The Serviced Apartment Summit was launched last year in response to industry demand, and almost doubled in size for 2014, attracting delegates and speakers from as far afield as Australia, Singapore, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, the US, India and across Europe.
The Summit – held on 8 and 9 July – begins with a tour of local luxury extended stay properties on the first day, and is followed by a full day’s conference next day.
A stellar cast of international speakers included Steve Thorne, director of sales and marketing, Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living; Loren Nalewanski, VP global brand management, TownePlace Suites and Marriott Executive Apartments; Mike Greenup, VP brand management, Holiday Inn brand family and Staybridge Suites; Andrew Fowler, director, Union Hanover Securities; Paul Constantinou, chairman, Quest Serviced Apartments; Frédérique Raveau, vice president, business development Europe, The Ascott Limited; Sean Worker, CEO, BridgeStreet Global Hospitality and Guus Bakker, COO, Frasers Hospitality, Europe and Middle East.
Topics which were particularly keenly debated throughout the day were funding and investment, technology, branding, franchising, corporate travel buyers and the rise of the “bleisure” consumer.
Highlights of the Summit were the strong presence of hotel investors and the launching of a set of industry definitions, signed by many of the sector’s leading players (see picture above), and driven by HVS and Serviced Apartment News. To download a copy of the latest HVS report, containing the definitions, click here.
As well as a strong attendance, the event was well supported by the industry, with sponsors including BridgeStreet Global Hospitality, Staycity, Quest Serviced Apartments, Frasers Hospitality, HVS, The Apartment Service, The Ascott Limited, Skyline Worldwide, Grosvenor House Apartments by Jumeirah Living, Staybridge Suites, Aparthotels Adagio, VisitRentals, SACO, Adina Apartment Hotels, Marriott Extended Stay, Dentons, STR Global, Sky Business, Apple Apartments, IdeaS and Clyde & Co.
Event organiser Piers Brown said: “Serviced Apartment Summit was launched to meet demand from the industry, and I am delighted to see how the sector has enthusiastically responded to the event. We are extremely encouraged by the attendance and the feedback we’ve received, and have already begun the search for a larger venue for 2015.”
Delegate feedback
“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
“Just wanted to say a huge congratulations. The Summit was excellent. This is the first institutional grade conference on serviced apartments in Europe and far outstrips anything seen to date.”
Andrew Fowler, director, Union Hanover Securities
“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
“A really good conference. I learned a lot.”
Andrew Harrington, partner, AHV Associates
“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