18-19 March 2015 SPEAKERS

18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Markus Aklin
ONYX Hospitality Group
Mr. Aklin has been working with ONYX Hospitality Group since 2003. In his role as Vice President,
Development, he is responsible for expanding ONYX with particular focus on South East Asia. Mr. Aklin
graduated with a degree from the Swiss Hotel Management School in Lucerne and worked in various hotel
operational roles in Switzerland and the USA prior to joining ONYX. His previous responsibilities at ONYX
included the role of Resident Manager of the successful Amari Palm Reef Koh Samui as well as being the
group’s Corporate Director of Projects, overseeing the design coordination and operational planning for
hotel openings and renovations of multiple ONYX properties.
Dom Albanese
MCVI Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Damiano “Dom” Albanese is a dynamic and energizing leader who helps western brands develop a
vision and context of how to expand in Asia by providing a simple view that helps avoid numerous pitfalls
in perception, communication and strategic planning.
Dom offers a front line entrepreneurial business experience & US corporate brand, e-commerce, direct
marketing & sales experience as a foundation to his in-depth Asia business experience.
As Regional Vice President, Dom currently is the senior executive and leader for Marriott Vacation Club
Asia Pacific and has been based in Singapore since 2007.
While his primary focus is leading the Marketing and Sales operations he also works to collaboratively
lead a variety of disciplines including Customer Service, Resort Real Estate Development, Finance,
Human Resources, Legal, Revenue Management and Resort Operations.
His Asia experience includes leading new openings, pre-opening teams and ongoing marketing, sales
& service operations in Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong and Japan. In addition, he conducts marketing
efforts for travelers from China, India, Malaysia & Indonesia and opening up the markets of South Korea,
Taiwan, Australia and Macau.
Gregg Anderson
RCI
Mr. Anderson is the overall company lead and responsible executive for The Registry Collection
program, an elite exchange network of luxury vacation properties at some of the world’s premier
destinations, linking nearly 200 developments in over 40 countries worldwide. He is a frequent speaker,
moderator and panelist at conferences and is one of a handful of authorities on the subject of luxury leisure
real estate and reciprocal use programs for this niche segment.
Before joining RCI, the parent company of The Registry Collection, he was Vice President of
Acquisitions for Intrawest, North America’s premiere mountain resort company; SVP of Sales and
Marketing for ClubCorp Resorts, a division of the world’s largest network of private golf and country clubs;
and for almost 15 years various positions in brand management with The Walt Disney Company both in
the United States and Japan. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Florida State
University and attended graduate school in Italy. He is active member of the international backpacking
organization The Arctic Brotherhood and is an executive with The Boy Scouts of America. He lives with his
wife and two teenage sons in Orlando, Florida. Gregg is an ARDA Trustee.
Page 1 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Michael Ramon Ayling
Royal Phuket Marina
Michael Ayling is the principle of NuoBello, a hotel, property and tourism development and consultancy
company. Having recently been appointed as the Managing Director of Royal Phuket Marina, he is
spearheading the development of an integrated resort, which is planned to include 5 hotels and numerous
property developments on the significant prime and centrally located land-bank in Phuket, adjoining the
Award winning Royal Phuket Marina.
Michael has enjoyed a varied career spanning three continents in the disciplines of finance and general
management in the hotel, hospitality and property development sectors. Prior to NuoBello and Royal
Phuket Marina, he was first the Finance Director and then the Managing Director of Laguna Resorts &
Hotels, Plc., a listed company in Thailand and subsidiary of Banyan Tree Holdings Limited over a 12 year
period. He was also an Executive Director for Laguna Vietnam Limited, a Fund developing an integrated
resort in Central Vietnam. Prior to joining Laguna Resorts & Hotels, Plc., he enjoyed over 10 years in the
professional service industry with the accounting firm, KPMG in England, Papua New Guinea and Sydney,
Australia. Michael is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Bill Barnett
C9 Hotelworks
Bill Barnett is the Founder and Managing Director of C9 Hotelworks, who are a leading consulting firm
specializing in hospitality, tourism and real estate in Asia. C9 assists developers, private equity firms,
financial institutions, and individual investors in providing market research, feasibility studies, hotel
operator negotiations, asset management and transaction/due diligence support. From their base of
operations in Thailand the group is considered a leading regional player in market intelligence, and publish
regular industry updates. With over 28 year experience in Asia, Bill has held executive roles with prominent
international hotel management groups and publicly listed companies. He was awarded a prestigious
PATA Gold Award in 2007 and is a member of the ISHC (International Society of Hospitality Consultants).
James E. Burba
BHN
Jim Burba is the co-founder and president of Burba Hotel Network LLC (BHN), the worldwide leader in
developing and producing conferences for the hotel and tourism investment community. BHN hosts ten
events each year around the world including: ALIS, ALIS Law, ALIS Summer Update, AOCAP, HICAP,
HICAP UPDATE, HIFI, CHRIS, HOLA, and Hot.E. In 2008, BHN and Google teamed up to host Digital
Discovery Day (D3) and in 2011, Burba was retained by the ITC, a joint agency of the UN and WTO to
help organize WEDF which focused on tourism development in the least developed countries of the world.
Actively involved in the hotel investment arena for 30 years, Burba was formerly: a principal at Pannell
Kerr Forster, Senior Managing Director with Insignia/Hotel Partners, VP/Worldwide Director of Advisory
Services at WATG, and President at Horwath HTL (US). A member of the International Society of
Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) and the Industry Real Estate Finance Advisory Council (IREFAC), Burba
has received numerous honors including the Educational Institute Lamp of Knowledge Award, IREFAC’s
first Crystal Ball Award, and the ISHC Pioneer Award.
