FutureFWD 2026 Agenda
Opening Ceremony
The Digital Transformation Journey for Hospitality: Balancing Technology and Humanity in Hospitality 2026
Speakers:
Khang Nguyen Trieu
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Khang Nguyen Trieu chairs the Robotics Task Force within the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Committee, sits on the Singapore Tourism Board’s Tcube innovation workgroup, and serves on the Board of the International French School of Singapore. A Singapore-based fractional CIO/CTO with 25+ years in technology across Europe and Asia, he has held leadership roles in strategy and delivery. In France he worked in leading consultancies, co-founded a startup in the early 2000s, and spent twelve years in tech leadership at www.voyages-sncf.com (now SNCF Connect), an Expedia–SNCF joint venture and one of Europe’s largest online travel platforms. In 2016 he moved to Singapore, later serving as APAC CIO and then Group Chief Technology Architect at Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups (40+ brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman, Novotel, Ibis; 5,500+ hotels).
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Lunch Break
The End of Hospitality as We Know It: Why Transformation is Our Greatest Opportunity
Speakers:
Rachel Loh
As Executive Director of Hospitality & Tourism Talent, Ms Rachel Loh drives the strategic transformation of Singapore’s hospitality industry while spearheading human capital development across the tourism sector. Her dual portfolio encompasses forging strong industry partnerships to drive sustainable growth and innovation in hospitality, identifying emerging opportunities and implementing forward-thinking solutions that shape Singapore’s hospitality landscape, while also leading the development of robust talent pipelines through strategic policy formulation and programmes.
Rachel Loh
As Executive Director of Hospitality & Tourism Talent, Ms Rachel Loh drives the strategic transformation of Singapore’s hospitality industry while spearheading human capital development across the tourism sector. Her dual portfolio encompasses forging strong industry partnerships to drive sustainable growth and innovation in hospitality, identifying emerging opportunities and implementing forward-thinking solutions that shape Singapore’s hospitality landscape, while also leading the development of robust talent pipelines through strategic policy formulation and programmes.
Future-Ready Hotels: Innovating for People, Planet and Profit
Hosted by:
Andrew Cameron
With two decades of experience in procurement, supply chain strategy, and hospitality innovation, Andrew has supported HotelTech and CleanTech market entry, advised global operators on Scope 3 emissions and waste reduction, and partnered with innovators shaping the next wave of food and beverage technologies. He previously led Accor’s global transition away from single-use plastics, established the group’s Southeast Asia Procurement Department, and directed the beverage program for the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends Group.
Winner of the AustCham Start-Up of the Year Award (2023), a Judge for the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge, and a nominee for Global Procurement Leader of the Year, Andrew is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on how sustainability creates business value. His approach is pragmatic, inclusive, and experience-centric, balancing nature-based solutions with high-tech innovation to help food and hospitality businesses thrive in a fast-evolving landscape.
Andrew Cameron
With two decades of experience in procurement, supply chain strategy, and hospitality innovation, Andrew has supported HotelTech and CleanTech market entry, advised global operators on Scope 3 emissions and waste reduction, and partnered with innovators shaping the next wave of food and beverage technologies. He previously led Accor’s global transition away from single-use plastics, established the group’s Southeast Asia Procurement Department, and directed the beverage program for the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends Group.
Winner of the AustCham Start-Up of the Year Award (2023), a Judge for the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge, and a nominee for Global Procurement Leader of the Year, Andrew is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on how sustainability creates business value. His approach is pragmatic, inclusive, and experience-centric, balancing nature-based solutions with high-tech innovation to help food and hospitality businesses thrive in a fast-evolving landscape.
Speakers:
Khang Nguyen Trieu
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Khang Nguyen Trieu chairs the Robotics Task Force within the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Committee, sits on the Singapore Tourism Board’s Tcube innovation workgroup, and serves on the Board of the International French School of Singapore. A Singapore-based fractional CIO/CTO with 25+ years in technology across Europe and Asia, he has held leadership roles in strategy and delivery. In France he worked in leading consultancies, co-founded a startup in the early 2000s, and spent twelve years in tech leadership at www.voyages-sncf.com (now SNCF Connect), an Expedia–SNCF joint venture and one of Europe’s largest online travel platforms. In 2016 he moved to Singapore, later serving as APAC CIO and then Group Chief Technology Architect at Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups (40+ brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman, Novotel, Ibis; 5,500+ hotels).
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Ricarda Schneider
As Director of Sustainability, Ricarda leads Marriott International’s sustainability charge in APEC, working closely with key stakeholders across all disciplines both in the region and with corporate headquarters. She is responsible for the rollout, implementation, activation of strategic sustainability plans and solutions, with a focus on achieving the short- and long-term sustainability goals of the company.
Ricarda Schneider
As Director of Sustainability, Ricarda leads Marriott International’s sustainability charge in APEC, working closely with key stakeholders across all disciplines both in the region and with corporate headquarters. She is responsible for the rollout, implementation, activation of strategic sustainability plans and solutions, with a focus on achieving the short- and long-term sustainability goals of the company.
From Data Breaches to Ransomware: Building Cyber Resilience in Guest-Facing Industries
Speakers:
Gary Ooi
Information Technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry across the Asia Pacific region. Demonstrated expertise in IT strategy, hotel pre‑opening and operations, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data privacy, infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud adoption, and project delivery.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Ivan Ng
With 30 years of experience leading global businesses and digital teams, Ivan brings deep expertise in international markets, digital strategy, and risk governance. He has extensive experience in growth markets, gained through 16 years of operating businesses while based in China, Japan, the US, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Currently Chief Technology Officer at CDL, Ivan was President of Strategic Business at Pactera, where he grew international markets for one of China’s largest services companies for its NASDAQ IPO, and Asia Managing Director of ServiceNow, where he established its Greater China and ASEAN businesses.
A Senior Accredited Director, Ivan serves on the boards of digital companies, the Singapore Institute of Directors, Singapore IT Management Association, and as an advisor to national institutions like EDB Investments, National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic, and Gardens by the Bay. In 2018, he was conferred the NUS Outstanding Alumni Award.
Ivan Ng
Currently Chief Technology Officer at CDL, Ivan was President of Strategic Business at Pactera, where he grew international markets for one of China’s largest services companies for its NASDAQ IPO, and Asia Managing Director of ServiceNow, where he established its Greater China and ASEAN businesses.
A Senior Accredited Director, Ivan serves on the boards of digital companies, the Singapore Institute of Directors, Singapore IT Management Association, and as an advisor to national institutions like EDB Investments, National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic, and Gardens by the Bay. In 2018, he was conferred the NUS Outstanding Alumni Award.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Rise of QSR and Retail Brands From the East, Driving Innovation Through Technology
The Connected Consumer: Technology, Convenience and The Future of Food Ordering
Speakers:
Benjamin Boh
Benjamin boh’s bio: Ben is the Regional Vice President of Domino’s Pizza, covering 30 markets and over 5,500 restaurants in Asia, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Domino’s Pizza, Ben spent 12 years at McDonald’s, 2 years at Analytic Partners and 5 years at Procter & Gamble. He comes with a wealth of experience in the F&B, FMCG and consulting industries after working across industries, markets and functions in the past 18 years since he graduated from Singapore Management University.
Outside of Domino’s Pizza, Ben also serves as President of Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), council member for Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and member for the most recently formed Economic Strategy Review board, specifically on the “Impact of Restructuring” committee.
Benjamin Boh
Benjamin boh’s bio: Ben is the Regional Vice President of Domino’s Pizza, covering 30 markets and over 5,500 restaurants in Asia, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Domino’s Pizza, Ben spent 12 years at McDonald’s, 2 years at Analytic Partners and 5 years at Procter & Gamble. He comes with a wealth of experience in the F&B, FMCG and consulting industries after working across industries, markets and functions in the past 18 years since he graduated from Singapore Management University.
Outside of Domino’s Pizza, Ben also serves as President of Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), council member for Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and member for the most recently formed Economic Strategy Review board, specifically on the “Impact of Restructuring” committee.
Paul Savuria
Paul Desmond Savuriar is the Business Development Manager, Southeast Asia at GlobalData Plc, a leading provider of data, research, and analytics that power strategic decisions across the Food & Beverage ecosystem.
With over a decade of experience helping businesses identify the right solutions for growth in Southeast Asia, Paul specialises in translating complex market dynamics into commercial opportunity. At GlobalData, he works closely with QSR brands, food manufacturers, retail innovators and tech partners — leveraging proprietary data and trend forecasting to unlock future-ready strategies.
Paul’s work focuses on how shifting economic forces, evolving consumer behaviour, and technological disruption are reshaping the regional QSR landscape. His insights help organisations anticipate demand, optimise digital engagement, and forecast growth — including long-term consumption and channel forecasts across quick-service, delivery, and digital ordering formats through 2030.
Recognised for his practical yet forward-looking approach, Paul delivers research-backed perspectives that bridge data intelligence with real-world execution.
Paul Savuria
Paul Desmond Savuriar is the Business Development Manager, Southeast Asia at GlobalData Plc, a leading provider of data, research, and analytics that power strategic decisions across the Food & Beverage ecosystem.
