For almost half a century, EHMA has been choosing a different European location for its Annual General Assembly, and this year Lisbon, Portugal, will be the stage for this important moment of networking and exchange. The event will be hosted at the iconic Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon.
"The meeting in Lisbon represents the height of the year, when members come from all over Europe to meet, exchange experiences and listen to top-level speakers”, comments Panos Almyrantis, President of EHMA, National Delegate of Greece & Cyprus and General Manager of the Grand Hyatt Athens – This year’s theme concerns both our historical past and also our prestigious traditions and the challenges of the future in order to commit, engage and inspire young people to enter a rewarding profession that is essentially about people and offers endless opportunities and a great sense of job satisfaction. Among the most eagerly awaited moments of the meeting, there will also be the presentation of the European Hotel Manager of the Year award, to celebrate the EHMA hotel manager who has particularly distinguished himself or herself during the year, and the EHMA Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement Award honoring outstanding EHMA retired General Managers who have significantly contributed to the improvement of the Hotel Business over their lifetime career and to the Association itself”.
The program
The program of EHMA Lisbon will start on Friday, February 10th with the General Assembly, the 49th in the history of the Association. During the meeting there will be the presentation of the new members (two of which will be lucky enough to win an online course at Cornell Nolan Hotel School). Carlos Moedas, Mayor of Lisbon, will give the official welcome to participants.
Commitment to the next generation of hospitality professionals has been one of the Association's goals from the beginning. Precisely in this spirit, at the same time as the Members' Assembly, the Young EHMA 2023 Group will participate in a working session organized by EHL (École Hôtelière de Lausanne). The group is composed of young hoteliers, presented by the various delegations, with a certain level of experience (junior managers/department heads) who are offered the opportunity to participate in the EHMA Annual General Meeting.
The "Members' Time" will close the first day of the AGM session.
The Welcome Cocktail and dinner will be held at Pátio da Galé in Praça do Comércio, one of the city’s most emblematic squares.
The highlight of the three-day program in Lisbon will be the Educational Day on Saturday, February 11th. The preliminary list of speakers include Simon Casson, President Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts Europe, Middle East and Africa; Filip Boyen, Senior Advisor Corinthia Hotels and Ambassador Forbes Travel Guide; Manuela Veloso, Head JPMorgan Chase AI Research; Frank Theis, CRO Diversey; Vera Pinto, Member of the Executive Board of Directors EDP – Energias de Portugal S.A.; Artur Miranda and Jacques Beck – Oito em Ponto; VHILS Studio.
During the Gala Dinner in the spectacular Pedro Leitão Ballroom of the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon, among the most anticipated moments there will be the presentation of the awards "European Hotel Manager of the Year 2023" and "Hans Koch Lifetime Achievement". The "EHMA Sustainability Award by Diversey", dedicated to the best sustainable hospitality project of the year, will also be presented. In fact, EHMA has always distinguished itself for its commitment to the Green theme, which is as fundamental today as it will be tomorrow for the sustainable growth of the sector.
The fantastic program of the event has been put together thanks to the incredible work of the Organizing Committee composed by: Francisco Pereira da Silva (Chairman) – Hotel Albatroz Beach & Yacht Club; Francisco Correa de Barros, Guilherme Costa (Four Seasons Hotel Ritz Lisbon); Alexandre de Almeida (Hotéis Alexandre De Almeida Lda.); Sandro Fabris; Pedro Pinto (Corpo Santo Hotel Lisbon). Special thanks also go to the event traditional sponsors always very supportive of the Association.
The hosting venue: the Four Seasons Hotel Ritz
Located in the heart of Lisbon, this historic Hotel wears the cultural heart and soul of Portugal on its sleeve. Inside, art-deco sensibilities mingle with an updated Louis XVI style, and a collection of important contemporary local artwork fills the halls. Outside, views of the city’s rolling hills and brightly tiled exteriors spread out before the guests. A lavish breakfast buffet is served daily at the stylish Varanda Restaurant, offering unparalleled views over the park. During the warmer months, enjoy a cocktail at the Ritz Bar’s summer terrace. An on-site Spa pampers guests with treatments such as acupuncture and lymphatic drainage or Ayurvedic rituals. The indoor swimming pool overlooks the hotel gardens and Lisbon's Eduardo VII Park. The Michelin-starred CURA restaurant offers a seasonally inspired top gastronomic experience.
About EHMA
EHMA – European Hotel Managers Association was founded in Rome in 1974 by prominent Hotel General Managers of undisputed professional ethics with the aim of maintaining and enhancing the image of the hotel industry. It is composed of high-level hotel general managers who envision to be the preferred Association of Hotel Managers, representing the most prestigious and unique hotels in Europe. Supporting an inclusive and stimulating networking environment, sharing experiences, insights and support, and effectively communicating within the hotel industry, with integrity, loyalty and trust encompass the Association’s core values. The Association currently has nearly 400 members representing 23 European countries of which approximately 350 are General Managers of luxury hotels. In figures, this represents about 300 hotels, 85,000 rooms and 65,000 employees.
