November 20th

• 02:30pm Come with us on a tour of active shared ownership luxury developments throughout Dubai: Meet the developers and sales and marketing representatives that make these buildings 'tick' whilst networking with other delegates. The tours are followed by a relaxing dinner in the desert as the sun goes down. Transport provided.

Developments:

Bonnington Towers
Jumeirah Lakes

Pick up and set down from Bonnington Towers, Cluster J, Jumeirah Lakes Towers Dubai, 37246

Day 1

• 09:00 - 18:00

  For the 2012 conference we have a much expanded agenda covering all aspects of the luxury lodging sector, including fractional ownership, whole ownership, luxury hotels and vacation rental.

  The agenda will include the following seminars:

  MAIN ROOM

  • Keynote speech: Wealth and luxury lodging in the age of volatility. Robert Frank

  • The outlook for the economy: how do global economic developments affect the hospitality sector and what is the outlook for the next few years. Will the sector be ready to capitalise on economic recovery?

  • The outlook for the luxury lodging industry (panel): Industry leaders discuss trends and developments likely to affect the luxury hospitality sector over the next five years.

  • Optimising the ownership and occupation mix for your resort: Where your resort is located and what amenities are close by can have a huge effect on which mix of hotel, fractional ownership, (timeshare), residence club, rental and whole ownership property you build. How do you determine what is right for you?

  • Sustainable luxury: affluent customers are among the most demanding when it comes to green credentials. How can resorts not only incorporate but demonstrate that they attaining high environmental standards from construction through to guest services?

  • Five-star service: Across hotels, PRCs, destination clubs and luxury rentals, customers are looking for more options, including dining, spa treatments, entertainment, activities and trips. What is the role of the modern concierge and how is it changing?

  • Home from home: multi-generational travel is an emerging trend - affluent customers are increasingly travelling in large family groups. How can hotels and resorts provide units more suitable for these groups in terms of size and amenities? How does the residence club sit alongside villa rentals and hotel rooms?

  • Mind, body and soul: Guests are increasingly looking at their vacation as a “recharging experience”. Offering a spa and gym is no longer sufficient for these customers – they also want yoga, pilates, meditation, alternative therapies and more. How can these be adapted for the mainstream and what trends are coming?

  • CEO Hard Talk – industry leaders from across the hospitality sector discuss their different approaches and perspectives, and share how they see the future of the industry

  • HR + Leadership - getting the most out of your team: your in-resort staff are the human face of your brand, interacting constantly with your customers. How can HR managers recruit, retain and develop the best staff.

  • The debt model of the future - is it time for a fresh perspective on financing (panel)

  • The short-term luxury lodger. Weekend and citybreak travellers are looking for a different experience from longer tern vacationers – how do they differ and what are the best ways to cater for their needs. Also incorporates luxury business travel.

  • Taking control of your brand reputation. Your brand is one of the key pillars of your business. In the digital age, how can companies keep up with the plethora of social media options to promote your brand and services, (Twitter, Facebook, TripAdvisor, Smartphone Apps) while also using these mediums to counter negative coverage and reviews.

  BREAKOUT SESSIONS

  General:

  • Effective PR in the luxury sector: How to find and get the most from the right PR company, and develop effective working relationships with the best target media to get your message to potential customers.

  • Building a meaningful referral network: how to employ an international network of lead generators who will pass “hot leads” to your in-house sales team.

  • Second home industry trends and innovations (panel): Experts from across the industry discuss trends in whole and shared ownership vacation property.

  • The right spa concept. Conceiving, designing, building and operating the best spa offer for your clients.

  • Luxury exchange (panel): The pros and cons of exchange programmes for luxury whole and shared ownership properties.

  • On-site retail opportunities. Shopping is regarded as a fully fledged vacation activity – how can hotel and resort developers best offer retail opportunities themselves and with partners on site, without being detrimental to their host communities? How do you choose the right partners and brands, and how much space should the units take up?

  • In-resort technology. What does the modern traveller expect in terms of internet services, TV, games and entertainment. What trends are on the horizon?

  Fractional Ownership:

  • Fractional 101: A comprehensive beginner's guide to conceiving, developing and operating a fractional ownership development

  • Constructing an HOA budget: Striking the right balance between providing excellent service and finding a level of dues that your owners are comfortable with

  • Hear from the leaders (panel): Successful companies in this sector share their knowledge and experience

  Luxury Hotels:

  • Investing in luxury / lifestyle hotels 

  • Marketing: Successfully marketing a luxury hotel has its own unique challenges. How can you find the best mix of online, social media, press and event marketing to promote your hotel?

  • Hear from the leaders (panel): Successful companies in this sector share their knowledge and experience

  Vacation Rental:

  • Vacation rental managers speak up. Hear about how the sector is faring from the sharp end. Rental managers share their knowledge and experience.

  • Working with high-end real estate agents: Agents in luxury destinations will invariably have a comprehensive database of contacts – how can you best utilise this in your luxury rental business.

  • Hear from the leaders (panel): Successful companies in this sector share their knowledge and experience.