21 - 24 April 2026
Singapore Expo
21 - 24 April 2026
Singapore Expo
Agenda
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Opening Ceremony
The Digital Transformation Journey for Hospitality: Balancing Technology and Humanity in Hospitality 2026
Session
Discover how hospitality leaders are successfully navigating digital transformation in 2026 and beyond by integrating cutting-edge technologies—AI personalisation, contactless services, and predictive analytics—while preserving the authentic human connections that define exceptional guest experiences. This session features real-world case studies and practical strategies for leveraging technology as an enabler of enhanced service rather than a replacement for it, helping operators achieve the optimal balance between digital convenience and personal touch that drives guest loyalty and operational excellence in today’s competitive landscape.
Moderator:
Elisa Tenivella
Regional Manager
Sophia Training and Consulting
Elisa Tenivella is a transformation leader with over 15 years of experience driving complex, large-scale transformation programs across the APAC region. She has worked across both multinational enterprises and entrepreneurial organizations in a range of industries, bringing a pragmatic and results-oriented approach to change. Operating at the intersection of business and technology, she specializes in bridging the gap between technical capabilities and commercial outcomes.
More recently, Elisa has led AI enablement and adoption initiatives across business functions as Regional Manager at Sophia Training & Consulting, supporting organizations in selecting the right technologies, driving implementation, and building workforce capabilities to ensure effective use.
Elisa Tenivella
Regional Manager
Sophia Training and Consulting
Speakers:
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Founder and Fractional Chief Information Officer / Chief Technology Officer
The Way Forward
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 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.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Vice President – Head of Digital and Technology
Banyan Group
Welly Jamin
Vice President, Technology & Innovations
Furama Hotels International (FHI)
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
Vice President, Technology & Innovations
Furama Hotels International
Tue, 21 Apr | 12:10 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
The End of Hospitality as We Know It: Why Transformation is Our Greatest Opportunity
Keynote
Are traditional hospitality models becoming obsolete? Explore how industry leaders are seizing this moment of disruption as their greatest opportunity for innovation. This forward-looking session reveals how visionary operators are completely reimagining their business models, service delivery, and guest engagement strategies to thrive in the new hospitality landscape, providing actionable insights for transforming industry challenges into competitive advantages and sustainable growth opportunities.
Moderator:
James Liaw
General Manager of Singapore & Thailand
Shiji Group
James Liaw is General Manager for Singapore and Thailand at Shiji Group, leading regional strategy and operations. Based in Singapore, he partners with hospitality groups across APAC to modernise operations through integrated technology, connectivity, and data‑driven solutions that support scalable, long-term growth.
James Liaw
General Manager of Singapore & Thailand
Shiji Group
Speakers:
Rachel Loh
Executive Director
Singapore Tourism Board
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
Executive Director
Angeline Hon
Vice President Digital & Data
Mandai Wildlife Group
Angeline Hon is a digital transformation leader with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, e-commerce, and MarTech across the hospitality and attractions industries. At Mandai Wildlife Group, she leads digital and data strategy across the entire guest journey — from inspiration and booking to on-site engagement and post-visit loyalty — integrating platforms, data, and performance marketing to drive measurable commercial growth. She is currently leading Mandai’s enterprise transformation across digital commerce, customer data platforms, and next-generation ticketing to enable more personalized, seamless guest experiences. Known for her people-first leadership and strong execution, Angeline champions the use of technology and data to deliver meaningful guest experiences while building a culture of innovation and continuous experimentation.
Angeline Hon
Vice President Digital & Data
Mandai Wildlife Group
Future-Ready Hotels: Innovating for People, Planet and Profit
Moderator:
Andrew Cameron
Founder & CEO
Enzyme Consulting
Andrew Cameron is the Founder & CEO of Enzyme Consulting, a Singapore-based advisory firm specialising in regenerative food systems, AgriFoodTech, and sustainable hospitality across Asia Pacific. A recognised systems integrator, he works across the full value chain — from production and procurement to supply chains, operations, and guest experience — helping operators, investors, and start-ups turn complexity into opportunity.
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
Founder & CEO
Enzyme Consulting
Speakers:
Aras Aijit
Vice President
Sharp
Ajit is Executive Vice President @ Sharp Singapore. He heads the Device business, that enables brands to deliver a premium user experience.
He focuses on building teams and B2B partnerships, to co-innovate value in the fields of Mobility & Sustainability across Oceania, India & SE-Asia.
He advices & mentors start-ups on B2B go-to-market strategies and leadership.
Aras Ajit
Vice President
Sharp
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Founder and Fractional Chief Information Officer / Chief Technology Officer
The Way Forward
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 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.