In 2007, California Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, re-appointed Burba to his second term on the
California Travel & Tourism Commission and he recently served on its Executive Committee.
Page 2 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Gavin CK Cheong
RCI Asia Pacific
Gavin Cheong is the Business Development Director, North Asia for RCI, a subsidiary of Wyndham
Worldwide Corporation, and the global leader in vacation exchange with more than 4,500 affiliated resorts
in approximately 100 countries. Gavin is responsible for developing business from new and existing clients
in the People’s Republic of China, South Korea and the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Gavin joined RCI in 2003 as Account Manager for Asia and has been with RCI for ten years. He has
been instrumental to the region’s growth, seeking innovative solutions and new opportunities. He looks to
partner with his clients in the tourism, leisure and real-estate industries to grow their business through bestin-class service.
Gavin has close to 25 years of diverse experience in the airline, hotel and travel industries, where he
developed new businesses, marketing plans and strategies for Alitalia Airlines, Iceland Air, Middle East
Airlines, Yemenia Airways and Hungarian Airlines. Besides generating new business and revenue, he also
managed the RFP process, maintained key accounts, and ensured consistent revenue generation.
Gary Croker
Wyndham Vacation Resorts
Gary Croker is Senior Vice President of Business Development for Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia
Pacific. The key focus of Gary’s current role is to acquire resort inventory, establish and grow the Wyndham
Vacation Ownership business in Asia.
Gary joined Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific in 2003 initially as head of finance for the Asia
Pacific region until 2007 before changing roles.
Gary is a senior finance executive and chartered accountant with 25 year’s experience covering
hospitality, transport, logistics and manufacturing. His experience encompasses operational financial roles,
project management, cost reduction initiatives and information management. Gary has significant
international experience working in Australia, New Zealand, Korea, Japan and the US for various
companies ranging from large multi-national corporations to small start-up operations.
Paul K. Dean
Dean and Associates
Has had over 30+ years involvement with international resort development and recreational real estate,
with an emphasis on mixed use resorts. This includes hands-on involvement with the setting up of resorts
and product legal structures in more than 20 jurisdictions. He has extensive experience of working with
global hospitality brands including Hilton, Hyatt, IHG, Jumeirah, Kempinski, Mandarin Oriental, Marriott
and Starwood.
He has worked with boutique and regional brands such as De Vere [UK], Franklyn, Gleneagles, Isrotel,
Savoy Madeira, Six Senses, Soneva, Onyx and Yoo. He is co-author of the Encyclopaedia of Forms &
Precedents Vo; 41A - Shared Ownership published by Lexis-Nexis;
Expertise: All forms of Recreational Real Estate including Branded Residences, BTUL, Condo-hotels,
Fractional Interests and Private Residence Clubs plus vacation ownership. Feasibility analysis, financial
modelling, concept development and product design, product legal structuring, usage plan design,
preparation of operating budgets, reserve funding, marketing and sales strategies and subsequent
implementation.
Please see Dean and Associates website at: www.dean-and-associates.com for more information.
Page 3 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Ben Dedopulos
Aria Vacation Club
Ben brings more than 15 years of shared ownership experience to his role as Vice President of Aria
Vacation Club. Having operated branded vacation club businesses across multiple regions and territories,
Ben has a wealth of experience in emerging market development.
Aria Vacation Club is a joint venture business started in the Emirate of Dubai in the heart of the Middle
East. Including two publically listed Kuwaiti parents, IFA Hotels & Resort and Al Tijaria, Aria starts with
solid footing and regional expertise. With a global ambition, Aria plans to take advantage of first mover
opportunity in bringing the regions first points based, locally controlled entity to market. Group owned
hospitality assets will be leveraged to create a club with member usage options across four continents
from inception.
Darren Ettridge
Interval International
Darren Ettridge is responsible for managing Interval’s sales, service and business development
operations in Europe, Middle East, Africa & Asia. In this role he directs sales and resort marketing
strategies and oversees the operations of Interval’s offices in the region.
In addition, Ettridge is responsible for the resort affiliation, servicing and marketing of Preferred
Residences, a membership and exchange programme for luxury shared ownership properties.
Ettridge joined Interval International in 2000 as Director of Sales and Service with responsibility for the
UK and Scandinavia. He has extensive experience within the vacation ownership sector initially gained
with his previous employer, First National Bank (FNB). While holding various positions during his sevenyear tenure with FNB, immediately prior to joining Interval he was manager of sales and operations for the
company’s vacation ownership division. This department provided consumer lending for the purchase of
timeshare.
During his time with FNB and Interval, Ettridge has become an established and respected figure within
the timeshare industry. He is based at Interval’s London office.
Ettridge serves on the Main Board of the Resort Development Organisation in Europe.
Anthony R. Genth
Leisure Marketing Group
Genth has spent a lifetime living and working internationally having grown up in Asia and Latin America
and is the Managing Partner of Leisure Marketing Group which has completed marketing, consulting and,
training assignments for over 90 clients in 30+ countries over the past 35 years. Prior to 2012 Genth spent
10 years developing marketing, lead generation and, training programs while living in China, Malaysia and,
Indonesia. His expertise includes recreational real estate, vacation ownership and the cruise industry and
in 1986 he was an early developer of points based systems. In the past several years Genth has
specialized in the use of neuromarketing techniques to enhance lead generation, marketing and, sales
programs. Genth is a former Chairman of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA), and
former Chairman of the Global Alliance for Timeshare Excellence (GATE).
Page 4 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
David C. Gilbert
Interval International
David C. Gilbert is president of Interval International, a leading global provider of vacation services. As
such, he oversees daily operations and directs the implementation of global strategy, which includes
enhancing the company’s overall value proposition for its member and client constituencies.
