend isn’t the same across all regions with Western Europe in particular going in a new direction.

Thriving in the Booming Serviced Apartments Marketplace

Speakers: Sam Barrell, CBRE; Niko Karstikko, Bob W, Hakan Kodal, Ando Living; Zachary Schwartz, YAYS Group; Josef Vollmayr, Limehome

Adjacent Spaces our show-within-a-show has grown and grown over the last couple of years as hotel investors have looked outside the tractional structures to new, related operational real estate sectors like hostels and co-living. Serviced apartments have arguably seen the biggest increase in interest, given their performance since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. This session brought together representatives from some of Europe's leading companies to discuss the operational proposition, connecting properties to the local community and what comes next.

Distress Call: What Are the Options for Opportunistic Investors?

Speakers: Andreas Ewald, Engel & Voelkers Hotel Consulting; Christophe Beauvilain , Pygmalion Capital Advisers; Benjamin Habbel, Limestone Capital; Kristen Kozlowski, Pinebridge; Laura Wild, Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner

The topic of distress has come up again and again since the first lockdowns were introduced in 2020. Hotels were forced to close and many expected a flurry of discounted sales to follow. What nobody could have expected was the level of government support in many countries and the subsequent sharp bounceback in consumer demand. Things may be changing though. Interest rate rises mean that debt is more expensive than it was a couple of years ago and lenders are starting to lose their patience with some owners. This panel discusses sourcing, buying loans and everything in between.