Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide has kicked off its Europe, Africa and Middle East (EAME) leadership conference in Doha, bringing together more than 800 general managers and leaders of its finance, sales, marketing, communications and human resources teams from the region. The conference will align the teams from nearly 260 hotels across 60 countries on the business priorities for 2016, and provide critical updates on the vision and strategy for Starwood’s 10 differentiated brands.
This year’s event marks the second consecutive year that Starwood is holding its leadership conference in the Middle East, highlighting the region as one of the fastest growing markets for the company, with a portfolio of 54 hotels and 40 more properties expected to open in the next five years.
Starwood first entered Qatar in 1982 and operates, Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel, The St. Regis Doha, W Doha Hotel & Residences. The company recently opened Westin Doha Hotel and Spa and will also introduce the Le Méridien, Aloft and Four Points by Sheraton brands by 2019.
“We are thrilled to bring together many of our leaders from across Europe, Middle East and Africa, during this exciting time for Starwood, to focus on key priorities for this exceptional year and also to celebrate the amazing work and results our teams have delivered in 2015,” said Michael Wale, president, Starwood Hotels and Resorts Europe, Africa and Middle East. “We chose to hold the conference in Doha as it is an outstanding example of Starwood’s innovation as a hospitality leader and home to some of our flagship properties in the Middle East. We have been present in Qatar for over 30 years and remain committed to strengthening our position in the country.”
Speakers Thomas Mangas, CEO, Starwood Hotels and Resorts, Michael Wale, President, Starwood Hotels and Resorts EAME and other members of Starwood’s senior leadership team will share their views on the future of the company. They will also introduce the latest positioning and programmes for The Luxury Collection, Sheraton, Westin, Le Méridien, and the company’s Select Serve Brands – Aloft, Four Points by Sheraton and Element.
Starwood’s St. Regis and W Hotels will host their Global Brand Summits during the leadership conference with over 250 attendees representing brand and hotel teams from around the world. Both brands will unveil their renewed brand positioning, refreshed visual identity and approach to guest experience and innovation.
“W boldly disrupted the traditional Qatari hospitality landscape when the new-style lux hotel brand burst onto the scene in 2009, so for us, the dunes of Doha are the perfect backdrop to reveal our evolved brand positioning to our dynamic teams from around the world,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, W Hotels Worldwide. “The newest chapter of the iconic W brand story starts now and it’s one that will continue to shape and redefine the industry.”
“With St. Regis on track to reach 50 hotels by 2020, it is a pivotal moment in the brand’s history to bring our leaders from around the world together to connect on our shared global vision,” said Jim Petrus, Global Brand Leader, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. “As the leader in luxury hospitality, it is more important than ever to collaborate on how best to uphold the continuously rising standard we set for all of our properties as we continue to bring the St. Regis experience to the best addresses around the globe.”