Khang Nguyen Trieu
Vice President – Head of Digital and Technology
Banyan Group
Ricarda Schneider
Director of Sustainability, Asia Pacific excluding China
Marriot International
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
Director of Sustainability, Asia Pacific excluding China
Marriot International
From Data Breaches to Ransomware: Building Cyber Resilience in Guest-Facing Industries
Session
Navigate the growing cybersecurity threats targeting hospitality operations, from data breaches to ransomware attacks, while maintaining brand confidence. This critical session sheds light on practices for building comprehensive cyber defence systems for hospitality, featuring real-world case studies, staff training best practices, and proven security frameworks that protect sensitive guest data and operational infrastructure without compromising service quality or business continuity.
Moderator:
Melvin Toh
Senior Manager
Deloitte Singapore T&T Cyber Pte Ltd
Melvin is a Senior Manager in Deloitte Singapore’s Technology & Transformation practice. As part of the Data & Privacy team, Melvin has spent the past 7 years leading and delivering services to various clients at local, regional, and global scales in data-related domains, particularly data privacy and protection, and serves as a subject matter expert to the other teams in the firm’s practice in Southeast Asia.
Within this evolving field, Melvin is constantly looking out for opportunities and new developments to assist clients in their data privacy and protection journeys, such as in the areas of Privacy Enhancing Technologies and Privacy in Artificial Intelligence. He has also supported organisations in initiating discussions around emerging cybersecurity threats such as in Quantum Cyber Readiness and Cryptographic Agility.
Melvin Toh
Senior Manager
Deloitte Singapore T&T Cyber Pte Ltd
Speakers:
Gary Ooi
Senior Director IT
Capella Hotel Group
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
Senior Director IT
Capella Hotel Group
Ivan Ng
Chief Technology Officer
City Development Limited
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
Chief Technology Officer
City Developments Limited
Rise of QSR and Retail Brands From the East, Driving Innovation Through Technology
Session
Speakers:
Amanda Huang
Founder
SOFUN3 PTE. LTD.
Amanda Qian Huang is an F&B entrepreneur and business leader at the forefront of building and scaling modern Eastern food brands. As Director of SOFUN3, she leads the evolution of a heritage Hunan noodle concept into a contemporary, experience-driven brand — combining traditional craftsmanship with operational scalability and modern retail innovation.
In recent years, Amanda has been deeply immersed in the F&B sector, driving brand development, store operations, and growth strategy in highly competitive urban markets. Her work focuses on transforming traditional food concepts into scalable business models, with strong emphasis on customer experience, product integrity, and operational excellence.
Prior to her current role, Amanda served as CEO of Delibowl Group, where she oversaw multi-brand F&B operations and expansion, sharpening her expertise in concept positioning, team building, and execution at scale. This hands-on leadership in the food and beverage space has shaped her pragmatic, ground-up approach to building resilient and commercially viable brands.
Before transitioning into F&B, Amanda built a strong foundation in global business and transformation. She held senior leadership roles at Singapore Post Ltd, leading regional customer experience transformation across 11 markets, and began her career with Haier, where she drove market expansion and product innovation across Europe.
An MBA graduate from Singapore Management University, Amanda is known for bridging strategy with execution — bringing together data, operations, and consumer insight to build future-ready F&B brands. Her perspective is shaped by both global corporate experience and hands-on entrepreneurial execution, making her a distinctive voice in the evolution of Eastern brands going global.
Amanda Huang
Founder
SOFUN3 PTE. LTD.
Shaun Markus
Founder
Lunchbox
With two decades of experience at the intersection of F&B and technology, Shaun Markus Lee has a proven record of scaling from ideation to exit. Following the successful acquisition of his first restaurant SaaS venture, ServedbyAlfred, he co-founded Gulu Gulu Bubble Tea, which went on to sell over 5 million cups. Identifying a critical lag in legacy restaurant infrastructure, Shaun founded Lunchbox — an AI-powered F&B solution currently powering 3,000+ outlets and serving a digital ecosystem of 1.7 million users.
Shaun Markus
Founder
Lunchbox
Wed, 22 Apr | 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
The Connected Consumer: Technology, Convenience and The Future of Food Ordering
Organised by Saladplate
This session will start with an exploration of the comfort level of consumers in Asia with food delivery and QSR ordering through technology. Using the latest research from GlobalData, moderator Paul Desmond Savuriar will consider how consumers in SE Asia differ from those in the rest of the world and the implications of the evolution of technology in the foodservice sector in the region.
The discussion will then move from the theory to the practice with insights from Benjamin Boh, Regional Vice President of Domino’s Pizza. Ben will draw from his nearly two decades of experience in the F&B, FMCG and consulting sectors as well as being President of the Restaurant Association of Singapore, to look at some local examples of the uses of technology in the foodservice and food delivery sector.
Ravi Nahappan, CEO and Co-Founder of Rolo Robotics, will also provide valuable insights based on his extensive international experience spanning over 20 years in food-tech, robotics, investment banking, and FMCG.
Delegates will receive both the latest research on technology uses in foodservice in SE Asia, as well as some real-world insights into how operators are coping with consumer demand and balancing investments and returns in this highly competitive sector.
