Advisory Boards

What is the role of Advisory Boards?

The Advisory Board is crucial for shaping the strategic direction, ensuring its initiatives align with industry needs and trends. They form the working group that curates strategies and plans. Together, they deliver agreed activities to serve the needs of the commercial community, across all discipline of Sales, Marketing and Revenue Management.

Additionally, the board connects professionals, encourages collaboration, and strengthens the organization’s influence by driving membership growth, securing sponsorships, and inviting guest speakers to the annual conference. Their expertise helps create impactful, market-relevant solutions, enhancing the value provided to the community.

Words from the Advisory Boards

  • I strongly believe the work we do on the Commercial Advisory Board provides real value by sharing best practices across all commercial functions, helping organisations align more effectively in an increasingly complex environment. Equally important is the open exchange of insights around current and future travel and hospitality patterns, which allows us to stay ahead of change rather than simply react to it. It’s a meaningful forum to discuss how we can collectively enhance awareness and demand for key destinations across the Middle East and Africa. By bringing together diverse perspectives and practical experience, HSMAI Middle East plays a vital role in strengthening commercial leadership and driving sustainable growth for our region.

    Mark Flower
    Mark Flower VP Commercial Market Strategy, Middle East, Africa & Turkiye | Accor
  • We are excited to expand the board, welcome new members, refine our meeting and event calendar, and introduce engaging initiatives that will drive our mission forward. I'm thrilled to continue serving on the HSAMI Marketing & Communication Advisory Board throughout 2025, collaborating with esteemed colleagues from the industry. This year, I am honoured to step into the role of Chair of the Board, a position that offers a wonderful opportunity to build upon the successes achieved by the team and my predecessor. We are excited to expand the board, welcome new members, refine our meeting and event calendar, and introduce engaging initiatives that will drive our mission forward.

    Loay Nour
    Loay Nour Vice President, Brand & Marketing | Kempinski Hotels
  • As chair of the HSMAI Sales, the teams focus is on bring together a dynamic group of professionals from diverse hotels to collaborate on shared goals. We have already starting to address key priorities like talent; retain, attract and develop. Additionally, we aim to strengthen partnerships with key tourism boards and enhance the specialization in market segmentation. By working together we are able to strive innovation and progress in our exciting hospitality sector.

    Linda Lewis
    Linda Lewis VP Global Sales Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific | Jumeirah
  • I really enjoy being part of the advisory board, meeting with industry peers and discussing ideas and topics that will benefit our industry. In 2026 I would like to bring new ideas and perspectives that will help improve our business environment , explore new opportunities with AI and discuss the challenges that we are facing as an industry today

    Sam El Asmar
    Sam El Asmar VP Revenue and Distribution | Rotana Hotels
  • Being a member of the HSMAI Sales and Revenue Advisory Boards is something I truly value. I really enjoy connecting with industry peers, learning from different perspectives, and working together to elevate the sales and revenue profession. It’s incredibly motivating to collaborate with such a strong group of leaders who are committed to strengthening the hotel industry and supporting the growth of sales and revenue professionals across the Middle East and Africa.

    Caroline Thissen
    Caroline Thissen Associate Vice President Commercial, MEA & SEAP | Radisson Hotel Group
  • Being an Advisory Board Member for Revenue Management with HSMAI MEA is truly a privilege. HSMAI plays a vital role in strengthening the hospitality community through shared learning, collaboration, and industry-driven thought leadership.

    It’s always an honour to work alongside fellow industry leaders, contributing insights and expertise to drive meaningful improvements and achieve our community goals.

    Having been part of this journey for 10 years, I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished and excited to continue shaping the future of the industry together.

