Ajay K. Bakaya is a seasoned hotelier and the driving force behind the growth of Sarovar Hotels. A leader in the mid-market hospitality segment, Ajay has guided the brand from its humble beginnings —starting from a shared office table—to nearly 135 hotels across 85 destinations in India, Nepal, and Africa. An alumnus of Cornell-ESSEC, France, and a graduate of the Oberoi School of Learning and Development, Ajay brings rich international experience. His career spans India, Australia, Africa, France, and Scotland, offering him a global perspective on the hospitality industry. Ajay is also an avid cyclist, having completed the tough 1,000 km Tour of Nilgiris. He believes in values of patience, positivity, and discipline, which reflect in his leadership style. His mantra, “Sincerity and hard work will always give results,” inspires his team and peers. Ajay has been recognized with multiple industry accolades, including “Entrepreneur of the Year” by FHRAI and “CEO of the Year” and “Hall of Fame” awards by Hotelier India.

Juhi Roy joined Marriott International in April 2012 in the Development Team. Before joining Marriott, she worked with the Hyatt Hotels & Resorts in the Development Team for four years and prior to that with Hindustan Times Media Ltd. and Ernst & Young. Juhi started her career with the Oberoi New Delhi and been a part of the hospitality industry for the last 26 years.

Mr. Kunal Chaudhari is a ‘2nd Generation Consulting Engineer’, and Director at renowned MEP Consulting Firm ‘Udayan Chaudhari & Associates Pvt. Ltd.’ A Mechanical & Automation Engineer by qualification, Kunal has successfully delivered several prestigious projects in India and Abroad, and has begun his journey as a guest lecturer in renowned Architectural & Engineering Institutions as well. At ASHRAE and various Industry platforms he has been part of panel discussions, and moderating sessions. He is also the Past Treasurer of ASHRAE India Chapter. Kunal is a published author with two titles to his credit. Sustainable designs coupled with pro-active use of state-of-the-art technology have been the cornerstone of his career as a Consulting Engineer. He has work extensively with MNCs and Renowned Global Brands over the last 15 years. The industry knows him as someone with an ‘eye for detail’, and having an appetite for concluding complex MEP design assignments. Data Centers, Labs, Retail & Commercial Buildings, Universities, Hospitals, Embassies, and Hotels roundup his repertoire of successfully commissioned assignments. As a second-generation entrepreneur, he is working toward creating an Engineering Organization with a Global Outreach.

Romesh Koul, a Post Graduate Diploma in Hotel Management from Institute of Hotel Management, Pusa, started his career as a Management Trainee with Jaypee Group at their hotels in New Delhi and left in 1984 to join Hotel Corporation of India at their unit at Srinagar. He started his career as a Management Trainee with Jaypee Group at their hotels in New Delhi and left in I 984 to join Hotel Corporation of India at their unit at Srinagar. He joined Hotel Banjara Hyderabad in 1986 as Assistant Front Office Manager. After 6 years of operational experience with various hotels, Romesh joined In Hotels Management Services Private Limited, a specialised consultancy organisation promoted by Mr. A. N. Haskar, Chairman Emeritus, ITC. Subsequently, he joined Tourism Finance Corporation of India(TFCI) in 1990 and was responsible for appraising more than 200 hotel projects. Romesh left TFCI in 1996 to set up his own company “Naaz Hotel Consultants Pvt. Ltd.” to provide specialised tourism related consultancy and need based services to new entrants in the hospitality industry. Today, Naaz advises various operational, project and financial matters to individual hotel promoters /groups.

The Founding Partner, of HPTS Consulting Neel Kamal Chauhan is an Associate Member of FCSI, Food Service Consultants Society International. A Master of Tourism Administration with specialization in Hotel Operations Management and Master of Commerce. With over 12 years of hotel operation and 15 years of Facility Planning Experience under his belt, Neel made himself a renowned name in kitchen consulting. Neel has extensively worked in various countries in Asia, Middle East & Africa. Presently, HPTS Consulting is working in 19 countries for various developers and International Hotel Brands. Neel is an expert in Designing Show and Interactive Kitchens. He is a specialist in Designing Standard Kitchen Models. He is also an expert in hospitality planning aspects, corporate cafeterias, Healthcare Kitchens and Food service Planning.

Davashish Srivastava is Senior Director Development, South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group. He is based at the group’s South Asia head office in Gurgaon. Davashish has played a key role in establishing Radisson Hotel Group as one of the largest and fastest-growing international hotel brands in South Asia. In his current role, Davashish heads RHG’s Growth Vertical in South Asia, where over last 6 years he has contributed towards addition of more than 70 hotels to company’s existing and pipeline portfolio in addition to management of relationships with Master Franchisers, JV Partners and Strategic Investors. Davashish also holds a rich development consulting experience and has worked on more than 250 hotel feasibilities, valuations, and strategic tie-up assignments during his hotel consulting tenure and some of his areas of expertise include Market entry strategies, M&As, Portfolio valuations, Brand revamps and Market growth strategies. With more than 15 years of hotel development experience, Davashish has held senior positions with prominent multinational companies such as Whitbread International (Premier Inn) and Horwath Consultants.