This session is organised by Saladplate. As seating is limited, registration is required for all interested participants. This Business Breakfast is part of the FutureFWD Conference & Showcase (21–24 April 2026), and registered participants will have access to FutureFWD 2026 upon confirmation.
Moderator:
Paul Savuriar
Manager Business Development – APAC Southeast Asia
GlobalData PLC
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 Savuriar
Manager Business Development – APAC
Southeast Asia
GlobalData PLC
Speakers:
Benjamin Boh
Regional Vice President
Domino’s Pizza
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
Regional Vice President
Domino’s Pizza
Ravi Nahappan
CEO and Co-Founder
Rolo Robotics
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
CEO and Co Founder
Rolo Robotics
Driving Revenue in a New F&B Reality: What AI & Digital Tools Actually Deliver
Session
F&B and hospitality SMEs today face increasing pressure from rising costs, manpower constraints, and evolving customer expectations. While digital transformation is widely discussed, many operators are still asking a fundamental question — what actually works, and where should we start? This panel, presented by Singtel Stack-EZ, brings together solution leaders across customer engagement, operations, POS, and AI to share real customer cases on how digital tools are delivering measurable business outcomes today.
Moderator:
Juay Peow Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
JP has more than 30 years’ experience in management consultancy with a demonstrated history of delivering impactful training programs and facilitating organizational transformations. Specialized in Business Process Re-engineering using methodologies like Lean/Six Sigma and Kaizen. Proven expertise in change management, driving tangible financial results through people, data analytics and AI. Conducted multiple productivity improvement projects across the Asia-Pacific region. In his consulting projects, he focused on understanding the strategic needs of top clients and designing tailored solutions to address their organizational challenges. His role is gaining client buy-in for our services and coached their management teams to implement our recommendations effectively, ensuring lasting impact and successful outcomes. JP has been a guest lecturer at National University of Singapore, Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business and Beijing Jiaotong University. He is also a frequent speaker of F&B Master class organized by Enterprise Singapore (SPRING) and Forum organized by Shanghai Restaurant Association, China.
JP Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
Speakers:
Jasper Chong
Business Development and Partnerships Manager
Mobile.Cards
Jasper Chong specialises in helping brands drive customer engagement and retention through digital loyalty and CRM solutions at Mobile.Cards across Singapore and Southeast Asia. With experience leading end-to-end commercial initiatives, he brings a data-driven approach to building scalable customer ecosystems. He works closely with SMEs and enterprises to align technology with business objectives, focusing on measurable growth, operational execution, and long-term value creation.
Jasper Chong
Business Development and Partnerships Manager
Mobile.Cards
Smile Huang
Vice President, APAC
Whale
Smile Huang is VP of APAC at Whale, where she leads regional strategy and AI transformation initiatives with enterprises and partner ecosystems across Asia. With over a decade of experience at Salesforce, Palo Alto Networks, and Ant Group, she specialises in helping organisations translate AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes. Her work focuses on driving operational impact, improving customer experience, and enabling responsible adoption of AI in real-world environments.
Smile Huang
Vice President, APAC
Whale
Teo Beng Hean
Director
Telco Cloud & ICT Solutions, Singtel
Smile Huang is VP of APAC at Whale, where she leads regional strategy and AI transformation initiatives with enterprises and partner ecosystems across Asia. With over a decade of experience at Salesforce, Palo Alto Networks, and Ant Group, she specialises in helping organisations translate AI capabilities into measurable business outcomes. Her work focuses on driving operational impact, improving customer experience, and enabling responsible adoption of AI in real-world environments.
Teo Beng Hean
Director
Telco Cloud & ICT Solutions, Singtel
Wed, 22 Apr | 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Change Management & Upskilling for Tech Adoption and Data Decision Making
Industry leaders share their views on how their brands and teams are overcoming resistance to new technology, designing effective training programs, and building cultures of continuous learning that turn technological challenges into competitive advantages, ensuring their workforce thrives in an increasingly digital business environment.
Moderator:
Joseph Ong
Founder & Managing Director
1-Group
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
Founder & Managing Director
1-Group
Speakers:
Kiattipoom Kiatkawsin
Associate Professor
Singapore Institute of Technology
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
Associate Professor
Singapore Institute of Technology
Kung Teong Wah
Cluster General Manager
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road
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
Cluster General Manager
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Wed, 22 Apr | 12:10 PM – 1:15 PM
Lunch Break
Wed, 22 Apr | 1:15 PM – 2:00 PM
AI Driving Operational Efficiency and Customer Experience in Hospitality, Retail, and Foodservice
Separate AI hyper-personalisation reality from hype in this revealing session that examines what’s genuinely possible versus marketing promises. Explore real-world implementations, breakthrough innovations, and practical challenges of delivering individualised experiences at scale, while learning to navigate data privacy concerns, algorithmic limitations, and the balance between automation and human connection to create authentic personalisation strategies that drive business results.
Moderator:
Alex Hau
AI & Digital Transformation Advisor (former Sr Director APAC at Marriott International)
Growth Next
Alex Hau is the founder of Growth Next, an advisory firm based in Singapore.
