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Letter of thanks from the conference producer

Dear Participants of  the “3rd Annual Africa Hotel Expansion Summit”

I would like to express my gratitude for your participation in Lnoppen’s “3rd Annual Africa Hotel Expansion Summit”. It was a great pleasure meeting you at the conference, and seeing the vibrant interactions that took place on site. We were honored to host parties flying in from around the region, to discuss the current situation how we can work together to create a beneficial future and boost the industry.

During the two day conference, 31 eminent speakers shared numerous presentations and their visions with the delegates. Various discussion panels provided the most valuable insight and opinions to answer questions regarding the ways to develop different aspects of the hospitality industry in Africa. Both domestic and international experts evaluated current conditions, analyzed strengths & weaknesses and emphasized opportunities to develop the market further.

I would like to start expressing my gratitude by thanking Mr. Hon. Folorunsho Folarin Coker, Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture at Lagos State Government and Ms. Sally Mbanefo, Director General at NTDC – Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation for supporting this event, I would also extend my sincere thanks to Mrs. Chika Balogun, Director General at National  Institute for Hospitality and Tourism for chairing this conference.

Moreover, my deepest thanks and appreciations to the speakers for their tireless contributions, exclusive knowledge, expert insight, and unique presentations:

• Ms. Sally Mbanefo, Director General at Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation
• Hon. Folorunsho Folarin Coker, Hon Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture at Lagos State Government
• Ms. Adun Okupe, Consultant at W Hospitality Group
• Mr. Tomilola Akingbogun, Managing Director at Hotel Rosebud and President at Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria
• Mr. Dipo Adebo, Director at DAA Architects Limited
• Mr. Mohammed Akanbi, Key Accounts Manager – Projects at Grohe West Africa
• Dr. Wasiu Babalola, General Manager for West Africa at Swiss International Hotels & Resorts, Switzerland
• Mr. Andrew Lindwood, Head of Design at Areen Hospitality Design
• Mr. Adedayo Osholowu, VP Deal Origination Africa, Middle East & Turkey, Imisi Partners, Nigeria
• Mr. Denhard Jongman, Business and Partner Development Manager at NEC Enterprise Solutions
• Mrs. Chika Balogun, Director General at National  Institute for Hospitality and Tourism
• Mr. Joe Oladipo, Managing Director at Terenga Limited
• Mr. Vikas Mehra, National Sales Manager, Contract Sales at Lucky Fibres Plc. (Nobel)
• Mr. Adeniyi Adeleye, Executive Director  at Stanbic IBTC Capital Lagos Nigeria | Head Managing Director of Real Estate Finance (West Africa) Standard Bank Group
• Mr. Feras Zeidan,  Manager Smart Building at Avaya
• Mr. Badaki Aliyu Ajayi, National President at Hospitality & Tourism Management Association of Nigeria
• Mr. Kayhan Çakanel, Founder, Msc Architect at EFEKTA Architects
• Mr. Alexandre Masraff, Director InSCeHo Certification Program at InSCeHo Certification Program
• Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Head of Tax, PwC Nigeria and Tax Leader,West Africa Market at PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Mrs. Bola Bamidele, Senior Investment Advisor, IFC – International Finance Corporation

Their presentations spoke to the heart of the main issues facing the industry and their eagerness to build the industry is commendable. Furthermore, I want to extend my gratitude to our other chairmen & panelists of the event for their insight on evaluating the current situation, analyzing the current problems, and providing their solution alternatives in detail.

• Mr. Tunji Abdul, CEO, Dreamspaces Development
• Mr. Selim El Zein, Associate Director | Head of Hotel Asset Management | Hotels & Resorts | MENA at Colliers
• Mr. Richard Shaw, Managing Partner at Senga Bay Capital
• Mr. Faruk Aliyu, Managing Director , CEO at Shelter Suites & Hotels Limited
• Mr. Trevor J. Ward, Managing Director at W Hospitality Nigeria
• Mr. Panos Loupasis, Vice President Development – Middle East & Africa at Wyndham Hotel Group
• Mr. Ronald Egelman, Director of Development Middle East & Africa, IHG
• Mr. Bruce Prins, Operations Director at Moorhouse Properties Limited
• Mr. Michael Cooper, Vice President Development Sub Saharan Africa at Hilton Worldwide International
• Mr. Tejas Shah, Development Director Sub-Saharan Africa at  Hyatt International
• Mrs. Ester Tola Ajayi, Managing Director at Odua Investment Company Ltd

Last but not least, I want to thank to all our sponsors: Grohe, Nobel, Orwood, Avaya, NEC Enterprise Solutions, Arc International, Zahanis, Kohler, Porcelanosa, Bosch and Daikin for their contributions HATMAN, Institute of Hospitality Nigeria, HDECS and Nobound for their support in realizing this event.

Again, thank you for your valuable participation, I have no doubt that your presence and involvement directly contributed to the overall success of this meaningful event. We will keep you abreast of our upcoming industry events and I am earnestly looking forward to meeting with you again.

Kind regards,

Bora Erel 

Conference Director

Lnoppen Belgium