Anil Sharma graduated from IIT Roorkee in the year 1982 and started his career with Bharadwaj & Associates in the year 1982 and worked with them till 1984. Thereafter, he joined Kabil Associates, a USA-based firm, and worked with them until 1989. He worked with them on various prestigious projects, namely USIS Calcutta, US Chancery Burma, US Consulate and Consular Residence in Lahore. In addition, he also worked in the US office of Kabil Associates for 6 months. In the year 1989, he started his own practise of architecture by the name of ASA (Anil Sharma Associates). His first project in Pune was later branded as the Holiday Inn Pune. It was also awarded "The Best New Hotel of the Year in the Asia Pacific Region" by Holiday Inn worldwide. Since then, ASA has been involved in various reputed hotel projects all over India and has designed projects in Kazakhstan as well.

Mr. Anoop Bali, Whole Time Director & CFO of Tourism Finance Corporation of India Limited, is a distinguished corporate leader having over three decades of experience in finance, financial services & investment banking. Mr. Bali is MBA (Gold Medallist) with specialisation certification in Infrastructure Financing from IIM-Ahmedabad. He has rich experience of over three decades in the areas of corporate finance, hospitality project financing, structured lending, special situation financing, credit management, stressed asset management, merchant banking, risk management, accounts & finance, treasury & resource management, corporate/project advisory, etc. Mr. Bali is known for his deep insight in hospitality sector and is focused on funding the hotel credit gap in India. An avid traveller and dog lover, he is passionate for development of large scale pet friendly hotels/resorts and senior citizen serviced apartments in the country.

Ishaan Koul holds a B.Sc. (Hons) in Hospitality and Restaurant Management from IIMT (Institute for Management and Technology) Gurgaon affiliated with Oxford Brookes University, UK in 2009. Ishaan underwent industrial training at Four Seasons Sydney in 2007 and started his professional carrier as Management Trainee at Crowne Plaza, Gurgaon. In order to gain international experience Ishaan worked at Holiday Inn Orchard City Centre Singapore between 2011 & 2012 and joined Naaz Hotel Consultants Pvt. Ltd., in 2013. With the background of hotel operations, revenue management & marketing Ishaan was heading the feasibility division of Naaz Hotel Consultants Private Limited. Mr. Ishaan Koul joined Radisson Hotels Group as a part of the development team in 2019 and spent a year in the organisation before joining Naaz again in 2020. The current focus of Mr. Ishaan in addition to heading the feasibility division is to assist, advise and help in finalising the management & other agreements with various International & domestic hotel chains for independent owners diversifying into hospitality industry. Mr. Ishaan is a sports lover and has interest in acting.

Ar. Khozema Chitalwala, a luminary in the hospitality design realm, boasts a distinguished career spanning over three decades, marked by his pivotal role in diverse global projects. A graduate of Rachna Sansad, he founded Designers Group in 1988 with a vision to establish it as an internationally acclaimed design firm. Despite initial challenges, Khozema's dedication to interior design projects paved the way for the firm's ascent, with a significant breakthrough coming with the Taj Hotels and Resort, IHCL project. His design philosophy centers on contextual and sensitive design, prioritizing simplicity, resulting in a holistic client experience. Khozema has actively contributed to the architectural community as a sought-after speaker and the host of "Kupshup with Khozema." Under his leadership, Designers Group has received prestigious awards, including 'Luxury Hotel Designer' at IHE Excellence Awards 2022. The recent completion of the Fairfield by Marriott in Mumbai exemplifies Khozema's ability to flawlessly blend architectural prowess with creative innovation, solidifying Designers Group's reputation with renowned national and international hotel brands.

Kiran Andicot holds the position of Regional Vice President, Hotel Development with Marriott International based in New Delhi, India. Mr. Andicot joined Marriott International in January 2006 in their development planning and feasibility department. Before joining Marriott, he worked with the real estate and hospitality consulting division of Ernst & Young in Dubai and prior to that with HVS International in New Delhi. Prior to HVS, he spent over seven years working in hotel operations with the Taj and Oberoi group at various locations in India. Mr. Andicot is an alumnus of the Oberoi School of Hotel Management (now OCLD), Delhi.

He was the Deputy Managing Director of Lemon Tree Hotels Ltd and Co-Promotor & Director of Carnation Hotels till April 2022. A role that he performed for over a decade. Earlier he worked for ~31 years with the Oberoi Hotels and Resorts, he was last President, Trident Hotels (EIH Group) from 2008-2012. An OSHM post graduate batch of 1981-83, he held various senior positions with The Oberoi Group in India and abroad (ME and Sri Lanka) Rattan is graduate in Finance from Punjab University. His key specialisation is Hotel operations, with additional expertise in design, branding, marketing, PR and communications as well as human resource. Rattan is also an active trainer and mentor to senior executives across industries. He recently authored a book called “Check In Never Check out” which has been received well by industry leaders both in hospitality and FMCGs. He has been an independent advisor/consultant since the middle of 2022.

Mr. Sunil Khemani is the founder and Principal Consultant of Aufait International Engineering Studio which is multi-disciplinary MEP Design and Consulting Firm based out of New Delhi, India. The company has been involved in more than 200 projects including Hotel, Hospitals, retail, Residential, Commercial and Industrial projects. Mr. Sunil Khemani started his professional journey in 1983 and subsequent worked with a US based specialist company in building an undersea shelter for the first family of a country in Middle East. Mr. Khemani is a member of several professional societies including ISHRAE, ASHRAE, ISLE, IPA etc.