Gilbert originally joined Interval in 1987 and was most recently executive vice president of resort sales
and marketing. He has been instrumental in the growth of the Interval resort network and in the
development and marketing of major products and programs. He also spearheaded the establishment of
the prestigious Shared Ownership Investment Conferences now hosted around the world.
Gilbert is a member of the American Resort Development Association (ARDA) board of directors. He
also served as a trustee of the ARDA International Foundation, and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism
Association Education Foundation. In addition, he has served on the board of directors of the Caribbean
Tourism Organization Foundation and is a member of the Leadership Circle of the United Way of MiamiDade.
He resides in Hollywood, Florida, with his wife, Debra.
Nevius Glussi
Rosewood Hotel Group
Nevius Glussi is Corporate Director of Development at Rosewood Hotel Group, focusing on key markets
outside of China throughout the Asia Pacific region. Prior to joining Rosewood Hotel Group, Mr. Glussi
managed two private equity funds investing in beachfront properties in Asia-Pacific. During the six years
investing in Asia’s emerging markets, Mr. Glussi completed acquisition and due diligence on more than
US$ 1 billion of assets in 19 countries from Sri Lanka to Fiji and from China to Australia with a focus on
coastal SE Asian markets. Previously, he worked as a consulting, feasibility and valuation expert at HVS,
in New York and later in Singapore. An Italian citizen, Mr. Glussi is a graduate of the Ecole Hoteliere de
Lausanne and speaks six languages including Italian, Spanish, French, German and Mandarin.
Rosewood Hotel Group is a member of New World Group, a Hong Kong-based leading conglomerate
and
principal
investor
in
many
Rosewood
Hotel
Group
properties,
please
visit
www.rosewoodhotelgroup.com.
Gordon Scott Gurnik
RCI
Gordon Gurnik is president of RCI, the worldwide leader in vacation exchange and provider of travel
services to businesses and consumers, serving approximately 3.7 million members in nearly 4,500
vacation ownership resorts. RCI is the largest exchange network in existence – offering the largest
selection of high quality choices, a sizeable and established membership base, marketing support and
lead-generation capabilities, and extensive rental and distribution channels. Gurnik is responsible for all
RCI operations.
Gurnik, a long-term veteran of RCI, joined the company in 1987, serving in various roles during his
tenure including operations within the contact centers, RCI’s revenue management area, creating the
company’s inventory valuation and exchange priority systems, club development and product development
for RCI. Recently he led the exchange business through a process to significantly enhance the online
exchange experience for RCI’s members, making planning and booking a vacation simpler and more fun
while adding many new benefits and capabilities for all of RCI’s members.
Through the years, he has been instrumental in advancing the company’s products including the
development of RCI Points®, the largest points-based exchange system, The Registry Collection®
program, the industry’s first and foremost luxury exchange product, and the enhancements to RCI® Weeks
which transformed the program by adding more transparency and flexibility than ever before. He has
consulted on the development and implementation of most of the shared ownership clubs and has
facilitated the majority of the brands launch into the timeshare sector.
Page 5 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Mike Hall
Absolute World Group
Mike Hall heads the Asia Pacific operations for the Absolute World Group, one of Asia’s leading Lifestyle
Property Developers, Vacation Club and Fractional Ownership brands. Since joining the company in 2011
Mike has worked alongside the Group’s strategic Management team to deliver a range of exciting initiatives
from new sales operations to lead generation programs to resort openings, whilst managing an extensive
sales force across Asia.
As a veteran of the vacation ownership industry, Mike has a wealth of experience in fractional and
vacation club operations having previously directed Interval International and RCI-affiliated projects across
Central America, Europe and Asia. Together with his international business acumen from his time at Ford
Motor Company Europe, Mike is well positioned to continue to drive the Absolute World Group’s growth
Pete Jones
Generator Systems Ltd
Pete is the co-founder of Generator Systems, a company dedicated to helping improve sales
performance through the integration of technology into the sales process.
Pete has over 20 years experience helping companies around the globe to maximise their sales
performance. He has worked with many of the major brands in our industry as well as the leisure real
estate, home improvement and multi level marketing industries.
The company has won over 50 global awards for work in this field including a prestigious ACE award
for innovation and change management for their work in the timeshare sales process.
They work with companies in the US, Australia, Asia, Europe, and South America – bringing a truly
global perspective to their clients.
Pete is married to Donna and has two daughters, Maddison and Rudi.
Jules Kay
KBR Thailand Ltd
Jules Kay is an Asia-based marketer, publisher and content curator with 15 years experience working
in the residential resort sector. He has conceptualized and run regional marketing campaigns for a variety
of real estate and hospitality clients, including resorts, private holiday villas, villa rental agencies and mixeduse residential resort developments.
In his role as a publisher and editor for a number of regional publications in the last decade, Jules has
also built an extensive portfolio of published work, including regional property market analysis pieces, indepth interviews with leading figures in Asian real estate development and features on various aspects of
luxury real estate, hospitality and boating in the Southeast Asia region. His most recent project, MontAzure
on Phuket, features a luxury residential villa estate, beachside condominiums, as well as upscale
hospitality and retail components.
Jules is a regular moderator and speaker at regional conferences and events, including Asia Property
Awards, SMART Expos and the Asia Pacific Superyacht Conference.
David Keen
CEO
Keen is a leading brand strategist in Asia for the hospitality and tourism industries.
Two plus decades in the industry. Published and interviewed in dozens of publications. Featured
speaker at conferences, tradeshows and professional events.