With over a decade of experience helping businesses identify the right solutions for growth in Southeast Asia, Paul specialises in translating complex market dynamics into commercial opportunity. At GlobalData, he works closely with QSR brands, food manufacturers, retail innovators and tech partners — leveraging proprietary data and trend forecasting to unlock future-ready strategies.
Paul’s work focuses on how shifting economic forces, evolving consumer behaviour, and technological disruption are reshaping the regional QSR landscape. His insights help organisations anticipate demand, optimise digital engagement, and forecast growth — including long-term consumption and channel forecasts across quick-service, delivery, and digital ordering formats through 2030.
Recognised for his practical yet forward-looking approach, Paul delivers research-backed perspectives that bridge data intelligence with real-world execution.
Ravi Nahappan
Ravi Nahappan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rolo Robotics, a food-tech automation company developing modular autonomous micro-kitchen platforms that combine robotics, AI and smart vending to deliver freshly prepared food on demand. He also founded Foodsta Kitchens, a next-generation restaurant company operating across Singapore and India, focused on tech-enabled food brands and scalable cloud kitchen concepts.
An entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience spanning food-tech, robotics, investment banking and FMCG, Ravi previously worked as a FIG specialist analyst and broker in London and Zurich with Fox-Pitt Kelton and Credit Suisse. He holds engineering and finance degrees from University College London, the University of Warwick and Cass Business School.
Ravi Nahappan
Ravi Nahappan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rolo Robotics, a food-tech automation company developing modular autonomous micro-kitchen platforms that combine robotics, AI and smart vending to deliver freshly prepared food on demand. He also founded Foodsta Kitchens, a next-generation restaurant company operating across Singapore and India, focused on tech-enabled food brands and scalable cloud kitchen concepts.
An entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience spanning food-tech, robotics, investment banking and FMCG, Ravi previously worked as a FIG specialist analyst and broker in London and Zurich with Fox-Pitt Kelton and Credit Suisse. He holds engineering and finance degrees from University College London, the University of Warwick and Cass Business School.
Why Unified Commerce is No Longer Optional: The New Retail Imperative
Change Management & Upskilling for Tech Adoption and Data Decision Making
Moderated by:
Joseph Ong
1-Group (formerly 1-Rochester Group) was founded by Managing Director, Joseph Ong during his last year in Manchester Business School. What was a final year project led him to become a leading figure in Singapore’s F&B and entertainment scene. 20 years on, under Joseph’s ‘Collective Leadership’ approach, the group has expanded its services to 30 different concepts including restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, in addition to wedding and event planning, as well as F&B consultancy, yielding over $75 million of revenue from its Lifestyle-F&B businesses alone.
Prior to 1-Group, Joseph built a career with Ernst and Young, KPMG and Arther Andersen before joining Symantec in 2005, a Fortune 500 company, and subsequently took on the role as regional Head of Finance for Asia Pacific and Japan. In 2013, he transferred to the sales team, and eventually became the youngest Vice President of sales in the region.
Joseph is also active outside of his commitment to 1-Group as he is currently a board member of the Artshouse Ltd (a public company limited by guarantee under the National Arts Council) and an honorary advisor of Singapore Nightlife Business Association, being a past President. Additionally, he was also part of Singapore’s Future Economy Council’s Lifestyle Cluster Subcommittee.
In his capacity as a Fellow at the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology (NCMT) at NTU, Joseph harnesses the center’s deep expertise in business and consumer behavior to bridge the gap between traditional marketing and technological innovation. His commitment to bridging industry and academia is further reflected in his appointment to the Industry Advisory Committee at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), specifically within the School of Business (Hospitality & Tourism).
Joseph believes that 1-Group is a living example that the concept of ‘Collective Leadership’ is set to help companies overcome limitations imposed by the traditional leadership model. It can be applied to emerging Y and Z generation leaders, inspiring them be more involved, relevant, and impactful, leading to business successes. Learnings of ‘Collective Leadership’ can be found in ‘remote-EntrepreneurshipTM’. This ground-breaking book, which he published in 2015, was fundamental in shifting traditional perspectives on entrepreneurship and decentralised leadership.
Joseph Ong
1-Group (formerly 1-Rochester Group) was founded by Managing Director, Joseph Ong during his last year in Manchester Business School. What was a final year project led him to become a leading figure in Singapore’s F&B and entertainment scene. 20 years on, under Joseph’s ‘Collective Leadership’ approach, the group has expanded its services to 30 different concepts including restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, in addition to wedding and event planning, as well as F&B consultancy, yielding over $75 million of revenue from its Lifestyle-F&B businesses alone.
Prior to 1-Group, Joseph built a career with Ernst and Young, KPMG and Arther Andersen before joining Symantec in 2005, a Fortune 500 company, and subsequently took on the role as regional Head of Finance for Asia Pacific and Japan. In 2013, he transferred to the sales team, and eventually became the youngest Vice President of sales in the region.
Joseph is also active outside of his commitment to 1-Group as he is currently a board member of the Artshouse Ltd (a public company limited by guarantee under the National Arts Council) and an honorary advisor of Singapore Nightlife Business Association, being a past President. Additionally, he was also part of Singapore’s Future Economy Council’s Lifestyle Cluster Subcommittee.
In his capacity as a Fellow at the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology (NCMT) at NTU, Joseph harnesses the center’s deep expertise in business and consumer behavior to bridge the gap between traditional marketing and technological innovation. His commitment to bridging industry and academia is further reflected in his appointment to the Industry Advisory Committee at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), specifically within the School of Business (Hospitality & Tourism).
Joseph believes that 1-Group is a living example that the concept of ‘Collective Leadership’ is set to help companies overcome limitations imposed by the traditional leadership model. It can be applied to emerging Y and Z generation leaders, inspiring them be more involved, relevant, and impactful, leading to business successes. Learnings of ‘Collective Leadership’ can be found in ‘remote-EntrepreneurshipTM’. This ground-breaking book, which he published in 2015, was fundamental in shifting traditional perspectives on entrepreneurship and decentralised leadership.
Speakers:
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Lunch Break
AI Driving Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience in Hospitality, Retail, and Foodservice
Speakers:
Frederick Kang
Frederick was the Global Restaurant Technology Manager at Yum! Brands, responsible for regional technology strategy and franchise digital alignment. With 12 years of experience across hospitality and restaurant systems, he previously led enterprise POS implementation and integration initiatives at Oracle and supported large-scale hotel transformation programs at Marriott International. He combines operational experience in F&B with enterprise-level technology leadership, focusing on translating technological complexity into practical, scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, improve data visibility, and drive long-term brand value.
Frederick Kang
Frederick was the Global Restaurant Technology Manager at Yum! Brands, responsible for regional technology strategy and franchise digital alignment. With 12 years of experience across hospitality and restaurant systems, he previously led enterprise POS implementation and integration initiatives at Oracle and supported large-scale hotel transformation programs at Marriott International. He combines operational experience in F&B with enterprise-level technology leadership, focusing on translating technological complexity into practical, scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, improve data visibility, and drive long-term brand value.
Shawn Sengupta
As the Asia-Pacific Head of Digital and Technology, Shawn Sengupta is focused on advancing CBRE’s technology platform with the company’s employees and clients in the region. In this role, he spearheads strategy and operational initiatives that accelerate business growth by leveraging CBRE’s proprietary data footprint and enhancing integration of artificial intelligence to enhance CBRE’s service delivery across all business segments. His prior experience includes several years at Microsoft and Deloitte Consulting, where he led the development of growth and transformation strategies for a wide-range of technology-enabled businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area resulting in $5B+ savings and $20B+ increase in market share. Shawn has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Shawn Sengupta
As the Asia-Pacific Head of Digital and Technology, Shawn Sengupta is focused on advancing CBRE’s technology platform with the company’s employees and clients in the region. In this role, he spearheads strategy and operational initiatives that accelerate business growth by leveraging CBRE’s proprietary data footprint and enhancing integration of artificial intelligence to enhance CBRE’s service delivery across all business segments. His prior experience includes several years at Microsoft and Deloitte Consulting, where he led the development of growth and transformation strategies for a wide-range of technology-enabled businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area resulting in $5B+ savings and $20B+ increase in market share. Shawn has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Case Study: Innovation and Trends from Non-Commercial Food Operators
Speakers:
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Leveraging Data to Drive Revenue & Guest Loyalty
Moderated by:
Derrick Leaw
Derrick Leaw is the Sales Director at RestoSuite, an end-to-end F&B technology platform supporting restaurants across SMB and enterprise segments. With over 10 years of experience in F&B operations and 7+ years in POS and SaaS sales, Derrick has worked closely with multi-outlet brands, chain restaurants, and emerging concepts to drive operational efficiency and scalable growth through technology. He specializes in CRM-centric strategies, multi-outlet management, and data-driven decision-making, helping operators future-proof their businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Derrick Leaw
Derrick Leaw is the Sales Director at RestoSuite, an end-to-end F&B technology platform supporting restaurants across SMB and enterprise segments. With over 10 years of experience in F&B operations and 7+ years in POS and SaaS sales, Derrick has worked closely with multi-outlet brands, chain restaurants, and emerging concepts to drive operational efficiency and scalable growth through technology. He specializes in CRM-centric strategies, multi-outlet management, and data-driven decision-making, helping operators future-proof their businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Speakers:
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
The AI-Powered Middleman: How Smart Aggregators are Revolutionising Customer Discovery
Speakers:
Alex Hau
Alex Hau’s career spans advertising agencies, digital marketing leadership at Colgate-Palmolive Asia, and hospitality technology. At Marriott International, he led guest-facing platforms and the technology integration of strategic partnerships across APAC. Now a technology strategy consultant, he also serves as Singapore Co-Lead for The AI Collective, a global non-profit with 150,000+ members.