Jacob Purackal – Senior Director Development, South Asia joined Hilton in May 2012 and currently leads development for South Asia. In his tenure at Hilton Jacob has been responsible for originating and closing several landmark deals and growing Hilton's portfolio of brands in India. He has been instrumental in establishing relationships for Hilton with several key investment & development groups of India. Recently he was responsible for negotiating and closing the Strategic License Agreement for the “Spark by Hilton” which should lead to the development of 150 hotels. Prior to Hilton, Jacob led Molinaro Koger in India and was responsible for advisory, capital raise and transactions focused around the lodging sector. He was earlier with the capital markets division of Cushman & Wakefield in India focused on transactions across real estate asset classes, prior to which he handled business development for the wester Europe region for Geometric Software focused around Engineering Services & PLM. Jacob holds a Baccalaureate degree in Architecture and a MBA in Marketing & Finance from Iowa State University, Iowa, USA.

Vikram Singh, a seasoned hospitality professional with over two decades of diverse experience in Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, currently serves as the pre-opening and operative General Manager at Aloft Kathmandu Thamel for Marriott International in Nepal. Leading with distinction in design and innovation, Vikram's dynamic approach underscores his commitment to excellence, contributing significantly to the ongoing success of Aloft Kathmandu Thamel.

Alex Shrestha represents a new generation of architects and urban planners creating a positive impact across the Asian landscape. As the principal architect at Wonaw & Associates with a strong conviction to achieving design excellence within the local context, he confidently confronts and challenges design principles, materials and technology limitations to produce beautiful, functional and sustainable architecture. Alex's creations have earned national and international distinctions in being among the top 4 resorts in Asia at the prestigious 2016 Asia Hotel Design Awards (Singapore) and a winner of 40 Under 40 (Hongkong). He has also been recently awarded its Hallmark, Architectural Excellence Award 2021 by the Society of Nepalese Architects for the Pavilions Himalayas Eco Resort, to recognize the excellence and quality achieved in a built architectural project.

Mr. Pushpendra Bansal, a hospitality stalwart is a civil engineer by profession, who expanded his family business in construction at an age of 20 after completing his education. In 1990 he diversified into hospitality and set up two hotels – one in Surat and the other in Mumbai. Later, he moved to the USA in 2003 and it was there that he acquired hotels, motels, and resorts of reputed brands. He had a passion to give back to his homeland and ventured into the midsegment hotel business in India. In 2007 Lords Hotels and Resorts was formed. He is an accomplished hotelier, operating 46 hotels in three counties and 15 more in various stages of completion. His dream is to be the largest mid-segment market Hotel chain operator.

Mr. Rajeev Janveja started his culinary journey with the Taj Group of Hotels after completing his studies from IHM Lucknow in 1985. During his career with TAJ, Rajeev re-launched many quality restaurants like the Iconic Machan and Ricks at The Taj Mahal Hotel and ARENA, at the Taj Deccan and Masala Bay at Taj Land’s End. Chef Janveja’s current assignment as the Senior Vice President & Corporate Chef of Lemon Tree Hotels, is directly responsible for F&B (Production) and F&B (Service) across all 100 hotels in different brands of the company, the latest one is creating F&B concepts for lemon Tree’s top most brand Aurika Skycity, India’s largest hotel at Mumbai. Rajeev has been a part of various high profile food promotions across the world has also travelled with Late Prime Minister Sh. Atal Bihari Bajpai with his team as his personal Chef. He was recently been crowned with the prestigious GOLDEN HAT AWARD by Indian Culinary Forum 2021 and is recipient of the ‘TATA Award for Business Excellence’. Rajeev is also a passionate marathon runner and has done pacing for many

Mr. Cyrus Madan, is the Senior Vice President, Business Development at Atmosphere Hotels & Resorts. Cyrus started his professional journey with the Taj group of hotels as a management trainee in 1995. He holds a bachelor of hotel management degree from Welcomgroup Graduate School of Hotel Administration. Pursuant to his stint with Taj, Mr. Madan worked for Lemon Tree Hotels and was instrumental in setting-up the company's Asset Light Model and it's expansion in India and internationally. Cyrus Madan joined Atmosphere Hotels and Resorts in 2021, as Senior Vice President – Business Development for India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan and Nepal. With close to 30 years of hospitality experience, Madan brings a wealth of domain expertise in working with brands, acquisitions (both land and hotels), hotel pre-openings and operationalising hotels.

Chef Gautam Mehrishi has become a household name with his endeavors on television, and now has introduced a new Indian cuisine series, to revolutionize culinary world of television with Food ka Mood, where he introduces viewers to inspirational, exciting Indian food. Though he comes from a vegetarian family, he even cooked and ate non-vegetarian food. It was his grandfather who supported his passion and urged him to cook professionally. With over 18 years of experience in the industry he has worked with several big names in the business and has new show will bring professional and innovative global cooking techniques to the home kitchen for the first time demonstrating a variety of scientific cooking methods that enhance the cooking experience as well as the flavor of food, whilst preserving its nutritive value. Some of the unusual techniques that will be featured are the use of the soda siphon, the novel sous vide method of cooking in vacuum, native American Delta-T cooking and pit style steaming. The show 'Kitchen Magic' is a landmark show in the premium food entertainment space and a demonstrative show to provide food lovers with technical skills that promises to make the home cooking experience healthier and more scrumptious. Chef Gautam goes on long excursions on his bike; in particular he enjoys exploring the Himalayas

Nikhil Sharma is the Managing Director and Senior Area Vice President of South Asia at Radisson Hotel Group, based in Gurugram. He oversees operations for over 180 hotels in the region, focusing on strengthening the Group’s presence, nurturing partnerships, driving revenue, and ensuring operational excellence. With more than 20 years of experience, Nikhil has held leadership roles, including Market Managing Director for Eurasia at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts and Chief Operating Officer at Ginger Hotels (IHCL). He was also a founding member of Lemon Tree Hotels, driving its growth as India’s fastest-growing upscale hotel brand. An active contributor to India’s hospitality sector, Nikhil also is an active member of industry committees and has earned recognition, including the ‘Excellence in Leadership’ Award and Hotelier of the Year. He holds a degree in Catering and Nutrition from IHM Pusa and has completed programs at IIM Bangalore and Cornell University.

