Thanos Papasavvas is the Founder & CIO of ABP Invest. In addition to his role at ABP Invest, Thanos is a frequent guest on major financial media outlets such as BBC, Bloomberg and CNBC. He is also a sought-after keynote speaker and moderator at investment conferences. Thanos holds the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and is a member of the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). He earned his MSc in Economics from Birkbeck College, University of London. Originally from Athens, Thanos has resided in London for over 35 years.

A seasoned Sales Executive with over two decades of experience in the hospitality industry, Julien has been at the forefront of hotel distribution innovation. From the early days of online distribution to the introduction of two-way connectivity for channel managers, he has consistently helped hotels adapt and thrive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. Today, at Lighthouse, Julien focuses on using AI and personalization to help hotels grow their direct channel and enhance the guest experience. Known for his deep industry insight and practical approach, he brings a wealth of knowledge to any discussion on the future of hotel technology and commercial strategy.

Benjamin Jost is CEO and Co-Founder of TrustYou, which he established in 2008 with the aim of making guest feedback accessible and understandable. He leads the company’s continued development as an AI-powered hospitality platform encompassing customer experience, guest data and automated engagement. In addition, Benjamin serves as Chair of the HSMAI Europe AI Advisory Board, helping to drive industry dialogue, knowledge sharing and practical education around the evolving role of artificial intelligence in hospitality.

Michael Nowlis is an international hospitality executive, educator, consultant, and author with more than four decades of experience across the hospitality industry and higher education. He has spent approximately 30 years living and working in France, becoming bilingual and bicultural and developing an extensive professional network across France and Europe. His hospitality career has included management positions at the Waldorf-Astoria in New York and the Beau-Rivage Palace in Lausanne, as well as serving as Corporate Food & Beverage Director for Guest Quarters Hotels in the United States. In higher education, he has held senior positions including Associate Dean at Cornell University, Director of IMHI (Cornell-ESSEC) in Paris, and Professor at the Centre International de Glion in Switzerland. Through consulting, executive education, and professional projects, Michael has worked in more than 100 countries, advising organizations and leaders across the global hospitality and tourism sectors. He has written extensively on the restaurant and wine industries and remains actively involved in hospitality leadership, education, and professional organizations. Michael holds a Master’s degree in International Relations, a Bachelor’s degree in Food Service Management, and an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts.

Dr. Philipp Laqué is an experienced hospitality and restaurant industry expert with over 20 years of experience. He leads Revenue Management Solutions’ operations across Europe and the UK, specialising in data-driven pricing strategies, consumer behaviour, and revenue optimisation. He holds a Doctorate in Business Administration from Warwick Business School.

Frederic Toitot is an experienced hospitality professional specialising in revenue management, pricing, and professional development. With over 20 years of international experience, including senior leadership roles at Accor, he is passionate about helping hospitality professionals develop their skills through innovative, interactive learning. He is also a former Chair of the HSMAI Europe Revenue Optimization Advisory Board.

Thijs Peters has worked in the MICE industry for more than 15 years, including leading the Sales & Marketing team at Postillion Hotels. He has held several international leadership roles within Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and currently serves as a member of the MPI International Board of Directors. As Co-Founder and Partner at Conventus Consultants, Thijs works with hotels, venues and destinations to strengthen MICE strategy and commercial performance. Known for his strong interpersonal skills and ability to connect people and teams, he brings extensive industry experience together with a practical, commercially focused approach.