After a decade at Marriott APAC leading digital, guest-facing technology, and tech partnerships, he now advises businesses on AI transformation and discoverability.
His firm publishes the APAC AI Visibility Index, which tracks how hotels appear across AI search engines in the region.
Alex Hau
AI & Digital Transformation Advisor (Former Senior Director APAC at Marriott International)
Growth Next
Speakers:
Aurelie Batmalle
Digital and Technology Director APAC
YUM
APAC Digital & Technology Director at Pizza Hut, Aurelie Batmalle is a digital growth leader with 15+ years of experience driving e-commerce, CRM, and restaurant technology transformation across global consumer brands.
Aurelie Batmalle
Digital and Technology Director APAC
YUM
Frederick Kang
Independent Experienced F&B Technologist
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
Independent Experienced F&B Technologist
Shawn Sengupta
Head of Digital and Technology, Asia Pacific
CBRE PTE Ltd.
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
Head of Digital and Technology, Asia Pacific
CBRE PTE Ltd.
Case Study: Innovation and Trends from Non-Commercial Food Operators
Speakers:
Angeline Hon
Vice President Digital & Data
Mandai Wildlife Group
Angeline Hon is a digital transformation leader with over 20 years of experience in digital marketing, e-commerce, and MarTech across the hospitality and attractions industries. At Mandai Wildlife Group, she leads digital and data strategy across the entire guest journey — from inspiration and booking to on-site engagement and post-visit loyalty — integrating platforms, data, and performance marketing to drive measurable commercial growth. She is currently leading Mandai’s enterprise transformation across digital commerce, customer data platforms, and next-generation ticketing to enable more personalized, seamless guest experiences. Known for her people-first leadership and strong execution, Angeline champions the use of technology and data to deliver meaningful guest experiences while building a culture of innovation and continuous experimentation.
Angeline Hon
Vice President Digital & Data
Mandai Wildlife Group
Suresh Kumar
Chief Operating Officer
Plaza Premium Group (PPG)
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
Chief Operating Officer
Plaza Premium Group (PPG)
Leveraging Data to Drive Revenue & Guest Loyalty
Moderator:
Juay Peow Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
JP has more than 30 years’ experience in management consultancy with a demonstrated history of delivering impactful training programs and facilitating organizational transformations. Specialized in Business Process Re-engineering using methodologies like Lean/Six Sigma and Kaizen. Proven expertise in change management, driving tangible financial results through people, data analytics and AI. Conducted multiple productivity improvement projects across the Asia-Pacific region. In his consulting projects, he focused on understanding the strategic needs of top clients and designing tailored solutions to address their organizational challenges. His role is gaining client buy-in for our services and coached their management teams to implement our recommendations effectively, ensuring lasting impact and successful outcomes. JP has been a guest lecturer at National University of Singapore, Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business and Beijing Jiaotong University. He is also a frequent speaker of F&B Master class organized by Enterprise Singapore (SPRING) and Forum organized by Shanghai Restaurant Association, China.
JP Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
Speakers:
Derrick Leaw
Sales Director
Restosuite Private Limited
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
Sales Director
Restosuite Private Limited
Hubert Wang
Managing Director
Restosuite Private Limited
Hubert Wang is the Managing Director of RestoSuite Singapore, where he leads digital transformation initiatives for the F&B industry across Southeast Asia. He works closely with restaurants, fintech partners, and technology providers to leverage data, AI, and integrated POS ecosystems to improve operations, strengthen customer loyalty, and drive sustainable business growth.
Hubert Wang
Managing Director
Restosuite Private Limited
Ng Mei Li
Deputy Director, Enterprise Transformation
Singapore Productivity Centre (SPC)
Ng Mei Li, Deputy Director, Enterprise Transformation, represents the Singapore Productivity Centre (SPC), where she is involved in supporting SMEs on productivity, enterprise transformation, and digitalisation efforts.
Her work includes engaging F&B and lifestyle companies to better understand day-to-day operations and business processes, and explore ways to work with the companies. She has contributed to initiatives related to workforce, enterprise and digital transformation.
Mei Li was also part of the team that contributed to the Food Services Productivity Report, which looks at key challenges and opportunities in improving productivity within the sector.
Ng Mei Li
Deputy Director, Enterprise Transformation
Singapore Productivity Centre
The AI-Powered Middleman: How Smart Aggregators are Revolutionising Customer Discovery
Moderator:
Juay Peow Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
JP has more than 30 years’ experience in management consultancy with a demonstrated history of delivering impactful training programs and facilitating organizational transformations. Specialized in Business Process Re-engineering using methodologies like Lean/Six Sigma and Kaizen. Proven expertise in change management, driving tangible financial results through people, data analytics and AI. Conducted multiple productivity improvement projects across the Asia-Pacific region. In his consulting projects, he focused on understanding the strategic needs of top clients and designing tailored solutions to address their organizational challenges. His role is gaining client buy-in for our services and coached their management teams to implement our recommendations effectively, ensuring lasting impact and successful outcomes. JP has been a guest lecturer at National University of Singapore, Singapore Chinese Chamber Institute of Business and Beijing Jiaotong University. He is also a frequent speaker of F&B Master class organized by Enterprise Singapore (SPRING) and Forum organized by Shanghai Restaurant Association, China.