Chef Rakesh Sethi is a prestigious National award-winning celebrity chef of India. He is one of the first chefs on Indian television. Currently he is Corporate Executive Chef for Radisson Hotel Group, South Asia. Chef Sethi has been a Cookery Show Host for many popular cooking shows which contributed to him being, one of India’s top celebrity chefs whose culinary skills have made him a household name across the Indian subcontinent and abroad. Chef Rakesh Sethi has had a rare distinction of working for erstwhile Hon’ble President of India, Shri. R Venkatraman as a Senior Cook for a short period on deputation in Presidents Estate. He has also cooked for two more Hon’ble Presidents of India Shri Kovind ji and Smt. Murumuru ji, apart from some other prominent personalities, politicians, bureaucrats, and players of Indian cricket team. Chef Rakesh Sethi, known for hosting popular TV cooking shows, including "Mirch Masala" and "Tea-Time with Chef Rakesh Sethi & Namkeen Nation, has garnered significant recognition. Awards include "Golden Chef Hat 2015" and "Best Chef of the Year 2015" by Secretary India Tourism, "Meri Dilli Award" in 2014, and "Celebrity of the Year 2018" by Food Food awards. He was named "Corporate Chef of the Year" in 2020 by IHE and "Corporate Chef of the Year (NCR)" by FHRAI in 2022. His achievements culminated with the "National Tourism Award" for "Best Chef of India" in 2022 at Vigyan Bhawan.

Mr. Sunil Khemani is the founder and Principal Consultant of Aufait International Engineering Studio which is multi-disciplinary MEP Design and Consulting Firm based out of New Delhi, India. The company has been involved in more than 200 projects including Hotel, Hospitals, retail, Residential, Commercial and Industrial projects. Mr. Sunil Khemani started his professional journey in 1983 and subsequent worked with a US based specialist company in building an undersea shelter for the first family of a country in Middle East. Mr. Khemani is a member of several professional societies including ISHRAE, ASHRAE, ISLE, IPA etc.

Sohrab Dalal, co-founder and Design Partner at DPA, has played a key role in the growth and success of the firm since its inception in 1985. Leveraging over 35 years of industry experience, Sohrab leads DPA’s business development and design direction, focusing on innovative, research-driven design paradigms. He collaborates closely with his partner, who also happens to be his life partner, Sonali Bhagwati, to explore new ideas and approaches to architecture. Before founding DPA, Sohrab served as the Design Director at Spazzio Design, a firm he co-founded with Sonali Bhagwati. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture from CEPT, Ahmedabad, and has worked with Meldrum Burrows & Partners in Sydney and the renowned architect-sculptor Satish Gujral. Sohrab combines a deep understanding of local heritage with international design experience, leading successful residential, hospitality, retail, and mixed-use projects. Notable achievements include the Taj Vivanta in Bangalore, named ‘Building of the Year’ by the Singapore Institute of Architects in 2010, and the ‘Learning Laboratory’ at Thapar University, which won PLAN Magazine’s ‘Building of the Year’ award.

Upaul heads the Tourism Practice in Dolma Consulting UK, for Nepal and for the neighbouring countries in South Asia. He has deep expertise in the hospitality, tourism and service quality industry. A service industry and hospitality professional with specialization in turning around service businesses by working on quality standards, service competencies, low revenues and increasing profitability and customer experience of service businesses. Besides long career stints with the hotel industry in middle and senior management positions, Mr. Upaul has extensive consulting and working experience with South Asian teams in sectors like Aviation, Financial Services, IT, Hospitality, Infrastructure, Healthcare, Retail, Aviation and Tourism companies. Have a total experience of over thirty years starting with Oberoi Hotels and later with Oberoi Flight Services for the initial 7 professional years and then with the Jet Air Group for 2 years and consulting in service quality with Upgrade Management Services for 16 years. Mr. Upaul was also the CEO of The Annapurna Hotel Group in Kathmandu, and then joined the global hotel giant IHG as General Manager of the Crowne Plaza Soaltee – Kathmandu. In his long career stint of over 32 years he has worked on assignment with Hotel companies, Airline and Travel businesses and in Service Quality consulting in the region. Besides working with the private sector, Upaul is closely aligned with the Nepal Tourism Board and is currently the Advisor for the Tourism and Civil Aviation Committee of the Federation of Nepalese Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the largest trade body of Nepal.

Vandana Saxena heads a dynamic Architecture and Hotel Interior Design practice based out of Gurgaon, India; established in 2012. Vandana has a keen eye for detail, a logical mind and strong design aesthetic. She believes in weaving together the local context, a larger functional need and a modern aesthetic to help create a unique and timeless narrative for a project. She; along with a talented set of designers; has been involved in the design of multiple new build hotels as well as brand conversions. She recently worked on the biggest simultaneous brand conversion in India, aportfolio of 10 Holiday Inn Express Pan India, which was also completed in are cord time of less than a year. She has also been involved in creating the unique meeting space venue (EQ:IQ) for Hyatt Regency Pune, the Renaissance by Marriott at Ahmedabad besides many other projects. The practice has enjoyed the exclusive patronage of many owners through sustained good work over the years. Vandana received her Architecture Degree from the prestigious School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New Delhi. She is also a LEED accredited professional (from the US- Green Building Council) and has obtained a higher degree in Real Estate Finance at New York University (NYU-USA). She has been in professional practice since 2004 and has worked extensively both in the US and in India.

