The International Hospitality Investment Forum EMEA (IHIF EMEA) 2026, the pre‑eminent annual gathering for hospitality capital, development, operations and innovation, is scheduled to take place from 23 to 25 March 2026 in Berlin, Germany. Set against the backdrop of one of Europe’s most dynamic business capitals, IHIF EMEA is shaping up as the ultimate platform where global investors, hotel owners, developers and sector leaders converge to unlock multi‑billion‑dollar opportunities and steer the future of hospitality across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
IHIF EMEA 2026: Where Capital, Insight and Strategy Connect in Berlin
The International Hospitality Investment Forum is widely recognised as the leading annual event for hospitality investment in the EMEA region. It brings together elite stakeholders — from institutional investors and private equity firms to hotel operators and asset managers — to explore market trends, forge strategic partnerships and close investment deals in real time. Over 2,500 delegates and more than 700 investors managing in excess of $581 billion in assets are expected to attend, making IHIF EMEA one of the most influential gatherings on the global hospitality calendar.
Berlin’s position as a cosmopolitan hub and business gateway to Europe further amplifies the event’s appeal, drawing regional and international capital to one of the continent’s most vibrant investment landscapes.
Defining the Agenda: “Returns Redefined. Value Reimagined.”
The official theme for IHIF EMEA 2026, “Returns Redefined. Value Reimagined.”, underscores the sector’s evolution from a traditional asset class to a dynamic investment realm capable of transforming markets and enhancing portfolio performance. Delegates will explore how hospitality, including living and experiential assets, have become central to diversified, resilient and forward‑looking investment strategies.
This theme reflects broader shifts in the industry, where emphasis is placed not only on financial returns but also on value creation, sustainability practices, adaptive reuse, and experience‑driven offerings that enrich guest engagement and investor confidence.
Format and Programme Structure: Dynamic, Deal‑Focused and Insight‑Led
IHIF EMEA 2026 spans three intensive days of market intelligence, strategic conversations and deal‑oriented programming designed for professionals at all levels of hospitality investment. Key elements of the content agenda include:
- Visionary economic and geopolitical sessions: Analysis of macro trends shaping hospitality and investment flows.
- Experiential hospitality discussions: Insights on luxury, lifestyle, wellness and niche market segments.
- Asset management and performance: Strategies for operational optimisation and alpha generation.
- Destination growth and partnership models: Emerging regions and collaborative opportunity structures.
- Development trends: Future‑proof approaches to hotel design, conversions and new builds.
- Capital and finance workshops: Deal structures, inbound investments and debt market strategies.
Such a comprehensive programme ensures attendees gain actionable intelligence to navigate evolving market landscapes and identify high‑value business opportunities.
Venue and Visiting Berlin: InterContinental & Pullman Berlin
IHIF EMEA 2026 will be hosted across two interconnected premier hotels — the InterContinental Berlin and the Pullman Hotel Berlin. Both venues are located centrally and offer luxury conference spaces, networking lounges and accommodations tailored to international business travelers.
Registered delegates can access discounted accommodation packages, with booking links provided upon ticket confirmation. The event venues’ proximity to public transport and Berlin’s main transit hubs makes navigating the city especially convenient for international visitors.
Beyond the forum itself, Berlin offers world‑class attractions, historical landmarks, and cultural experiences, providing delegates with opportunities to extend their stay and explore one of Europe’s most compelling capitals.
Who Attends: A Cross‑Section of Hospitality’s Most Influential Leaders
IHIF EMEA draws a highly curated audience of senior professionals and decision‑makers across the hospitality investment ecosystem. Attendance typically includes:
- Institutional investors and private equity firms
- Hotel owners and operators
- Brand executives and asset managers
- Developers and real estate advisors
- Lenders, consultants, and strategic service partners
The presence of over 500+ C‑suite executives, VPs and directors, 190 expert speakers and industry visionaries creates an unmatched networking environment where critical relationships are built, and new deal pipelines are initiated.