    Ashish Sharma, CHBA
    Ashish Sharma, CHBA Director of Revenue & Distribution | HMH - Hospitality Management Holding
  • Ahmed El Meligui
    Ahmed El Meligui Regional VP Sales Revenue & Business Development, Hyatt International
  • David Garner
    David Garner Vice President Commercial, Minor Hotels
  • Mark Flower
    Mark Flower VP Commercial Market Strategy, Middle East, Africa & TĂĽrkiye, Accor
  • Tarek Labib
    Tarek Labib Head of Commercial - IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts®
  • Alexander Lee
    Alexander Lee Chief Growth Officer, Jumeirah Group
  • Liz Perkins
    Liz Perkins VP and Commercial Director - MEA, Hilton
  • Chair: Sam El Asmar
    Chair: Sam El Asmar VP Revenue and Distribution, Rotana Hotels
  • Vice Chair: Caroline Thissen
    Vice Chair: Caroline Thissen Associate Vice President Commercial, MEA & SEAP, Radisson Hotel Group
  • Nicola Buckley
    Nicola Buckley Regional Director of Revenue - MEA, Minor Hotels
  • Daniele Carrai
    Daniele Carrai VP, Total Revenue Management and Distributiona, Atlantis Dubai
  • Judith Cartwright, CRME, CHBA
    Judith Cartwright, CRME, CHBA Founder & Managing Director, Black Coral Consulting
  • Gaurav Chopra, CHBA
    Gaurav Chopra, CHBA Revenue Performance Director MEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts®
  • Valentin Crepieux
    Valentin Crepieux Regional Director of Revenue – Middle East, United Hospitality Management
  • Clare Dooner
    Clare Dooner Senior Director Revenue Strategy - Europe, Middle East, and Africa, Marriott International
  • Eva Frommholz
    Eva Frommholz Senior Director Revenue Management Centre, MEA, Hilton
  • Ram Mohan Dubey
    Ram Mohan Dubey Senior Director of Sales - MEA, RateGain
  • Agnes Hlavacs
    Agnes Hlavacs VP Revenue Management MEA & TĂĽrkiye, Accor PME
  • Natalie Kouyoumdjian, CRME
    Natalie Kouyoumdjian, CRME Corporate Director of Revenue, Distribution & Reservations MEA, Millennium Hotels & Resorts
  • Sujay Nadkarni
    Sujay Nadkarni Vice President, Revenue SO/ and Regional Head of Revenue, Ennismore Middle East
  • Ashish Narang, CHBA
    Ashish Narang, CHBA Regional Director of Revenue MEA, Kempinski Hotels
  • Scott Nicholas
    Scott Nicholas Regional Director of Revenue Management - MEA, Hyatt International
  • Thibaut Paquet
    Thibaut Paquet Regional Director of Revenue Management, AEMEA | Fairmont Hotels & Resorts
  • Ashish Sharma, CHBA
    Ashish Sharma, CHBA Director of Revenue & Distribution, HMH Hospitality Group
  • Marieke Siefers
    Marieke Siefers Vice President, Revenue Management, Jumeirah Group
  • Akshay Sood, CHBA
    Akshay Sood, CHBA Senior Director Revenue & Sales, Damac Hotels & Resorts Management LLC
  • Sander van der Lee
    Sander van der Lee Regional Director Revenue, Arabian Peninsula, Hilton
  • Chair: Linda Lewis
    Chair: Linda Lewis VP Global Sales Middle East and Asia Pacific, Jumeirah Group
  • Vice Chair: Ryan Morris
    Vice Chair: Ryan Morris Director of Regional Sales MEA, IHG
  • Emma Ashworth
    Emma Ashworth Regional Director of Sales Middle East, Minor Hotels
  • Erika Bucsi
    Erika Bucsi Enterprise Director EMEA, APAC, Cendyn
  • Rola Chakroun, CHBA
    Rola Chakroun, CHBA Regional Director of Sales – Middle East, United Hospitality Management
  • Kyp Charalambous
    Kyp Charalambous Vice President, Sales, Atlantis Resorts
  • Nader Hamarna
    Nader Hamarna Director of Global Sales Organization - MEA, Kempinski Hotels
  • Marwan Haddad
    Marwan Haddad Regional Director of Sales, Millennium Hotels and Resorts
  • Wendi Knibbs-Burr
    Wendi Knibbs-Burr Director, Sales Strategy & Planning EMEA, Hilton
  • Marc-Antoine Lesage
    Marc-Antoine Lesage Director of Sales, MEA, Hyatt International
  • Akshay Sood, CHBA
    Akshay Sood, CHBA Senior Director Revenue & Sales, Damac Hotels & Resorts Management LLC
  • Caroline Thissen
    Caroline Thissen Associate Vice President Commercial, MEA & SEAP, Radisson Hotel Group
  • Chair: Loay Nour
    Chair: Loay Nour Vice President Brand Marketing, Kempinski Hotels
  • Noha Amir
    Noha Amir Regional Director of eCommerce & Digital Strategy MEA, Kempinski Hotels
  • Sarah Dogmoch
    Sarah Dogmoch Regional Director of Marketing, Hyatt International
  • Hana Fuchs
    Hana Fuchs Regional Director of Marketing Communications MEA, Minor Hotels
  • Nicki Graham
    Nicki Graham Chief Marketing Officer, Cendyn
  • Amal Harb
    Amal Harb Marketing Advisor and Instructor
  • Nicolas Hauvespre
    Nicolas Hauvespre Vice President Luxury Brands, Middle East & Africa, Marriott International
  • Malika Kennedy
    Malika Kennedy Chief Business Development Officer MEA, Yango Ads
  • Anurag Jain
    Anurag Jain Executive Vice President - APAC and MEA, RateGain
  • Kiran Kumar, CHDM, CHBA
    Kiran Kumar, CHDM, CHBA Regional Director of Marketing, United Hospitality Management
  • Alexander Robertson
    Alexander Robertson VP Global Marketing and Digital, Jumeirah
  • Victoria Sertic
    Victoria Sertic SVP, Brand, Marketing & Loyalty MEA, Turkey & Asia Pacific, Accor
  • Robert Singleton
    Robert Singleton Director, Loyalty Performance Strategy IMEA, IHG Hotels & Resorts
  • Safiuddin Syed
    Safiuddin Syed Regional Director of Digital & Direct Channels, MEA, Hyatt International
Contact Us

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