JP Lim
Partner
Biscovery Limited
Speakers:
Alex Hau
AI & Digital Transformation Advisor (former Sr Director APAC at Marriott International)
Growth Next
Alex Hau is the founder of Growth Next, an advisory firm based in Singapore.
After a decade at Marriott APAC leading digital, guest-facing technology, and tech partnerships, he now advises businesses on AI transformation and discoverability.
His firm publishes the APAC AI Visibility Index, which tracks how hotels appear across AI search engines in the region.
Alex Hau
AI & Digital Transformation Advisor (former Senior Director APAC at Marriott International)
Growth Next
Ralph Frehner
Entrepreneur
Darkwhite Design
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
Entrepreneur
Darkwhite Design
Thu, 23 Apr | 9:45 AM – 11:00 AM
From Insight to Bite: How AI Will Change What’s on Our Plate by 2030
Organised by Saladplate
A FutureFWD panel on predictive AI, shifting consumer behaviour, and faster food innovation.
What we eat in 2030 will be shaped less by intuition and more by intelligence. As consumer preferences evolve at an unprecedented speed, AI is becoming a decisive force in predicting demand, shaping ingredients, and accelerating product development across the food ecosystem.
This dynamic panel brings together leaders from CPG brands, ingredient companies, and food-tech startups to explore how predictive AI is transforming the journey from consumer insight to finished product. From identifying emerging food trends and flavour signals to enabling faster formulation, smarter reformulation, and more targeted launches, the discussion will spotlight how data-driven decision-making is redefining what ends up on our plates.
Powered by AI Palette’s trend and food intelligence, the session will unpack real-world applications of AI in shaping future diets—revealing how brands and innovators can move faster, reduce risk, and stay ahead of what consumers will want next.
This session is organised by Saladplate. As seating is limited, registration is required for all interested participants. This Business Breakfast is part of the FutureFWD Conference & Showcase (21–24 April 2026), and registered participants will have access to FutureFWD 2026 upon confirmation.
Moderator:
Gladis Chua
Manager, Partner Success and Investments
Plug and Play
Gladis Chua is an innovation professional working at the intersection of food systems, consumer insight, and emerging technology. Her experience spans the public sector, Fortune 500 companies, and the startup ecosystem, giving her a cross-sector perspective on the evolving food landscape. She began her career at the Singapore Food Agency, contributing to national resource planning in support of Singapore’s food security strategy. Her work has also explored precision nutrition as a pathway to reduce food waste and improve system efficiency. She has since partnered with Fortune 500 CPG organisations to understand shifting consumer behaviours and translate insights into future-facing product strategies. Currently active in the startup space, Gladis works with emerging technologies shaping the future of food and beverage, with a focus on how AI and data-driven intelligence can enable more responsive and scalable innovation from insight to product.
Gladis Chua
Manager, Partner Success and Investments
Plug and Play
Speakers:
Alan Lai
Founder & CEO
ProfilePrint
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
Founder & CEO
ProfilePrint
Charissa Leong
Head of Sales
Olam Food Ingredients
Leads the cocoa powder and liquor sales portfolio across Asia Pacific at ofi More than a decade of experience in commercial strategy, customer engagement, and product innovation, she plays a pivotal role in driving growth by aligning customer needs with differentiated cocoa solutions. Obtain her Executive MBA last year, to deepen leadership capabilities and strategic acumen to navigate the evolving food and beverage landscape.
Charissa Leong
Head of Sales
Olam Food Ingredients
Som Gan Choudhuri
Co-Founder
AI Palette
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
Co-Founder
AI Palette
Surviving the Squeeze: Reinventing F&B for Resilience in an Era of Rising Costs via Kitchen Automation and Delivery Optimisation Platforms
As food and beverage operators face unprecedented pressure from rising ingredient costs, labour shortages, and increased operational expenses, the strategic implementation of kitchen automation and delivery optimisation technologies has become essential for maintaining profitability and competitive advantage. This vital session explores how forward-thinking F&B businesses are leveraging cutting-edge automation solutions—from robotic food preparation and AI-powered inventory management to automated cooking systems and smart kitchen workflows.