Pravin Mukhia graduated in Architecture from School of Architecture, McGill University, Montreal, Canada. Born in Darjeeling he received his early education in St. Joseph’s School. He has provided Architectural services to the Tourism & Ecclesiastical Dept., Govt. of Sikkim, restoring & rebuilding Buddhist Monasteries including Pemayangste, Tholung, Kathok, Mambru, Nage & Bermiok. He was enlisted by the N.F. Railways & UNESCO for the restoration of the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway (Toy Train) Directors residence, the Eleysia Building, at Kurseong and the Railway Stations associated with it. He further provided Architectural services for the upgradation of Gauhati, Rangia, New Bogaigaon & Siliguri Junction stations. He has designed the Sterling Resorts & Fortune Central, at Darjeeling & Fortune Pinetree at Kalimpong in British Colonial design. At Gangtok, he designed the Denzong ITC Welcomheritage in Sikkimese style. The Taj AMA at Makaibari Tea plantation, Kurseong is a part of his work among other Tea Resorts. The Lords Anutara at Boudha, Kathmandu is the latest creation imbibing Nepali & Tibetan elements.

Senthil Kumar is the Senior Regional Director for Hilton Architecture, Design & Construction (AD&C), overseeing projects in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. As part of the Southeast Asia team, he manages the design and construction of Hilton’s pipeline projects in these key growth regions. He also serves as the primary contact for hotel owners, supporting projects from handover to operations and leading major renovations.
Senthil collaborates with developers, architects, interior designers, and consultants to ensure efficiency and adherence to Hilton’s standards. He also assists the Hilton Development Team in technical reviews of new opportunities to expand the brand’s footprint.
Having joined Hilton in 2008, Senthil has played a key role in delivering several successful hotels across the Indian subcontinent. His experience spans design and construction in the Middle East and India. Before Hilton, he was Lead Architect at Design Bay in Ras Al Khaimah (UAE) and worked with architectural firms in Delhi, including Morphogenesis and Line & Form.

Ankit Farkya holds a Master of Technology in Energy Management and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electrical and Electronics. He is the Director of Design and Technical Services at Sarovar Group of Hotels, Gurgaon, overseeing design reviews for architecture, interiors, and technical services. With over 10 years of experience, Ankit specializes in project design, review, and management. He currently manages a pipeline of 80+ projects, ensuring timely execution and budget control. His role includes site evaluations, feasibility studies, and coordination with stakeholders to deliver successful projects. Ankit focuses on energy-efficient and cost-effective designs, using insights from 135+ operational hotels. He monitors energy trends, optimizes equipment capacities, and ensures projects adhere to timelines and budgets. His work emphasizes meticulous planning, effective communication, and delivering practical solutions to meet project goals.

Nishant Kumar is the Director of Development for South West Asia at IHG, responsible for the development and growth of IHG’s brand portfolio across the region.
Nishant has over 20 years of experience in Real Estate, Infrastructure and the hospitality industry. Since joining IHG in 2017, he has led the luxury & lifestyle brand growth in the region with most recent signing of four-hotel portfolio in Nepal, which includes 3 InterContinental and 1 Hotel Indigo brand. He led the signing of a four-hotel portfolio deal under Holiday Inn brand, which uniquely positions IHG as the first international operator in the Buddhist Circuit of India. He played a key role in successfully introducing IHG’s two new brands i.e., VOCO and Staybridge Suites, which are estimated to open in next 6 - 18 months in key markets of India i.e., Jim Corbett, Goa, Mumbai, Gurgaon, Amritsar and Bengaluru respectively.
Prior to IHG, Nishant was with Starwood Hotel & Resorts where he was a key member of its i100 (India One Hundred) plan to induce strong growth momentum for its brands in SWA region. Before joining Starwood, Nishant was with DLF Limited, where he represented the ownership core team to form the DLF-Hilton joint venture in India, as well as the acquisition of Aman Resorts portfolio in 2007. In his prior assignments, he has been part of multiple strategies & business planning, feasibility studies, JV’s, land acquisitions and corporate re-structuring.
Nishant holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Finance with a minor in Economics and his MBA from IMT Ghaziabad in India.

Zubin Saxena is the Senior Vice President & Regional Head for Hilton-South Asia, based at Hilton’s corporate headquarters at Gurgaon. A seasoned professional with over 25 years of experience in the global hospitality industry, he leads a team of over 3,500 members across 27 hotels, driving growth and strengthening Hilton’s presence in South Asia. An alumnus of the University of Glasgow, Zubin holds a master’s degree in business administration with distinction. Before joining Hilton, he spent eight years as Managing Director and Area Senior Vice President at Radisson Hotel Group. He has also held key roles at InterContinental Hotels Group, Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, and HVS New York. Beginning his career as a Management Trainee in 1999, Zubin has steadily progressed to executive leadership, excelling in strategic development, operations, and advisory roles. Zubin is actively involved in industry organizations like CII and HAI and was featured in The Economic Times 40 Under Forty list in 2019.

