BWH Hotels, the brand association that includes the WorldHotels, Best Western Hotels & Resorts, and SureStay Hotels families, organised the event which featured both individual country meetings and a joint program for all participants, including high-profile keynote speakers, panel discussions, and panels with hoteliers, BWH Hotels leadership and management teams, as well as external industry experts. Additionally, there was extensive constructive exchange in numerous workshops and interactive formats.
“At BWH Hotels, our mission is to inspire travel through unique experiences. As a global hospitality leader, we are dedicated to delivering best-in-class experiences for our guests, hoteliers, and associates,” said Larry Cuculic, President and CEO of BWH Hotels. “Our time in Mallorca was an opportunity to reflect on the evolution of our company and strategize on how we will continue to elevate our hotels across diverse markets—while remaining true to our core mission.”
For the inaugural event, speakers shared their expertise and perspective on the big questions today’s hoteliers and hospitality leaders face, and attendees participated in over a dozen workshops on topics ranging from cybersecurity and digital marketing to wellness in hospitality.
Keynote speaker Steven Van Belleghem, co-founder of Nexxworks, delivered a presentation on service culture “A Diamond in the Rough”, highlighting strategies to elevate guest experiences through exceptional service.
“It was inspiring to spend time with our Pan-European colleagues, engaging in meaningful discussions about how we can further leverage our global relationships and find new ways to collaborate,” said Ron Pohl, President of WorldHotels and International Operations for BWH Hotels. “The passion and expertise of our partners help drive our international expansion, allowing us to enter new markets and redefine excellence in hospitality. Together, we will continue to achieve remarkable success worldwide.”
Hoteliers also attended presentations and panels featuring top industry experts, including Sarah Duignan, Director of Client Relationships at STR, who presented key insights into market trends and performance; and Emmanuel Vivier, Executive Speaker and Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Digital Transformation Specialist, who explored the impact of AI on the hospitality industry.
“The passion and expertise of our partners allowe us to enter new markets and redefine excellence in hospitality.”
One of the key highlights of the Pan-European Convention was the strategic update delivered by members of the BWH Hotels Executive Team, who provided updates on the company’s strategic direction, highlighting the strength and momentum of BWH Hotels and the importance of international collaboration.
The convention also featured an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) panel discussion, bringing together industry’s top minds in the world of ESG, who explored the future of sustainability in the hotel industry. The panel of experts included Leandry Moreno from UN Tourism, Glenn Mandziuk of the World Sustainable Hospitality Alliance, and Kelsey Frenkiel of the GBTA Foundation. Moderated by Sara Digiesi, CEO of BWH Hotels Italy & Malta, the discussion reinforced the company’s commitment to its global Earth, People and Community (EPC) strategy.
Further enriching the programme was the International CEO Panel, where hotel executives within the global BWH Hotels organization shared insights on emerging trends, opportunities, and challenges in the evolving international travel landscape. The discussion included:
- Oliver Cohn, CEO of BWH Hotels France
- Sara Digiesi, CEO of BWH Hotels, Italy and Malta
- Carmen Dücker, CEO of BWH Hotels Central Europe
- Katerina Kyriakopoulou, Deputy CEO of BWH Hotels Southeastern Europe
- Johan Michelson, CEO of BWH Hotels Scandinavia
- Tim Rumney, CEO of BWH Hotels Great Britain
- Marcus Smola, CEO of BWH Hotels Central Europe
- Wytze van den Berg, Vice President of EMEA for BWH Hotels
With over 4,300 hotels in 100 countries and territories worldwide, BWH Hotels offers development opportunities for developers and guests in every market, as each brand offers its personality and style.