Moderator:
Martin Bém
Managing Director
Ponte Group
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
Managing Director
Ponte Group
Speakers:
Andrew Chan
Managing Director
The Soup Spoon Pte Ltd
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
Managing Director
The Soup Spoon Pte Ltd
Patrick Chan
Managing Director
Kitchen Haus Group Pte Ltd
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
Managing Director
Kitchen Haus Group Pte Ltd
Thu, 23 Apr | 11:40 AM – 12:10 PM
Need to Manage Omnichannel Customer Experiences – Integration Challenges Across Online and Offline Touchpoints
Moderator:
Laveena Mahtani
Strategic Marketing & Communications Leader
Formerly with Marriott International and Meta
A seasoned marketing leader with over 20 years of experience shaping brand, digital, and F&B strategies across Asia’s hospitality and lifestyle sectors. She has led regional marketing for global brands including Marriott International and Meta, driving innovation, partnerships, and guest engagement across diverse markets. Passionate about the intersection of brand storytelling and immersive experiences, Laveena continues to champion creativity and commercial growth in Asia’s evolving F&B landscape.
Laveena Mahtani
Managing Director Strategic Marketing & Communications Leader
Formerly with Marriott International and Meta
Speakers:
Sarissa Rodriguez-Schwartz
Chief Executive Officer
SJS Hospitality Group
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
Chief Executive Officer
SJS Hospitality Group
Whey Han Tan
Senior Director, Restaurant Sales and Services
Opentable
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
Senior Director, Restaurant Sales and Services
Opentable
Thu, 23 Apr | 12:10 PM – 1:30 PM
Lunch Break
The Great Foodservice Talent Challenge: Navigating Labour Shortages Across APAC Markets
Address the critical talent shortage impacting APAC foodservice markets through regional insights and innovative workforce solutions. Learn from market-specific challenges across Asia-Pacific countries and industry leaders reveal practical strategies for talent acquisition, retention, and operational optimisation that help foodservice operators build resilient teams and sustainable business models despite ongoing labour market pressures.
Moderator:
Martin Bém
Managing Director
Ponte Group
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
Managing Director
Ponte Group
Speakers:
Andrew Ing
Chief Operating Officer
OUE Restaurants Pte Ltd
Andrew brings 40 years of industry experience in F&B/nightlife operations, marketing, events, and management to OUE Restaurants. As Chief Operating Officer, Andrew directly oversees the day to day running of the company.
Andrew has worked in a variety of roles in a variety of concepts, developing a strong foundation for the success of such businesses, which are based on 3 principles – applying a hospitality mindset to an organization (both internally and externally), adopting progressive human capital practices, and knowing how to build a strong brand. One of his key strengths is being able to review existing business units and then build teams to deliver better results for key stakeholders.
In recent years, he has expanded his network through pro-bono work with various government agencies (Ministry of Manpower, Institute of HR Professionals and the former Workforce Development Agency), trade associations (Restaurant Association of Singapore and Singapore Nightlife Business Association), and learning institutions (Republic Polytechnic and SHATEC).
Prior to OUE Restaurants, Andrew spent 9 years with The Lo & Behold Group, and before that, he was with Catalist-listed St James Holdings, operating the 70,000 sq ft multi-entertainment complex St James Power Station. Prior to St James, he was a Partner and the Regional Project Director of youth marketing agency The Filter Group, handling marketing activation projects and public relations support for clients in Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Tokyo and Osaka.
He moved to Singapore in 1993 to be the Marketing Manager of Zouk (the number 1 dance club in Asia for the past 30 years) and created and produced the first ZoukOut festival in Dec 2000. From 1990 to 1993, he worked in Hong Kong for a concert promoter, staging concerts by artists such as Simply Red, Bobby Brown, Paula Abdul, and Paul Simon. Andrew was born in Sydney and holds a bachelor’s degree in commerce (major in marketing) from the University of New South Wales; he also attended the Sydney Grammar School.
Andrew Ing
Chief Operating Officer
OUE Restaurants
Kung Teong Wah
Cluster General Manager
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore and PARKROYAL on Beach Road
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
Cluster General Manager
PARKROYAL COLLECTION Pickering, Singapore, and PARKROYAL on Beach Road
Thu, 23 Apr | 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
FCSI (Foodservice Consultant Society International) Session
Session
Designing the Intelligent Space: Where AI Meets Restaurant Operation & Bar Design
2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
The hospitality industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation. Artificial intelligence, automation, and connected technologies are no longer future concepts — they are reshaping how restaurants, bars, and hotel F&B spaces are conceived, designed, and operated today. Yet the design and foodservice community is still grappling with how to integrate these tools meaningfully into practice.
This panel brings together interior designers, foodservice consultants, and hospitality operators to examine the collision point between cutting-edge technology and the art of creating exceptional dining and drinking experiences. From AI-assisted spatial planning and specification tools to data-driven kitchen design and smart equipment integration, the conversation will be candid, practical, and forward-looking.
The goal is not to celebrate the hype — but to ask the harder question: how do we build spaces that are both experientially rich and operationally intelligent?
Moderator:
Debbie Yong
Founder and Chief Strategist
Atypical Media
Former Editorial Director, Michelin Guide Asia and the Middle East Debbie Yong is a veteran journalist turned branding strategist who helps Asia’s top executives and entrepreneurs tell unforgettable stories. As the founder of Atypical Media, she works with leaders in F&B, hospitality, and luxury to articulate their brand vision and voice — and translate that into compelling content that moves audiences and leaves an impact.