Born in London and educated in New York at Cornell University’s School of Hotel Administration. After
embarking on his career in London and the United States, Keen ventured to Hong Kong as a travel writer
and editor, travelling widely in the region as well as globally, and developing a network of close contacts
with the world’s most talented photographers, writers and travel professionals.
Leveraging this network and continuing to grow it, both within the agency’s team as well as in
partnerships, QUO channels this collected expertise into visionary work for a portfolio of distinguished
clients.
Page 6 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Declan T. Kenny
FNTC Limited
Declan Kenny is Executive Chairman of First Names Group and CEO of First National Trustee
Company Limited (FNTC), which is a fully owned subsidiary of First Names Group. A Certified Accountant,
Chartered Secretary and Member of the Institute of Bankers, Declan has spent his entire career within the
financial services sector.
Since joining FNTC in 1989, he has worked tirelessly to establish the company as the market leader in
its sector within the shared ownership industry. Today, FNTC administers in excess of £2.5bn worth of
property assets, works with over 300 resort developments and provides services to over 650,000
consumers worldwide.
Much of FNTC’s success is down to Declan’s unwavering leadership, vision and business acumen. He
sets high standards for himself and his team and is truly energised by the challenges of growing an
international business in a sector facing unprecedented pressure. He is a firm believer that with change
comes opportunity; in fact, being ready for change is the characteristic he admires most in the many
talented individuals who have joined him on his journey with the business.
Over the past decade Declan has consistently expanded FNTC’s global reach and has recently opened
offices in Singapore (which will operate under the First Names brand) and in Hong Kong. His investment
in people and in infrastructure means that FNTC can offer many ancillary services that match the diverse
needs of its clients, such as providing a multi-currency e-commerce platform, a management fee collection
service and escrow facilities.
Bryan Klum
Hilton Grand Vacations Bryan Klum was appointed Executive Vice President-Asia/Pacific Region for Hilton Grand Vacations in
March 2008. A 30-year veteran of the hospitality industry, Klum began his career with Hilton in June 2000
as Director of Marketing for HGV-Hawaii.
During his nearly 15-year tenure with Hilton, Klum has been responsible for the growth and development
of Hilton Grand Vacation’s timeshare business n Hawaii and Asia. He has direct operational responsibility
for the company’s timeshare sales and marketing units in Hawaii, Japan, Guam and Korea, representing
more than $300 million in annual timeshare sales. He oversees more than 800 HGV team members within
the Asia/Pacific region.
Klum also is responsible for the planning and execution of HGV’s regional marketing programs in
Asia/Pacific, including strategic alliances, marketing partnerships, promotional initiatives, customer
research, process improvement, new market development and customer relationship marketing (CRM)
functions. In addition, he is closely involved in new product development for HGV within the Asia/Pacific
region.
Prior to joining Hilton Grand Vacations, Klum served for 16 years with Outrigger Hotels & Resorts,
where he oversaw corporate marketing, research and planning for 30-plus resorts in Hawaii and the Pacific
as Corporate Director of Marketing and Planning.
Klum is a graduate of Punahou School and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the
University of Hawaii-Manoa. He resides in Honolulu, Hawaii, with his wife, Camie, and their two daughters.
Tien Gui Koh
Rajah & Tann LLP
Tien Gui has over 18 years of corporate and commercial experience. He has developed expertise in
the property sector, particularly the hotels and tourism industry across South East Asia, China and
Japan.
Qualifications, LLB (Hons), the University of Kent, United Kingdom, Advocate & Solicitor, Singapore
(1994), Solicitor, England and Wales (2001)
Experience, Tien Gui had also previously worked in-house in senior counsel and company secretary
roles for international hotel corporations including Jumeriah Hotels & Resorts and Marriott International. In
Jumeirah, he was the Asia Pacific General Counsel where he draft, negotiated and supervised negotiations
of hotel management agreements for hotel projects in Shanghai, Beijing, Sanya, Lijiang, Qiandaohu,
Hangzhou, Guangzhou in the PRC; Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand; Bali in Indonesia and in the Maldives,
Malaysia, Hong Kong and Macau. He also advised on hotel operations matters particular at the preopening stages for hotel projects in the Maldives and Shanghai, PRC. He was director/general counsel for
Behringer Holdings, where he supervised and managed the group's legal teams in Singapore, Germany,
China, US and the Philippines.
Page 7 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Bryan Lunt
Absolute World Group
Bryan Lunt is a true pioneer in the mixed use resort real estate industry, having driven the Absolute
World Group to become one of Asia’s leading lifestyle brands, with staff positioned across Australia, China,
Europe, Hong Kong, Russia, Thailand and Indonesia.
Founded in 1998, Bryan’s vision to create a widely acclaimed vacation ownership offering to both
prospective and long term Absolute World Group clients has driven it to become a market leading, multiaward-winning global organization, attracting world renowned names such as Interval International, plus
leading designer brands such as Yoo and Design Hotels™ plus the latest technologies to enhance their
own resorts and products to unprecedented levels.
Recently celebrating the Group’s 15th Anniversary, the Absolute World Group, has a firm foundation
on which to have developed 6 award winning boutique resorts of their own across Thailand, with their latest
opening in 2015. Moving into the next 15 years, Bryan and his team have also brought the insight to
consolidate their long-standing CSR initiatives to ensure they continue to operate and develop ethically
with a focus on their local communities, guests and the environment, awarding them Special Recognition
in CSR at the 2014 TPAs.
As pioneers of shared ownership in Asia, the Absolute World Group are the founders of the successful
Alternative Ownership Conference Asia Pacific (AOCAP).