Alex Hau
Alex Hau’s career spans advertising agencies, digital marketing leadership at Colgate-Palmolive Asia, and hospitality technology. At Marriott International, he led guest-facing platforms and the technology integration of strategic partnerships across APAC. Now a technology strategy consultant, he also serves as Singapore Co-Lead for The AI Collective, a global non-profit with 150,000+ members.
Ralph Frehner
Ralph Frehner began his career over four decades ago in Switzerland, initially training as an Electrician before discovering his passion for the culinary arts. He refined his craft under the mentorship of Angelo Conti Rossini atthe esteemed Giardino, and later at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel alongside Paul Spuhler. Ralph’s culinary journey continued with prestigious appointments at La Tour D’Argent in Paris and Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan.
In 1988, Ralph relocated to Asia, where he achieved the distinction of a two-star Michelin rating, underscoring his culinary expertise. He also holds certifications as a Dive Master, Ski Patroller, and Master V. In 1990, Ralph joinedHyatt International as Executive Chef, progressing through various leadership roles at Park Hyatt and Grand Hyattproperties across multiple countries, ultimately serving as Corporate Director of Operations for Greater China.
In 2007, Ralph was appointed Director of Operations at MGM Casino, where he oversaw the launch of a new hoteland casino. Four years later, he joined Marriott International in Hong Kong, where he was instrumental inestablishing Food and Beverage operations for the Asia Pacific region. As Vice President of Design Development Operations for Asia Pacific, Ralph dedicated 14 years to Marriott, focusing on brand strategy and the creation of exceptional food and beverage experiences throughout the region.
Ralph is a graduate of the Business School in Zurich, Belvoir Park, and holds an MBA from Hult International Business School. In 2024, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Singapore as Vice President of Operations for Food & Beverage and Design Development. In this capacity, Ralph partners with hotel owners and properties to develop distinctive restaurant concepts for new hotel openings. Leading a team of specialists, he is committed to delivering innovative food and beverage offerings that resonate with both local communities and international travelers, consistently pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity by establishing unique, standalone restaurants that reflect their geographic context.
Ralph Frehner
Ralph Frehner began his career over four decades ago in Switzerland, initially training as an Electrician before discovering his passion for the culinary arts. He refined his craft under the mentorship of Angelo Conti Rossini atthe esteemed Giardino, and later at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel alongside Paul Spuhler. Ralph’s culinary journey continued with prestigious appointments at La Tour D’Argent in Paris and Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan.
In 1988, Ralph relocated to Asia, where he achieved the distinction of a two-star Michelin rating, underscoring his culinary expertise. He also holds certifications as a Dive Master, Ski Patroller, and Master V. In 1990, Ralph joinedHyatt International as Executive Chef, progressing through various leadership roles at Park Hyatt and Grand Hyattproperties across multiple countries, ultimately serving as Corporate Director of Operations for Greater China.
In 2007, Ralph was appointed Director of Operations at MGM Casino, where he oversaw the launch of a new hoteland casino. Four years later, he joined Marriott International in Hong Kong, where he was instrumental inestablishing Food and Beverage operations for the Asia Pacific region. As Vice President of Design Development Operations for Asia Pacific, Ralph dedicated 14 years to Marriott, focusing on brand strategy and the creation of exceptional food and beverage experiences throughout the region.
Ralph is a graduate of the Business School in Zurich, Belvoir Park, and holds an MBA from Hult International Business School. In 2024, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Singapore as Vice President of Operations for Food & Beverage and Design Development. In this capacity, Ralph partners with hotel owners and properties to develop distinctive restaurant concepts for new hotel openings. Leading a team of specialists, he is committed to delivering innovative food and beverage offerings that resonate with both local communities and international travelers, consistently pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity by establishing unique, standalone restaurants that reflect their geographic context.
From Insight to Bite: How AI Will Change What’s on Our Plate by 2030
Moderated by:
Travin Singh
Travin Singh is a founder-operator and food innovation leader working across sustainability, food/agri-tech, and commercial scale-up in APAC. He is currently COO of Future Food Foundry (3F), an agri-tech PE and consolidation platform focused on scaling next-generation food and protein technologies. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of LESS & CO (CRUST, CROP), pioneering circular beverage concepts in Singapore and Japan.
Travin Singh
Travin Singh is a founder-operator and food innovation leader working across sustainability, food/agri-tech, and commercial scale-up in APAC. He is currently COO of Future Food Foundry (3F), an agri-tech PE and consolidation platform focused on scaling next-generation food and protein technologies. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of LESS & CO (CRUST, CROP), pioneering circular beverage concepts in Singapore and Japan.
Speakers:
Alan Lai
Alan is the founder & CEO of ProfilePrint, and the inventor of its patented A.I. Food Fingerprint Technology. Before starting ProfilePrint, he was the Assistant CEO of an investment group focusing on Fintech and digital KYC companies based in Hong Kong. Prior, his professional experiences include heading M&A and investment in the United Kingdom, General Manager South China and Assistant to Group CEO President at a Temasek-owned MNC. He served 8 years as a military officer and is currently a reserved Squadron Commander with the Singapore Air Force. He was a PhD candidate in Operational Research at INSEAD, completed the post-graduate management program at Tsinghua University and graduated with French Singapore Double Engineering degrees (1st Class honours) from Ecole Centrale Paris and National University of Singapore under a government scholarship.
Alan Lai
Alan is the founder & CEO of ProfilePrint, and the inventor of its patented A.I. Food Fingerprint Technology. Before starting ProfilePrint, he was the Assistant CEO of an investment group focusing on Fintech and digital KYC companies based in Hong Kong. Prior, his professional experiences include heading M&A and investment in the United Kingdom, General Manager South China and Assistant to Group CEO President at a Temasek-owned MNC. He served 8 years as a military officer and is currently a reserved Squadron Commander with the Singapore Air Force. He was a PhD candidate in Operational Research at INSEAD, completed the post-graduate management program at Tsinghua University and graduated with French Singapore Double Engineering degrees (1st Class honours) from Ecole Centrale Paris and National University of Singapore under a government scholarship.
Som Gan Choudhuri
Som Gan Choudhuri is the Co-founder of AI Palette, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup recently acquired by GlobalData. AI Palette uses Artificial Intelligence to help the world’s leading F&B and personal care brands identify growth opportunities by spotting and analyzing emerging consumer trends in real time.
Som has spent over a decade working closely with some of the world’s largest FMCG brands, helping them innovate and bring winning products to market. He has also co-authored the book “Consumer-based New Product Development for the Food Industry”, sharing his insights on how businesses can create successful products grounded in consumer needs.
Som’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Top 50 Innovators at the World Innovation Congress, Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow by Tatler magazine, and recipient of the Impact Leader Award by SIAL Malaysia. Passionate about using technology to supercharge product innovation, Som continues to inspire with his vision of making AI a powerful ally for businesses navigating rapidly changing consumer preferences.
Som Gan Choudhuri
Som Gan Choudhuri is the Co-founder of AI Palette, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup recently acquired by GlobalData. AI Palette uses Artificial Intelligence to help the world’s leading F&B and personal care brands identify growth opportunities by spotting and analyzing emerging consumer trends in real time.
Som has spent over a decade working closely with some of the world’s largest FMCG brands, helping them innovate and bring winning products to market. He has also co-authored the book “Consumer-based New Product Development for the Food Industry”, sharing his insights on how businesses can create successful products grounded in consumer needs.
Som’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Top 50 Innovators at the World Innovation Congress, Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow by Tatler magazine, and recipient of the Impact Leader Award by SIAL Malaysia. Passionate about using technology to supercharge product innovation, Som continues to inspire with his vision of making AI a powerful ally for businesses navigating rapidly changing consumer preferences.
Surviving the Squeeze: Reinventing F&B for Resilience in an Era of Rising Costs via Kitchen Automation and Delivery Optimisation Platforms
Speakers:
Moderated by:
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Speakers:
Andrew Chan
Andrew is the co-founder of The Soup Spoon, a homegrown Singapore soup chain with 30 outlets serving wholesome, travel-inspired soup creations for all occasions. He is also Director of SouperFoods, a food manufacturer leveraging innovative technologies such as High Pressure Processing (HPP).
Since founding the company in 2002, Andrew has continuously driven innovation to keep the brand fresh and relevant. A landmark moment came in 2016 when The Soup Spoon invested in a state-of-the-art HPP machine, elevating food innovation and positioning the brand for export and scalable growth.