Bobby Mukherji, the founder of Bobby Mukherji Architects (BMA), is a leading figure in luxury design, known for transforming architectural standards. His extensive portfolio includes award-winning projects in hospitality, real estate, residential, institutional, and urban planning across the globe. Notable works span countries like the USA, China, India, the UK, UAE, and Thailand. Bobby’s collaborations with prestigious hospitality brands such as IHCL (Taj Hotels), Marriott, Hilton, IHG, Hyatt, and ITC Hotels have resulted in numerous standout spaces. His designs are renowned for their uniqueness, attention to detail, and timeless elegance. Over the years, Bobby has received numerous accolades, including the Economic Times Design Scape Design Firm of the Year 2024 and multiple International Property and Hotel Awards for Best Hotel and Public Service Architecture in regions like the Americas, Asia Pacific, and Arabia. He has also been recognized with the CNBC Awaaz Best Hotel Design and the Mahatma Gandhi Samman awards for his contributions to design.

Anand Sharma, a B.Arch (Hons) graduate from IIT Kharagpur, is the co-founder of Design Forum International. He believes in socially inclusive architecture and coined the term “People First,” which has become a key principle of the practice. Over the past 30 years, Anand has played a key role in shaping the firm’s journey, contributing to significant projects across India. His expertise in architecture, engineering, and construction has helped create efficient design solutions for diverse projects. Anand has led large-scale commercial developments such as Select City Walk Mall (Delhi) and Guwahati City Centre. He has also worked on civic infrastructure projects like Dakshineswar Skywalk (Kolkata) and the upcoming Sainik School (Gorakhpur). Currently, he is involved in projects like Bihta Airport (Bihar), OMC Headquarters (Odisha), and Eye of Noida (Noida), focusing on sustainable, human-centric designs. Anand is also a frequent speaker on BIM and architectural issues. In 2021, he was named one of India’s ‘Top 30 Architects’ by Forbes India.

An architect and urban planner, Sonali graduated in Architecture from C.E.P.T, Ahmedabad, and trained with Architect Bernard Kohn as a recipient of a scholarship from L’Institut Francaise D’Architecture. She co-founded Spazzio Design Architecture with Sohrab Dalal and is now a partner at DPA, overseeing several award-winning projects. With over 200 successfully completed projects, her work has earned recognition as one of the top 20 architects in India and has been published in national and international books and magazines. She has received several accolades, including the Zee Business “Architect of the Year.” She has been a member of the Delhi Conservation Society, served two terms on the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC), and is part of the Delhi Urban Heritage Foundation. She has contributed to urban initiatives such as the restructuring of building by-laws, Shahjahanabad rejuvenation, and pedestrianization projects. She is also passionate about conservation, having worked on research and environmental committees like the Aravali Hills mining evaluation and Sirifort city forest reforestation.

Arun Dev Pant holds a B.Arch. degree (Gold Medal, 1991) from Nagpur, India, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (1996) from the University of Illinois. With over 33 years of experience, Mr. Pant has designed and executed various architectural and planning projects, including destinations like Chandragiri, Lumbini, and Maulakali Cable Cars, as well as hotels such as Shangri-la Village Resort Pokhara and Hotel Barahi in Pokhara, Chitwan, and Kathmandu. He has worked on campus planning for institutions like Chitwan, Gandaki, and Birat Medical Colleges, and residential developments such as Civil Homes Sunakothi and Southern Heights. Notable projects also include Krishna Towers, MBL Towers, and the Spinal Injury Rehabilitation Center. Mr. Pant has contributed to overseas projects in Lhasa, Tsetang, Sikkim, and Bodhgaya, and has worked with international chains like Le Meridien, Radisson, Dusit Thani, ITC, Lemon Tree, Leela and Banyan Tree. He began his career in 1991 with firms such as Architectural Design Associates in Nepal and Sohail & Pasha in Pakistan before co-founding Design Consortium Pvt. Ltd. He studied architecture and urban planning in the U.S., focusing on urban growth management with GIS techniques. Since 1997, he has led projects at Design Cell Pvt. Ltd.

Satya Narayan is the Principal Project Leader at HOSP-O-TECH Nepal and HOSP-O-TECH Services (India), providing technical services across India and Nepal. With over 35 years of experience, the company specializes in design services, turnkey solutions, project leadership, construction management, technical audits, building health checkups, and cost control. They have worked with renowned hotel brands like Le Meridien, Radisson, Ibis, Holiday Inn, Marriott, Taj Vivanta, and Hyatt, offering services such as project rescue and technical coordination. Notable completed projects include major renovations of Hyatt Regency, Yak & Yeti, and Taj Vivanta in Kathmandu. In addition, they have delivered high-end residential projects like Golchha Residence and Kedia House. Currently, they are engaged with Moxy Hotel by Marriott, Vishal Group Residences, and Durbar Residences. The company is known for its expertise in leading hotel and high-end residential projects, providing valuable technical guidance to increase profitability through operational audits, preventive maintenance, and sustainability measures.

Sudeep Jain leads the South West Asia team at IHG, overseeing both Development and Operations. He is responsible for maximizing revenue, profitability, quality, and service standards across the region’s hotels. He also leads efforts to expand IHG’s footprint and meet its growth objectives. Sudeep has more than 18 years of experience in the hospitality industry. Before taking on his current role, he headed the Development team for IHG in South West Asia. During his tenure, he doubled the development pipeline and signed the largest conversion deal in India. Earlier, as Head of Development for Starwood Hotels in South Asia, Sudeep led his team to sign over 50 deals in three years, capturing nearly 50% of the market share in relevant segments. Before entering the hospitality sector, Sudeep worked as Managing Director at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels India. Under his leadership, the team completed more than 60 feasibility studies, 20 operator searches, and facilitated 10 hotel sales. He also gained experience as a management consultant at Bain & Company and as an investment banker at Merrill Lynch. Sudeep holds a bachelor’s degree from Dartmouth College, an MBA from Harvard Business School, and completed the PDP program at Cornell’s Hotel School to further enhance his hospitality expertise.