Born in England, Bryan is the ultimate visionary who has driven the company to remarkable heights of
exponential growth. He is extremely health conscious and has implemented companywide wellbeing
policies, providing staff with alternative therapies and a Boot Camp style exercise club. Bryan is based in
Hong Kong with his young family.
James Mabey
Jumeirah Group
Dr. James Mabey is the Senior Vice President of Development – Asia Pacific, for Jumeirah Group, and
is responsible for the company’s growth and development across the Asia Pacific region. Part of Dubai
Holding, Jumeirah Group is a Dubai-based international luxury hotel chain with award winning hotels and
resorts throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
Dr. Mabey holds an MBA in Hospitality and Tourism, and a Doctorate Degree in Hospitality and Tourism
Management from Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Dr. Mabey has lived in Asia since 1999, and has
over a decade of business consulting and real-estate development experience in the region. He is fluent
in Mandarin, Thai, Laotian, and Spanish. Prior to joining the Jumeirah Group, Dr. Mabey previously held
key positions as Senior Director of Development for Marco Polo Hotels, and Director of Development for
Jumeirah Private Island, Phuket. He also served as Economic and Tourism Development Advisor to the
Thailand Ministry of the Interior, and Phuket Governor’s Office from 2005 to 2011.
Dr. Mabey is a frequent speaker at industry and academic conferences, and guest lecturer at
universities throughout Asia Pacific. He is also Associate Professor of Hotel Development and Strategy
with the Emirates Academy of Hospitality Management. Dr. Mabey was the recipient of the Pacific Asia
Travel Association (PATA) Face of the Future 2013 award.
Page 8 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
George Macropulos
Florida International University
George Macropulos was born and raised in Mozambique. He earned a Bachelor’s of Science in
Mechanical Engineering in South Africa. He later moved to United States of America, where he earned a
Master’s Degree in Engineering from Kansas State University, an MBA from Loyola Marymount University
in California , and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Southern California. In the late 70’s, he set
up a management consulting and real estate development company in California. In the mid 80’s, he
moved to Greece where he established a hospitality development company and purchased his first hotel
on the Island of Mykonos. In the early 90’s, he established the first vacation ownership sales company
and Interval International in Greece. In 1995, he designed, built and partially-timeshared a luxury 50passenger cruise ship which operated in the Eastern Mediterranean in the summer and the Western
Caribbean in the winter. He returned to USA in the late 90’s, when he purchased a resort in Miami Beach
that he upgraded to a 4-star boutique hotel and successfully converted it to a condo-hotel. In 2009, he
developed a fractional project in Miami Beach on Biscayne Bay. That same year, he became an adjunct
professor in the College of Business at Florida International Univeirsity (FIU) where he taught Micro- and
Macro-economics in the Executive MBA program. In 2014, he joined the faculty at FIU’s Chaplin School
of Hospitality & Tourism Management, where he currently teaches Feasibility Studies and Real Estate
Development & Investments in the graduate program.
Dr. Macropulos is married, has two children, speaks six languages and is passionate about teaching,
screenwriting, chess and tennis.
Bill Minnock
MVCI Asia Pacific Pte Ltd
Bill Minnock joined Marriott Vacations Worldwide (“MVW”) as Managing Director Asia Pacific in
September 2014. In this role, he is responsible for all aspects of Marriott Vacation Club Asia Pacific
business.
In his 31 years working for Marriott International, Bill held numerous leadership positions, including
extensive experience in real estate development. He led MVW’s Resort Development group from 1994 to
2001 and oversaw the company’s International expansion into Asia and Europe and was also responsible
for the company’s rapid expansion in North America. He has extensive experience in hotel development
and was SVP of Development Asset, SVP Finance for Architecture and Construction and VP of Hotel
Feasibility. In all of these roles, he was involved in the global expansion for all hotel brands in Marriot
International’s portfolio.
In his most recent position as SVP Global Operations Services he managed Marriott’s product and
service innovation efforts for all brands worldwide. He also led the Quality Improvement programs and
redesigned the guest satisfaction, social media listening and the Brand Standard Audit programs. Bill also
served as the General Manager of the Bethesda Marriott hotel.
Bill is actively involved in hospitality education. From January to July, 2014, he served as Executive in
Residence for the School of Hotel Administration at Cornell University. He has lectured frequently at the
Cornell and at George Washington University. He currently serves on the Cornell Hotel Society Executive
Board, and was previously RVP of the Mid-Atlantic Region and the Chapter President in Washington DC.
He currently serves as a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at Penn State University Hotel School.
He attended Cornell University and received a Bachelor’s degree in Hotel Administration and an MBA.
Page 9 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
David Moore
WATG Singapore Inc
With more than 20 years of experience, David brings a wide range of knowledge in an array of project
types. From large mixed-use and urban developments to intimate beachside retreats and luxury boutique
environments, David has the knowledge and creativity to approach each new project with an innovative
design philosophy, ensuring that the design and vision will be executed to the highest level of standards
and with a fresh approach. During his time with WATG David has been an integral part of the firm’s
expansion into the Asia market as well as the perusal of more urban and boutique projects to diversify the
firms portfolio. Serving as the Managing Director of the Honolulu office before relocating to Singapore to
push the firm’s presences physically into the East, David has taken an office of just four people at it’s
inception and grown it to an office of more than 80 talented designers spanning the four service lines
offered.
As Managing Director of the Singapore, David is actively participating in several current projects across
the region including China, India, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Maldives and Australia. He has worked with a
number of international operators including Ritz-Carlton, Marriott, Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons and
Mandarin Oriental and continues to foster those relationships for future collaborations. After serving two
years on the Board of Directors, David was elected to the Chairman position and is highly involved in the
global vision for WATG as well as the assurance that every project with that WATG is associated with
exudes world-class design.