Beyond building his own business, Andrew is a committed industry contributor. He serves as Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore.
Before entrepreneurship, Andrew built a strong foundation in the corporate world, working across MNCs in technology-driven roles spanning Business Intelligence, CRM, and Web Development — experience that continues to inform his data-savvy, innovation-first approach to running a food business.
Andrew Chan
Andrew is the co-founder of The Soup Spoon, a homegrown Singapore soup chain with 30 outlets serving wholesome, travel-inspired soup creations for all occasions. He is also Director of SouperFoods, a food manufacturer leveraging innovative technologies such as High Pressure Processing (HPP).
Since founding the company in 2002, Andrew has continuously driven innovation to keep the brand fresh and relevant. A landmark moment came in 2016 when The Soup Spoon invested in a state-of-the-art HPP machine, elevating food innovation and positioning the brand for export and scalable growth.
Beyond building his own business, Andrew is a committed industry contributor. He serves as Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore.
Before entrepreneurship, Andrew built a strong foundation in the corporate world, working across MNCs in technology-driven roles spanning Business Intelligence, CRM, and Web Development — experience that continues to inform his data-savvy, innovation-first approach to running a food business.
Patrick Chan
Patrick Chan is the Managing Director of Kitchen Haus Group and President of the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore ACAPS. In 14 years under his leadership, the Group launched nine brands through strategic partnerships and M&A. A 2019 Spirit of Enterprise Award winner, Patrick has been featured on the Jan 2025 cover of The Peak Singapore as a successful 2nd generation entrepreneur. He has spoken to over 4,000 professionals across five countries and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Patrick Chan
Patrick Chan is the Managing Director of Kitchen Haus Group and President of the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore ACAPS. In 14 years under his leadership, the Group launched nine brands through strategic partnerships and M&A. A 2019 Spirit of Enterprise Award winner, Patrick has been featured on the Jan 2025 cover of The Peak Singapore as a successful 2nd generation entrepreneur. He has spoken to over 4,000 professionals across five countries and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Need to Manage Omnichannel Customer Experiences – Integration Challenges Across Online and Offline Touchpoints
Moderated by:
Laveena Mahtani
Laveena Mahtani
Speakers:
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
Sarissa is a powerhouse hospitality entrepreneur and the co-founder of SJS Group, an experience-driven hospitality group known for creating some of Singapore’s most iconic dining and nightlife destinations. With a standout portfolio including LuLu’s Lounge, Papi’s Tacos, Pasta Bar, and the newly launched C.O.T.U, SJS Group is celebrated for its bold concepts, immersive storytelling, and unwavering commitment to quality. As an independent organisation, they have built one of the most diverse hospitality portfolios in Singapore, reshaping the scene through innovation and vision.
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
Sarissa is a powerhouse hospitality entrepreneur and the co-founder of SJS Group, an experience-driven hospitality group known for creating some of Singapore’s most iconic dining and nightlife destinations. With a standout portfolio including LuLu’s Lounge, Papi’s Tacos, Pasta Bar, and the newly launched C.O.T.U, SJS Group is celebrated for its bold concepts, immersive storytelling, and unwavering commitment to quality. As an independent organisation, they have built one of the most diverse hospitality portfolios in Singapore, reshaping the scene through innovation and vision.
Whey Han Tan
Whey-Han is Senior Director of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable, a Booking Holdings company, where he leads and manages the brand’s growth and business in Asia and Middle East. Prior to OpenTable, Whey-Han held senior management positions at AirAsia MOVE, AirAsia’s ultimate travel app, and Xendit, a Southeast Asian fintech unicorn. He also led the APAC commercial team at KAYAK, another Booking Holdings company.
Whey-Han has deep appreciation for the hospitality industry as he co-founded his own F&B concepts in Singapore over 10 years ago. Before his venture into F&B, he was a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Southeast Asia and Deloitte Consulting in the United States. Whey-Han holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Whey Han Tan
Whey-Han is Senior Director of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable, a Booking Holdings company, where he leads and manages the brand’s growth and business in Asia and Middle East. Prior to OpenTable, Whey-Han held senior management positions at AirAsia MOVE, AirAsia’s ultimate travel app, and Xendit, a Southeast Asian fintech unicorn. He also led the APAC commercial team at KAYAK, another Booking Holdings company.
Whey-Han has deep appreciation for the hospitality industry as he co-founded his own F&B concepts in Singapore over 10 years ago. Before his venture into F&B, he was a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Southeast Asia and Deloitte Consulting in the United States. Whey-Han holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Whey Han Tan
Lunch Break
The Great Foodservice Talent Challenge: Navigating Labour Shortages Across APAC Markets
Moderated by:
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Speakers:
Andrew Ing
Andrew brings 40 years of experience in F&B and nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to his role as Chief Operating Officer of OUE Restaurants, where he oversees daily operations.
He is known for applying a strong hospitality mindset, progressive people practices, and brand-building expertise to drive business performance and strengthen teams.
Previously, Andrew spent nine years with The Lo & Behold Group and held leadership roles at St James Holdings and The Filter Group. He also served as Marketing Manager of Zouk Singapore, where he launched the first ZoukOut festival in 2000, and earlier worked in Hong Kong’s live entertainment industry.
Originally from Sydney, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales.
Andrew Ing
Andrew brings 40 years of experience in F&B and nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to his role as Chief Operating Officer of OUE Restaurants, where he oversees daily operations.
He is known for applying a strong hospitality mindset, progressive people practices, and brand-building expertise to drive business performance and strengthen teams.
Previously, Andrew spent nine years with The Lo & Behold Group and held leadership roles at St James Holdings and The Filter Group. He also served as Marketing Manager of Zouk Singapore, where he launched the first ZoukOut festival in 2000, and earlier worked in Hong Kong’s live entertainment industry.
Originally from Sydney, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
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FutureFWD 2026 Agenda
Opening Ceremony
The Digital Transformation Journey for Hospitality: Balancing Technology and Humanity in Hospitality 2026
Session Description
Speakers:
Khang Nguyen Trieu
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Khang Nguyen Trieu chairs the Robotics Task Force within the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Committee, sits on the Singapore Tourism Board’s Tcube innovation workgroup, and serves on the Board of the International French School of Singapore. A Singapore-based fractional CIO/CTO with 25+ years in technology across Europe and Asia, he has held leadership roles in strategy and delivery. In France he worked in leading consultancies, co-founded a startup in the early 2000s, and spent twelve years in tech leadership at www.voyages-sncf.com (now SNCF Connect), an Expedia–SNCF joint venture and one of Europe’s largest online travel platforms. In 2016 he moved to Singapore, later serving as APAC CIO and then Group Chief Technology Architect at Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups (40+ brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman, Novotel, Ibis; 5,500+ hotels).
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Lunch Break
The End of Hospitality as We Know It: Why Transformation is Our Greatest Opportunity
Keynote Description
Speakers:
Rachel Loh
As Executive Director of Hospitality & Tourism Talent, Ms Rachel Loh drives the strategic transformation of Singapore’s hospitality industry while spearheading human capital development across the tourism sector. Her dual portfolio encompasses forging strong industry partnerships to drive sustainable growth and innovation in hospitality, identifying emerging opportunities and implementing forward-thinking solutions that shape Singapore’s hospitality landscape, while also leading the development of robust talent pipelines through strategic policy formulation and programmes.
Rachel Loh
As Executive Director of Hospitality & Tourism Talent, Ms Rachel Loh drives the strategic transformation of Singapore’s hospitality industry while spearheading human capital development across the tourism sector. Her dual portfolio encompasses forging strong industry partnerships to drive sustainable growth and innovation in hospitality, identifying emerging opportunities and implementing forward-thinking solutions that shape Singapore’s hospitality landscape, while also leading the development of robust talent pipelines through strategic policy formulation and programmes.
Future-Ready Hotels: Innovating for People, Planet and Profit
Session Description
Hosted by:
Andrew Cameron
With two decades of experience in procurement, supply chain strategy, and hospitality innovation, Andrew has supported HotelTech and CleanTech market entry, advised global operators on Scope 3 emissions and waste reduction, and partnered with innovators shaping the next wave of food and beverage technologies. He previously led Accor’s global transition away from single-use plastics, established the group’s Southeast Asia Procurement Department, and directed the beverage program for the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends Group.
Winner of the AustCham Start-Up of the Year Award (2023), a Judge for the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge, and a nominee for Global Procurement Leader of the Year, Andrew is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on how sustainability creates business value. His approach is pragmatic, inclusive, and experience-centric, balancing nature-based solutions with high-tech innovation to help food and hospitality businesses thrive in a fast-evolving landscape.
Andrew Cameron
With two decades of experience in procurement, supply chain strategy, and hospitality innovation, Andrew has supported HotelTech and CleanTech market entry, advised global operators on Scope 3 emissions and waste reduction, and partnered with innovators shaping the next wave of food and beverage technologies. He previously led Accor’s global transition away from single-use plastics, established the group’s Southeast Asia Procurement Department, and directed the beverage program for the Michelin-starred Burnt Ends Group.