A passionate designer, with an eye for detail, Shripal has been practicing architecture and interior design for more than three decades.SVA specializes in integrated townships, gated communities, institutional buildings, senior living, mixed-use commercial projects, hospitality, entertainment zones, schools, and rail infrastructure interiors. His design approach balances form, aesthetics, functionality, and budgets, creating clean, timeless, and environmentally sensitive architecture. He started his career with HOK HK and later spent 14 years at RMJM, managing projects across Hong Kong, Taipei, Shanghai, and Singapore. In 2009, he founded SVA in India. His current projects span India, Africa, and the US. SVA is the interior design consultant for six High-Speed Rail stations (Ahmedabad-Mumbai Bullet Train) for Larsen & Toubro. Shripal has also designed the "Mosaics" collection for Obeetee Carpets, drawing inspiration from nature and modern India. He holds an M.Sc. in Architecture & Urban Design from Columbia University and a B.Arch from the Academy of Architecture, Mumbai.

With a strong vision for expanding Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ presence in the region, Rahool is focused on driving strategic growth, enhancing guest experiences, and strengthening partnerships with hotel owners. His leadership is centered on delivering value through innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, ensuring the brand remains a key player in the dynamic Eurasia hospitality market.
Rahool brings more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry, having held leadership roles across several global hotel groups. His expertise spans financial strategy, operational management, and stakeholder engagement, making him well-equipped to lead Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ operations across India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and the Maldives. His appointment marks a return to the brand, where he previously served as Director of Commercial for the region.
A firm believer in an owner-first approach, Rahool is committed to fostering strong relationships with hotel owners, partners, and teams. His leadership style is deeply aligned with the brand’s ‘Count on Me’ service culture, ensuring seamless collaboration between stakeholders while maintaining the highest standards of hospitality.

Mr. Jose Dominic, a Chartered Accountant by qualification joined his father’s business in 1978 at Casino Hotel, Cochin leaving the accounting firm M/s AF Ferguson & Co. in Bombay. He took over the reins of the enterprise which grew into a group of hotels which came to be known as Casino Group of Hotels. The group rechristened itself as CGH Earth in 2004 giving a clear definition of experiential holiday to its business and also adopting and strongly implementing core values of environment sensitivity, local community inclusion and adaption of the local cultural ethos. Jose Dominic has served on several National & State Advisory panels on Tourism of the Government and industry bodies. He is the Founder President of Kerala Travel Mart and Founder Member of the Responsible Tourism Society of India. He is the Past President of TiE Kerala Chapter and was the President of the Cochin Chamber of Commerce. He is the Immediate Past Chairman of CII, Kerala Region and presently member of National Tourism Advisory Council.

Aviral Sharma is an architect and urban designer with a decade long experience working in India & US. He started his professional career in 2010 with A Sharma Associates and then moved to United States in 2015 for his specialization in Urban Design. After his master’s program he joined Nelsen Partners, a US based firm, and worked with them until 2024. During the tenure with Nelsen Partners, Aviral worked on several high rise commercial, residential and urban projects. In 2024, Aviral decided to move back to New Delhi, India, to apply his academic experience, design skills and professional exposure, in areas of architecture, urban design and construction industry to advance the services at A Sharma Associates. Alongside hospitality design, he is passionate about topics like resiliency, sustainable cites and human centric design.

Mr. Dev Malhotra is The Group Advisor - Sales & Marketing of Jaquar Group. A Graduate in Economics from Delhi University, with a Hotel Management degree from Institute of Hotel Management Pusa New Delhi, Mr. Dev Malhotra joined Jaquar Group in 2009. Before joining The Jaquar Group, he served as CEO of Two Hotel Companies & Vice President Operations and General Manager of Seven Hotels. Mr. Dev Malhotra’s experience includes commissioning of New Hotels, Managing corporate affairs and Providing Strong Leadership to Teams spread across India and Overseas. He is a Business Executive with a strong focus on Operations, Sales & Marketing, HR and Training. He specializes in understanding Cross Cultural Human Values, having worked in Africa, Russia and many different parts of India. Apart from his role as Group Advisor - sales & marketing, he also leads Global Hospitality Business for Jaquar.

Mr. Gajjala Yoganand is the promoter of Manjeera Hotels & Resorts, a trusted name in luxury hospitality with over two decades of expertise in hotel construction, operation, and maintenance. The company owns and operates four hotels with global partnerships, offering 500+ rooms for business and leisure travellers, and is expanding its footprint across India. A postgraduate in Structural Engineering from IISc Bangalore, Mr. Yoganand has 35 years of experience in real estate and hospitality. He began his career as a structural consultant, later founding Manjeera Constructions Limited in 1987. The group is recognized for ethical practices, innovative designs, timely execution, and eco-friendly constructions. Mr. Yoganand has received numerous awards, including the National Energy Conservation Award (2006) and “Best Engineer” (2016). He is a keynote speaker at industry events and serves on the Boards of Governors of NIT Calicut and IIT Tirupati. He is also a member of the National Tourism Advisory Council, Government of India.

