citizenM’s Levie to be keynote for Horner’s summit
Michael Levie, the founder of the world’s ‘trendiest’ new hotel brand – citizenM –will be the keynote speaker at Ted Horner’s CEO Summit in Sydney on 16 July.
Ted Horner’s CEO Summit is an invitation only event designed for hotel executives wanting the latest and most relevant information on technology trends and their impact on the hotel sector. Founder and convenor, Mr Horner, has invited Michael Levie for his first-ever visit to Australia, because he believes citizenM is demonstrating the best use of customer and operator focused technology in the hotel industry, thereby both saving costs for operators while increasing customer service and satisfaction.
“That’s a rare combination, but the success of citizenM in Europe has shown what is possible for hotel operators,” says MrHorner
citizenM is a Dutch based hotel chain that first launched at Amsterdam Airport in 2008, and has since expanded to London and Glasgow, with plans for expansion in Paris and New York, and then the Asia Pacific region. The company was co-founded by Michael Levie and Rattan Chadha and uses the slogan “affordable luxury for the people” for its hotels. Rooms are compact but offer plush beds, rain showers and a ‘mood pad’ to manage all the room functions.
The main emphasis of the hotels is on the expansive public areas called the Living Room, which is where guests check-in themselves and enjoy communal dining and ‘living’ in an area that offers eclectic art and furnishings, a library, multi-media areas, self-serve deli and cafe, and bar.
Following Mr Levie’s presentation, the issue of technology in hotels will then be debated by three majors of the Australian hotel industry – Bob East, CEO of Mantra Group, Michael Herman, executive development manager of Toga Far East Hotels and Patrick Imbardelli, who was until recently CEO of Asia Pacific’s Pan Pacific Hotel
Group and one of the founding members of Australia’s contemporary hotel industry. The session will be moderated by Rodger Powell, MD of Tourism Accommodation Australia, the major sponsor of the event.
The morning event will conclude will be a presentation by Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals’ Frank Wolfe, who will discuss the latest hospitality technology trials and trends.