Winner of the AustCham Start-Up of the Year Award (2023), a Judge for the CapitaLand Sustainability X Challenge, and a nominee for Global Procurement Leader of the Year, Andrew is also a frequent lecturer and speaker on how sustainability creates business value. His approach is pragmatic, inclusive, and experience-centric, balancing nature-based solutions with high-tech innovation to help food and hospitality businesses thrive in a fast-evolving landscape.
Speakers:
Khang Nguyen Trieu
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Khang Nguyen Trieu chairs the Robotics Task Force within the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Committee, sits on the Singapore Tourism Board’s Tcube innovation workgroup, and serves on the Board of the International French School of Singapore. A Singapore-based fractional CIO/CTO with 25+ years in technology across Europe and Asia, he has held leadership roles in strategy and delivery. In France he worked in leading consultancies, co-founded a startup in the early 2000s, and spent twelve years in tech leadership at www.voyages-sncf.com (now SNCF Connect), an Expedia–SNCF joint venture and one of Europe’s largest online travel platforms. In 2016 he moved to Singapore, later serving as APAC CIO and then Group Chief Technology Architect at Accor, one of the world’s largest hospitality groups (40+ brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Pullman, Novotel, Ibis; 5,500+ hotels).
His community roles reflect two convictions: education shapes the next generation, and responsible technology should improve businesses and society.
From tech legacy to AI: Khang’s work sits where ageing systems and siloed ways of working meet board-level pressure to “add AI now.” He understands the pain of technical debt – in systems, processes, and mindsets – and the CIO’s challenge of cutting complexity while building future capabilities. His belief: technology becomes power when Systems × AI × Tech People are aligned with the business – ethically and sustainably. His north star is practical progress that creates value, reduces waste and risk, lowers carbon and grows people.
Today, as founder of The Way Forward, he partners with Travel & Hospitality leaders across APAC to turn technology into a visible business driver. He aligns Systems × AI × Tech People to deliver outcomes executives care about: focus and alignment between business and tech, lower cost-to-serve, faster time-to-market, greater resilience and sustainability, and safer, value-focused AI adoption. He also runs Geek to Star, a capability program that develops engineers into trusted business partners, extending his commitment to education inside organizations.
Ricarda Schneider
As Director of Sustainability, Ricarda leads Marriott International’s sustainability charge in APEC, working closely with key stakeholders across all disciplines both in the region and with corporate headquarters. She is responsible for the rollout, implementation, activation of strategic sustainability plans and solutions, with a focus on achieving the short- and long-term sustainability goals of the company.
Ricarda Schneider
As Director of Sustainability, Ricarda leads Marriott International’s sustainability charge in APEC, working closely with key stakeholders across all disciplines both in the region and with corporate headquarters. She is responsible for the rollout, implementation, activation of strategic sustainability plans and solutions, with a focus on achieving the short- and long-term sustainability goals of the company.
From Data Breaches to Ransomware: Building Cyber Resilience in Guest-Facing Industries
Session Description
Speakers:
Gary Ooi
Information Technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry across the Asia Pacific region. Demonstrated expertise in IT strategy, hotel pre‑opening and operations, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data privacy, infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud adoption, and project delivery.
Gary Ooi
Information Technology leader with over 20 years of experience in the luxury hospitality industry across the Asia Pacific region. Demonstrated expertise in IT strategy, hotel pre‑opening and operations, digital transformation, cybersecurity, data privacy, infrastructure, enterprise applications, cloud adoption, and project delivery.
Ivan Ng
With 30 years of experience leading global businesses and digital teams, Ivan brings deep expertise in international markets, digital strategy, and risk governance. He has extensive experience in growth markets, gained through 16 years of operating businesses while based in China, Japan, the US, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Currently Chief Technology Officer at CDL, Ivan was President of Strategic Business at Pactera, where he grew international markets for one of China’s largest services companies for its NASDAQ IPO, and Asia Managing Director of ServiceNow, where he established its Greater China and ASEAN businesses.
A Senior Accredited Director, Ivan serves on the boards of digital companies, the Singapore Institute of Directors, Singapore IT Management Association, and as an advisor to national institutions like EDB Investments, National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic, and Gardens by the Bay. In 2018, he was conferred the NUS Outstanding Alumni Award.
Ivan Ng
Currently Chief Technology Officer at CDL, Ivan was President of Strategic Business at Pactera, where he grew international markets for one of China’s largest services companies for its NASDAQ IPO, and Asia Managing Director of ServiceNow, where he established its Greater China and ASEAN businesses.
A Senior Accredited Director, Ivan serves on the boards of digital companies, the Singapore Institute of Directors, Singapore IT Management Association, and as an advisor to national institutions like EDB Investments, National University of Singapore, Temasek Polytechnic, and Gardens by the Bay. In 2018, he was conferred the NUS Outstanding Alumni Award.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Welly Jamin
Welly is a seasoned hotelier with over 20 years of leadership experience, having served as General Manager and VP Operations across Australia, China and Singapore. Now leading the group’s Technology and Innovations team to drive operational efficiency, elevate guest experiences, and enhance digital marketing effectiveness.
Bringing a unique blend of strategic insight and hands-on operational expertise, Welly has played a key role in the transformation of the group’s digital landscape. He has successfully introduced technology solutions that power the group’s membership programs, streamline operations, strengthen digital distribution channels, and genAI based chatbot to improve customer service and streamline guest communication.
He holds a B.Eng from Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada and an EMBA from the AGSM University of NSW, Australia.
Rise of QSR and Retail Brands From the East, Driving Innovation Through Technology
Session Description
The Connected Consumer: Technology, Convenience and The Future of Food Ordering
Session Description
Speakers:
Benjamin Boh
Benjamin boh’s bio: Ben is the Regional Vice President of Domino’s Pizza, covering 30 markets and over 5,500 restaurants in Asia, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Domino’s Pizza, Ben spent 12 years at McDonald’s, 2 years at Analytic Partners and 5 years at Procter & Gamble. He comes with a wealth of experience in the F&B, FMCG and consulting industries after working across industries, markets and functions in the past 18 years since he graduated from Singapore Management University.
Outside of Domino’s Pizza, Ben also serves as President of Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), council member for Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and member for the most recently formed Economic Strategy Review board, specifically on the “Impact of Restructuring” committee.
Benjamin Boh
Benjamin boh’s bio: Ben is the Regional Vice President of Domino’s Pizza, covering 30 markets and over 5,500 restaurants in Asia, Middle East and Africa. Prior to Domino’s Pizza, Ben spent 12 years at McDonald’s, 2 years at Analytic Partners and 5 years at Procter & Gamble. He comes with a wealth of experience in the F&B, FMCG and consulting industries after working across industries, markets and functions in the past 18 years since he graduated from Singapore Management University.
Outside of Domino’s Pizza, Ben also serves as President of Restaurant Association of Singapore (RAS), council member for Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) and member for the most recently formed Economic Strategy Review board, specifically on the “Impact of Restructuring” committee.
Paul Savuria
Paul Desmond Savuriar is the Business Development Manager, Southeast Asia at GlobalData Plc, a leading provider of data, research, and analytics that power strategic decisions across the Food & Beverage ecosystem.
With over a decade of experience helping businesses identify the right solutions for growth in Southeast Asia, Paul specialises in translating complex market dynamics into commercial opportunity. At GlobalData, he works closely with QSR brands, food manufacturers, retail innovators and tech partners — leveraging proprietary data and trend forecasting to unlock future-ready strategies.
Paul’s work focuses on how shifting economic forces, evolving consumer behaviour, and technological disruption are reshaping the regional QSR landscape. His insights help organisations anticipate demand, optimise digital engagement, and forecast growth — including long-term consumption and channel forecasts across quick-service, delivery, and digital ordering formats through 2030.
Recognised for his practical yet forward-looking approach, Paul delivers research-backed perspectives that bridge data intelligence with real-world execution.
Paul Savuria
Paul Desmond Savuriar is the Business Development Manager, Southeast Asia at GlobalData Plc, a leading provider of data, research, and analytics that power strategic decisions across the Food & Beverage ecosystem.
With over a decade of experience helping businesses identify the right solutions for growth in Southeast Asia, Paul specialises in translating complex market dynamics into commercial opportunity. At GlobalData, he works closely with QSR brands, food manufacturers, retail innovators and tech partners — leveraging proprietary data and trend forecasting to unlock future-ready strategies.
Paul’s work focuses on how shifting economic forces, evolving consumer behaviour, and technological disruption are reshaping the regional QSR landscape. His insights help organisations anticipate demand, optimise digital engagement, and forecast growth — including long-term consumption and channel forecasts across quick-service, delivery, and digital ordering formats through 2030.
Recognised for his practical yet forward-looking approach, Paul delivers research-backed perspectives that bridge data intelligence with real-world execution.
Ravi Nahappan
Ravi Nahappan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rolo Robotics, a food-tech automation company developing modular autonomous micro-kitchen platforms that combine robotics, AI and smart vending to deliver freshly prepared food on demand. He also founded Foodsta Kitchens, a next-generation restaurant company operating across Singapore and India, focused on tech-enabled food brands and scalable cloud kitchen concepts.
An entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience spanning food-tech, robotics, investment banking and FMCG, Ravi previously worked as a FIG specialist analyst and broker in London and Zurich with Fox-Pitt Kelton and Credit Suisse. He holds engineering and finance degrees from University College London, the University of Warwick and Cass Business School.
Ravi Nahappan
Ravi Nahappan is the Co-Founder and CEO of Rolo Robotics, a food-tech automation company developing modular autonomous micro-kitchen platforms that combine robotics, AI and smart vending to deliver freshly prepared food on demand. He also founded Foodsta Kitchens, a next-generation restaurant company operating across Singapore and India, focused on tech-enabled food brands and scalable cloud kitchen concepts.
An entrepreneur with over 20 years of international experience spanning food-tech, robotics, investment banking and FMCG, Ravi previously worked as a FIG specialist analyst and broker in London and Zurich with Fox-Pitt Kelton and Credit Suisse. He holds engineering and finance degrees from University College London, the University of Warwick and Cass Business School.
Why Unified Commerce is No Longer Optional: The New Retail Imperative
Session Description
Change Management & Upskilling for Tech Adoption and Data Decision Making
Session Description
Moderated by:
Joseph Ong
1-Group (formerly 1-Rochester Group) was founded by Managing Director, Joseph Ong during his last year in Manchester Business School. What was a final year project led him to become a leading figure in Singapore’s F&B and entertainment scene. 20 years on, under Joseph’s ‘Collective Leadership’ approach, the group has expanded its services to 30 different concepts including restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, in addition to wedding and event planning, as well as F&B consultancy, yielding over $75 million of revenue from its Lifestyle-F&B businesses alone.
Prior to 1-Group, Joseph built a career with Ernst and Young, KPMG and Arther Andersen before joining Symantec in 2005, a Fortune 500 company, and subsequently took on the role as regional Head of Finance for Asia Pacific and Japan. In 2013, he transferred to the sales team, and eventually became the youngest Vice President of sales in the region.
Joseph is also active outside of his commitment to 1-Group as he is currently a board member of the Artshouse Ltd (a public company limited by guarantee under the National Arts Council) and an honorary advisor of Singapore Nightlife Business Association, being a past President. Additionally, he was also part of Singapore’s Future Economy Council’s Lifestyle Cluster Subcommittee.
In his capacity as a Fellow at the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology (NCMT) at NTU, Joseph harnesses the center’s deep expertise in business and consumer behavior to bridge the gap between traditional marketing and technological innovation. His commitment to bridging industry and academia is further reflected in his appointment to the Industry Advisory Committee at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), specifically within the School of Business (Hospitality & Tourism).
Joseph believes that 1-Group is a living example that the concept of ‘Collective Leadership’ is set to help companies overcome limitations imposed by the traditional leadership model. It can be applied to emerging Y and Z generation leaders, inspiring them be more involved, relevant, and impactful, leading to business successes. Learnings of ‘Collective Leadership’ can be found in ‘remote-EntrepreneurshipTM’. This ground-breaking book, which he published in 2015, was fundamental in shifting traditional perspectives on entrepreneurship and decentralised leadership.
Joseph Ong
1-Group (formerly 1-Rochester Group) was founded by Managing Director, Joseph Ong during his last year in Manchester Business School. What was a final year project led him to become a leading figure in Singapore’s F&B and entertainment scene. 20 years on, under Joseph’s ‘Collective Leadership’ approach, the group has expanded its services to 30 different concepts including restaurants, bars, clubs and cafes, in addition to wedding and event planning, as well as F&B consultancy, yielding over $75 million of revenue from its Lifestyle-F&B businesses alone.
Prior to 1-Group, Joseph built a career with Ernst and Young, KPMG and Arther Andersen before joining Symantec in 2005, a Fortune 500 company, and subsequently took on the role as regional Head of Finance for Asia Pacific and Japan. In 2013, he transferred to the sales team, and eventually became the youngest Vice President of sales in the region.
Joseph is also active outside of his commitment to 1-Group as he is currently a board member of the Artshouse Ltd (a public company limited by guarantee under the National Arts Council) and an honorary advisor of Singapore Nightlife Business Association, being a past President. Additionally, he was also part of Singapore’s Future Economy Council’s Lifestyle Cluster Subcommittee.
In his capacity as a Fellow at the Nanyang Centre for Marketing and Technology (NCMT) at NTU, Joseph harnesses the center’s deep expertise in business and consumer behavior to bridge the gap between traditional marketing and technological innovation. His commitment to bridging industry and academia is further reflected in his appointment to the Industry Advisory Committee at the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT), specifically within the School of Business (Hospitality & Tourism).
Joseph believes that 1-Group is a living example that the concept of ‘Collective Leadership’ is set to help companies overcome limitations imposed by the traditional leadership model. It can be applied to emerging Y and Z generation leaders, inspiring them be more involved, relevant, and impactful, leading to business successes. Learnings of ‘Collective Leadership’ can be found in ‘remote-EntrepreneurshipTM’. This ground-breaking book, which he published in 2015, was fundamental in shifting traditional perspectives on entrepreneurship and decentralised leadership.
Speakers:
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Lunch Break
AI Driving Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience in Hospitality, Retail, and Foodservice
Keynote Description
Speakers:
Frederick Kang
Frederick was the Global Restaurant Technology Manager at Yum! Brands, responsible for regional technology strategy and franchise digital alignment. With 12 years of experience across hospitality and restaurant systems, he previously led enterprise POS implementation and integration initiatives at Oracle and supported large-scale hotel transformation programs at Marriott International. He combines operational experience in F&B with enterprise-level technology leadership, focusing on translating technological complexity into practical, scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, improve data visibility, and drive long-term brand value.
Frederick Kang
Frederick was the Global Restaurant Technology Manager at Yum! Brands, responsible for regional technology strategy and franchise digital alignment. With 12 years of experience across hospitality and restaurant systems, he previously led enterprise POS implementation and integration initiatives at Oracle and supported large-scale hotel transformation programs at Marriott International. He combines operational experience in F&B with enterprise-level technology leadership, focusing on translating technological complexity into practical, scalable solutions that enhance efficiency, improve data visibility, and drive long-term brand value.
Shawn Sengupta
As the Asia-Pacific Head of Digital and Technology, Shawn Sengupta is focused on advancing CBRE’s technology platform with the company’s employees and clients in the region. In this role, he spearheads strategy and operational initiatives that accelerate business growth by leveraging CBRE’s proprietary data footprint and enhancing integration of artificial intelligence to enhance CBRE’s service delivery across all business segments. His prior experience includes several years at Microsoft and Deloitte Consulting, where he led the development of growth and transformation strategies for a wide-range of technology-enabled businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area resulting in $5B+ savings and $20B+ increase in market share. Shawn has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Shawn Sengupta
As the Asia-Pacific Head of Digital and Technology, Shawn Sengupta is focused on advancing CBRE’s technology platform with the company’s employees and clients in the region. In this role, he spearheads strategy and operational initiatives that accelerate business growth by leveraging CBRE’s proprietary data footprint and enhancing integration of artificial intelligence to enhance CBRE’s service delivery across all business segments. His prior experience includes several years at Microsoft and Deloitte Consulting, where he led the development of growth and transformation strategies for a wide-range of technology-enabled businesses in the San Francisco Bay Area resulting in $5B+ savings and $20B+ increase in market share. Shawn has an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin and a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Drexel University in Philadelphia.
Case Study: Innovation and Trends from Non-Commercial Food Operators
Session Description
Speakers:
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Suresh Kumar
Suresh Kumar serves as Global Chief Operating Officer of Plaza Premium Group (PPG), the world’s leading independent airport hospitality company. Since his appointment in January 2023, he has been responsible for driving the Group’s operational performance, service excellence, and strategic growth across multiple markets, supporting PPG’s continued global expansion.
In his role, Suresh provides executive leadership across PPG’s diverse portfolio, including airport lounges, Aerotel in-terminal hotels, global Food & Beverage operations, airport passenger services, customer engagement and contact centres, quality assurance, facilities management, insurance operations, and pre-opening projects. His leadership spans Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North America, Oceania, and the Americas, ensuring consistent service standards and strong brand alignment across the Group’s international network.
Suresh joined PPG in 2019 as Global Director of Hotels & Customer Engagement, where he established the Aerotel Hotel Division now the world’s largest in-terminal hotel brand and built the Group’s global customer engagement and service excellence framework. He was promoted to Deputy Chief Operating Officer in 2022 before assuming his current role. Throughout his tenure, he has led enterprise-wide initiatives focused on ISO compliance, process optimisation, and the adoption of global best practices in hospitality operations and governance.
With over three decades of leadership experience in luxury hospitality, Suresh brings deep expertise in corporate leadership, commercial strategy, revenue management, pre-openings, and complex multi-market operations. His career includes senior roles with renowned global hospitality brands such as Shangri-La, InterContinental, Mulia, Alila, and Ascott Residences, as well as independent luxury operators across Asia-Pacific and China. His professional journey across Malaysia, Hong Kong, Fiji, Indonesia, the Philippines, and China has given him a strong cross-cultural perspective and a proven ability to lead at scale.