Education, Cal Poly State University at San Luis Obispo, Bachelor of Architecture architectural.
Marco Nijhof
YOO Hotels & Resorts
A founding member of YOO Hotels & Resorts, Marco Nijhof brings 30 years of some of the most
extensive and diverse hotel industry experience. He speaks seven languages and was one of the youngest
General Managers of a Grand Hyatt hotel.
Marco has become a leading authority on hotel development, management and ownership, with an
outstanding track record in high volume, multi-site operations across 19 countries. Appointments include
Senior VP at Our Lucaya Beach & Golf Resort (Bahamas) and Jumeirah Hotels & Resort (Middle East,
Africa & South Asia), COO at Boscolo Hotels, Serena Hotels and Corinthia Group and Senior VP of Asset
Management at the Al Hassawi Group of Companies in Kuwait.
Now at YOO Hotels, Marco drives two hotel brands that create an enhanced hotel experience through
original design and first rate management. A true visionary and management executive, Marco has an
innate cultural understanding and talent for developing hotels.
Howard Nusbaum
ARDA
Howard C. Nusbaum has served as President and CEO of the American Resort Development
Association (ARDA) since 2000. Over the past thirty years, he has held executive hotel positions in the
private sector as well as executive positions in not-for-profit association management. Howard’s role at
ARDA includes serving as President of the ARDA Board of Directors, the ARDA International Foundation
(AIF) Board of Directors, and the ARDA-ROC Executive Committee. He also serves as Publisher for
ARDA’s Developments magazine, the premier voice in the timeshare industry published 10 times a year.
Outside of ARDA, Howard serves on both the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the U.S.
Travel Association. Howard is also a frequent speaker on the timeshare and vacation ownership industry,
and has presented at the Shared Ownership Investment Conferences in both Asia and the United States.
He is a sought-after presenter on financial, international, and vacation ownership topics.
Howard has also written guest editorials for and is often interviewed by hospitality and industry
publications. He also participates on the editorial board as a contributing editor to Hotelexecutive.com.
Prior to his career with ARDA, Howard served as Director of Corporate and Industry relations for the
American Hotel & Lodging Association and Executive Vice President of the Ohio Hotel & Lodging
Association. Before joining the world of hotel association management in 1990, he was Vice President of
Marketing for Janus Hotels and Resorts.
He is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati and the Institute for Organization Management at the
University of Notre Dame.
Howard is a passionate advocate for the shared ownership industry, and believes that timeshare is a
better way to vacation.
Page 10 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Barry A. Robinson
Wyndham Hotel Group
Barry Robinson has been the President and Managing Director of Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia
Pacific since September 2003.
In 2009, Barry launched Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific. Barry has been the driving force
behind many significant new property acquisitions, enhanced resort developments and has brought a
renewed customer focus to the business. Under his leadership, both Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia
Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group in the South Pacific have expanded their portfolios in the Australian,
New Zealand and South Pacific regions and are poised to actively expand into new Asian markets.
Appointed President and Managing Director of Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and Pacific Rim,
effective January 1, 2015, Barry will continue to lead the expansion of both Wyndham Vacation Resorts
Asia Pacific and Wyndham Hotel Group South East Asia and Pacific Rim across the region. Barry
oversees a property portfolio of more than 70 hotels and resorts.
With more than 30 years’ hospitality experience, Barry has a vast knowledge of the hotel and resort
industry – from management, operations, development, branding and franchising. He has held a number
of senior leadership positions in the Asia Pacific region and has worked for some of the world’s largest
hospitality companies including Swiss-Belhotel International, Swissôtel Worldwide Partner Hotels and
Choice Hotels International.
Tony Ryan
Ryan Lawyers
Tony Ryan has almost 30 years of experience providing commercial and legal advice to the real estate,
hotel & tourism industries across the Asia Pacific region.
Ryan Lawyers was established in Sydney during 2004 and enhanced its presence into Asia by opening
an office in Singapore mid 2012. Tony is based in Singapore and with his team works throughout the
region.
Tony’s experience encompasses, Hotel and resort development, sales, acquisitions and financing,
Hotel management and franchising agreements - including related structuring arrangements for property
developers, owners, and international hotel operators, Mixed use projects which have included hotel,
commercial, residential and transport facilities in Singapore, Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, China,
Australia and New Zealand, and Capital raising and fund structuring.
Tony speaks regularly at industry conferences across Asia.
Tony holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and is admitted as a lawyer in New South
Wales (1984). He is also a graduate of the Advanced Management Program at the Hotel School, Cornell
University, New York, USA (1999).
James L. Sabot
Dean and Associates
Jim Sabot built a solid foundation in the Resort Shared Ownership industry in his native United States.
Since 1999 he has served at the executive level for the Asia and Pacific Region’s largest branded, publicly
owned companies as both an independent consultant and employee. He has utilized his strategic and
operational experience to accrue a consistent track record of success in the Asia Pacific Region.
Apart from his consulting assignments Jim was a founding Vice President/Director of Marketing of
Trendwest Resorts South Pacific - now Wyndham Vacation Resorts Asia Pacific. The company achieved
revenues of $100MM within 3 years of start-up and is now the industry’s largest player.
His time as Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director of Marketing for Accor Vacation Club saw
that company more than double its annual revenue and expand to 17 sales centers throughout Australia,
New Zealand and Indonesia.
Jim was a participant in the feasibility and business planning for the development of Anantara Vacation
Club – a 5-star Vacation Club under Minor International’s luxury Anantara Resorts brand. Following his
initial consultancy Jim served as founding Vice President of Marketing, leaving in March 2013 after a highly
successful two-year startup.