With over 15 years of comprehensive experience in hotel design engineering, Harsh brings a wealth of expertise in the MEP design sector, specializing in sustainability, energy efficiency, and cost-effective engineering solutions. Having spent 5 years in an MEP consultancy firm and 10 years in a leading hotel operator role, Harsh has developed a unique blend of technical proficiency, strategic planning, and operational insight tailored to the hospitality industry. Specializing in the integration of energy-saving technologies and environmentally responsible design practices, Harsh has consistently delivered innovative, sustainable solutions that balance functionality, guest comfort, and operational cost efficiency. Through a deep understanding of hotel operational dynamics, Harsh has played a pivotal role in enhancing the sustainability and economic viability of projects, driving both design optimization and long-term energy performance. With a strong foundation in both consultancy and hotel operations, Harsh is well-positioned to lead projects that integrate sustainable design, economic feasibility, and operational efficiency. Passionate about creating high-performance, environmentally responsible hotel environments, Harsh continues to drive innovation in hotel engineering through cost-conscious solutions and forward-thinking sustainability strategies.

A highly accomplished and recognized designer, Karen has an impressive track record with over 20 years of experience. Throughout her career, she has worked with some of the most prestigious firms globally, including HBA Design, Dale Keller Design, and Gauer Design. Karen’s expertise in hospitality design has taken her to projects across the globe, from Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Japan to name a few. Notably, her involvement in the renowned St. Regis hotel in Beijing set a new benchmark for luxury hotel design and left an indelible mark on the industry. In 1997, Karen founded Karen Wang Interior Consultant, where she continues to push the boundaries of hotel design. Her unwavering passion for design, astute commercial insights, meticulous attention to details, and deep understanding of hotel operations has made her a highly sought-after designer in the industry. Karen is celebrated for her ability to create distinctive and opulent spaces that seamlessly cater to the needs of both guests and hotel owners. Her designs strike a perfect balance between functionality and visual grandeur, reflecting her profound comprehension of the hotel industry.

Mandar Zaware is the Vice President - Project Management of Global Design Asia Pacific excluding China at Marriott International. Mandar is leading GDAPEC Mumbai team as well as GDAPEC consultants based in India and continuously oversee the markets he is currently managing in South Asia countries. Mandar has 16 years of experience with GDAPEC, successfully managing his projects and has become respective professional in the industry. As a Vice President of Project Management, Mandar has been leading GDAPEC India team over 16 years, shown a great leadership among team members. Mandar is passionate about supporting growth of company and has strong focus on quality working closely with internal departments and with external owners and clients. Mandar is the man spearheading the design team of the fastest growing hotel chain in APEC region. He is the one who delivers profit-by-design hotels and not just adheres to Marriott International’s design standard’s but also meets the owner’s expectations.

Mr. Manoj Bhansali is an engg graduate with more than 27 years in HVAC and over 10 years in MEP services. He is the managing director of Airtech Ind which is the leading company in MEP services in Nepal. Airtech had done many landmark project and are well known for excellent quality and timely execution of projects. Mr. Manoj leads competent and dedicated team of over 250 employees who ensure best services to their clients.

Praveen is an Electrical Engineer from Bhopal University and has 25 years in the hospitality sector across The Oberoi, Grand Hyatt, Starwood, IHG and now Lemon Tree Hotels. Praveen’s expertise lies in pre-opening projects/engineering, property assessment and improvement plan formulation as well as in day-to-day engineering operations. He ensures the effective implementation of all Engineering policies and standards across the chain. This includes planning and execution of day-to-day repairs & maintenance and the smooth operation of all technical services. Praveen regularly liaises with suppliers, distributors and state government departments to make arrangements for renewable energy through Open Access or Captive/Group Captive methods across Lemon Tree. Praveen focusses on environmentally friendly practices including energy conservation, reduction of emissions and carbon footprint through energy efficiency programs, the use of renewable energy, the conservation and recycling of water and more.

Sanjay Bahadur Thapa is a seasoned architect and urban designer with a strong background in master planning, urban conservation, and hospitality projects. He earned his Master of Architecture in Urban Design from Harvard University Graduate School of Design (2007) and a Bachelor of Architecture from the School of Planning and Architecture, New Delhi (1994). As the Executive Director and Principal Architect of Archiplan S.B.T. and a founder of multiple architecture firms, he has led significant projects in Nepal, India, and beyond. His portfolio includes award-winning designs like the South Asian University in Delhi, large-scale mixed-use developments such as Chaya Center in Kathmandu, and key hospitality projects, including Aloft Hotel and Hyatt Regency extensions. He is an active member of professional organizations, including the U.S. Green Building Council and the Society of Nepalese Architects. His work emphasizes sustainable development and cultural preservation, making a lasting impact on Nepal’s architectural landscape. Additionally, he serves on the boards of the Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology and the Barbara Foundation.

Suraj is currently leading the Architecture Design & Construction (AD&C) vertical for Eurasia region at Wyndham Hotels & Resorts (WH&R). In his current role he is supporting hotels pipeline growth across new builds, conversions and renovations. An architect by qualification, Suraj has 2 decades of technical services advisory experience with major international hotel brands. Suraj is an expert in the 'Business of Hospitality' by Driving Hotel Business Metrices through Design & Engineering. He has strong understanding that hotel's planning, design and technical engineering impacts Guest Experience, Operating Profits and Employee Satisfaction. Throughout his career, Suraj has developed good relationship with consultants and suppliers to ensuring that the hotel projects stay cutting edge of best construction and design practices.