A graduate of César Ritz Colleges, Suresh contributes to the global travel and aviation community as a panelist for Airports Council International (ACI) World, sharing insights on traveller trends and airport experience enhancement. Guided by a leadership philosophy centred on people development and service innovation, he continues to champion PPG’s mission to make travel better for passengers worldwide.
Leveraging Data to Drive Revenue & Guest Loyalty
Session Description
Moderated by:
Derrick Leaw
Derrick Leaw is the Sales Director at RestoSuite, an end-to-end F&B technology platform supporting restaurants across SMB and enterprise segments. With over 10 years of experience in F&B operations and 7+ years in POS and SaaS sales, Derrick has worked closely with multi-outlet brands, chain restaurants, and emerging concepts to drive operational efficiency and scalable growth through technology. He specializes in CRM-centric strategies, multi-outlet management, and data-driven decision-making, helping operators future-proof their businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Derrick Leaw
Derrick Leaw is the Sales Director at RestoSuite, an end-to-end F&B technology platform supporting restaurants across SMB and enterprise segments. With over 10 years of experience in F&B operations and 7+ years in POS and SaaS sales, Derrick has worked closely with multi-outlet brands, chain restaurants, and emerging concepts to drive operational efficiency and scalable growth through technology. He specializes in CRM-centric strategies, multi-outlet management, and data-driven decision-making, helping operators future-proof their businesses in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Speakers:
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin, Ph.D. is an Associate Professor of hospitality and tourism management at Singapore Institute of Technology. His expertise includes customer experiential design, luxury consumption, and technology-induced service delivery design.
Dr Poom is the lead for the integrated industry project module for students in the integrated program of hospitality business and AI. Thus, he always look to ensure students are job ready today as well as being ready for jobs of tomorrow upon graduation.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
The AI-Powered Middleman: How Smart Aggregators are Revolutionising Customer Discovery
Session Description
Speakers:
Alex Hau
Alex Hau’s career spans advertising agencies, digital marketing leadership at Colgate-Palmolive Asia, and hospitality technology. At Marriott International, he led guest-facing platforms and the technology integration of strategic partnerships across APAC. Now a technology strategy consultant, he also serves as Singapore Co-Lead for The AI Collective, a global non-profit with 150,000+ members.
Alex Hau
Alex Hau’s career spans advertising agencies, digital marketing leadership at Colgate-Palmolive Asia, and hospitality technology. At Marriott International, he led guest-facing platforms and the technology integration of strategic partnerships across APAC. Now a technology strategy consultant, he also serves as Singapore Co-Lead for The AI Collective, a global non-profit with 150,000+ members.
Ralph Frehner
Ralph Frehner began his career over four decades ago in Switzerland, initially training as an Electrician before discovering his passion for the culinary arts. He refined his craft under the mentorship of Angelo Conti Rossini atthe esteemed Giardino, and later at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel alongside Paul Spuhler. Ralph’s culinary journey continued with prestigious appointments at La Tour D’Argent in Paris and Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan.
In 1988, Ralph relocated to Asia, where he achieved the distinction of a two-star Michelin rating, underscoring his culinary expertise. He also holds certifications as a Dive Master, Ski Patroller, and Master V. In 1990, Ralph joinedHyatt International as Executive Chef, progressing through various leadership roles at Park Hyatt and Grand Hyattproperties across multiple countries, ultimately serving as Corporate Director of Operations for Greater China.
In 2007, Ralph was appointed Director of Operations at MGM Casino, where he oversaw the launch of a new hoteland casino. Four years later, he joined Marriott International in Hong Kong, where he was instrumental inestablishing Food and Beverage operations for the Asia Pacific region. As Vice President of Design Development Operations for Asia Pacific, Ralph dedicated 14 years to Marriott, focusing on brand strategy and the creation of exceptional food and beverage experiences throughout the region.
Ralph is a graduate of the Business School in Zurich, Belvoir Park, and holds an MBA from Hult International Business School. In 2024, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Singapore as Vice President of Operations for Food & Beverage and Design Development. In this capacity, Ralph partners with hotel owners and properties to develop distinctive restaurant concepts for new hotel openings. Leading a team of specialists, he is committed to delivering innovative food and beverage offerings that resonate with both local communities and international travelers, consistently pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity by establishing unique, standalone restaurants that reflect their geographic context.
Ralph Frehner
Ralph Frehner began his career over four decades ago in Switzerland, initially training as an Electrician before discovering his passion for the culinary arts. He refined his craft under the mentorship of Angelo Conti Rossini atthe esteemed Giardino, and later at Zurich’s Dolder Grand Hotel alongside Paul Spuhler. Ralph’s culinary journey continued with prestigious appointments at La Tour D’Argent in Paris and Gualtiero Marchesi in Milan.
In 1988, Ralph relocated to Asia, where he achieved the distinction of a two-star Michelin rating, underscoring his culinary expertise. He also holds certifications as a Dive Master, Ski Patroller, and Master V. In 1990, Ralph joinedHyatt International as Executive Chef, progressing through various leadership roles at Park Hyatt and Grand Hyattproperties across multiple countries, ultimately serving as Corporate Director of Operations for Greater China.
In 2007, Ralph was appointed Director of Operations at MGM Casino, where he oversaw the launch of a new hoteland casino. Four years later, he joined Marriott International in Hong Kong, where he was instrumental inestablishing Food and Beverage operations for the Asia Pacific region. As Vice President of Design Development Operations for Asia Pacific, Ralph dedicated 14 years to Marriott, focusing on brand strategy and the creation of exceptional food and beverage experiences throughout the region.
Ralph is a graduate of the Business School in Zurich, Belvoir Park, and holds an MBA from Hult International Business School. In 2024, he joined Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts in Singapore as Vice President of Operations for Food & Beverage and Design Development. In this capacity, Ralph partners with hotel owners and properties to develop distinctive restaurant concepts for new hotel openings. Leading a team of specialists, he is committed to delivering innovative food and beverage offerings that resonate with both local communities and international travelers, consistently pushing the boundaries of culinary creativity by establishing unique, standalone restaurants that reflect their geographic context.
From Insight to Bite: How AI Will Change What’s on Our Plate by 2030
Session Description
Moderated by:
Travin Singh
Travin Singh is a founder-operator and food innovation leader working across sustainability, food/agri-tech, and commercial scale-up in APAC. He is currently COO of Future Food Foundry (3F), an agri-tech PE and consolidation platform focused on scaling next-generation food and protein technologies. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of LESS & CO (CRUST, CROP), pioneering circular beverage concepts in Singapore and Japan.
Travin Singh
Travin Singh is a founder-operator and food innovation leader working across sustainability, food/agri-tech, and commercial scale-up in APAC. He is currently COO of Future Food Foundry (3F), an agri-tech PE and consolidation platform focused on scaling next-generation food and protein technologies. Previously, he was Founder and CEO of LESS & CO (CRUST, CROP), pioneering circular beverage concepts in Singapore and Japan.
Speakers:
Alan Lai
Alan is the founder & CEO of ProfilePrint, and the inventor of its patented A.I. Food Fingerprint Technology. Before starting ProfilePrint, he was the Assistant CEO of an investment group focusing on Fintech and digital KYC companies based in Hong Kong. Prior, his professional experiences include heading M&A and investment in the United Kingdom, General Manager South China and Assistant to Group CEO President at a Temasek-owned MNC. He served 8 years as a military officer and is currently a reserved Squadron Commander with the Singapore Air Force. He was a PhD candidate in Operational Research at INSEAD, completed the post-graduate management program at Tsinghua University and graduated with French Singapore Double Engineering degrees (1st Class honours) from Ecole Centrale Paris and National University of Singapore under a government scholarship.
Alan Lai
Alan is the founder & CEO of ProfilePrint, and the inventor of its patented A.I. Food Fingerprint Technology. Before starting ProfilePrint, he was the Assistant CEO of an investment group focusing on Fintech and digital KYC companies based in Hong Kong. Prior, his professional experiences include heading M&A and investment in the United Kingdom, General Manager South China and Assistant to Group CEO President at a Temasek-owned MNC. He served 8 years as a military officer and is currently a reserved Squadron Commander with the Singapore Air Force. He was a PhD candidate in Operational Research at INSEAD, completed the post-graduate management program at Tsinghua University and graduated with French Singapore Double Engineering degrees (1st Class honours) from Ecole Centrale Paris and National University of Singapore under a government scholarship.
Som Gan Choudhuri
Som Gan Choudhuri is the Co-founder of AI Palette, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup recently acquired by GlobalData. AI Palette uses Artificial Intelligence to help the world’s leading F&B and personal care brands identify growth opportunities by spotting and analyzing emerging consumer trends in real time.
Som has spent over a decade working closely with some of the world’s largest FMCG brands, helping them innovate and bring winning products to market. He has also co-authored the book “Consumer-based New Product Development for the Food Industry”, sharing his insights on how businesses can create successful products grounded in consumer needs.
Som’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Top 50 Innovators at the World Innovation Congress, Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow by Tatler magazine, and recipient of the Impact Leader Award by SIAL Malaysia. Passionate about using technology to supercharge product innovation, Som continues to inspire with his vision of making AI a powerful ally for businesses navigating rapidly changing consumer preferences.