Jim lives with his family in Australia’s Gold Coast and continues his consulting business as a principal
of Dean and Associates (www.dean-and-associates.com).
Page 11 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Ralph Shelbourne
FSC Architects
Ralph is a founding partner of FSC Architects having designed hotels and resorts for industry leading
owners and operators throughout the world. Over his eighteen years specializing in hospitality design,
Ralph has completed projects including hotels, timeshare, residential, mixed use and golf resorts ranging
from vast master-plans over thousands of hectares to individual luxury villas. "The pace in Mixed Use
Resort development continues to accelerate. This requires the touch of designers well versed in the more
traditional resort genre".
Ralph trained as an architect in England before joining WATG where he was a Director in both their
London and Honolulu offices. His built projects include three Shangri-La hotels as well as resorts operated
by Hyatt, Fairmont and Marriott amongst others. "I first started working in Asia twelve years ago and have
seen the hospitality industry evolve fast. Having global experience is vital in understanding opportunities,
and avoiding pitfalls that rapid growth brings". Now with his own firm Ralph has three luxury hotels currently
under construction, one of which will be the first five-star resort in Eastern Tibet, opening to guests this
year.
Joe Sita
IFA Hotel Investments
An accomplished CEO, Sita brings more than 30 years’ experience to his position as Chief Executive
Officer of IFA Hotel Investments. In this role, Sita drives the strategic direction of IFA Hotels & Resorts’
operational asset portfolio, currently valued at approximately USD$1billion.
The portfolio includes a number of five-star hotels, resorts and luxury residential developments across
the Middle East and Africa operated by Fairmont, Mövenpick, Four Seasons, Kempinski and Legend
Lodges. Infusing its luxury experience into ingenious space-saving design, IFA Hotel Investments has also
been expanding its portfolio across North America, Europe and Asia through its ownership of the YOTEL
brand.
YOTEL is currently operational in Heathrow, Gatwick and Schiphol airport, as well as in Times Square
New York, where the brand has a 669-room city centre property. YOTEL’s first Asian locations are set to
open in Singapore by 2018 with a city-centre site on Orchard Road and a location in the new Jewel Changi
Airport complex being built at the heart of Singapore’s airport.
In December 2014, YOTEL announced it had more than 3,000 cabins under development with sites in
Miami, San Francisco and Paris Charles De Gaulle, as well as an additional site in New York City. In
addition, YOTEL is in advanced negotiations to operate new properties in Boston, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago,
Los Angeles, Seattle and Toronto. Outside North America, the company is actively pursuing opportunities
in Europe and Asia Pacific, in particular Dubai, London, Milan, Barcelona, Sydney and Hong Kong.
Since he last attended AOCAP, Sita has added the role of CEO, Aria Vacation Club to his current
responsibilities at IFA Hotel Investments. Aria, which was launched at the Arabian Hotel Investment
Conference in May 2014, is currently laying the foundation for its public launch in 2015 by aligning with
strategic hospitality partners who offer quality inventory in desirable locations. Sita’s purview also includes
IFA Residential Services, which offers end-to-end property management and maintenance services to
luxury developments in the UAE and beyond.
Rodney Taylor
Soneva Resorts & Residences
Rod Taylor is an International Real Estate executive with over 19 years experience within the UK,
Middle East, Far East & Eastern Europe. With dynamic expertise across Project Management, Sales &
Marketing, he is an accomplished corporate strategist. Rod also provides expert advice to board level for
rapid growth companies & increased profits in various business sectors.
Rod is the Managing Director of the Soneva Group’s Private Office.
Soneva is currently ranked No. 1 in the World. World´s best holiday hotels 2014 BILANZ - a leading
Swiss business Magazine. Soneva Fushi is the winner of this ranking and ranked as best hotel worldwide.
85 Swiss travel professionals and 120 Swiss travel journalist took part in this ranking.
Soneva is now on an aggressive expansion program. Soneva was the first Company / resort to offer
the sale of Multi Million Dollar private residences in the Maldives.
Page 12 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Martin J. Tolan
Anantara Vacation Club
Martin J. Tolan is the Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Anantara Vacation Club, part of Minor
International. He began his career in Sales and Marketing from a young age, selling suits while attending
secondary school in Charleston, SC. After gaining Vacation Ownership experience in Orlando, and with
his family’s Fee-for-Service business in London, Martin launched his own marketing company.
In less than 3 years, Martin’s self-made company grew to 175 employees, grossing $45 million annually;
in 1997 he sold his company to Vistana which was then acquired by Starwood Hotels. As the Sales and
Marketing VP of Starwood Vacation Ownership he managed the East Coast, Caribbean and Mexico, which
generated over 100,000 tours and $350 million in annual revenues, leading teams of over 800 associates
for 16 years.
In 2012, attracted by the Anantara brand and the emerging Asian markets, he made a change, moving
his family to Bangkok. Martin’s wife and daughters are thriving in Bangkok, enjoying the lifestyle and
overwhelmingly kind Thai culture. Martin enjoys traveling throughout Thailand- his work and leisure have
taken him to all corners of the country as well as extensively throughout the region including Hong Kong,
Singapore, Indonesia, Dubai and throughout China.
Dexter W. Tom
MVCI Asia Pacific
Dexter W. Tom is Senior Director, Development, Feasibility & Business Planning for Marriott Vacations
Worldwide Corporation (MVW). Formerly a subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc. and spun off in 2011
as a new public company listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: VAC), MVW is a leading global
vacation ownership company offering a diverse portfolio of accommodations, club programs, branded
residential projects and management expertise with over 60 resorts and more than 420,000 owners and
members.