Complete list of IHIF EMEA 2026:
| Name | Title | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Hilda Alisandratou | Director, Investment Promotion | Enterprise Greece |
| Roger Allen | Group CEO | RLA Global |
| Helena Amaral Neto | Managing Partner | Luxulting |
| Luis Amézola | Associate Director, RE Investment, Hospitality | Meridia Capital |
| Satya Anand | President, EMEA | Marriott International |
| David Anderson | Divisional President, EMEA | Aimbridge |
| Fredrik Andersson | Vice President – Investments | Mohari Hospitality |
| Olga Andreevskikh | Senior Conference Producer | Questex |
| Phil Andreopoulos | CEO | Yotel |
| Rolf Arndt | Managing Director | Fairmas Services |
| Anne‑Marie Auriault | Director – Asset Management | RoundShield |
| Philip Bacon | Senior Director | Horwath HTL |
| Navneet Bali | Founder & CEO | LyvInn Hotels |
| Geoff Ballotti | President & CEO | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts |
| Sebastien Bazin | Chairman & CEO | Accor |
| Marije Bekker | Vice President, Hotel Development & Asset Management | Aroundtown |
| Andrea Belfanti | CEO | ISHC |
| Enrique Benjumea | Founder | Blasson |
| Brian Betel | Global Head of Direct Assets | ASG Iberia |
| Jens Blomdahl | Principal | KSL Capital Partners |
| Carine Bonnejean | Managing Director – Hotels & International | Christie & Co |
| Andrew Boshoff | Chief Financial Officer | Global Hotel Alliance |
| Tariq Bsharat | Chief Strategy & Business Development Officer | Marjan |
| Richard Bursby | Partner | Taylor Wessing |
| Jaime Buxó | CEO | Sunset Hotels & Resorts / Sunset Hospitality |
| Richard Candey | Head of Hotel Development, Hotel Advisory Services | Colliers |
| Eva Chan | Head of Strategic Development & Growth, EMEA | Wyndham Hotels & Resorts |
| James Chappell | Global Business Director | Horwath HTL |
| Christian Charnaux | EVP & Chief Development Officer | Hilton |
| Eu Chin Fen | Chief Executive Officer | Frasers Hospitality |
| Gilles Clavie | Chief Executive Officer | Essendi |
| Anna Cohen | Investment Director | Extendam |
| Jon Colley | Chief Strategic Growth Officer – UK & Europe | Valor Hospitality |
| Sebastien De Courtivron | Deputy CEO Hotels | Covivio |
| Pedro de Vega | Investment Associate Director | Azora |
| Remi Delpech | COO | Nikki Beach |
| Thomas Douzis | Founder & CEO | Ergon |
| Joanne Dreyfus | Partner | Deloitte |
| William Duffey | Senior Managing Director – Head of Hotels & Hospitality | JLL |
| Harriet Durbin | Managing Director | Panorama Hospitality |
| Veronica Eckhoff | Vice President | Aareal Bank |
| Eduard Elias | COO | M&L Group |
| Damon Embling | Director | Headline Media UK |
| Enrico Erba Springorum | Head of Branded Real Estate | Giorgio Armani |
| Larissa Esser | Senior Advisor | Colliers |
| Keith Evans | Founder & CEO | LHC Group |
| Yuan Fang | SVP Development | Minor Hotels |
| David Fattal | Founder & CEO | Fattal Group |
| Janan Ganesh | Associate Editor | Financial Times |
Pass Types and Participant Experience
To accommodate different business goals and engagement levels, IHIF EMEA offers several pass categories:
- All Access Standard – full content access and elevated networking opportunities.
- Explorer Pass – networking and exhibition access ideal for first‑time attendees.
- All Access Investor – focused on capital deployment and investor‑specific sessions.
- All Access U30 – designed to support rising professionals under 30.
- All Access Sponsor – tailored packages for corporate sponsors and exhibiting partners.
These varied pass options provide flexibility while ensuring attendees can optimise their event experience around their core objectives.
Networking, Deal‑Making and Long‑Term Connections
IHIF EMEA emphasises relationship building just as much as intellectual engagement. The event creates numerous opportunities for delegates to interact — from curated roundtables and investor lounges to informal receptions and AI‑powered networking sessions.
Additionally, the new mobile event app enhances year‑round connectivity, allowing attendees to pre‑schedule meetings, browse sponsor profiles, engage in live polls, and receive real‑time updates about sessions so meaningful connections extend far beyond the three‑day forum.
Thought Leadership and Industry Impact
IHIF EMEA’s influence goes beyond deal books and networking; it actively shapes strategic thinking in hospitality markets. Thought leaders and speakers — representing top global hotel groups, investment funds and investor platforms — share intelligence that helps attendees anticipate future shifts, capitalise on innovation, and drive operational excellence in their organisations.
Sector executives have consistently noted that the forum serves not only as a marketplace but as a benchmark for industry thinking and strategic alignment, where actionable insight helps inform boardroom decisions long after the event concludes.
Conclusion: A Must‑Attend Platform for Hospitality Professionals
As global hospitality investment continues to evolve amid economic, technological and sustainability pressures, IHIF EMEA remains the quintessential venue for leaders seeking market intelligence, strategic partnerships, and capital access. Anchored in Berlin, the 2026 forum promises once again to redefine how investors and industry players engage with the future of hospitality across EMEA and beyond
The post Berlin Set to Host IHIF EMEA 2026 — Global Hospitality Investment Summit Redefines Capital, Deals and Growth Across Europe, Middle East and Africa appeared first on Travel And Tour World.