Debbie Yong
Founder and Chief Strategist
Atypical Media
Speakers:
Albin Chavy
Regional Director, Business Excellence
Compass Group Asia
With 15+ years in foodservice and hospitality, Albin Chavy is a leader in operational excellence across dynamic, high-performance environments. As Regional Director of Strategic Projects at Compass Group Asia-Pacific, he oversees F&B operations for one of the world’s largest tech companies—blending performance, purpose, and sustainability to transform workplace dining.
Albin Chavy
Regional Director, Business Excellence
Compass Group Asia
Stuart Robertson
Restaurant Consultant & Food Precinct Strategist
Mean Business, New Zealand
Restaurant consultant and dining precinct strategist, Stuart Robertson, works with restaurant owners and commercial landlords to create destinational dining concepts that are commercially sound and compelling to visit.
Since founding his consultancy, Mean Business, in 2018, Stuart has worked across a wide range of hospitality projects — from helping independent operators develop their business model, to advising developers and landlords on the food strategy and hospitality mix for new precincts. The work spans everything from concept development and tenancy strategy to operational design and commercial modelling.
The thread that runs through all of it is straightforward: good hospitality businesses don’t happen by accident. They’re the result of clear thinking, sound advice, and a strategy that holds up far beyond opening night.
Stuart Robertson
Restaurant Consultant & Food Precinct Strategist
Mean Business, New Zealand
Tony Chisholm
Global SVP Food Beverage & Entertainment
Accor
With extensive leadership experience across hotel operations, Tony brings a strategic lens to F&B—combining financial rigour with a sharp focus on guest experience, brand differentiation, and commercial performance.
Tony Chisholm
Global SVP Food Beverage & Entertainment
Accor
Tulsi Grover
Founder
re.vorG
Tulsi Grover is a hospitality and lifestyle designer with over 20 years’ experience shaping spaces across Asia, the Middle East, and Africa. His diverse portfolio spans hotels, bars & restaurants, airport lounges, retail hubs, and custom homes, united by a single focus: creating places that move people emotionally as well as functionally.
Tulsi found his calling in design, a journey driven more by curiosity than convention. Most recently, he served as Managing Principal at Hassell, leading multidisciplinary teams across Southeast Asia and steering strategy, design direction, and client partnerships.
Known for blending architecture, interiors, landscape, and design strategy, Tulsi’s approach combines evidence-based design with intuitive storytelling and deep cultural insight. He speaks regularly at industry events, sharing perspectives on how psychology, culture, and context shape memorable guest experiences
Tulsi Grover
Founder
re.vorG
Yvette Lin
Head Chef
Burnt Ends Private Dining Room (PDR) & Burnt Ends Bar
- Rising Chef of the Year (Female), World Gourmet Awards 2021
Born and raised in Singapore, Yvette has always been intrigued by the F&B industry, believing it to be the perfect balance between artistry and business. She joined the industry at 19 at a bistro called CM-PB, where she had the opportunity to grow as part of the opening team for The Coastal Settlement and Symmetry Cafe, learning both local cuisine and foundational French techniques.
Yvette joined Burnt Ends in 2015 as a Chef de Partie and has since risen through the ranks to become its Group Executive Sous Chef. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to cook alongside acclaimed chefs and participate in international festivals.
Memorable experiences include a stage at Sixpenny, participating in the 12 Days of Christmas organised by Restaurant Meadowood in 2018, and working with chefs such as Bo and Dylan from Bo.lan, Andy Ricker from Pok Pok, and Will Goldfarb from Room4Dessert. She firmly believes that working with chefs across different cuisines has broadened her culinary perspective and inspired her to continually push herself.
Under Chef Dave Pynt’s mentorship, Yvette has learned that running a successful restaurant goes beyond cooking delicious food, gaining valuable insight into the operational and strategic aspects of the business.
In 2016, she took a brief break from Burnt Ends to run her own pop-up, Little Husband, in Duxton Hill, focusing on Asian street food. The experience sharpened her understanding of managing and organising an establishment from the ground up.
During Singapore’s Circuit Breaker period, Chef Lin led her team through one of the industry’s most challenging chapters with resilience and creativity. She introduced innovative strategies, including fuss-free takeaway dishes that resonated with local tastes. As she shared with Michelin Guide, Singapore’s deep-rooted hawker and comfort food culture shaped her approach. When conceptualising takeaway menus, she tapped into that innate desire for simple, satisfying food.
Since then, Yvette has expanded her repertoire at Burnt Ends, helping to run Burnt Ends Bar and the culinary programme for the restaurant’s Private Dining Room (PDR).
Amid the continued excitement surrounding Singapore’s culinary scene, she remains passionate about contributing to and growing within the industry she calls home.