Based in Singapore, Tom is responsible for new development, acquisition and feasibility assessment
of resort and urban timeshare projects operating under the Marriott Vacation Club brand within the Asia
Pacific region. Prior to joining the company in 2006, Tom spent over 10 years serving in several positions
of increasing responsibility at Marriott International, Inc., most recently in Newport Beach, California, as
Vice President, Hotel Development for full-service brands, including Marriott, JW Marriott, Renaissance,
and The Ritz-Carlton. Prior to this position, Tom was a hospitality industry consultant with Ernst & Young’s
Kenneth Leventhal Real Estate Group in Miami for over 7 years, during which he provided management
advisory and real estate valuation services for hotel and resort projects located throughout the
Southeastern US, Caribbean and Latin America.
Tom holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Florida, and a
Master of Science degree in Hotel and Foodservice Administration from Florida International University.
Iain Twine
Edelman
Iain Twine oversees Edelman’s six offices in Southeast Asia and Australasia and over 400 staff across
the sub region.
Before his relocations to Singapore in June 2013, Iain was the general manager of Edelman’s
operations across the Middle East and Africa. He was the first employee of Edelman's Middle East
operations, and grew the business into what the Middle East PR Association and The Holmes Report have
named Middle East Agency of the Year.
Iain joined Edelman in 2006 in the UK. Prior to Edelman, his early career was as a taxation and
economic development policy specialist, and he was also the deputy CEO of Tambo Shire Council in
Australia.
Iain sits on the Zayed University Communications Advisory Panel, The Institute of Advertising
Singapore Board and is a Board Member of the Middle East PR Association.
Page 13 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Norbert Vas
Archipelago International
Norbert has more than 25 years of hotel industry experience in Indonesia, the USA, Germany, Belgium
and Spain. This experience includes 7 years for Ian Schraeger and Omni Hotels in New York City and
Chicago as well as time with Shangri-La, Mandarin Oriental, Swiss-Belhotel International and the
Intercontinental Hotel Group in Asia Pacific.
Since 2008, Norbert has been instrumental in developing Archipelago’s seven hotel brands making
Archipelago International one of the largest hotel management companies in Indonesia with an underlying
portfolio of more than 170 hotels.
Norbert is also a hotel owner owning his own 109 room favehotel in Bogor, a popular Indonesian
weekend and MICE destination about one hour south of Jakarta.
Archipelago’s brand collection covers luxury villas with KAMUELA, upscale hotels with the ASTON and
ALANA brands, and midscale to budget with HARPER, QUEST, FAVEHOTEL and Hotel NEO.
Kit Whalley
Interval International
Kit Whalley is the Director for Business Development in Asia Pacific for Interval International. In this
role Kit is responsible for acquiring new affiliate members to the Interval International network of resorts,
as well as providing service and support to existing clients.
Interval International operates membership programs for vacationers and provides value-added
services to its developer clients worldwide. Today, Interval has an exchange network of nearly 2,900
resorts in more than 80 nations. Through offices in 16 countries, Interval offers high-quality products and
benefits to resort clients and about 2 million families who are enrolled in various membership programs.
Interval is an operating business of Interval Leisure Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: IILG), a leading global provider
of membership and leisure services to the vacation industry.
Kit received a BA Honours in Chinese and Management from the University of Durham, in conjunction
with a one year intensive study at the People’s University of Beijing. Prior to joining Interval, Kit spent six
years with Laguna Holiday Club in Thailand where he was Business Development Director and most
recently, Deputy General Manager, working in both the timeshare and property divisions.
Robert Williams
Ryan Lawyers
Robert Williams, Principal, Ryan Lawyers works from the firm’s Sydney and Singapore offices.
Since qualifying in London in 2000, Robert has focused on transactions in the real estate sector, and
particularly the leisure, hotels and tourism industries across the Asia Pacific region.
Prior to joining Ryan Lawyers in 2012, Robert was a partner at Baker & McKenzie for 6 years.
Robert’s experience includes, hotel and resort sales, acquisitions and financing, hotel development advising on fund and project structuring, including for mixed use sites, hotel management agreements,
acting for property developers, owners, and international hotel operators, fractional ownership schemes advising clients on establishing new shared ownership schemes (including in Australia under the managed
investment scheme regime) and existing operators on regulatory and compliance matters, and crossborder and domestic corporate and structured property transactions.
Robert holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Durham and is admitted in England and Wales
(2000) and New South Wales, Australia (2004).
Robert regularly speaks at industry conferences in Asia and Australia, and has presented a number of
Master Class sessions at HICAP events. Robert sits on the Property Council of Australia's NSW Tourism
Committee, and on the hotel panel of the Australian Tourism and Transport Forum.
Page 14 of 15
18-19 March 2015
Pan Pacific Singapore
SPEAKERS
as of March 12, 2015
Steven Yap
Iconic Vacation Club
Steven Yap is the Vice President of International Sales & Marketing (Property & Membership) for
Sepang GoldCoast Sdn Bhd & Iconic Vacation Club Berhad. Steven is a degree holder of LLB from
University of London and has over 20 years experience in the property industry in Malaysia & Hong Kong.
He joined CNI as a Trainer before embarking his career in Hong Kong and then came back to join the
sister company of CNI, Sepang Gold Coast Sdn Bhd to head the property division promoting the Golden
Palm Tree and successfully sold the iconic “palm shaped” property mostly to the overseas investor.
In year 2009, he embarked into heading the membership division and started Iconic Vacation Club. In
year 2011, he expanded the membership sales into China and in 2014 he was introduced by RCI to the
middle east.
With his strong and bold personality he wants to achieve the “RCI President Award for 2015” and plan
to expand the membership division into India, Indonesia and Thailand.
Page 15 of 15