HOSPITALITY TECH TITANS

Ahmed Elkiki

Ahmed ElKiki is Vice President, Technical Services (MEA) of Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA

In a career spanning over 20 years, ElKiki has worked with renowned operators, owners, developers and advisors, including IHG, Hyatt, Sun International, Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, Millennium, Accor and Kempinski. His expertise spans hotel operations, corporate roles, project direction and advisory services.

What truly sets him apart is his exceptional leadership skills and genuine care for his team members, fostering a collaborative and supportive work environment that encourages growth and success. He has a unique ability to unite his team around a common goal, driving projects to completion with dedication and enthusiasm.

ElKiki has successfully managed nine pre-openings, one rebranding with operators, two new-builds, 35

Jamey Ford

Jamey Ford is Global Director of Engineering and Asset Management at Kerzner International , the owner and operator of four distinctive brands – the iconic Atlantis Resorts and Residences, the ultra-luxury One & Only Resorts , Rare Finds Hotels & Resorts and the forthcoming SIRO Hotels

Ford leads Asset and Facilities Management and Engineering portfolios for the organisation across its existing collection of award-winning, globally renowned resorts. He spearheads the development and implementation of MEP works, with the scope of responsibility including standards, design and construction, new property openings and operations, ensuring the highest level of performance.

He drives continuous innovation to fulfil the organisation’s core vision of creating Amazing Experiences and Everlasting Memories for each and every guest.

An engineering expert with over 30 years of international experience, Ford has refurbishment projects and one rebranding with developers and advisors. He has also conducted design reviews to achieve operational and sustainable efficiency. His outstanding financial knowledge and extensive expertise in design and construction contracting, particularly with FIDIC forms of contracts, sets him apart in the industry. worked for various global hotel operators, including Intercontinental and Crowne Plaza.

As a dedicated advocate for sustainability, ElKiki participated in the advisory board of the first RAK Energy Summit and was a member of the Sustainability Regulations Committee of Ras Al Khaimah to establish the Emirate’s sustainability regulations (Barjeel).

ElKiki’s experience expands beyond hotels to adventure tourism, a field in which he oversaw the construction of the Jais Sledder and Bear Grylls Explorers Camp. His diverse skill set makes him a valuable resource for any organisation in the hospitality and tourism sectors.

In his time at Kerzner International, Ford has been the champion of the organisation’s Global Sustainability Programme, implementing the EarthCheck programme at every resort within the portfolio, whilst driving performance and raising awareness. The EarthCheck Sustainable Destinations programme is a global, third-party initiative that assures travellers that certified destinations are backed by a strong, wellmanaged commitment to sustainable development.

Ford employs and grows all the brand engineers across the globe and ensures transparent collaboration and an honest platform to thrive. In his view, it’s all about the relationships.

Ford has a passion for fitness and sports, as travelling is certainly a major part of the role and being able to train in some of the most iconic global destinations is always a bonus.

Samer Ibdah is Director of Engineering at InterContinental Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Ibdah, a seasoned hospitality expert with over two decades of experience, has a strong background in operations, development and engineering management, coupled with exceptional leadership skills and an eye for detail. He is a dedicated hotelier with expertise in Budgeting and Operations Management, Facility Management, Building Services Design, MEP, Fire Life Safety, Project Management, Energy Management, Negotiation, Food & Beverage, and Kitchen and Laundry.

Ibdah, who has a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Jordan University of Science & Technology, has worked in several hotels across six different cities. He played a pivotal role in opening five IHG hotels and successfully managed significant renovation projects, including complete hotel and guest room renovations, the construction of a new meeting centre and public restrooms, and the alteration and conversion of hotel chillers and chilled water systems.

Ibdah is passionate about achieving ecofriendly and sustainable hotel operations. He has effectively fostered collaboration to support this objective and remained steadfast in his pursuit of one of hospitality’s most critical goals – sustainability. Additionally, he was appointed to lead the sustainability work stream for all IHG hotels in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. IHG’s performance target was to keep its 2022 carbon footprint below 2019 levels, and Ibdah worked with Hotel Operations and Engineering teams to help hotels resume their utility and sustainability plans. His efforts resulted in a 21% reduction, year on year, making the Saudi Arabia region a leader amongst other IHG regions.

Riyadh (IHG Group), thus firmly embarking on a career in the hospitality sector. He started out as a Junior Engineer and performed in 11 job positions before rising to the level of Director, in his current assignment.

Ibdah has created and participated in numerous technical and networking hospitality events in the Middle East and Europe. He is a member of several technical groups and actively engages with more than 30,000 followers on LinkedIn, where he shares and exchanges his knowledge.

Ibdah is a highly decorated professional who has received several prestigious awards, such as the IMEA Hotelier Award (‘Hotel Engineer of the Year’ category) in 2021 and the IHG Impact Award (‘IMEA Hotel Engineer of the Year’ category) in 2021 for his remarkable support to Saudi Arabia hotels.

Viji Kunjachan

Viji Kunjachan is Area Director of Engineering & Projects Manager, InterContinental Muscat, in the Sultanate of Oman.

A seasoned professional with 32 years of experience in the hospitality sector, he started his career in 1991 with the Ambassador Hotel, India. He subsequently worked with the Military Engineering Service in the Indian Navy. In 1994, he joined the Ministry of Defense & Aviation in Saudi Arabia.

In 1998, he joined the InterContinental Hotel

As Area Director of Engineering, Kunjachan is tasked with looking after nine properties, consisting of five IHG brands, in Oman. As part of his remit, in 2021, he initiated and installed a drinking water plant unit in Crowne Plaza OCEC & InterContinental Muscat to eliminate plastic bottles, as part of a plastic elimination drive. As a result of his exertions, the IHG Group has been able to eliminate 770,000 plastic bottles per year in Oman. His achievement attracted attention –today, many different hotel groups in Oman are seeking his advice and expertise.

Kunjachan has taken many initiatives to eliminate single-use plastic. He has also taken an initiative to install EV units (Electrical Vehicle charging centres) at seven IHG hotels in Oman, as part of a green commitment to reduce the carbon footprint and lower global warming.

Over the years, Kunjachan has received various awards and recognitions, including a special appreciation from the White House and the United States Secret Service for his outstanding involvement in the US President’s visits to Saudi Arabia, during which he stayed at IHG hotels. He has also won the IHG Regional Award, called ‘IMEA Risk Management in Safety Excellence’. He was shortlisted in the ‘Engineer of the Year’ category in the Hotelier Middle East Awards in the years 2014, 2016 and 2017. He was also shortlisted in the ‘Engineering’ category in the Hozpitality Excellence Award in the years 2017 and 2020. He eventually won the ‘Engineer of the Year’ award in the 2022 edition of the Hotelier Middle East Awards.

Kunjachan received various appreciation certificates from ‘Dubai Green Tourism’ for green activities and the waste management programme at IHG Hotels in Dubai.

Since 1998, Kunjachan has enjoyed a strong growth path with IHG. He has worked in five countries and 12 properties. With the passing of the years, his expertise and commitment to his field has simply become stronger – he has achieved the highest certification level for 12 properties in four countries in Green Engage, IHG’s sustainability and environmental programme.

Kunjachan recently received CHFE® (Certified Hospitality Facilities Executive) from AHLA (American Hotel and Lodging Association), thus proving that it is possible to learn and develop despite a strenuous work schedule.