International Hospitality Media has announced it is taking its hugely successful Serviced Apartment Summit b2b conference to to the burgeoning Middle East and African markets.
The inaugural Serviced Apartment Summit MEA will take place at The Fairmont on the Palm in Dubai, UAE, on October 26 and 27. The 26th will feature delegate tours of luxury branded residences on The Palm, a cocktail reception and a speed business card swap.
The 27th will see a full day conference agenda with a top quality cast of industry experts speakers covering serviced apartments, branded residences, aparthotels, extended stay hotels vacation rentals and corporate housing.
Piers Brown, CEO of International Hospitality Media – the publisher of Serviced Apartment News – said: “The Gulf region is rapidly becoming a global hot spot for serviced apartment and extended stay development, with activity levels ramping up considerably. In December 2013, a Colliers International report said at least 10,000 additional serviced apartment units were needed to fulfill projected demand in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Qatar. We have noticed the rapidly increasing development pipeline in the region – including projects from the likes of DAMAC, Emaar, SKAI, Cayan Group, Jumeirah, Al Sawari Holding, Al-Khorayef & Sons Co, Union Properties, NIC, Al Andalus Property, Deyaar and Buroj – and responded to demand from the industry for a dedicated forum for networking, education and sharing best practice. Our team looks forward to staging a high quality event which will build on the fantastic reception our London Summit has received from the industry.”
Joe Sita, chief executive officer of IFA Hotel Investments, the event’s leading sponsor, said: “As sponsors of the now well-established London conference, we are delighted to be able to support bringing the Serviced Apartment Summit to the UAE. The Middle East is the current hotspot within the serviced apartment, aparthotel and extended stay sector and our IFA Holiday Homes division aims to pioneer the region as an industry leader in this sector. I personally look forward to welcoming our hospitality colleagues for what will undoubtedly prove to be a unique and high quality event”.
Sponsors already confirmed for the MEA event include IFA Hotels & Resorts, Colliers International and BridgeStreet Global Hospitality.
The Serviced Apartment Summit brand was launched with a London event in 2013, and has grown rapidly each year. In 2014 the London conference attracted almost 300 delegates and speakers from as far afield as Australia, Singapore, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, the US, India and across Europe.
The 2015 London Summit is being held at the Park Plaza Victoria on July 7 and 8.
For more information and for speaker and sponsorship opportunities for both Dubai and London events, contact Piers Brown: piers@servicedapartmentsummit.com +44 (0)20 8340 7989.
Who should attend?
• Serviced apartment, branded residence and corporate housing operators
• Serviced apartment, , branded residence and corporate housing developers
• Bankers, lenders and investors
• Advisory and consultancy specialists
• Real estate brokers
• Real estate support services
• Corporate travel buyers
• Lawyers
• Travel management companies
• Suppliers / Service providers
• Vacation rental companies
Delegate feedback from Serviced Apartment Summit 2014 (London)
“I thought the Summit was excellent and certainly confirmed in my mind that this is a sector that our client funds should be looking at very seriously.”
Shailendra Shah, associate director, investment, M & G Real Estate
“A unique gathering of industry leaders and stakeholders. Great education, great networking and new business opportunities.”
Ian Barrigan, commercial director, Go Native
“A great day away from the office, great to get so much in to one day.”
Colm Whooley, financial director, Staycity
“Mountains of information and great people attending.”
Iqbal Razal, managing director, Comfort Zone Apartments
“An excellent industry update, great contacts, lots of good discussions, ideas and opportunities.”
Richard Roberts, general manager, Global Gossip Limited
“A great source of information from industry specialists and leaders.”
Mark Spencer, business development manager, Home Away</p