Som Gan Choudhuri
Som Gan Choudhuri is the Co-founder of AI Palette, a Singapore-based artificial intelligence startup recently acquired by GlobalData. AI Palette uses Artificial Intelligence to help the world’s leading F&B and personal care brands identify growth opportunities by spotting and analyzing emerging consumer trends in real time.
Som has spent over a decade working closely with some of the world’s largest FMCG brands, helping them innovate and bring winning products to market. He has also co-authored the book “Consumer-based New Product Development for the Food Industry”, sharing his insights on how businesses can create successful products grounded in consumer needs.
Som’s work has earned him numerous accolades, including being named Top 50 Innovators at the World Innovation Congress, Gen.T Leaders of Tomorrow by Tatler magazine, and recipient of the Impact Leader Award by SIAL Malaysia. Passionate about using technology to supercharge product innovation, Som continues to inspire with his vision of making AI a powerful ally for businesses navigating rapidly changing consumer preferences.
Surviving the Squeeze: Reinventing F&B for Resilience in an Era of Rising Costs via Kitchen Automation and Delivery Optimisation Platforms
Session Description
Speakers:
Moderated by:
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Speakers:
Andrew Chan
Andrew is the co-founder of The Soup Spoon, a homegrown Singapore soup chain with 30 outlets serving wholesome, travel-inspired soup creations for all occasions. He is also Director of SouperFoods, a food manufacturer leveraging innovative technologies such as High Pressure Processing (HPP).
Since founding the company in 2002, Andrew has continuously driven innovation to keep the brand fresh and relevant. A landmark moment came in 2016 when The Soup Spoon invested in a state-of-the-art HPP machine, elevating food innovation and positioning the brand for export and scalable growth.
Beyond building his own business, Andrew is a committed industry contributor. He serves as Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore.
Before entrepreneurship, Andrew built a strong foundation in the corporate world, working across MNCs in technology-driven roles spanning Business Intelligence, CRM, and Web Development — experience that continues to inform his data-savvy, innovation-first approach to running a food business.
Andrew Chan
Andrew is the co-founder of The Soup Spoon, a homegrown Singapore soup chain with 30 outlets serving wholesome, travel-inspired soup creations for all occasions. He is also Director of SouperFoods, a food manufacturer leveraging innovative technologies such as High Pressure Processing (HPP).
Since founding the company in 2002, Andrew has continuously driven innovation to keep the brand fresh and relevant. A landmark moment came in 2016 when The Soup Spoon invested in a state-of-the-art HPP machine, elevating food innovation and positioning the brand for export and scalable growth.
Beyond building his own business, Andrew is a committed industry contributor. He serves as Vice President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore.
Before entrepreneurship, Andrew built a strong foundation in the corporate world, working across MNCs in technology-driven roles spanning Business Intelligence, CRM, and Web Development — experience that continues to inform his data-savvy, innovation-first approach to running a food business.
Patrick Chan
Patrick Chan is the Managing Director of Kitchen Haus Group and President of the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore ACAPS. In 14 years under his leadership, the Group launched nine brands through strategic partnerships and M&A. A 2019 Spirit of Enterprise Award winner, Patrick has been featured on the Jan 2025 cover of The Peak Singapore as a successful 2nd generation entrepreneur. He has spoken to over 4,000 professionals across five countries and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Patrick Chan
Patrick Chan is the Managing Director of Kitchen Haus Group and President of the Association of Catering Professionals Singapore ACAPS. In 14 years under his leadership, the Group launched nine brands through strategic partnerships and M&A. A 2019 Spirit of Enterprise Award winner, Patrick has been featured on the Jan 2025 cover of The Peak Singapore as a successful 2nd generation entrepreneur. He has spoken to over 4,000 professionals across five countries and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of entrepreneurs.
Need to Manage Omnichannel Customer Experiences – Integration Challenges Across Online and Offline Touchpoints
Session Description
Moderated by:
Laveena Mahtani
Laveena Mahtani
Speakers:
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
Sarissa is a powerhouse hospitality entrepreneur and the co-founder of SJS Group, an experience-driven hospitality group known for creating some of Singapore’s most iconic dining and nightlife destinations. With a standout portfolio including LuLu’s Lounge, Papi’s Tacos, Pasta Bar, and the newly launched C.O.T.U, SJS Group is celebrated for its bold concepts, immersive storytelling, and unwavering commitment to quality. As an independent organisation, they have built one of the most diverse hospitality portfolios in Singapore, reshaping the scene through innovation and vision.
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
Sarissa is a powerhouse hospitality entrepreneur and the co-founder of SJS Group, an experience-driven hospitality group known for creating some of Singapore’s most iconic dining and nightlife destinations. With a standout portfolio including LuLu’s Lounge, Papi’s Tacos, Pasta Bar, and the newly launched C.O.T.U, SJS Group is celebrated for its bold concepts, immersive storytelling, and unwavering commitment to quality. As an independent organisation, they have built one of the most diverse hospitality portfolios in Singapore, reshaping the scene through innovation and vision.
Whey Han Tan
Whey-Han is Senior Director of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable, a Booking Holdings company, where he leads and manages the brand’s growth and business in Asia and Middle East. Prior to OpenTable, Whey-Han held senior management positions at AirAsia MOVE, AirAsia’s ultimate travel app, and Xendit, a Southeast Asian fintech unicorn. He also led the APAC commercial team at KAYAK, another Booking Holdings company.
Whey-Han has deep appreciation for the hospitality industry as he co-founded his own F&B concepts in Singapore over 10 years ago. Before his venture into F&B, he was a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Southeast Asia and Deloitte Consulting in the United States. Whey-Han holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Whey Han Tan
Whey-Han is Senior Director of Restaurant Sales & Services at OpenTable, a Booking Holdings company, where he leads and manages the brand’s growth and business in Asia and Middle East. Prior to OpenTable, Whey-Han held senior management positions at AirAsia MOVE, AirAsia’s ultimate travel app, and Xendit, a Southeast Asian fintech unicorn. He also led the APAC commercial team at KAYAK, another Booking Holdings company.
Whey-Han has deep appreciation for the hospitality industry as he co-founded his own F&B concepts in Singapore over 10 years ago. Before his venture into F&B, he was a management consultant with The Boston Consulting Group in Southeast Asia and Deloitte Consulting in the United States. Whey-Han holds an MBA from the UCLA Anderson School of Management and a Bachelor in Computer Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Lunch Break
The Great Foodservice Talent Challenge: Navigating Labour Shortages Across APAC Markets
Keynote Description
Moderated by:
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Martin Bém
Dr. Martin Bém first came to Singapore as Director Asia for Sanpellegrino/Nestlé. In 2002, he embarked on his entrepreneurial journey with the Paulaner agency for Asia-Pacific, where he went on to conceptualise and co-found Brotzeit, as well as projects including Erwin’s Gastrobar in Singapore and Paulaner Brauhaus in Guangzhou. Today, he continues to lead his award-winning flagship concept, LeVeL33.
Speakers:
Andrew Ing
Andrew brings 40 years of experience in F&B and nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to his role as Chief Operating Officer of OUE Restaurants, where he oversees daily operations.
He is known for applying a strong hospitality mindset, progressive people practices, and brand-building expertise to drive business performance and strengthen teams.
Previously, Andrew spent nine years with The Lo & Behold Group and held leadership roles at St James Holdings and The Filter Group. He also served as Marketing Manager of Zouk Singapore, where he launched the first ZoukOut festival in 2000, and earlier worked in Hong Kong’s live entertainment industry.
Originally from Sydney, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales.
Andrew Ing
Andrew brings 40 years of experience in F&B and nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to his role as Chief Operating Officer of OUE Restaurants, where he oversees daily operations.
He is known for applying a strong hospitality mindset, progressive people practices, and brand-building expertise to drive business performance and strengthen teams.
Previously, Andrew spent nine years with The Lo & Behold Group and held leadership roles at St James Holdings and The Filter Group. He also served as Marketing Manager of Zouk Singapore, where he launched the first ZoukOut festival in 2000, and earlier worked in Hong Kong’s live entertainment industry.
Originally from Sydney, he holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing) from the University of New South Wales.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
Kung Teong Wah
Kung Teong Wah, Cluster General Manager overseeing PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road, is a dedicated advocate for labour relations, continuous upskilling, job redesign, business innovation and digital transformation within the hospitality industry. Through data-driven solutions, he enhances productivity and career growth, empowering his team to become future-ready and deliver thoughtful, high-quality guest experiences.
Beyond hotel operations, Teong Wah plays an active role in advancing industry innovation. He serves on the Industry Advisory Committee for the Singapore Institute of Technology’s Business and Infocomm Technology programme, is a member of the NTUC Club Management Council, and is Co-Chair of the Institute of Human Resource Professionals’ Job Redesign Centre of Excellence, among other appointments. As a TCube Champion with the Singapore Tourism Board and a member of the Singapore Hotel Association’s Hotel Innovation Board, he actively contributes to the adoption of digital strategies and innovation across the broader hospitality ecosystem.
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