Robert Barnard is a partner at BDO London, responsible for specialist hotel/hospitality industry consultancy.  He has tourism expertise and has led a broad range of hospitality consulting assignments throughout the UK, Continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Caribbean.  These include strategic planning, hotel market studies with earnings estimates, valuations of individual assets, hotel portfolios and operational reviews.

Robert will share his expertise and insights with us on assessing the economic and financial viability of hotel projects.

Helena Neuner joined the E+H – Eisenberger + Herzog – commercial law firm in 2018 and is specializing in cross-border M&A and real estate transactions, especially in the hotel industry.  Her experience includes advising the Swiss investment group Brisen on the re-development of property into a 5-star luxury hotel and UBM development on a strategic partnership for real estate project developments.

Helena will participate in the podium discussion and engage with us on the topic of sustainable hotel investing.

Wolfgang Mader, a partner at BDO Austria, works as an all-rounder in the areas of tax, financial advisory and auditing, with a focus on the real estate sector and the gaming industry.  He pursues a holistic consulting approach with the support of specialists from the diverse areas.  Together with competent and helpful colleagues, he delivers tailor-made solutions to clients.

Wolfgang will join his colleague, Robert Barnard, to discuss the use of feasibility studies to verify the business case of hotels.

Gisela Loidolt, Hospitality Consulting Manager Europe at Drees & Sommer, has over 12 years of hospitality consulting experience with more than 500 projects throughout Europe and beyond. Her track record includes asset reviews, feasibility studies, operator selection, valuations, and due diligence assessments. Gisela serves all participants along the project value chain and provides outcome-oriented development and investment advice.

Gisela will address the involvement of hotel asset management in the hotel project development process and operation, for overall project success.

Max Murmann, a F&B business economist and consultant, joined the mrp hotels Vienna team in January 2021.  He brings many years of expertise in the areas of F&B, hotel openings and project development to projects.  Earlier professional stations include Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental and the private hotel industry.  Before joining mrp hotels, Max worked on various hotel project development projects.

Max will engage with us and represent mrp hotels in the panel discussion on Sustainable Property Development.

Wolfgang Lukaschek, a managing director and a co-founder at OTEREA, is an inventor of “BlueAuditor.com”, innovative tool for sustainable real estate. With Master’s degree in building science and international business consultancy, he is an expert in green building, sustainability, and building technology and management. Wolfgang is a qualified LEED AP, DGNB Auditor, BREEAM Assessor, and Certified Energy Auditor.

Wolfgang will represent the Austrian Sustainable Building Council (ÖGNI) in the panel discussion on Sustainable Property Development.

Erol is head of Commercial Development at STRABAG Real Estate, having joined the company in November 2010.  His professional experience includes project development, financing, controlling and asset management in Central and Eastern Europe, marketing and sale controlling, and internal coordination.  Erol is responsible for the management of residential, office and hotel development projects in the Vienna area.

Erol will share with us his insights on development project construction and construction management.

Gerald is a partner at the TPA Group (TPA Austria) with 20 years of experience in tax consulting.  He is specialized in real estate transaction services (M&A) and taxation for national and international real estate clients.  Gerald provides project calculations, financial and tax due diligence services and advises on the acquisition and structuring of hotel projects.

Gerald will speak on the structuring of hotel investments and transactions.

Susanne Kraus-Winkler is an expert and entrepreneur in the Austrian hospitality industry, tourism, and hotel property development.  She is chair of the hotel sector of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), past president of the European Hotel and Restaurant Association (HOTREC), supervisory board chair and partner of Harry’s Home Hotels and founding partner of the LOISIUM Wine & Spa Hotelgroup.

Susanne will engage with us throughout the event and in the panel discussion on sustainable property development.

Roman is Managing Director at Michaeler & Partner Vienna and responsible for the Hotel and Tourism Consulting division since 2017.  Roman has worked on more than 120 projects in the DACH, CEE and SEE regions.  His expertise includes feasibility studies, performance management, strategic consulting, product and brand concepts as well as operator and investor search and related contract negotiations.

Roman will speak on the selection of hotel operators and the operator selection process.

Daan Bakkenes is Head of Hotels at Colliers Austria with responsibility for the Hotels division.  The native Dutchman worked for Hilton in the UEA, Amsterdam and Vienna, Marriott`s Luxury Collection and the last 3 years at Novum Hospitality.  Building on Colliers' global network, particularly in the commercial sector, and his detailed industry knowledge, he brings innovative concepts to the market.

Daan will represent Colliers International and engage with us in the panel discussion on the Sustainable Hotel Investing topic.

Harald is Investment Director at value one holding AG.  Prior to joining value one holding AG, he headed Corporate Finance at BAWAG PSK.  He had earlier spent nearly ten years at GE Capital in London, responsible for expanding their European business.  Harald started his career in finance at Erste Bank.

Harald will share his expertise and insight on hotel transactions – both the acquisition and the sale of hotel assets.

Martin, Senior Director at CBRE GmbH, is responsible for hotel valuation and consultancy instructions and leads the hotel valuation team with a focus on the German, Austrian and CEE markets.  Since joining CBRE in 2006, he has worked in the UK and the DACH and CEE regions, specializing in hotel development and assets and cross-border transactions.

Martin will speak on the users and uses of valuation and appraisals in hotel projects and transactions.

Nicole Hörmann, recently joined the EHL Real Estate Valuation team.  After receiving a degree in accounting from New York University and a successful career in the hotel industry, she switched to real estate valuation in 2010.  She is a valuation specialist in all property asset classes and is now one of Austria's leading experts in the hotel asset segment.

Nicole will address the valuation of hotel properties and the consideration of ESG factors for their development in the podium discussion on sustainable hotel development.

Damiano is Principal Industry Consultant at IDeaS Revenue Solutions Global Consulting Services, which he joined in 2019 after 16 years with InterContinental Hotels.  He is a true enabler of the (r)evolution of revenue management, allowing revenue managers to concentrate on total, profitable revenue management.  In the ever-changing technology landscape, AI and machine learning are essential for the focus on strategic revenue management.

Damiano will advise us on elevating analytical strategy to a fully automated revenue management approach that aims to add value to any asset.

Arabella Eichinger is a partner at Schoenherr Attorneys at Law, joining the real estate team in September 2013.  She is a widely renowned real estate lawyer and recognized expert in residential and hotel transactions in Austria.  Arabella has an excellent track record in real estate transactions and construction law and advises on national and international real estate projects and transactions.

Arabella will share her expertise and insights on hotel operating models for hotel projects.

Karsten Schmidt Hoensdorf is the founder and creative mind behind Zurich architectural firm IDA14.  Karsten and his team work on projects in all the classic areas of interior design as well as on product design and development in Switzerland and abroad.  As a consultant and lecturer, Karsten shares his knowledge on managing design development processes and design quality criteria.

Karsten will participate in the panel discussion on the sustainable hotel business case and share his insights on the topic.

Dietmar Ploberger, is Senior Project Manager at SIGNA Real Estate Management GmbH, joining SIGNA REM in 2011.  He is an authorized representative at SIGNA Development Selection AG and acting manager in different companies managing hotel projects.   His studies include civil engineering and economics and is a well-experienced project manager in the field of hotel developments in Austria, CEE and SEE.

Dietmar will accompany us during the session on Hotel Development Management and provided his insights on the topic.