Yvette Lin
Head Chef
Burnt Ends Private Dining Room (PDR)
& Burnt Ends Bar
Rapid-Fire Sessions
3:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Each of the three rapid-fire sessions is 15 minutes in total: 10 minutes of structured discussion followed by 5 minutes of open Q&A with the audience.
Session 1
The Automated Kitchen Is Here — Is Your Operation Read
Automation is no longer a future concept — it is being deployed in hotel kitchens and restaurant operations right
now. But is the reality living up to the promise?
Speakers:
Robert Davies
Global Key Account Segment Leader Hotel
UNOX S.p.A.
Robert Davies is Global Key Account Segment Leader Hotel – UNOX S.p.A., responsible for defining and executing the company’s worldwide hotel strategy.
He partners with leading operators and ownership groups across multiple regions, positioning the kitchen as a strategic driver of profitability, performance, and sustainability.
With a sharp commercial lens and global perspective, Robert champions intelligent, Sustainable data driven F&B ecosystems that are redefining the future of hospitality.
Robert Davies
Global Key Account Segment Leader Hotel
UNOX S.p.A.
Jespher Millano
Director
año Restaurant and Bar Consulting
Jespher Millano is the Director of año Restaurant and Bar Consulting, with over 12 years of experience in the Food & Beverage industry and 6 years in consultancy across the Philippines.
He has received international training from Institut Paul Bocuse, École Hôtelière de Lausanne, and Alain Ducasse Education, bringing a global perspective to his work. His background spans Michelin-level kitchens, luxury hotels, and multi-market consulting across the Philippines and Asia.
He specializes in concept creation, brand storytelling, and experience-driven design, integrating operational strategy with spatial and visual direction to deliver hospitality concepts that perform both creatively and commercially.
Jespher Millano
Director
año Restaurant and Bar Consulting
Session 2
The Spec Sheet Reimagined: AI and the Future of Equipment Selection
AI-assisted specification tools are beginning to change how consultants select, document, and justify equipment
choices. This session puts that shift under the microscope.
Speakers:
William Fletcher
Managing Director and Vice President Sales (Southeast Asia and Australasia)
Welbilt
Managing Director of Koldtech and Vice President Sales for Welbilt in Southeast Asia and Australasia a long-established refrigeration brand offering standard and customised refrigeration products and walk-in cold rooms.
William brings 30 years of experience in the commercial foodservice kitchen industry, having begun his career with a foodservice kitchen contractor before moving into sales roles representing global leading foodservice brands across the region. That career path gave him both deep technical knowledge and a broad commercial understanding of the markets he now leads.
William Fletcher
Managing Director and Vice President Sales (Southeast Asia and Australasia)
Welbilt
Prakash Alagu
Vice President
CKP Hospitality Consultants
Prakash Alagu is Vice President at CKP Hospitality Consultants and brings over 20 years of combined experience in mechanical engineering and foodservice facility design. With a degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Malaya, Prakash began his career in large-scale M&E projects before joining CKP, where he has led complex hospitality developments across Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
Prakash Alagu
Vice President
CKP Hospitality Consultants
Session 3
Future-Proofing the Kitchen: Designing for Technologies That Don’t Exist Yet
A kitchen or restaurant space designed and built today will need to absorb automation upgrades, new energy
requirements, and workflow technologies that don’t yet exist at commercial scale. This session focuses on
design modularity and infrastructure flexibility.
Speakers:
Leonard Lam
Managing Director (Asia Pacific)
Welbilt
Leonard Lam is the Managing Director of Welbilt Asia Pacific and an Allied Member representative on the FCSI Asia Pacific Board. Leonard is focused on integrating food, technology, and people to build highperforming kitchen systems that meet real operator needs. Known for his hands-on leadership and commitment to innovation, he’s helping shape the next chapter of foodservice in the Asia Pacific region.
Leonard Lam
Managing Director
(Asia Pacific)
Welbilt
Rahool Kr Talwar
Founder & Director
Re:Think Hospitality
Rahool Kr Talwar holds a degree in Hospitality & Hotel Administration from IHM Chennai and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Symbiosis, Pune. He is also a Certified Hospitality Trainer (NCHMCT, Ministry of Tourism, Govt. of India).
With over twenty two years of experience, Rahool specializes in facilities planning, operations management, organizational strategy, process implementation, and financial management. He has held senior leadership positions across the hospitality, marketing, banking, and IT infrastructure sectors. Currently, he serves as the Executive Director at Rethink Hospitality Private Limited, a hospitality consulting firm.
In addition to his professional role, Rahool is a board member of the Foodservice Consultants Society International (FCSI – APD) and an honorary EC member of the IHM Chennai Alumni Association. He also serves as an advisor to the YWCA Chennai and is a Consulting Partner with Peacock Group, a foodservice design firm in India, where he contributes to large-scale industrial projects.
Rahool Kr Talwar
Founder & Director
Re:Think Hospitality
Thu, 23 Apr | 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM
FCSI Networking
Invite Only